ASNT Seminar Curricula and Certification by Technical Associates

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Although Technical Associates has begun alignment of both our Seminar Curricula and Certification Examination content to conform to the Vibration Analysis requirements of the ASNT "Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A" document, we have ensured that the style and content of both the seminar texts and written examinations will still closely resemble the subject matter of those offered in the past decade. Technical Associates’ Entry thru Advanced Levels encompass the ASNT Body of Knowledge Requirements for the Vibration Analysis Curricula. The American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), based in Columbus, OH is recognized worldwide and has been offering certification testing for many years in numerous fields including infrared thermography, ultrasound, etc. The ASNT Vibration Certification Committee is composed of members from industry, instrumentation/software vendors, and consultants which includes Technical Associates.

The SNT-TC-1A document mandates closed book examinations and stipulates the question format, quantity of questions, proportion of total questions given on each topic, and prerequisites for each examination level. ASNT is structured to offer three (3) broad levels of qualification for Vibration Analysis personnel under SNT-TC-1A: Level I, Level II and Level III. The body of each test will contain all required references; in addition, applicable formulas, tables and our world-renowned "Vibration Diagnostic Chart". Currently, these ASNT closed book examinations will be offered in our public and in-plant seminars. Technical Associates’ courses and certification examinations correlate to the ASNT curricula and Certification Levels as shown in the following table.

TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES COURSE LEVEL AND EXAMINATION DESIGNATION TABLE

ASNT LEVEL	TA COURSE LEVEL	TA EXAMINATION DESIGNATION	Hours	EXAMINATION PROVIDER
1	ENTRY	ASNT 1	24	TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES
2	ANALYSIS I & II	ASNT 2A & 2B	48	TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES
3	ANALYSIS III & ADV.	ASNT 3A & 3B	60	TA & ASNT (COMING)

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS UNDER SNT-TC-1A:

• Level I - Person needs to have at least 24 hours of initial formal vibration training regardless of secondary and college education, and a minimum of 6 months (full-time) hands-on experience.
• Level II - A high school graduate needs to have 80 hours formal vibration training, plus a minimum of two years full-time experience; person with 2 or more years of college in engineering or science curricula, needs to have 56 hours formal vibration training plus a minimum of two years full-time experience.
• Level III - A high school graduate needs to have 4 years of full-time experience equivalent to that of Level II; person having 2 or more years of college in engineering or science curricula, needs to have at least two years full-time experience equivalent to that of Level II; a 4-year degreed engineering or science major needs to have at least one year experience equivalent to that of Level II. Technical Associates recommends a minimum of 80 hours formal vibration training, with at least 72 hours in seminars which cover ASNT Level III vibration analysis topics (independent of educational background).

• Level I - Person must be proficient with data collection, downloading, and uploading vibration data; have a basic knowledge of vibration fundamentals, instruments & transducers; and may assist in balancing and alignment tasks.
• Level II - Person must be fully proficient with required Level I tasks, plus be capable of performing in-depth vibration signature and phase analysis to detect a variety of machine faults; performing minor vibration reduction; writing clear, concise reports of results and recommendations; and providing guidance to Level I Vibration Analysts.
• Level III - Person must be fully proficient with required Level I & II tasks; plus be capable of administrating or managing a plant wide condition monitoring program; developing acceptance standards, alarm limits, and specifications; performing in-depth time waveform analysis; performing fundamental modal analysis & operating deflection testing on machines & structures; possessing in-depth knowledge of signal processing; and specifying vibration reduction mechanisms (isolation, damping, etc.).

Answer: All the formal training received so far definitely has value. So does documented proof of each individual’s hands-on experience in the VA field. At present, under the SNT-TC-1A (1996) Recommended Practice, it is the employer (or his outside agency) that provides certification for Levels I and II. If the employer has hired the services of an ASNT NDT Level III individual, normally it is that individual who will be assigned to administer the certification details in accordance with the employer’s written practice. You do not have to start over.

Answer: No. "Grandfathering" ended in February, 1977. All persons desiring a certificate of qualification from ASNT must meet certain prerequisites. First, they must apply for certification. The application will request documented proof of experience, education, training, etc. Since the ASNT Level III analysts may be required to perform administrative duties, they must pass an ASNT Level III Basic examination (covering basics of several NDT or PDM technologies); plus they must pass an ASNT Level III Vibration Analysis examination (135 multiple-choice questions; closed book).