NDT Certifications: Compare Your Options

No. ASNT certification starts at Level II. Level I is a trainee role where you work under supervision and build documented training and experience, not a credential you apply for. Once you've logged enough hours in your method, you're eligible to apply for Level II.

Requirements vary by method and program, so check the level and program you're aiming for:

Not necessarily. If you already meet the education, training, and documented experience requirements, you can apply directly at Level II or Level III without working up to it. Certification is progressive but not strictly linear.

Each program page lists the specific requirements for its level, including how education can substitute for experience:

• Level II is the practitioner level. A Level II technician sets up and standardizes equipment, performs the inspection, interprets and evaluates results against the applicable codes and specifications, and reports the findings.

• Level III carries advanced technical responsibility. A Level III develops and approves procedures, establishes techniques, interprets codes and specifications, and selects which methods and techniques to use. In many employer-based programs, a Level III may also train and examine personnel and oversee parts of the employer's qualification process.

Requirements differ as well. Level II is based on documented training and experience in a specific method. Level III requires broader technical knowledge and a wider examination. You don't need to hold Level II before applying for Level III, though you will need to document comparable experience.

Not necessarily. Level III applicants may need to document experience at Level II or comparable responsibilities, but holding an ASNT Level II certification is not always stated as a prerequisite.

Education may reduce the amount of experience required, depending on the program.

The specific routes are listed on each Level III program page:

Yes. Nondestructive testing training and experience gained through military service can count toward certification requirements. How it's documented depends on your service records and the method you're certifying in.

Learn more about how to translate military experience toward your NDT career and connect with resources for military personnel and veterans on the ASNT Military Resources page.

ASNT NDT and ASNT 9712 are different certification programs built on different frameworks.

• ASNT 9712 includes practical examination components and is designed as an independent certification meeting ISO 9712, which is the framework many countries outside the US rely on, including much of the EU and Canada.

• ASNT NDT is aligned with employer-based certification structures and does not include the same practical exam components, and it's widely used across US industry and in regions that accept employer-based certification.

Which one fits depends on where you plan to work and how your hands-on qualification will be handled. The comparison tables above break this down by level, and each program page carries the full requirements.

Yes. Certifications are method-specific, and you can add methods as you gain the required training and experience for each one.

Available methods differ between the two programs, so confirm your method is offered before you apply:

SNT-TC-1A is ASNT's recommended practice for employer-based qualification and certification of NDT personnel. Under it, an employer establishes a written practice and takes responsibility for qualifying its own personnel. It's widely used across US industry.

ISO 9712 is an international standard for third-party certification, where an independent body rather than the employer certifies the individual. It's the framework many countries outside the US rely on, including much of the EU and Canada.

ASNT's two certification programs map to these frameworks. ASNT NDT is aligned with SNT-TC-1A, and ASNT 9712 meets ISO 9712.

Choose the program and method that fit your goals, document your required training and work experience, then complete your application in MyCert. You'll upload supporting documentation, sign the required agreements, and pay applicable fees. Complete applications generally take about two to four weeks to review.

Each program page walks through the application steps for that certification:

Application review generally takes about two to four weeks once you submit a complete application. How long it takes to reach that point depends on how much required training and documented experience you already have.

Check the requirements for your method and program to see where you stand:

Fees vary by program, method, exam type, and membership status. ASNT members receive reduced fees.

Current fee schedules are on each program page:

No. Membership isn't required to apply, but members receive reduced certification fees.

To learn more about becoming an ASNT member and its benefits, visit the ASNT membership page.

Certification validity periods vary by program. Many ASNT certifications require renewal or recertification on a five-year cycle, but check the requirements for the certification you hold or plan to pursue.

Visit the recertification page for an overview of the recertification and renewal requirements for each program.

You can easily verify if a person is certified with ASNT Certification Services, as well as check the specific programs and methods they are certified in, by visiting our certificate holder directory. This directory provides up-to-date information on all certified individuals.