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Recertifying Your NDT Certification

NRCan NDTCB Service fees update

The NRCan NDTCB is implementing a service fees update to existing fees; this update will take effect April 1, 2023. Application and fee submissions to the NRCan NDTCB that are postmarked, emailed or faxed after March 31, 2023 are subject to the new fee schedule.

COVID temporary accommodations and extensions

In April 2020, The NRCan NDTCB implemented temporary accommodations and extensions relating to initial certifications and renewals/recertifications for select candidates and expiry dates. Some of these extensions have already expired, with all extensions for renewal and recertification expiring by December 2024. It is the responsibility of certification candidates and certificate holders to keep track of all expiry dates and due dates and manage their applications and certifications accordingly. Please visit our NDT Certification Body COVID Program Updates page for more information.

Online Examination System for select CAN/CGSB-48.9712 and XRF multiple-choice exams

All written multiple-choice examinations for CAN/CGSB-48.9712 (NDT) and XRF are being updated to a computer-based electronic format (in-person live proctored). Examinations are being launched in the online examination system via the following schedule:

  • February 1, 2023 (ongoing): Magnetic Testing (MT) and Penetrant Testing (PT)
  • June 16, 2023: Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Eddy Current Testing (ET) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
  • June 30, 2023: Radiographic Testing (RT) EMC sector (including Radiation Protection exam)
  • July 14, 2023: Radiographic Testing (RT) A/S sector
  • July 28, 2023: Level 3 Basic (all methods)

Once candidates receive official electronic written examination authorization from the NRCan NDTCB, they can register for and book their examinations through the online exam system portal and select the closest available examination centre. Candidates who have valid written examination admittance and registration forms for the methods/examinations listed above must submit a request to the NRCan NDTCB by email to receive electronic written examination authorization. Immediately after completing an exam, candidates can view unofficial examination results through the online examination system.

Paper-based NDT multiple-choice examinations will be phased out, however paper-based XRF examinations will be maintained for use by select special XRF examination centres (SXECs). Additionally, Special Written Examination Centres (SWECs) for NDT and XRF written exams are no longer available. For more information, please contact the NRCan NDTCB.

On this page:

Recertification and renewal due dates/expiry dates

Personnel certified by the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) National Non-Destructive Testing Certification Body (NDTCB) in Non-Destructive Testing are required to recertify or renew their certifications prior to their certification expiry date, in order to have the period of validity for a given certification extended for up five (5) years (60 months or less).

  • Recertification is the process for maintaining valid NDT certification via examination and other requirements described below.
  • Renewal is the process for maintaining valid NDT certification via verification of continued satisfactory work activity and other requirements as described on the Renewing your NDT Certification page.

To find out when your certifications are due for renewal and/or recertification, view the Certified Personnel Directory.

  • If the expiry date and the recertification due date for a given certification are the same in the directory, then you are required to apply for your recertification examinations within the fifteen (15) months prior to the expiry date/recertification due date. If you have certifications considered to be within the recertification transition period, you may apply for these recertifications as soon as possible.
  • If the expiry date for a given certification is different from the recertification due date in the directory, then you are required to apply for renewal within the six (6) months prior to the expiry date.

Please note: if you have multiple certifications, you may have different expiry dates for one or more of those certifications. Certifications that have the same expiry dates may not all require renewal or recertification at the same time; in this case you can only submit a renewal application form for certifications that require renewal and you can only submit a recertification application form for the certifications that require recertification.

Certifications that are within the recertification transition period

Certifications that were obtained in 2011 or earlier that both expire and require recertification in 2020, certifications that were obtained in 2012 or earlier that both expire and require recertification in 2021, and certifications that were obtained in 2013 or earlier that both expire and require recertification in 2022, respectively, are considered to be within the transition period for recertification.

Recertification candidates are required to recertify certifications that are within the transition period by no later than their next expiry date (approximately five years (60 months) or less, based on the 15th day of your birth month).

