Apply for NDT Certification

These are the key activities involved in obtaining your initial non-destructive testing (NDT) certification:

• Applying for certification
• Completing the qualifying work experience and other certification requisites
• Passing the initial certification examinations

To apply for your NDT certification to the CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2014 standard, you will need to download, complete and submit a variety of forms and other supporting documents.

Steps to take

1. Download the required PDF forms (see “What to include” below) and complete them on your computer.
2. Review your completed application for accuracy and completeness.
3. Print. If nothing is missing, you are ready to print.
4. Include additional required items: passport photos, certified identification and fees.
5. Sign and submit. Sign your application, gather your photos and supporting documents, have your attestations signed, enclose your fees, and mail or fax your complete application to the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Non-Destructive Testing Certification Body (NDTCB).

What to include in your application package

1. Include the following forms, signed and dated:

• Application Form for Non-Destructive Testing Certification (PDF, 1.56 Mb)
• Vision Test Report Form for Non-Destructive Testing Personnel (PDF, 2 Mb)
• Photograph Verification Form (PDF, 592 kb)
• Identification Verification Form (PDF, 550.19 kb)
• NRCan National Non-Destructive Testing Certification Body Code of Conduct (PDF, 583 kb)

2. Also include:

• Your fees: Written examination, practical examination, and application fees.
• Passport photographs: These must:
  • measure 5 cm wide X 7 cm high (2 inches wide X 2-3/4 inches high)
  • be taken by a commercial photographer and be professionally printed on photographic paper
  • be clear, sharp, in focus, and in full colour
  • be taken straight on with your face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera
  • reflect your current appearance (taken within the last twelve (12) months)
  • show your complete name, as well as the name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken on the back of one photo
  • be submitted, via mail or courier with a completed Photograph Verification Form

Note: Self-taken and/or self-printed photographs and non-passport photographs will not be accepted. We may request additional photographs at any time if we deem previously submitted photographs unacceptable.

• Identification: If you are applying for NDT certification for the first time you must submit a verified true copy of one valid piece of government-recognized identity document on a completed Identification Verification Form. The identity document must show your full legal name, date of birth, photo and signature, and be verified as a true copy by your listed employer or by a professional individual listed on the Identification Verification Form. Examples of valid and acceptable proof of ID include passports, driver’s licences, military ID, certificate of Indian status, or a provincial health care card that includes your photo and signature (excludes Alberta, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador). Documents in languages other than English or French must be translated by a certified translator.
• Proof of NDT Training Course Completion: In addition to filling out the “Training” section of the application form, you are required to submit a copy of each training certificate that you have received for method-specific NDT training course completion from an Recognized Training Organization (RTO).

When you submit all of the above, and your application is reviewed, processed and approved by the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Non-Destructive Testing Certification body (NDTCB) you will receive your Written Examination Admittance and Registration Form(s) or electronic written examination authorization for exams available via the online examination system and you can register for examination.

Please note:

• You will need Adobe Reader 7.0 or later to complete the PDF forms. If you are unable to download the forms, please contact the NRCan NDTCB for hard copies.
• The age of majority may be 18 or 19 depending on your province/territory. The age of majority requirement comes into effect for the date of certification issuance, not the application submission date.
• You must successfully complete the required training, prerequisites and vision requirements before attempting either the written or practical examinations. However, you may submit the required documentation for successful completion of training, prerequisites and the Vision Test Report Form to the NRCan NDTCB following the exam, provided you successfully completed it before attempting exams.
• Payment of fees does not complete or guarantee the application and examination process. You are responsible for ensuring that all requirements have been met prior to examination or final certification as required. Submission of training, prerequisites, or visual acuity that have taken place following certification examination will be considered non-compliant and may result in exam results being voided. Certification status will not be granted until full completion, verification, and NRCan NDTCB approval of application and required fees and requisites. Any misrepresentation or falsification on any of the required documents may result in Code of Conduct violations.

Practical examinations

To receive Practical Examination Admittance and Registration Forms, you must satisfy all of the above PLUS have at least 25% of the method-specific qualifying work experience required and have it reviewed and approved by the NRCan NDTCB. You can acquire the remaining 75% of NDT experience before or after you succeed on the practical examination. Certification is only granted to candidates who provide evidence of having gained the qualifying work experience and other qualifying requisites (as noted) within two years of successfully completing the examinations.

Completing the Qualifying Work Experience portion of the application

When completing the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) section of the application, you must identify each employer/company and provide a complete and thorough description of your work experience specific to the NDT method(s) in which you are requesting examination eligibility.

You must also clearly identify the period of employment for each employer/company and the acquired NDT experience in hours or months (based on 175 hours/month) in the pertinent NDT method(s) you are applying for.

To gain a credit for work experience, you must work under qualified supervision, defined as supervision by NDT personnel certified in the method for which you are applying or by non-certified personnel who, in NDTCB’s view, have the knowledge, skill, training and experience to perform such supervision. Your supervisor's and sponsor’s signature, name, registration number, type of certification (if applicable), position title and organization must be identified in the reference section on page 4 of the application form, and your supervisor’s signature must be included on page 3 (Qualifying Work Experience reporting portion).

Additional level 3 experience, education and/or training must be documented and provided to the certification body in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV).

To submit experience gained from an Accelerated Experience Credit Program to count towards total qualifying work experience hours, send a copy of the “certificate of completion” (that was issued by the RTO) to the NDTCB for review.

The application and supporting documentation dealing with NDT experience must be supported by the appropriate signatures. Incomplete QWE reporting may result in delays. We encourage you to submit complete and accurate QWE and supporting documents.