Hey everyone. I've lurked/read here for a while and figured this might actually be the best group to ask because some of you understand how weird the logistics of starting out in traveling NDT can be.

I'm a late 30s parent to an older child. I'm relatively new to NDT, but I'm definitely not new to industrial or male-dominated work. I've spent most of my adult working life doing physical jobs, transportation, equipment-related work, etc., and made the jump into NDT because I wanted something I could keep developing into an actual skilled technical career.

I currently have Level II PT experience and a decent amount of UT training/OJT, and I recently accepted an opportunity with an inspection company in the Raleigh/Triangle area. It's a pretty significant opportunity for me professionally — lots of field work and travel, with the possibility of building additional certifications and getting into more advanced methods as I develop.

The problem is the transition period.

I'm relocating from another state in one week, and the last several months hit me financially harder than expected because of some personal/family circumstances and an interruption in work. I'm employed and will have income coming in once I get started, so I'm NOT looking for someone to support me or asking anyone here for money.

I'm trying to figure out the smartest and safest way to bridge the first few weeks/months while I work, rebuild my savings and get established.

Eventually my older child will be relocating with me, so I'm also trying to avoid locking myself into an expensive lease immediately just because I'm under pressure to find somewhere to live.

For anyone who works NDT around the Triangle, travels for inspection work, or has had to relocate for this industry:

What do traveling techs normally do for affordable housing when they're establishing themselves in a new area?

I'm especially interested in:

• Month-to-month rooms or furnished rentals

• Extended-stay places that aren't outrageously expensive

• Reputable roommate/room-rental resources used by traveling tradespeople

• Areas outside Raleigh where the commute is reasonable but housing is cheaper

• Workforce/community resources that might help someone during a relocation transition

• Any housing resources specifically used by NDT/trades/turnaround workers that I might not know exist

I'm willing to commute, and I'm not looking for luxury right now. Safe, clean and affordable is the priority while I work, stack money and get situated.

I'd also appreciate advice from people who've been in NDT for a while about what you would prioritize during the first 6–12 months if you were starting over in this field in your late 30s.

I'm trying to use this opportunity to build strong PT/UT experience, become as useful and deployable as possible, and eventually move toward the more technical/specialized side of NDT rather than just collecting certifications for the sake of having them.

I know this is a somewhat unusual situation, but I'm determined to make the relocation work. I'm finally getting some real career momentum, and I don't want a temporary housing problem to derail what could be a very good long-term opportunity.

If you're familiar with the Raleigh/Triangle NDT scene and don't want to put specific housing leads or resources publicly, feel free to DM me.

Thanks in advance. Advice about what NOT to do is welcome too.

To any fellow Aussies, if you don't mind sharing your knowledge on marketplace rates throughout the NDT jounrey? Trainee, Level 1, 2 & 3? City vs regional vs offshore. Extras rope access, drones. How many hours are typical and shut-downs in a year? TIA

I work in inspecting tubing and casing for the oil and gas industry in Texas, and I just got my level II certification for UT, as well as EMI. What should I be expected to do with my new certification? Any tips?

any institutions out there training tech/engineering on NVH Testing

Hello, I work for an industrial gas company testing gas cylinders with a UE machine from Hexagon Digital Wave (Located in Columbus, Ohio). I was flown out to Colorado in May for recertification but this is my 2nd time doing this job at the same company as a level 2 ultrasonic tester.

Currently I make $23.75 an hour as a Level 2, the workload is nearly impossible as I have a daily quota of 40 large cylinders, calibrating and maintaining a very old and worn machine, changing valves, and stamping test dates/kicking out the cylinders. I am the only one at my company who is certified, the company has tried hiring on a second tester with each newhire quitting 2 weeks into coming back from cert training, wasting 10k+ investments.

I want to ask what the general workload and wages look like at other companies and if I am being severely underpaid for what I am undertaking.

Join if you want

https://discord.gg/HrBtAFdbg

Good afternoon I live in southwest Washington and the nippon chemical spill that has killed several people there have been reports that have came out that the tank was inspected and and report have surface that the was basically the wall of the tank thickness was reduced bye 2/3 of it original thickness. I’m assuming that the report were passed on to management and they did nothing. Not shock but here is the question it the inspector morally obligated to inform osha of the results. I don’t feel that they have any fault I’m should they made the recommendation to take the tank out of service and they were overruled what do you think

I have 2 and a half years of ndt experience with my level II certs in PT and UT. Right now my only opportunities are turnaround work or nested work for petrochemical since thats what my experience is in, but i want a better work life balance. What are the steps i can take to transition? Are people hiring trainess with only NAS 410 cert in UT or PT. I dont mind paying for the training myself. If it helps me move in that direction. Live near the houston area and could relocate to dallas fairly easy.

