CGSB/NRCan Rules of Implementation for CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2006 / ISO 9712:2005

NRCan Implementation of ISO 9712:2005

June 21, 2005 – R.V. Murphy

Setting the ‘Latitude’ in Training/Experience

The CGSB Committee on Non-destructive Testing and Certification of Personnel met in Calgary on April 12, 2005 and voted to have a formal ballot on adopting, without modifications, ISO 9712:2005 as the new National Standard of Canada. However, ISO 9712:2005 has changed requirements for training and experience and allows the certification body latitude in these areas. ISO 9712:2005 states in the Introduction, “Where latitude is provided in the criteria within this International Standard, the certification body has the final decision in determining specific requirements.” So, several CGSB Committee members wanted to know just what degree of ‘latitude’ would be applied by NRCan in the implementation of the Canadian adoption of ISO 9712:2005 - the ‘rules of implementation’. Obviously, this could affect the members’ vote for or against an adoption without modifications.

The NDT Advisory Committee met on April 13, 2005, the day after the CGSB Committee meeting, and reviewed the new training and experience provisions of ISO 9712:2005. The Committee reviewed written suggestions from five NRCan Level 3 technical staff (April 01-04, 2005) and discussed the issues from many different points of view (industry and training organizations). The NDT Advisory Committee recommended that the ‘latitude’ be fixed and that the ‘rules of implementat ion’ be published on the NRCan web site. After the meeting, the Advisory Committee and several training organizations reviewed the proposed rules, made adjustments, added new rules for foreign training/experience/certification and agreed to the 15 rules of implementation that are presented below.

The following is the list of 15 rules* for NRCan implementation of a Canadian adoption of ISO 9712:2005. * A detailed explanation of how most of these rules were established is presented after the list of rules.

