As many readers will be aware, the latest addition of ISO9712:2021 was released for implementation. This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/ TC 135, Non-destructive testing, Subcommittee SC7, Personnel qualification, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 138, Non-destructive testing, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).

This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 9712:2012), which has been technically revised.

The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:

• clarified responsibilities for the certification body, the authorised qualification body, the examination centre and the employer;
• added and revised definitions;
• defined responsibilities for examiners and referees;
• revised requirements for the duration of training and industrial experience;
• modified requirements for visual acuity testing;
• revised requirements for examinations;
• included an option for the use of a psychometric process at the discretion of the certification body;
• revised requirements for the certification documents;
• revised requirements for the conditions of certification;
• added requirements for candidates for the renewal of certificates;
• revised structured credit system for Level 3 recertification;
• included a new Annex F for techniques;
• included a new Annex G for psychometric principles;
• other minor technical and editorial changes.

The AINDT has created a detailed gap analysis between both the previous and current version of the standards which then led to the creation of a draft Guide to Qualification and Certification which will be uploaded to the AINDT website, so all certificate holders are able to familiarise themselves with the changes made to meet the 2021 version or ISO9712. The new requirements which are contained in the draft will be implemented on the 1st January 2023 and the current version of the Guide will be removed from the AINDT website and all certification candidates will be examined against the new requirements for initial, renewal and recertification processes.

This article is aimed to detail the main changes that have been made to the guide as a consequence of the 2021 edition of ISO9712 and provide AINDT Certification holders guidance on what to expect following the 1st Jan 2023 implementation.

Clause 3.1 3.1 NDT CERTIFICATIONS

AVAILABLE: notes 2 & 3 deleted:

Note 2: AINDT certification for PAUT and TOFD is only applicable to candidates having successfully completed the training and examinations via AQB’s offering this service. Please refer to the AINDT web site or the federal office for details. Additionally, the candidate must already hold AS/ISO9712 UT Level 2 Welds certification to be eligible for PA or TOFD training.

Note 3: AINDT Certification for Computerised and Digital Radiography (CR/DR) is only applicable to candidates having successfully completed the training and examinations via AQB’s offering this service.

Please refer to the AINDT web site or the federal office for details. Additionally, the candidate must already have a conventional RT Level 2 certification to be eligible for CR/DR training.

Clause 3.5 Vision Requirements: additional of ISO18490 (Tumbling E) added as acceptable vision for near vision:

For all levels of certification, the applicant is required to produce documented evidence from an optometrist,

or other competent person, of compliance with ISO9712 and ISO 20807 namely:

• Near vision acuity shall be verified to be in accordance with the requirements of ISO 18490 or

Near vision acuity to permit the reading of minimum of Times Roman N4.5 or equivalent size letters at a distance of not less than 300 mm with at least one eye, either uncorrected or corrected.

And Colour vision shall be sufficient that the candidate can distinguish and differentiate between the colours or shades of grey used in the NDT method, as specified by the employer.

Clause 3.6 NDT Training: deletion of note regarding PAUT and TOFD training

Note: Due to the degree of complexity with the phased array and time of flight tip diffraction methods for ultrasonic testing, the AINDT certification board will only accept training certificates from AQB’s as valid evidence of meeting the required standard and minimum content for training in these methods.

Clause 3.7.4 Experience reduction due to Qualification/Education:

Change to experience reductions – 33% & 50% reduction replaced with a flat 25% reduction in experience which may be granted but applicants MUST HOLD CERTIFICATION in the other methods claimed when adding further methods

Deleted section:

Experience reduction due to scope of work, complementary and simultaneous experience.

When considering possible reduction in the duration of experience, the AINDT shall take into consideration the following elements.

