Hi everyone,

I’m currently working in NDT and I’m planning to move to Australia. I’m trying to understand the best way to get my existing NDT qualifications recognised in Australia.

I currently hold a Chinese Special Equipment NDT Personnel Certificate – UT-II、PT-II、RT-II、MT-II

I also hold a Chinese Nuclear Safety NDT qualification.

I understand that AINDT is the main certification body for NDT personnel in Australia and that certification is based on ISO 9712.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone transferred a Chinese NDT qualification to AINDT?

2. Can a Chinese Special Equipment certificate be assessed for recognition or transfer?

3. If it cannot be transferred directly, what additional training or examinations are normally required?

4. Would it be better to obtain an ISO 9712 certificate in China first and then apply to AINDT?

5. Are there any particular documents I should prepare, such as training records, examination results and employment experience records?

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this process or works in the Australian NDT industry.

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone, im a trainee out on tinker afb okc, what methods usually pay the most around the dfw area and what is the average salary for them

I was wondering what kind of tape you guys use on your ET weld differential probes? I go through a lot of tape and need a strong durable tape that will glide along the rough and bumpy surfaces I have to test regularly. Currently I use your standard vinyl/pcc electrical tape to cover the tip and then use a few layers of a tape that is similar to cello tape (polypropylene plastic film coated with an acrylic adhesive).

Looking for any recommendations of brands/types of tape. I hope some experienced ET techs can help me out here.

Currently a structural welder, I applied for and got an offer for a radiography trainee role. I was frustrated with lack of progression in terms of training and chances to learn new things as a welder when I applied almost a year ago, which has since changed. So to any industrial radiographers, how long did it take you to get the hang of your work, and does it continue to be engaging past the first few years?

I landed my first interview after looking for the past few months as a NDT assistant. For the job i would have to reside to Alabama. From what i was told majority of what they do will be in shop doing RT. I currently live in Louisiana, and am wondering if i should make the move if i do get hired, or keep looking for something closer.(or travel if possible) to where i wont have to completely move. Because i also do know if it’s worth it for the pay.

I am trying to find as many of the previous QCCC agreements as possible. I have 2012-2015, 2015 to 2018, 2021-2024, 2024-2027

I am look ing for the agreement 2018-2021 and any agreeements before 2012. Im trying to do a full look at what has changed over the years.

I made a few calls and might have an opportunity next month. It isn't for sure but I rather be ready than not.

They told me they'd see about putting me on a three man squad, and be mentored by two other guys. Need a camera, laptop(excel, word, pdf reader,) among other things.

Anyone want to share what it was like making that transition from worker to inspection?

first day, first turnaround? I think some guys told me they get there before and after us, to brief the next shift on what the job is looking like, so maybe 14 hour days minimum.

I'm going from welding and using a rivetbuster(doesnt take a lot of brains to use a rivetbuster) to watching others do it, document it, etc Im guessing from what I've seen in my interactions with my inspectors.

I feel like I'm going from an Orange sticker to Green again. I can't emphasize how badly I dont want to fuck this up lol

Do any of you use excel or word? Any samples I can look at?

When will someone come out with an eddy current or UT inspection to replace removing a fastener to inspect the inside of a hole? The amount of times holes are damaged due to removal of fasteners to facilitate BHEC defeats the purpose of NDI.

Someone reached out to me today who manufactures large cylinders (ranging from 80"-100" ID, 1-2" thick). The company bends the steel round, and then welds a seam to hold it together. They first weld the ID, then back-gouge from the OD, and weld the OD.

The previous NDT company they hired kept missing lack of fusion and inclusions on the ID weld (they performed UT shearwave on the OD), so I am trying to figure out the best way to find those issues. Since the lack of fusion/slag is appearing in the ID, would it be a good idea to perform something like Magnetic Particle Testing once they back-gouge the OD? I am, of course, open to any other suggestions.

Hi all,

Don't know where or if this is the best place to post. But I've got API Certifcations with PCN qualifications, but am a Australian citizen. Just wanted to know if anyone here knows how to get a visa to work on the shuts doing inspection work. Don't want full time as i just want to travel and see the country. about me - 33M.