  1. NRCan will set up a procedure for NRCan acceptance of training organizations, the training courses and the trainers (course instructors).
  2. NRCan will publish on the Certifying Agency web site a list of all NRCan accepted training organizations, training courses and trainers (course instructors).
  3. On an ongoing basis, NRCan will provide to the accepted training organizations the average pass rate of their candidates.
  4. NRCan will require that training certificates issued to candidates by the accepted training organization state:
    • The method, level, and duration of the course.
    • That the course duration complies with the requirements of CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2005.
    • That the course and course examination followed the IAEA Techdoc 628 and NRCan curricula.
    • That the candidate was in full time attendance for ____ hours.
    • The grade (>70%) obtained by the candidate on the course test.
    • The name of the course trainer (instructor)
  5. Prerequisite Math Skills and Materials/Process Knowledge
    1. NRCan accepted training organizations will be responsible for producing a math-skill test. An applicant for training must pass (>70%) the math test before being allowed to attend training courses in materials and processes or in the NDT methods. The grade obtained on the math-skill test will be provided by the accepted training organization to NRCan.
    2. NRCan accepted training organizations will be responsible for preparing and delivering a 40-hour course (that includes a test) in materials and processes. Applicants must pass (>70%) the materials and processes test before being allowed to attend training courses in the NDT methods. The grade obtained on the materials and processes test will be provided by the accepted training organization to NRCan.
    3. If an applicant can provide, to the NRCan accepted training organization, evidence of sufficient prior training in materials and processes, the training organization may omit the 40-hour course requirement if the applicant can demonstrate competence by passing (>70%) the materials and processes test. The grade obtained on the materials and processes test will be provided by the accepted training organization to NRCan.
  6. There will be no reductions in training for higher education.
  7. NRCan will perform a more detailed assessment of candidates’ claimed industrial experience at all levels of certification. Candidates will report experience using a new three-part NRCan form that requires information on
    their industrial experience as a trainee, as a Level 1 and as a Level 2.
    • Trainee Experience: A check-sheet listing basic equipment used and types of inspections performed. A candidate for Level 1 certification must report his method experience as a trainee.
    • Level 1 Experience: A detailed listing of equipment used, reporting of experience by dated inspections performed. Experience must meet minimums for Level 2, Table 2 note f (work as Level 1). A candidate for Level 2 must report his method experience both as a trainee and as a Level 1.
    • Level 2 Experience: A comprehensive listing of equipment used, detailed reporting of experience by dated inspections performed. Experience must meet minimums for Level 3, Table 2 note g (work as Level 2). A candidate for Level 3 must report his method experience as a trainee, as a Level 1 and as a Level 2.
  8. Attestations of experience are required at all Levels.
    • Supervisor: On the revised application form, each level of reported experience (trainee, Level 1 and Level 2) must be attested to in writing by the employee’s supervisor at the time the candidate gained the claimed experience.
    • Sponsor: A sponsor (CGSB certified Level 2 or 3) must co-sign the attestation of the various levels of experience.
    • 25% Verification: NRCan will verify the claimed experience of 25% of applicants.
    • Invigilator comments: The claimed experience will be weighed against invigilator comments on the practical examination.
    • Questionable experience: If the experience claimed is questionable, NRCan will verify the claimed experience with the trainer (course instructor).
  9. There will be no reduction in experience based upon the ‘quality of experience’.
  10. The practical-workshop time that will be accepted as equivalent industrial experience will be limited to:
    • 2 days maximum for the surface methods (MT, PT, ST, VT), equivalent to ~3 weeks experience.
    • 5 days maximum for the volumetric methods (AT, ET, IT, LT, RT, UT), equivalent to ~7 weeks experience.
  11. There will be no reduction in experience for ‘quality of education’.
  12. In general, there will be no experience reduction/increase for experience gained in another sector of the same method. In the case of endorsements to existing-method certifications, the certification body may establish additional training and experience requirements.
  13. There will be no experience reduction for simultaneous experience in different methods.
  14. Foreign candidates
    1. Training: A foreign candidate, claiming previous training, will be directed to an accepted training organization of his choice, where he must pass the training organization's tests for:
      1. Basic Math
      2. Materials & processes, and
      3. NDT method(s).
      NRCan will accept as proof of adequate prior training, a certificate issued by the accepted training organization stating that the candidate had passed these tests (I, ii, iii).
      Note: The candidate does not have to take the training courses - just the tests. The candidate gets one try at the tests. In the event that the candidate cannot pass the tests, the candidate must take the necessary training course(s) appropriate to pass each of the tests. NRCan will treat both national and foreign candidates the same way. All must produce a certificate from an NRCan accepted training organization stating the candidate has passed the training organizations test for basic math, the test for materials and processes and all tests pertaining the NDT methods/levels in which he/she seeks certification.
    2. Experience: A foreign candidate, claiming previous experience, will be required to meet the same requirements as at items 7 and 8. In cases where the experience is questionable and/or difficult to verify (previous supervisors reside in a foreign country, sponsor not available), NRCan will assess the submitted claims of experience under item 7 and consider the comments of the accepted trainers and invigilators of the practical examinations.
    3. Certification: NRCan will assess the submitted claims of certification of a foreign candidate. His certifications may be acceptable proof of prior training and experience and NRCan may allow him top proceed to full or partial examination. On the other hand, the foreign candidate may be required to demonstrate training and experience as per item 14 a.) and b.).
  15. Transition rules
    The current rules under CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2000 are clear. The new rules to apply under a Canadian adoption of ISO 9712:2005 are clear. What about during the transition from the old to the new Standard?
    1. We apply the old (and these transitional rules) for training and experience up to two years from date of original application for multiple methods - subject to c. below.
    2. As soon as the CGSB Committee approves ISO 9712:2005 for adoption as the new Canadian Standard, we apply the new rules.
    3. A candidate for certification will be considered "in process of certification" only if he has already successfully completed at least one examination in the method(s) and level(s) in which he sought certification.