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Industry Sector Qualification (ISQ) Examinations

Get ready for ISQ with detailed exam topics, resources for study, and guidance for scheduling your exams.

Table of Contents
Exam TopicsStudy ResourcesHow to ScheduleRequired Identification and EquipmentRetake Information

How to Plan for Your ISQ Exams

Comprehensive, standards-based examinations are a cornerstone of ASNT qualifications.

Before you schedule your exams, review the information on this page to ensure you know what topics and skills your exams will cover, how to study, and what to expect when test day comes.

1

Step 1: Review ISQ Exam Topics

To receive ISQ, you must pass the examination in one hands-on practical examination.

These exams are designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your knowledge and your ability to apply that knowledge in ultrasonic testing techniques within the oil and gas industry.

Start by getting familiar with the topics and depth of knowledge you’ll need for each of your exams.

Number of Items: 10
Time for Completion: 4 hours

Discontinuity types possible on samples:

  • Wall loss

  • Mid-wall

  • No damage

Flaw Plotting Exam

Number of Test Samples: 4
Time for Completion: 1 hour

Scanning Exam

Number of Items: 4
Time for Completion: 6 hours

Total Time for Exams: 7 hours

Discontinuity types possible on samples:

  • Weld toe crack (outside diameter or inside diameter)

  • Root crack on inside diameter

  • Heat-affected zone crack

  • Transverse crack

  • Embedded centerline crack 

  • Lack of sidewall fusion 

  • Sidewall crack 

  • Lack of root fusion 

  • Incomplete penetration 

  • Slag inclusion 

  • Porosity

  • Base material wall loss from general corrosion, pitting, or erosion

  • Base material mid-wall laminations or inclusions

Number of Items: 4 (2 encoded, 2 non-encoded/freehand)
Time for Completion: 8 hours

Discontinuity types possible on samples:

  • Weld toe crack (outside diameter or inside diameter)

  • Root crack on inside diameter

  • Heat-affected zone crack

  • Transverse Crack

  • Embedded centerline crack 

  • Lack of sidewall fusion

  • Sidewall crack

  • Lack of root fusion

  • Incomplete penetration

  • Slag inclusion

  • Porosity

  • Base material wall loss from general corrosion, pitting, or erosion.

  • Base material mid-wall laminations or inclusions.

2

Study ISQ Exam Resources

To help you build knowledge and confidence, review the protocol, instructions, and report documents or participate in an ISQ prep course for the exam you are taking. You can use self-study materials from ASNT and other industry sources—or take a combined approach.*

Young person studying

ISQ Prep Courses

Designed for ISQ practitioners and taught by experienced, Level III nondestructive testing experts, these courses are offered in both online and in-person formats.

Register for ISQ Prep 

Protocols, Instructions, and Reports

These documents are essential resources for candidates applying for the ISQ exam. They collectively provide comprehensive guidance and necessary information to ensure candidates are well-prepared for the exam.

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*ASNT Certification Services LLC does not endorse any source of education or training as a guarantee of success on the certification examinations and does not provide any advantage over other available training and education. Examination candidates qualifying through the eligibility criteria should be aware that a number of study aids are available as added preparation for ASNT Certification Services certification exams. Candidates are not required to complete ASNT’s preparation education or training if a comparable alternative is available. No one source should be considered the only basis for exam preparation.

Support for Exams and Beyond: ASNT Membership

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ASNT members get reduced pricing on courses and save 25% on study guides, handbooks, and more.

Explore the benefits and become a member today

Join or Renew

3

When You’re Ready, Schedule Your ISQ Exams

For ISQ, ASNT offers in-person, hands-on practical testing at our Houston facility or any of our ISQ exam partners.

Before you schedule your exams, be sure you have:

Then, schedule your exams through your MyCert account.

Log In and Schedule Exams 

ISQ Exam Partners

ISQ exam partners are approved locations that provide practical testing for ASNT ISQ qualifications.

Address: 912 Gemini St., Houston, Texas 77058
Phone: 1-800-222-2768 or 1-614-274-6003
Email: houston@asnt.org

Scheduled Exam Dates

UT Thickness

Exams are scheduled at 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (CT), and 1:30–5:30 p.m. (CT) on the following dates:

  • 3-4 December 2024

  • 17-18 December 2024

UT Shear Wave

Flaw plotting retake schedules are not available online. Contact the ASNT Houston office directly for scheduling.