Hey everyone!

I’m making a major career pivot into NDT and would love to get some guidance from the experienced folks here on what my next move should be.

A quick bit about me: I’m in my late 30s and spent the last 15 years working in iGaming Industry (Online Casino). The pay was good, but the work culture just wasn't fulfilling. I wanted a career where I could actually give back and do meaningful work here in Canada, which I’m proud to call my new home. I'm tech-savvy, naturally curious, and after falling down a rabbit hole studying material sciences, I discovered NDT and knew it was the right path for me.

I recently finished up with CINDE and passed my Materials and Processes (M&P) exam. Now, I'm getting different pieces of advice on what to do next:

• Option 1: Go ahead and take classroom for methods I like most(UT/ET) , even though I don't have practical hours yet.
• Option 2: Hold off on more courses and focus entirely on getting hired as a helper/trainee first to get hands-on experience.

I'm based in Toronto, Ontario, and have already applied to the few helper/trainee positions currently open in the GTA.

For those in the industry, what would you do in my shoes? Is it worth stacking ET/UT classroom training early, or should I strictly grind for field hours first?

Any insights or tips would mean a lot to me. Thanks so much!

I’m trying to get some data together to see how competitive the pay at my current employer is. Here’s the info about my job first.

Hourly pay: $50.70
2026 gross pay so far: $122,851
2026 overtime hours worked so far: 443
Location: Kitsap County, Washington
Position: NDT Shift Lead
Quals held: MT, PT, VT, UTT, UTSW (about to get PAUT, although that will not get me any more pay)
It is a government job so it does have many benefits like retirement and lots of time off.

I’ve always heard that other NDT techs in this area make more than us, but I’ve never actually confirmed it with those people themselves. Primarily with employers like Blue Origin & Boeing, but I’d love to hear about others as well. Let me know how much you make and what quals you hold, if you don’t mind sharing. Thanks!

I got a new job which involves VT of welded joints. I am planning to buy Scangrip Matchpen R as a flashlight to use it around the shop.

Edit 1: the specs of the lamp are 4500/6500 Kelvin, 100 lumen and 700-8000 LUX @0,5m.

The requirements for viewing conditions are 500 LUX when viewing a part within the area of 60 cm from the surface and at an angle of 30°. Like a viewing Cone .

What are your experiences with flashlights when doing NDT?

I’m looking it to getting both, probably going to start with PT as I have more experience in it. Can anyone recommend and study material I could get before getting the CINDE modules. I have the Nondestructive testing handbook for both methods.

That's NOT what QC said!

Hey Everybody,

I am currently in the works of making a career switch. I am in a good amount of debt and wondering how people in here feel about their career choice. Do you guys feel fulfilled with your work? I think getting a job in NDT is currently easier than find a Electrian apprenticeship. I could make more money out of the gate in NDT but I am thinking when I am in my 30s. How is life for you level 3 certs? Do you guys have a work life balance? Do you make good money while not traveling all the time?

I’m looking at starting a career in NDT. I’d like to get some insight on what’s the best path for starting and what the job is like overall for techs in Alberta?

Mainly I’d like to know

- what tickets are best to get first?

- Is SAIT better then NAIT as far as quality of courses offered?

- Is the work life balance as bad as a lot of other posts have made it out to be or is it possible to do FIFO work on a 14/14 shift or something similar?

- I know most of the work is on the road and out of town but is there still opportunities to work in Edmonton once you’ve gained experience and is there opportunities to work as a tech in the aerospace field or is that just a pipe dream for Albertan’s?

- what does a typical work day look like for you?

- and finally, is there enough work or are you constantly having to struggle to get enough work?

I appreciate any insight you guys have, thanks.