  • Example: If you were required to renew a certification by December 31, 2017 and your birthday is in March, the next expiry date/ the recertification due date for your certification is March 15, 2022.

If you have certifications that are due for recertification within the transition period, these certifications were renewed conditionally under CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2014 based on the Rules of Implementation. Successful completion of recertification examinations and requirements during this transition period will be applied at the end of the 5-year period of validity for which the certificate was conditionally renewed. Following the satisfactory completion of all requirements, you will have valid certification for a period of 5 years, and will be required to recertify again after approximately 10 years.

  • Example: If you complete your recertification requirements and examination for an NDT method in August of 2020, and your expiry date/recertification due date for that method is October 15, 2022, your recertification for that method will become effective on October 15, 2022 and your certification will receive a new expiry date of October 15, 2027. You would then have to renew your certification By October 15, 2027, and recertify your certification by October 15, 2032.

Certifications that do not fall within the recertification transition period

Candidates are required to recertify all other certifications within 10 years (120 months) or less after the date of initial certification or last recertification. The recertification due date is based on the 15th day of your birth month and the date of initial certification or last recertification. Candidates can apply for their recertifications (that do not fall within the transition period) no earlier than 15 months prior to their recertification due date, and candidates can attempt their recertification examinations no earlier than 12 months prior to their recertification due date. The NRCan NDTCB will not accept early recertification applications for certifications that do not fall within the recertification transition period.

  • Example: If you obtained your certification in July 2014 and your birthday is in September, you will be required to recertify before September 15, 2023. The earliest you can apply for recertification is June 15, 2022, and the earliest you can attempt your recertification examination(s) is September 15, 2022.

Successful completion of recertification examinations and additional requirements (that do not fall within the transition period) will be applied on the recertification due date/certification expiry date. After the recertification(s) become effective, certifications will require renewal after approximately 5 years and recertification again after approximately 10 years.

  • Example: If you complete your recertification requirements and examination for an NDT method in November of 2022, and your recertification due date is September 15, 2023, your recertification for that method will become effective on September 15, 2023. Your certification would then receive a new expiry date of September 15, 2028, and you would have to renew the certification by that date. The next recertification due date would be September 15, 2033.

Note: In order to align your certification renewal and recertification dates, certifications that do not fall within the transition period may have a shorter period of validity (with a pro-rated fee) applied to their next certification renewal (approximately 1-4 years). The subsequent renewal will allow the certification to resume the regular 5-year renewal and 10-year recertification cycle. Please see “Renewing Your NDT Certification” for more information.

Recertification examination requirements

Level 1: Two-specimen practical examination

Level 2: Two-specimen practical examination with written instruction for Eddy Current Testing (ET), Magnetic Testing (MT), Penetrant Testing (PT), and Ultrasonic Testing (UT); two-specimen practical examination with film interpretation for Radiographic Testing (RT).

Level 3: Two-specimen practical examination and choice of either a written examination or Structured Credit System for Eddy Current Testing (ET), Magnetic Testing (MT), Penetrant Testing (PT), and Ultrasonic Testing (UT); two-specimen practical examination with film interpretation for Radiographic Testing (RT) and choice of either a written examination or Structured Credit System.

Detailed information about the recertification examinations can be found in the Examination guide for NDT recertification (PDF, 393 kb)

Recertification examination attempts and applying for re-examination

Recertification candidates have a maximum of two (2) re-examination attempts if they are unsuccessful on the first recertification examination attempt. If you have recently failed a recertification examination, you should apply for a recertification re-examination as soon as possible.

Types and number of specimens for practical recertification exams

The table below shows the minimum number and type of specimens for practical recertification examinations.

