Basic Examinations

Topical Outline
This examination is 4 hrs in length, having 135 questions of equal value.

1. Administration of NDT personnel certification programs

SNT-TC-1A, 2011 edition
ASNT CP-189, 2011 edition
2. General familiarity with other NDT methods
Radiography (safety, X-ray, and isotope methods)
Neutron radiography
Ultrasonic testing
Eddy current and flux leakage testing
Liquid penetrant testing
Magnetic particle testing
Leak testing
Acoustic emission testing
Visual testing
Thermal/infrared
3. Materials, fabrication, and production technology
Properties of materials, origin of discontinuities, and failure modes
Materials processing (casting, welding, forging, brazing, soldering, machining, heat
treatment, surface treatment, adhesive bonding, etc.)
Dimensional metrology

References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.

Level III Study Guide: Basic (2251)

SNT-TC-1A (2011 edition) (2071)
Supplement to Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A: Complete Set of Supplements,
Plus Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A (2011 edition) (2192)
Materials and Processes for NDT Technology (2250)
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (2011 edition) (2508)
NDT Handbook: Volume 10, NDT Overview (140)
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC (105)
Visual Testing Examinations
About Visual Testing (VT)
Visual testing is the most commonly used test method in industry. Because most test methods
require that the operator look at the surface of the part being inspected, visual inspection is inherent
in most of the other test methods. As the name implies, VT involves the visual observation of the
surface of a test object to evaluate the presence of surface discontinuities. VT inspections may be
by Direct Viewing, using line-of sight vision, or may be enhanced with the use of optical instruments
such as magnifying glasses, mirrors, boroscopes, charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and computer-
assisted viewing systems (Remote Viewing). Corrosion, misalignment of parts, physical damage
and cracks are just some of the discontinuities that may be detected by visual examinations.

Topical Outline
This examination is 2 hrs in length, having 90 questions of equal value.

Fundamentals
Vision and light
Ambient conditions
Test object characteristics
Equipment Accessories
Magnifiers/microscopes
Mirrors
Dimensional
Borescopes
Video systems
Machine vision
Replication
Temperature indicating devices and materials
Chemical aids
Surface comparators
Lasers
Applications and Requirements
Raw materials
Primary process materials
Joining processes
Fabricated components
In-service materials
Coatings
Other applications
Requirements
Variables Affecting Results of interpretation/ Evaluations
Equipment including type and intensity of light
Material including the variations of surface finish
Discontinuity
Determination of dimensions (ie: depth, width, length, etc.)
Sampling/scanning
Process for reporting visual discontinuities
Personnel (human factors)
Documentation
Safety
References
The number in parentheses following each reference is the ASNT catalog number.

Level III Study Guide: Visual and Optical Testing (2263)

NDT Handbook, 3rd Edition, Vol. 9, Visual Testing (149)
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC (105)
Supplement to SNT-TC-1A: VT (Q & A Book) (2034)
Materials and Processes for NDT Technology (2250)