• The quality of experience can be variable, and skills may be assimilated more quickly in an environment where the experience is concentrated and has a high degree of relevance to the certification sought.
• When gaining experience simultaneously in two or more surface NDT methods, i.e. MT, PT and VT, the experience gained in the application of one NDT method may be complementary to the experience gained in one or more other surface methods.
• Experience in one sector of an NDT method for which certification is already held may be complementary to the experience in a different sector of the same NDT method.
• Credit for work experience may be gained simultaneously in two or more of the NDT methods covered by ISO9712:2012, with the reduction of total required experience as follows:

two testing methods: reduction of total required time by 25 %;

three testing methods: reduction of total required time by 33 %;

four or more testing methods: reduction of total required time by 50 %.

It is not a requirement to be certified in each method to claim the reduction.

New requirement

Additional Methods

A certified Level 1, 2 or 3 adding an additional method may be permitted a reduction of required experience of 25 % for that additional method

Changing Adding Sector

A certified Level 1, 2 or 3 individual changing sectors, adding another sector or technique for the same NDT method shall be required to gain additional experience of at least 25 % of the experience required in Table 3; and this shall never be less than 15 days (105 hours) in duration.

Structured Experience Program

Up to 50 % of the industrial experience time may be achieved by a structured experience program (SEP). One day of attendance at the SEP may be equivalent to a maximum of five days industrial experience. The SEP shall include all typical tasks of the level, method and sector concerned. The additional intent is to gain

specific product and technique knowledge. The SEP sha be approved in advance by the certification body and shall be available for audit by the certification body.

Clause 3.8 MINIMUM NDT TRAINING & EXPERIENCE (CUMULATIVE TOTALS) – ISO 9712

Training and industrial experience hours changes for ET MT, PT, RT, CR/DR, PAUT, TOFD & VT as per table below. Experience now specified in hours only and not months and hours:

When an individual is working in excess of 40 h/week, they may be credited with experience based on the tota hours, but they shall be required to produce evidence o this experience.

 

Clause 3.18 RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATION

(all levels)

Candidates must show evidence of a near vision and colour vision test taken within the preceding 60 month as opposed to the preceding 12 months. Candidates must show continued satisfactory work activity showin a minimum of 50 hours per year and either complete a practical examination or meet the requirements of the structured credit system (for all levels of certification)

New requirement

Prior to the completion of the first period of validity i.e. 5 years from the last successful full practical examination, certification may be renewed by the certification body for a new period of five years on production of:

• documentary evidence of a satisfactory near vision acuity examination taken within the preceding 12 months; and
• documentary evidence of a satisfactory colour vision and/or grey scale perception examination taken within the preceding 60 months; and
• verifiable documentary evidence of continued satisfactory work activity (a minimum of 50 hrs per year in the method) without significant interruption in the method and sector for which certificate renewal is sought;

and either:

• successful completion of a practical examination element in accordance with Section 5 except that it shall consist of a minimum of 50 % of the examination specimens required by Section 5;

or

• successfully meeting the requirements of the structured credit system as given in 13.19.5.

If the criterion c) for renewal is not met, the individual shall follow the same rules as for recertification.

 

Clause 3.19 RECERTIFICATION

This clause has been completely re-written:

 

New Requirement

Recertification

Prior to the expiry of the second 5-year period (i.e., 10 years from successful full practical examination),

persons are required to recertify for a further period of five years.

 

ISO 9712 NDT All Levels

Certification may be recertified by the certification body for a new period of five years on production of:

1. documentary evidence of a satisfactory near vision acuity examination taken within the preceding 12 months; and
2. documentary evidence of a satisfactory colour vision and/or grey scale perception examination taken within the preceding 60 months; and
3. verifiable documentary evidence of continued satisfactory work activity (a minimum of 50 hrs per year in the method) without significant interruption in the method and sector for which certificate renewal is sought; and
4. the practical examination requirements of 3.19.2 or 3.19.3

 

ISO9712 Levels 1 & 2 Practical Examination

The individual shall successfully complete the full practical examination element as per Section 5.

If the individual fails to achieve a grade of at least 70 % for each specimen tested, and, for Level 2, for the instruction, two retests of the whole recertification examination shall be allowed after at least 7 days and within twelve (12) months of the first attempt at the recertification examination.