Types and number of specimens for practical recertification exams

Industrial sectors		 UT1 UT2 RT1 RT2 ET1 ET2 MT2 PT2
EMC 2
f/w/e/wp		 2
f/w/e/wp/p		 2
c/f/w		 2
c/f/w/p
+12 rs		 2
e/wp		 2
e/as/ac		 2
c/f/w		 2
c/f/w
Aerospace       2
+12 rs		        

Notes:

  • Where the sector examination involves multiple product types, the specimens are selected by the examiner from the product range or materials that make up the sector.
  • A set of radiographs is considered as one specimen.

Key: c = castings; EMC = Engineering, Materials and Components; f = forgings; w = weldments; e = various shapes and tubes; wp = wrought products; p = composite materials; fs = facility surveillance; rs = radiographs; as = aircraft structures; ac = aircraft components.

Level 3 recertification

For written examination: A structured credit system will be allowed as an alternative to the written recertification examination as per paragraph 11.3.1 b) of CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2014 / (ISO 9712:2012, IDT).

For practical examination: The Level 2 practical examination is required; alternative documentation is not acceptable.

How to apply for recertification

What to submit for your recertification application

Complete and submit the following required recertification documents in addition to the appropriate fee (see below for fee information):

Instructions for submitting your application

Recertification application form

Your application form must be fully completed, signed and dated, and include all required attestations.
The Record of Experience (page 2 of the Recertification Application Form) must be completed to provide verifiable documentary evidence of continued satisfactory work activity without significant interruption in the method and sector for which you are seeking certificate renewal. Please ensure this page is signed by yourself and your supervisor. For full details about what work activity counts as continued satisfactory work activity in NDT, please read the renewal policy for NDT experience.

In the Attestations section (page 3 of the Recertification Application Form), it is your employer’s, supervisor’s and sponsor’s responsibility to verify your employment and work experience on the Record of Experience to ensure you have annually met the visual acuity requirements and to verify the authenticity of the photograph you are submitting. Please note: All three attestation sections must be completed. You cannot sign for yourself.

The same person(s) may sign for one or more of these roles if appropriately qualified for each. If you are unemployed, you are exempt from two of the three signatures required on the attestation form (employer and supervisor), but still require an NRCan/CGSB-certified NDT Level 2 or 3 sponsor to sign the attestations.

If you are self-employed, you are exempt from one of the three signatures required on the attestation form (employer), but still require a supervisor (can be a client who oversees your work or an appropriately qualified business partner) and an NRCan/CGSB-certified NDT Level 2 or 3 sponsor to sign the attestations.

Recertification Fees

When you apply for recertification, you are required to pay for the recertification application fees (dependent on number of methods being recertified) and for the examination registration fees (dependent on the methods/levels being recertified) which are detailed below.

We accept company cheques, money orders and credit cards (MasterCard, Visa or American Express). We do not accept personal cheques. Company cheques and money orders are payable to the Receiver General for Canada. If paying by credit card, print the name shown on the credit card, card number, expiry date and authorized payment amount, and include the cardholder signature. Applications submitted after the expiry date will need to include a $120 late fee in addition to the regular fees. Payments from other government departments must be made via inter-departmental FIS transactions.

Email submissions: Please note that we do not accept credit card information by email. If you are submitting your application by email and paying by credit card, please include the name shown on the credit card, the authorized payment amount, and include the cardholder signature; do not include the credit card number and expiry date. After you have submitted your application by email, you may call or fax the NRCan NDTCB to give credit card information. If you are paying by credit card, the NRCan NDTCB may send an invoice via email with a website link to pay your fees online.

Fees and other process requirements are subject to change. All fees are subject to the current fee schedule in effect. Fees paid to the NRCan NDTCB are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Recertification application fees
Number of Methods
1 2 3 4 5
$320 $525 $730 $935 $1140

Recertification examination registration fees

Recertification examination registration fees are required for each method for recertification. The recertification examination registration fees are:

Recertification examination registration fees

Recertification Examination Registration Fee (Per Method)		 Radiographic Testing Ultrasonic Testing Magnetic Testing Penetrant Testing Eddy Current Testing
Level 1 $150 $150 N/A N/A $150
Level 2 $335 $335 $145 $145 $335
Level 3 $460 $460 $275 $275 $460

If you are applying for recertification in both the Engineering Materials and Components (EMC) sector and the Aerospace (A/S) Sector for Radiographic Testing, you must pay separate recertification examination registration fees for each examination.

