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Visual Testing Levels

According to the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, the following is a list of various non destructive testing techniques:

1. ET - Eddy Current
2. MT - Magnetic Particle
3. UT - Ultrasonic 
4. VT - Visual
5. XT - X Ray

Visual inspection is the process of examination and evaluation of systems and components by use of the human sensory systems. Visual inspection is by far the most common and relatively simple non-destructive testing technique. VT is usually the first choice of any inspection as it offers an immediate and less costly approach as compared to the other NDT methods. It can be done with the naked eye or aided with additional devices such as microscopes, CCTV lenses, bore-scopes, and robotics.

Level I

Requirements:

• 16 hours of training
• 1 month equivalent work experience

Type of training:

• Definitions
• Fundamentals
• Equipment
• Checks/Calibrations
• Test Procedures

Each technician is placed into Theory and a Practical with written and process test pieces.

Level II (in addition to level I requirements)

• 24 hours of training
• 3 month equivalent work experience

Level III (in addition to level II requirements)

Must qualify under one of the following.

• Have a degree from a four year school in the field of engineering or a physical science along with at least one year experience in the non-destructive field. 
• Completed at least two years of college level schooling in engineering or a physical science and at least two years experience in non-destructive testing.
• At least four years experience in a non-destructive testing level II position.

Related

• Remote Visual Inspection
• Non Destructive Testing
• ASNT