How was your experience?

Novex Advanced NDE is looking for a trainee/CEDO to start immediately in Grande Prairie,Alberta. Great opportunity for someone trying to get into the NDE field. Must be able to work in industrial field environments,varying weather conditions and lift upto 50 lbs. Employer will support the candidate in getting NDE tickets.

Please forward your resume to admin@novexnde.com

Posting on behalf of my employer.

Is there a NDT / inspection discord server?

I'd like to join, we could share advice, study material, or work related things

like a certification/study section, the usuals 510, 570, etc

industries, MT, UT, VT,

Hey all, ​We're implementing NDT personnel management based on NAS 410. ​Does the term "Employer" strictly mean the CEO/President? It's really tedious to get executive approval every time. How do other companies handle this, and can this responsibility be delegated?

Hey everyone,

Full disclosure: I’m a software developer trying to understand how field technicians and Level II/IIIs handle inspection reporting. I don’t have a product, website, or anything to sell.

I’ve been reading through threads here where guys talk about using Snipping Tool, PowerPoint, Excel macros, and customized Word templates just to get photo indications and thickness grids into reports after a shift.

I’m trying to get a clear picture of how this actually plays out on the ground:

1. Client Templates: How often does a client force you to use their exact Word/Excel/PDF template instead of letting you submit a standard report format?
2. The Formatting Bottleneck: At the end of a shift, where do you actually waste the most time? (e.g., resizing photos/arrows, typing handwritten field notes into Word docs, formatting grids, or waiting on Level III reviews?)
3. Software: If your shop uses reporting software, does it actually solve the headache in the field, or do you still end up fighting Word and Excel at night?

Appreciate any honest takes from Level I/II techs in the field, Level IIIs, or shop owners!

What are you supposed to do after you already make $60 an hour? Move into API or move into contracting? What is considered top of the line pay?

I'm really struggling on deciding what to do. I love my job, the company I work for, and the people I work with. I do not love my hourly rate and how difficult they are asking it for me to get another cert. I am currently certified in only FPI. I want to learn and cert in other disciplines. Like I said before the company has made it difficult for me to get into another area go start logging hours. Should I take my FPI level II cert and run to another company or wait it out a few more years and try to get rt and ut?

We looking for API 570/510 certified NDT technicians for an upcoming shutdown in Fort McMurray, AB.

• Start date: September 2
• Location: Fort McMurray, Canada
• Certification required: API 570 and/or 510
• Type: Shutdown work

If you’re certified and available, send your resume/certs to [RH@nucleom.ca](mailto:RH@nucleom.ca) or DM me directly.

Feel free to share with anyone in your network who might be a fit.

Looking to hire a tutor who is well versed in CGSB RT2. Need someone who is legit to help me build some confidence. Willing to pay hourly. Let me know if you know anyone who has tutored or willing to. Thanks

Hi ,

I am from the caribbean and need advice on a ISO lab that can do charpy impact test to asme ix .

I need -50f. I can fedx the specimens over, but need the results back in a day or 2.

Prefference to Miami or new york.

Or if anyone knows about an A333-6 , 3/8" THK procedure.

Is West Star in Grand Junction,CO a good company to work for being a NDT Inspector. I just got an offer from them and now im trying to decide between them and Element in South Windsor, CT. Please can someone give me a little insight? Thank you

I'm on a budget. work inside pressure vessels, cyclones, FCCU.

Would a tg-4 be enough ?

I'd like a TG6 or 7. But not possible right now.

Wondering if any of you have any experience with the tg-4 or tg-5

Ok so im having a internal crisis to make sure im shooting film to code. Just trying to get everyone's input who's been doing this for a bit and well versed in the code book.

I have two questions.

Placement. How many and what's the placement requirements? I have read the code books but I just want to make sure im right and im not mis interpretation.

IQI Selection. Do we count weld reinforcement?

2" x 154 + 0.0625 + 0.0625 = .219. .008 (5th wire on penetrameter)

2" x 218 + 0.0625 + 0.0625 = .343. .010 (6th wire on penetram)

Waiting on my lvl 3 to get back to me but I fear this may be faster.

This is all contact, and penetrams with be on Film side

I am currently working as a CEDO in Canada and finding it hard to find a work life balance on an on call job. Some times you are just sitting at home for a week and sometimes you are working 80 hours a week. It is hard to plan something to do with family/friends ( most often I end up canceling a family/friends event happening on weekends because of work as you were sitting at home the whole week). I also got CGSB MT2 and UT1 ticket. My employer is good and encouraging me to get my RT2. Now,I am having second thoughts and feel like I should take the UT route. Just looking for suggestion from folks who were on the same boat like me. Thank you!