CGSB CERTIFICATION

 

Introduction

A new standard for the certification of NDT personnel (CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2000) was implemented on April 1, 2001. It supercedes the former standard CAN/CGSB-48.9712-95, which came into being in January 1996 to harmonize the Canadian program with the international standard ISO 9712. The new standard contains a mandatory code of ethics for certified NDT personnel.

Canada has had a centralized third party certification program since 1960 and has made many improvements over the years in response to the changing needs of industry. Harmonizing with ISO 9712 and strongly aligning with the new European Standard EN473:2000 is another step in Canada's continuing effort to stay at the leading edge of NDT personnel certification.

 

Registration

NDTIT is an Approved Test Centre, offering both Written and Practical Examinations. Applicants are required to have an admittance form from the Certifying Agency.

 

Training Requirements

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IN HOURS

NDT METHOD                  LEVEL 1     LEVEL 2*

Eddy current testing          40          40    

Liquid penetrant testing      16          24    

Magnetic particle testing     16          24    

Radiographic testing          40          80    

Ultrasonic testing            40          80    

*For direct access to Level 2, the total of the hours shown for Levels 1 and 2 are required.

Experience Requirements

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS IN MONTHS

NDT METHOD                 LEVEL 1     LEVEL 2 

Eddy current testing          3           9    

Liquid penetrant testing      1           3    

Magnetic particle testing     1           3    

Radiographic testing          3           9    

Ultrasonic testing            3           9    

• Work experience in months is based on a nominal 40 hrs/week (175 hrs/month) or the legal week of work. Candidates working more than 40 hrs/week are credited with experience based on the total hours, but must provide documentary evidence of this experience.
• Simultaneous qualification in two or more NDT methods allows for the reduction of total required work experience as follows:

2 NDT methods: reduction of total required time by a quarter (1/4)
3 NDT methods: reduction of total required time by a third (1/3)
4 or more NDT methods: reduction of total required time by a half (1/2)

• For Level 2 certification, work experience consists of time as a certified Level 1 NDT operator. If candidates are being qualified directly to Level 2 with no time at Level 1, the required experience consists of the sum of the times required for Levels 1 and 2.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL 3

Certified Level 2 operator:

                 EDUCATION                            EXPERIENCE

Graduate of a three year or longer accredited          12 mths  

science or engineering college or university                    

program                                                         

Successful completion of at least two years of         24 mths  

engineering or science study at an accredited                   

college, university or technical school                         

No degree                                              48 mths  

Non-certified operator with experience equivalent to Level 2:

(having passed the Level 2 practical examination for the method)

                 EDUCATION                            EXPERIENCE

Graduate of a three year or longer accredited          24 mths  

science or engineering college or university                    

program                                                         

Successful completion of at least two years of         48 mths  

engineering or science study at an accredited                   

college, university or technical school                         

No degree                                              72 mths  

• If the college or university degree is issued in nondestructive testing, the experience required for access to Level 3 may be reduced by 50%.
• Simultaneous qualification in two or more NDT methods allows for the reduction of total required work experience as follows:

2 NDT methods: reduction of total required time by a quarter (1/4)
3 NDT methods: reduction of total required time by a third (1/3)
4 or more NDT methods: reduction of total required time by a half (1/2)

Vision Requirements

NEAR VISION
Near vision acuity shall permit reading a minimum of Jaeger number 1 or Times Roman N4.5 or equivalent letters at not less than 30cm with one or both eyes, either corrected or uncorrected.

COLOUR VISION
Colour vision shall be such that the candidate can distinguish and differentiate between the colours used in the NDT method concerned as specified by the employer.

Note: Subsequent to certification, the tests of visual acuity shall be carried out annually and be verified by the employer or the responsible agency.

 

Code of Ethics

Candidates requesting certification must sign a declaration form agreeing to abide by the code of ethics for NDT personnel. A copy of the code of ethics may be obtained from the Certifying Agency.

 

Examinations

EXAMINATION FOR LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2

General Examination

NDT Method           Number of Questions

                      Level 1   Level 2 

ET EMC-sector           40        40    

PT EMC-sector           40        40    

MT EMC-sector           40        40    

RT EMC-sector           40        40    

RT Aviation-sector      N/A       40    

UT EMC-sector           40        40    

EMC = Engineering Materials and Components (plate/pipe welds,

castings and forgings)

• In the radiographic test method, there is an additional examination in X-ray and gamma-ray radiation safety. Candidates must obtain a grade of at least 70%. This grade will not be used in calculating the composite grade.