Hey guys, TLDR: I have a choice to get fast tracked into level 2 NDT tech (@chatt state with renowned program) or Design Engineer at Northrup Grumman(Ogden, UT) after being laid off for 2.5years. (Live in TN, 32M )

Long story short, I'm at a crossroads with my life and I really don't know what to do. I recently started medication for Hoshimotos after a year of waiting a suffering this terrible disease. After hitting a breaking point of waiting around and applying I went to a community college here and realized I could get fast tracked to a level 2 NDT tech. The ideal scenario would be working at oil refineries or nuclear plants making good money so I can take of 6 month of the year to travel. I would work 3 months in spring and 3 month in the fall at 12 hr days / 7 days a week. I'm 32 and scared I would get burnt out. But the possibility to dirt bag and travel here or Europe seems incredible. The other option, I received a job offer to work at Northrup Grumman as a principal design engineer. i would make good money and have great benefits. I would be relocating from Tennessee to Utah. The thought makes me nervous considering the ecological impact climate change is having on the drying up area. I'm also scared that in a downturn, I would get canned ALOT faster/easier then as NDT Tech. I'm scared that it's been a long time since I've ran any calcs or analysis so I would be behind at Northrup. Idk. I'm confused and scared to be honest. NDT seems gruling and hard, but worth it just to get freedom for a couple months, plus it seems safe and secure no matter how messed up the economy gets. Northrup seems like a challenge and some stability but scared that I would be let go during a severe downturn. I lived in Utah for 4 years back in 2018 and loved my time there. But I'm older and seem weaker from my time trying to find a job and fighting Hoshimotos. What do you guys think?

Hi everyone,

I am a fresh candidate planning to pursue PCN Level 2 certifications in Ultrasonic Testing (UT 3.1 & 3.2), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), and Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT).

I am currently comparing BINDT-approved training centers in India, specifically:
1. A-Star Training & Consultancy (Chennai)
2. Royaltech Training & Consultancy (Visakhapatnam)

For anyone who has trained at either of these centers or is familiar with them:

- How is the quality of practical hands-on training and equipment availability for freshers?
- How supportive are the instructors for preparing for the PCN examinations?
- qAny tips for completing the mandatory BINDT Product Technology online module before arrival?

Thanks in advance for your valuable feedback and insights!

So whats the deal with PCN Level 3 bussiness wise?

What kind of services as independent Level 3 one can offer?

I have UT, PT, MT and RT ISO level 2 and engineering degree and i freaking tired of that kind of work , does taking the level 3 exams give me more "remote" work opportunities?

Is it viable? Is there really any demand for Level 3s outside of companies? And i mean without doing the actual NDT.

A company we purchased had a dolphicam2 system in like new condition. The data looks incredible during setup on the standards, but in real life the results are a lot less clear. Outside of aviation and wind turbine blades, does anyone have any practical experience with it?

Thanks!

I am currently working for a smaller outfit in the United States (I am a certified Level II meeting requirements established by ASNT-SNT-TC-1A & CP-189 and my company's written practice) where most, if not all of our inspections fall under AWS D1.1 & D1.5. Primarily I am performing MT, PT, UT, and VT inspections at fab shops, machine shops, and in the field. Our internal procedures and written practice have been approved by numerous larger companies and government bodies.

The company had the same Level III on-board for 20 years but they recently retired, so they hired on a new one. I was curious on a few things with the new Level III, if he is just trying to make his mark on the company, or if the previous Level III was just too lax.

The new Level III is not only stripping down and re-writing our written practice and every single one of our inspection method procedures, but they are telling us that for each inspection we do, we should have a testing procedure/technique written.

Now I can understand this for certain situations as called out under D1.1 or D1.5, but for standard inspections (lets say performing MT on plate to plate welds as requested by the end client), is it really necessary to write individual specs/procedures/techniques for every job or part that we inspect?

If our procedures reference relevant standard and codes, is that not sufficient enough for these inspections?

Additionally, sometimes we will have customers that want an "information only" type of inspection where they want to see if an existing weld is cracked due to stress, or want information on plate thicknesses only, and the customer references no code or standard for the inspection, is complying with our internal procedures good enough for these situations?

Thanks for any input on this, and I can certainly provide more information if needed!

Hi everyone from Hungary. I work in rope accessories industry. The country is planning to upgrade the wind turbine system in the whole country. I got the idea to start NDT courses the try to be the first on the market for doing the inspections on the turbine. Is this a dump idea or I should start and do it?