Certified Doesn’t Mean Qualified

Certified Doesn’t Always Mean Qualified – Who Is Monitoring Your Machines?

As manufacturing continues to become more technologically advanced, obtaining technical training for employees is no longer an option, but a necessity. At times, the expense may seem out of proportion with respect to the tools used in that task.

Yet, when you’re sending them into the field, it’s critical that the service they provide is up to the standards your customers have come to expect from your company. Budgeting for employee training, in theory, should be a “no brainer” to obtain positive ROIs.

Unfortunately, it seems like anyone can get a “certificate” in just about anything they want these days with a few remote learning sessions and keyboard clicks. They may be certified, but they lack the experience of applying that knowledge. The disconnect between passing a multiple-choice test and experience is the difference between “certified” and “qualified.”

A side of our business born out of necessity

Over ten years ago, we became frustrated when our personnel would return from training having received their certification, yet were still in need of “additional training” to do what we sent them to training to learn in the first place. We quickly came to realize that certification – be it through the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) scheme or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) scheme – needed to be so much more than just passing a written exam. In our opinion, to become “certified”, you needed to demonstrate a clear understanding of the concepts covered on the written exam via a hands-on practical portion on real-life equipment.

Since so much confusion still exists about the differences and advantages/disadvantages between ASNT and ISO certification, it warrants a quick look into each.

 ASNT (i.e. Employer-Based Certification)

Simply put, ASNT is an employer-based certification program – meaning that the employer bears the responsibility of making sure that personnel performing NDT at their facility hold the necessary certifications. The ASNT provides employers with Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A: Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing, which provides guidelines that can be used by companies to develop employer-based, in-house NDT and PdM certification programs.

SNT-TC-1A includes recommended skill levels for all levels of NDT qualification, recommended training and experience hours for Level I and Level II personnel, and the examination eligibility requirements for Level III personnel. These guidelines can be modified by employers. When incorporated into a company’s Written Practice (procedure) they become the PdM certification requirements for that company. Additionally, certification is based not only upon a written examination but also includes a hands-on practical examination.

ISO (i.e. Third-Party Certification)

ISO is a central certification system that requires the examinations to be given by an independent third-party who confirms that an individual has a base set of skills, knowledge, experience, and competence to perform tasks that meet established guidelines. This separate certifying entity is meant to ensure a non-biased, fair, and consistent certification program both nationally and internationally.

Common Misconceptions

• It has been argued that Employer-Based Certification (ASNT scheme) expires when you change employers. However, the new employer can accept your previous certification as “equivalent” to their own, perform testing to evaluate your capabilities or send you to a third party for validation.
• There is an expectation of “pay-to-pass” when sending personnel to third-party training and certification.
• Employer-Based Certification is biased therefore certification is an automatic rubber stamp.

Regardless of the certification scheme chosen, the employer is ultimately responsible for ensuring an analyst is capable. It is the employer who authorizes the individual to perform testing and perform analysis, not the certifying agency.

 IVC’s comprehensive ASNT training

At IVC, we developed training that is intended to develop a multi-industry analyst. We do this by using the body of knowledge contained in ANSI/ASNT CP-105 as it applies to our needs as experienced in 30 business years.

For us, sending out appropriately qualified, knowledgeable analysts who are skilled practitioners to represent IVC is a matter of integrity. For more information on our comprehensive training programs, click here.