Welcome to our NDT Certification FAQ page created by our dedicated certification coordinator, Sharon Bond.
Whether you are seeking guidance on certification requirements, exam preparation, or recertification and renewal procedures, Sharon is here to support you with her expert knowledge and personalized assistance.
For more information about Sharon's services, please click here.
Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) is the organization that establishes best practices. CGSB is the organization responsible for writing the Canadian document “Non-destructive testing – Qualification and certification of NDT personnel (CAN/CGSB 48.9712).
There are now two NDT Certifying Bodies in Canada. Both administer and implement certification programs to meet the requirements of the CAN/CGSB 48.9712 standard, but are independent of each other… so you get to choose which organization would work best for you in moving forward with your NDT career.
NRCan – https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/non-destructive-testing
CWB – https://www.cwbgroup.org/services/certification/non-destructive-testing-ndt-personnel-certification
There is no difference between the NRCan and CWB NDT Certification Programs. Both provide certification services to meet the requirements of CAN/CGSB 48.9712.
CWB Application Forms include:
Form 501 – NDT Initial Certification Application & Form 504 – NDT Certification Visual Acuity Record
https://www.cwbgroup.org/services/certification/non-destructive-testing-ndt-personnel-certification
NRCan Application Forms include:
Initial Application, Vision, Code of Conduct, Photo Verification, Identification Verification Forms
See table at the following link https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/non-destructive-testing/qualifying-work-experience-ndt-certification
For Level 1 or 2 certification, yes. 0% of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is required to challenge your certification exams. QWE can be submitted after the fact, but all certification requirements must be completed within 5 years of starting your certification examinations
For Level 3 certification – 40% of Qualifying Work Experience needs to be completed prior to starting the certification process
Yes. Certification applications can be submitted to the Certifying Body prior to taking the required training course(s). A conditional approval would be provided, noting that all required training must be successfully completed prior to attempting any of the certification examination(s).
For information on the training requirements please refer to question #5
Candidates who have limitations on their colour vision, are able to do a direct performance test to confirm they can distinguish and differentiate contrast between colours and/or shades. These performance tests would be done per method by Level 3 personnel.
It's your employer's responsibility to complete the near and far vision requirements on an annual basis. The Certifying Body will require evidence of the vision test completion whenever applying for initial, renewal and recertification.
Colour vision requirements need to be completed every 5 years and submitted to the Certifying Body when applying for initial, renewal and recertification
Photo’s are valid for up to 10 years but may be requested earlier at the discretion of the Certifying Body
Depending on what application stage you are at, consideration needs to be given for application review/approval time, test center availability, grading of exams, final certification approval. Each stage can take up to 3-4 weeks.
Yardstick Meazure is the online host organization for NRCan written examinations. Once approved by NRCan to challenge your written examinations, scheduling can be arranged by clicking on the link supplied by NRCan in the Electronic Written Exam Authorization (EWEA) Letter.
Scheduling of Written Exams is arranged directly with the Approved Examination Center (AEC’s) of choice once you have received your CWB approval.
No, the NRCan CGSB Visual Testing Certification is not the same as the CWB Weld Inspection Certification. These are 2 separate certification programs and are not equivalent in their responsibilities.
Prior to taking any NDT specific training courses, both a Math and Materials and Processes course are required to be completed (currently or previously certified personnel are considered to already possess the Math and Materials & Processes pre-requisites)
Each method/level of NDT Certification has different training requirements which can be found at the following link https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/non-destructive-testing/training-requirements-prerequisites-ndt-certification
Initial Certification Fees https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/science-research/fees-ndt-certification-examination
Renewal Fees https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/science-research/renewing-your-ndt-certification#a3
Recertification Fees https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/science-research/recertifying-your-ndt-certification#a4b
For more information regarding CWB Application Fees, please review the Application Fees guide located here: https://www.cwbgroup.org/services/certification/non-destructive-testing-ndt-personnel-certification
Your certification wallet card does not indicate if you are due for renewal or recertification. Check the Certifying Bodies listing of NDT Certified Personnel at the following link to confirm what stage of maintenance you are due for:
NRCan Certifications: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/non-destructive-testing/directory-certified-personnel-currently-certified-natural-resources-canada
CWB Certifications: https://www.cwbgroup.org/directory/certified-inspectors
Recertification is required every 10 years as a minimum and requires the successful completion of a practical examination element for each method due for recertification (level 2/3 have additional requirements for a written instruction or written examination). The recertification practical exam can be completed no sooner than 12 months prior to the certification expiry date.
Download, complete and submit the relevant application forms; including vision and code of conduct forms. Once approved schedule and complete your practical examination.
NRCan Forms https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/non-destructive-testing/ndt-certification-body-forms-guides
CWB NDT Forms https://www.cwbgroup.org/services/certification/non-destructive-testing-ndt-personnel-certification
Currently there is a transition period depending on when you are due for renewal. Each individual will be applying under different rules – contact the Certification Coordinator to discuss your specific requirements.
If NRCan is your Certifying Body, you can apply up to 15 months prior to your expiry date but you cannot physically do your practical (or written exam for Level 3) exam any sooner than 12 months prior to your expiry date
If CWB NDT is your Certifying Body, you can apply no sooner than 12 months prior to your expiry date
Attestations need to be completed after all other information (including vision & code of conduct forms) has been completed. NRCan will deny any applications that attestations were completed before any of the other documentation. Remember signees are attesting to your application being fully completed and accurate.
QCCC NTS has sample written instructions available that should be used to prepare. Written instruction samples can be download (PT, MT, UT and RT available) at the following link https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/non-destructive-testing/training-requirements-prerequisites-ndt-certification
NRCan Guides - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/non-destructive-testing/ndt-certification-body-forms-guides
CWB Guides - https://www.cwbgroup.org/services/certification/non-destructive-testing-ndt-personnel-certification