Exams are scheduled at 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (CT) on the following dates:

  • 14 November 2024

  • 5 December 2024

  • 19 December 2024

UT Phased Array

Exams are scheduled at 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (CT) on the following dates:

  • 6 December 2024

  • 20 December 2024

Address: 5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, California 90032

Once on campus, use the campus map for parking details and navigate to the exam location.

Scheduled Exam Dates

UT Thickness

Exams are scheduled at 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (PT) and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (PT) on the following dates:

  • 15-16 November 2024 - application deadline 11 November 2024

  • 13-14 December 2024 - application deadline 9 December 2024

Address: 1065 Crupper Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43229; Room 102

Scheduled Exam Dates

UT Thickness

Exams are scheduled at 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (ET), and 1:30–5:30 p.m. (ET) on the following dates:

  • 17-18 October 2024

  • 7 November 2024

Need to make a change?

You must schedule and complete all the examinations you’ve applied for within one year of our Letter of Approval.

Be sure you understand the rules for rescheduling or canceling your qualification examinations.

Read ASNT Cancellation/Refund Policy

4

Collect Your Identification and Equipment

When it’s time to take your ISQ exams, gather the following required identification and equipment to bring to the exam location.

Identification

You must bring two valid forms of identification to the exam center.

  1. A primary government-issued ID with name and signature.

  2. A secondary ID with a name and signature/photo.

Both identifications must be current and original, and the name on your identification must match the name on your qualification application and in your MyASNT record.

A valid photo identification can be your current:

  • passport

  • driver’s license

  • state or government-issued identification card

Other acceptable identification forms are:

  • work ID with your name and signature that matches primary ID

Equipment

Candidates for all exams must bring:

  • Ultrasonic instrument

  • Transducer(s)

  • Reference standards (some may be available from the AEC — contact before the exam)

  • Safety shoes

Candidates for UTPA exams must additionally bring:

  • Ultrasonic phased array instrument(s).* Laptops are not allowed.

  • Semiautomated encoded scanner

*All phased array (PAUT) instruments will be cleared of all setup files, data files, screenshots, and reports. Proctors will verify they are cleared before and after the examination.

Tips: Before You Arrive at the Exam

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.

  • If taking the UTSW or UTPA exams, plan to stay all day for the test. Candidates for these exams cannot leave for lunch, so are encouraged to bring their own.

  • Bring your two forms of ID.

ISQ Industry Feedback and Gap Analysis

This report provides valuable insights into exam performance, common pitfalls, and areas for improvement with our detailed industry feedback report.

Download the Full Report Now

What’s Next?

After you pass the exams and all requirements are met, your results will be processed and your MyASNT record will be updated to show that you are qualified.

You or your employer can verify your qualification by searching the certificate holder directory in MyCert.

You can expect to receive a digital badge via email in one to two weeks.

Learn More and Claim Your Digital Badge

What Happens If I Don’t Pass?

If you don’t pass an exam, you can choose to reapply immediately and retest following the retake waiting period.

There is a waiting period for each retest attempt. After that period, for each retake, you must submit a new application, submit payment, and receive a new approval letter before you can schedule and retake your exam.

After failing an ISQ exam:

First Attempt

You can reapply and pay to retake immediately.

To schedule a retake of the flaw plotting portion of the UTSW exam, contact the ASNT Houston facility.

Second Attempt

You can retake after 30 days. Additional training is encouraged.

Third Attempt

You can retake after 90 days. Additional training is encouraged.

Fourth Attempt

You can retake after 180 days. Additional training is encouraged.

You are not permitted to sit for any examination more than three times in a two-year period

Submit a Retake Application in MyCert 
View Retake Information

When Do I Need to Requalify?

ISQ credentials must be updated every three years, and you must submit your requalification application, payment, and pass your exam before the expiration date on your digital badge.

Learn About Renewing ISQ Qualification

Have Additional Questions? Need Help?

Reach out to ASNT Certification Services for answers about eligibility, the qualification renewal process, or planning for and taking exams.

Contact Us

Send us a message at isq@asnt.org

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