ASME B31.3 Examiner Certification

What Certification is Required to be an Examiner for ASME B31.3 Work?

ASME B31.3, paragraph 342.1, specifies the requirements for examiner qualification and certification. Examiners must be certified through the employer's written practice, a quality procedure aligned with standards such as ASME, ASNT, or other recognized national or international certification programs. To achieve certification, examiners must complete the required training and demonstrate sufficient experience before passing a qualifying examination for the specific nondestructive examination (NDE) method. Once certified, examiners are authorized to perform NDE in accordance with ASME B31.3 Code requirements.

What Code Standards Should the Written Practice be Based On?

The written practice shall be based on the requirements of one of the following (ASME B31.3 342.1)

• ASME BPVC Section V Article 1

• ASNT SNT-TC-1A

• ASNT CP-189

• Other national or international centralized certification programs or standards

What Records Should be Kept On-File?

The employer is responsible for certifying the records of the examiners employed. Along with becoming certified it is typical that a certificate with the individuals name is created and presented to them. A training, experience and test record is also kept on file for each individual for all of the NDE methods they have become certified in. Visual Acuity, and ongoing experience records are also kept in support of ongoing and future re-certification requirements.

ASME B31.3 Code Interpretations regarding Examiner Qualification

If an examiner is qualified to an international standard do they still need to be qualified to the employers written practice? B31.3 Interpretation 20-2469