Vision test report

Applicants must undergo a visual acuity test with a recognized medical professional attesting that the candidate has completed a satisfactory vision examination. This report must be dated within 12 months prior to the certification expiration date.

Code of conduct

Applicants must submit a newly signed Code of Conduct form with each application.

Passport photos

Certified Personnel must provide two (2) passport-style photographs every second period of validity (approximately every 10 years) or if your appearance has significantly changed.
Passport photos 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
    • commercial photographer: may be provided through a retail location, photo studio, registered business/organization, or NDTCB accepted RTO/AEC.
  • 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

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

Structured credit system (Level 3 certifications only)

A structured credit system will be allowed as an alternative to the Level 3 written recertification examination as per 11.3.1 b) CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2014. Credits may be awarded for certain types of NDT experience/activities gained over the last 5 years, providing that point minimums and maximums are met, and appropriate documentary evidence is provided. A structured credit system application counts as a written examination attempt for recertification and cannot be withdrawn once it has been submitted. If you submit a structured credit system application and it is not approved, it counts as a failed written recertification examination attempt. Only one attempt of the structured credit system is allowed per level 3 method.

How to apply for a structured credit system:

  1. Ensure that you have submitted a recertification application for the applicable level 3 method(s), with the appropriate recertification examination registration fee (see instructions above).
  2. Fill out separate Structured Credit System Application Forms for each Level 3 method that you would like to submit an application for. Your application(s) will not be accepted if you submit an application form with more than one method indicated on page 1.
  3. Attach applicable documentary evidence for each activity that you would like to be credited for, ensuring that you indicate which activity each piece of documentation corresponds to.
  4. Submit your application form(s) and documentary evidence to the NRCan NDTCB for review and assessment. As structured credit system applications may require additional information, documentation and/or verification, we recommend that you submit at least three (3) months in advance of your recertification due date.

Before you decide to apply:

Please read all information/instructions on the Structured Credit System Application Form (PDF, 3.34 Mb), as well as the information in the “Examination Guide for Recertification” prior to deciding if you would like to apply for a structured credit system instead of completing a written recertification examination.

Our responsibilities and policies

The NRCan NDTCB makes all reasonable efforts to ensure candidate applications, examination requests and certification submissions are completed as per service standard targets. Despite these efforts, errors, omissions and delays are possible. The NRCan NDTCB is not responsible for any direct and indirect costs, expenses or delays that may arise.

Recertification applications are subject to current NRCan NDTCB policies and procedures. Processed payment does not complete or guarantee the recertification process. Recertification of certification is issued only after completion, verification and NRCan NDTCB approval of application and successful completion of the recertification examination(s).

Late recertifications

Late recertifications may require additional information, documentation and/or verification. As recertification applications are processed in arrival sequence, processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications received and are not guaranteed. Incomplete documentation or complexity of routine verifications and checks may also lead to longer processing times.

As per CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2014, paragraph 10.2, up to twelve (12) months after the certification expiry date, your certification status may be reactivated by submitting a properly completed recertification application, payment of a $140 late recertification fee in addition to the regular recertification fees, and by completing the recertification examination(s).

If the recertification process (including successful completion of exams) is not completed more than 12 months after the certificate expiry date, a candidate can only reactivate their certification(s) via successful completion of the initial certification process.

Examination guide for NDT recertification (PDF, 393 kb)
Read about NDT recertification examination requirements and structures for all levels of Radiographic Testing, Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Testing, Penetrant Testing, and Eddy Current Testing

Certified personnel directory
View the list of NDT and XRF personnel that are currently certified, and find out when certifications expire (require renewal) and when certifications are due for recertification.

Find out more

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