 

Specific Examination

NDT Method           Number of Questions

                      Level 1   Level 2 

ET EMC-sector           40        60    

PT EMC-sector           40        50    

MT EMC-sector           40        50    

RT EMC-sector           40        70    

RT Aviation-sector      N/A       35    

UT EMC-sector           40        70    

EMC = Engineering Materials and Components (plate/pipe welds,

castings and forgings)

Practical Examination

                  Subject                            Weighting Factor 

                                                    Level 1    Level 2

Knowledge of the apparatus, including the             20%        10%  

function and verification of the setting of                           

the apparatus                                                         

The application of NDT to the test specimen.          35%        20%  

This consists of the following parts:                                 

  a) for Level 2, selection of the techniques                         

     and determination of the operating                               

     conditions;                                                      

  b) the preparation (surface condition) and                          

     visual examination of the test piece;                            

  c) the setting up of the apparatus;                                 

  d) the performance of the test;                                     

  e) the operations after the test;                                   

The detection and reporting of the discontinuities    45%        55%  

and, for Level 2, their characterization                              

(position, orientation, dimensions and type) and                      

evaluation.                                                           

For Level 2, the written instruction for Level 1      --         15%  

• The Level 1 candidate shall follow the NDT instruction(s) provided by the examiner.
• The Level 2 candidate shall select the applicable NDT technique and determine the operating conditions related to a given code, standard or specification.
• For radiographic examination, Level 1 and Level 2 candidates shall radiograph at least one volume in a test specimen. Level 2 candidates shall interpret at least five radiographs of test specimens in the applicable industrial sector.

 

EXAMINATION FOR LEVEL 3

Basic Examination

                 Subject                         Number of Questions

Technical knowledge in materials science and             30         

process technology (general aspects)                                

Technical knowledge in materials and processes           40         

that is specific to flaws; ie. flaws in welds,                      

castings, wrought products, etc.                                    

Knowledge of the certification body's                    10         

qualification and certification system based on                     

this National Standard. This may be an open book                    

examination                                                         

General knowledge of at least four methods as            15         

required for Level 2 and chosen by the candidate                    

from the five methods (UT, PT, ET, RT & MT).          for each      

These four methods shall comprise the principal         test        

method for which the certification is sought and       method       

three others which must include at least one         (total 60)     

volumetric method (UT or RT)                                        

Main Method Examination

                 Subject                         Number of Questions

Level 3 knowledge relating to the test method            30         

Application of the NDT method in the industrial          40         

sector concerned, including the applicable             (35 for      

codes, standards, and specifications. This may       RT-aviation)   

be an open book examination in relation to                          

codes, standards, and specifications                                

Drafting of one or more NDT procedures in the            --         

relevant sector. The applicable codes, standards,                   

and specifications shall be available to the                        

candidate                                                           

• Level 3 candidates not holding appropriate Level 2 certification must take a relevant Level 2 practical examination, except that they need not draft an NDT instruction.
• Level 3 candidates for radiography who did not previously satisfactorily complete the required x-ray and gamma-ray radiation safety examination must do so.
• The results of the aforementioned practical and safety examinations are not used in the calculation of the Level 3 composite grade.

Grading

To gain Level 1 or 2 certification, candidates must obtain at least 70% on each examination and a composite grade of at least 80%.

To gain Level 3 certification, candidates must obtain at least 70% on the basic examination, at least 70% on each part of the main method examination, and a composite grade of at least 80% for the main method examination.

Level 3 candidates who are required to take a Level 2 practical examination and/or a radiation safety examination must obtain at least 70% on each.

 

Reexamination

Candidates who fail to obtain a passing grade may retake any examination twice, providing that it is no sooner than 30 days after a previous examination and no later than 2 years after the original examination.

 

Certificates

Pocket/wallet certificates issued under the 48.9712-2000 standard are valid only when accompanied by a personal ID card with photograph.

 

Renewal

Renewal of certification is conducted to verify evidence of continued satisfactory work activity, to ensure individuals continue to meet the vision requirements and to reaffirm the agreement to abide by the code of ethics. Certificates are renewed at three year intervals.

 

Recertification

Recertification is conducted to verify an individual's current knowledge. All individuals must recertify by successfully completing a simplified examination prior to the tenth anniversary of their initial certification and every ten years thereafter. Individuals who fail to achieve a grade of at least 80% may retake the examination according to the following criteria and schedule:

·         In the five year transition period (until Jan 1, 2005) two retakes will be allowed.

·         After the transition period, the number of retakes shall be as designated in the then current ISO 9712 standard.

·         Retakes shall be allowed within one year of the last examination.

·         The certification body will decide what portion of a failed examination a candidate shall retake.

JSNDI/NRCan Certification Agreement (2001)

NRCan/CANMET and the JSNDI (Japanese Society for Non-Destructive Inspection) have reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

CANMET and JSNDI will permit:

1.      Individuals holding CGSB certification to apply to JSNDI for JSNDI certification without further examination, provided any other qualification requirements (eg. experience) are satisfactorily met.

2.      Individuals holding JSNDI certification to apply to CANMET for CGSB certification without further examination, provided any other qualification requirements (eg. experience) are satisfactorily met.

The reciprocal agreement is scheduled to begin June 1, 2001. As with NRCan's previously highly successful 1998 MOU with ASNT, this second MOU with JSNDI will further enhance the value of NRCan's NDT certification program, expand the opportunities for 3700 Canadians certified under NRCan, and permit the freer flow of goods and services between Canada and Japan.

 

Contacts at the Certifying Agency

For application forms, examination centres, fee schedules, renewals, recertification, card replacements and address change, please contact: