To become an ASNT Level – III certificate holder one has to appear for and PASS the BASIC paper (Compulsory) and minimum one NDT method (such as VT, RT, UT, etc.) ELIGIBILITY For Degree Engineers: minimum 1 year experience beyond NDT Level – II experience requirements. For Diploma Engineers / Science Graduates: minimum 2 years experience beyond NDT Level – II experience requirements. For all others: minimum 4 years experience beyond NDT Level – II experience requirements.Note: a) It is not necessary to be certified NDT Level – I or II. b) However, if you have NDT level II certification in the respective method, it is ideal. c) The experience should be equivalent to the NDT Level – II work requirements as defined in document SNT – TC – 1A. This work experience should be certified by your employer, in detail and it should be attached to your application. For appearing in the ASNT Level – III Examination, NO COURSE IS COMPULSARY. Level – III preparatory classes are organized by many Institutes. Contact us if you wish to take ASNT Level III course preparation online classes. As far as ASNT is concerned, NO CLASS IS REQUIRED. Tips: If the student studies all relevant course material, prepares for at least 6 months with good understanding of the fundamentals AND has proper ‘Hands On’ practical experience & reasonable English, he will succeed in the examination. However, attending the classes helps in clarifying the theory concepts and it is better to make inquiries in the field to decide which course you should attend and when. Ideally attend a course at least 3 or 4 months before the exams. BASIC PAPER (Compulsory) This paper has 135 Questions and duration of 4 hours. The paper can be broadly divided into 3 areas: ASNT Level III Basic 1000 Latest Question Bank + 1 Full CBT Mock Exam a) Questions on ‘SNT – TC – 1A & CP – 189 (Check with ASNT as to the applicable edition)The current papers are based on 2020 editions. b) Questions on ‘Materials & Processes’ ( i.e., Metallurgy, Manufacturing Processes & Discontinuities, Composite Structures, Plastics, etc.) c) Questions on major ‘NDT Methods’ Namely: RT, UT, MT, PT, ECT, VT, LT, NRT, TI, AET (Questions are up to Level – II difficulty). METHOD QUESTIONS DURATION Exam No. of Items*Time CertificationBasic1354 hrsRequired for ASNT NDT Level III & ACCP Level III CertificationAcoustic Emission Testing (AE)1354 hrsNDT OnlyElectromagnetic Testing (ET)1354 hrsNDT OnlyThermal/Infrared Testing (IR)902 hrsNDT OnlyLeak Testing (LT)1354 hrsNDT OnlyMagnetic Flux Leakage (MFL)902 hrsNDT OnlyMagnetic Particle Testing (MT)902 hrsNDT and ACCPLiquid Penetrant Testing (PT)902 hrsNDT and ACCPRadiographic Testing (RT)1354 hrsNDT and ACCPUltrasonic Testing (UT)1354 hrsNDT and ACCPVisual Testing (VT)902 hrsNDT and ACCP COST Tips ASNT NDT Level III certification candidates are required to pass both the NDT Basic and a Method examination in order to receive the ASNT NDT Level III certificate. A maximum of three examinations in any Method or the Basic examination is permitted within a two-year period. A candidate that fails the initial Basic or Method examination shall not be permitted to retake the examination for 30 days from the date of failure. A candidate that fails the Basic or Method examination for a second time shall not be permitted to retake the examination for 90 days from the date of failure. A candidate that fails the Basic or Method examination for a third time shall not be permitted to retake the examination for one year from the date of failure and must reapply as a new candidate. In no case, shall an individual be permitted to sit for an examination more than three times in a two-year period. First time candidates should plan to appear for the following papers in the first attempt : BASIC , MT and UT or RT. The other methods can be attempted later. EXAM PREPARATION Start the studies early. Note that it is relatively easy to pass the ASNT L -III exam but it is very difficult to become a ‘ GOOD ’ LEVEL - III. a) Study well all Books recommended by ASNT. b) Give attention to Technical Terminology, Fundamentals as well as new developments in each NDT method. c) As mentioned earlier, NO CLASS IS REQUIRED, if you can study and understand the course material on your own. However, if you wish to attend a class, then attend a good, reputed class, at least 4 / 5 months before examination. This will allow you to find out what are your weak areas and give you time to improve on them. d) If possible, attend classes and get certified to Level – II in as many NDT methods as possible ( ideally RT,UT,MT,PT,VT,ET). e) Improve your English comprehension and Logic Skills. f) Read and understand various Codes and standards such as ASME, API, AWS, etc. g) While studying, prepare as many questions as possible. h) Read American (preferably ASNT) PUBLICATIONS first. i) DO NOT expect to attend the L - III classes and pass the L - III exams without self study. It is not possible to cover the entire syllabus within the limited time frame of any L - III course. j) You must do self study as much as possible. k) You should avoid ‘mugging’ and try to develop THOROUGH understanding of the subject fundamentals.