Applications for recertification may be conducted up to 6 months prior to the expiry date of the current certification. Expiry date of the recertified certificate will be 5 years from the expiry date of the renewal certification period.

Should the recertification formalities be completed after the expiry date of the existing certificate, the recertification certificate shall be issued on the date that the recertification formalities were completed.

In the event of failure in the two allowable re- examinations, the certificate shall be withdrawn.

In order to reinstate certification, a candidate shall:

• complete further training, acceptable to the certification body; and
• retake all examination elements required for initial certification.

The date of expiration of the reinstated certificate shall be no more than 5 years from the date of expiration of the original certificate.

In this case, no examination exemptions shall be awarded by virtue of any other valid certification held.

 

ISO 9712 NDT Level 3 recertification:

1. satisfactory completion of the practical examination as required for level 2 and an examination paper consisting of a minimum 20 questions on the application of the test method in the sector(s) concerned (Main Method Examination Part E), demonstrating an understanding of current standard codes or specifications and applied technology and 20 questions on the certification body’s certification scheme (Basic Exam Part B),

or

2. satisfactory completion of a full practical examinatio as required for level 2 and meeting the requirements of a structured credit system as described in ISO971 Annex C as presented below.

If the credit system is chosen and requires submission of employer's documents or access to an employer's premises, the individual shall provide to AINDT a writte statement of approval from the employer.

Where a certificate holder elects to use the structured credit system, they shall provide evidence to the certification body to demonstrate achievement of a minimum of 100 points in the 5-year recertification period based on the requirements of Table C.1.

For certificate holders seeking recertification of Level 3 certification:

• a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 70 of the 100 points is required for any combination of activities listed in item A of Table C.1; and

• a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 50 of the 100 points is required for any combination of activities listed in item B of Table C.1.

If the individual fails to achieve a grade of at least 70 % in the recertification examination, a maximum of two retests of the recertification examination shall be allowed. The time period within which all tests are to be taken shall be 12 months, unless otherwise extended by the certification board.

In the event of failure in the two allowable retests, the certificate shall not be revalidated and, to regain certification for that sector and method the candidate

shall be required to achieve success in the appropriate main method examination.

Clause 3.19.5 Structured Credit System New Requirement

Renewal

Where a candidate elects to use the structured credit system, they shall provide evidence to the certification body to demonstrate achievement of a minimum of 100 points in the 5 year renewal period based on the requirements of Table C.1.

For candidates seeking renewal of Level 1 certificates, a minimum of 75 of the 100 points is required for any combination of activities listed in part A of Table C.1.

For candidates seeking renewal of Level 2 or 3 certificates, a minimum of 50 of the 100 points is required for any combination of activities listed in part A of Table C.1.

 

Recertification:

For certificate holders seeking recertification of Level 3 certification:

• a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 70 of the 100 points is required for any combination of activities listed in item A of Table C.1; and
• a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 50 of the 100 points is required for any combination of activities listed in item B of Table C.1.

Evidence

In order to assess the activities specified in the structured credit system, the certification body may request from the individual seeking renewal or recertification documentation and/or evidence to

demonstrate compliance including, but not limited to, the following:

1. confirmation of the candidates work activities by a certified individual or referee;
2. confirmation of the level of activity of the individual in the given method;
3. confirmation of formal documented competency or proficiency test(s) in the given method;
4. dates and protocol numbers of reports;
5. details of any job specific training received;
6. confirmation of employer’s authorisation to operate;
7. summary of activities and outputs;
8. job/position description;
9. annual/regular employer assessments of performance competence;
10. sample NDT reports;
11. sample procedure(s) developed (Level 3 only);
12. customer feedback;
13. confirmation of adherence to code of ethics from employer;
14. confirmation of compliance with additional national requirements (i.e. radiation safety).

Other evidence may be deemed acceptable or be requested by the certification body. The certification body may require that some or all of the submitted evidence be confirmed by the employer.