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The American Society for Nondestructive Testing Signs Transitioning Agreement with American Welding Society for CWIs and SCWIs
Contact:
Date: May 30, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) and AWS signed an agreement, effective 28 May 2003, permitting Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) and Senior Certified Welding Inspectors (SCWI) to transition to the ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) without additional examination. All AWS Certified Welding Inspectors and Senior Certified Welding Inspectors holding valid certificates are eligible to apply for transitioning through the 30 September 2003 application deadline.
ACCP provides visual inspection certification in accordance with ASNT Recommended Practice No.SNT-TC-1A. It is the most widely referenced NDT program document and is specified in codes and standards worldwide, most notably by ASME. Significantly, the ACCP certificate permits the holder to work under numerous codes, standards and specifications.
CWIs and SCWIs who transition will be issued ACCP VT Level II in the Visual Testing for the Direct Visual Inspection technique under the ACCP General Industry (GI) Sector. A Remote technique may be applied for as well. The Remote technique covers fiber optics, boroscopes, and computer-assisted and other remote viewing equipment. To add the technique, applicants must provide additional documentation. The GI Sector is for personnel performing general inspection tasks in multiple industries.
The codes and standards listed here either recognize ACCP directly or indirectly by reference to Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A. The document permits employers to accept ACCP certificates as proof of having passed the recommended certification examinations.
ASME Section I, Power Boilers:
ASME Section III, Nuclear Components:
ASME Section V, Nondestructive Testing, Article 1, General Requirements:
ASME Section VIII, Division 1, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels:
ASME Section XI, In-Service Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components:
API 1104, 1999 Edition, Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities:
API 650 (W/2001 Addendum), Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage:
API 653, 3rd Edition, 12/2001, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction:
AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code - Steel:
AWS D1.5, Bridge Welding Code:
If they can satisfy additional requirements, CWIs and SCWIs can apply for Level II certification in the ACCP Pressure Equipment (PE) Sector. The PE Sector is designed for those personnel that have documented experience in pressure-related work.
Prior to approving the AWS programs for transitioning, the ASNT Certification Management Council (CMC) did a thorough review of the requirements for CWI and SCWI certification. The CMC determined that the CWI experience and examination requirements satisfy the requirements of the ACCP for VT Level II in the Direct viewing test technique. It was determined that the SCWI examinations did not cover the full scope of the Basic and Method tests that are a required part of the ACCP Level III certification requirements; however, SCWIs are eligible to transition to ACCP VT Level II.
Regarding the term of validity, this ACCP certification will be synchronized with each applicant's current AWS certification and will expire on the same expiration date. The ACCP certificate will note that the certification is only valid when the certificate holder maintains valid CWI or SCWI certification.
All successful applicants will be issued an ACCP wall certificate and wallet card showing the test method, sector, and techniques for which they are certified.
The cost for transitioning, regardless of type of certification, is $150.00, payable to ASNT and must be submitted with the completed application.
Applications will be accepted if postmarked on or before 30 September. Applicants must complete an ACCP transitioning application; submit a copy of current CWI or SCWI certificate and a valid vision test. The ACCP requires that the vision test document the applicant's ability to read Jaeger J-1 text. Please note that since the CWI/SCWI vision requirement is for Jaeger J-2 acuity, a less stringent exam, a new examination is usually necessary.
All successful applicants will receive certification as an ACCP VT Level II in the Direct testing technique. Those applicants applying for the additional Remote technique must document experience with remote viewing equipment and have their employer attest to that experience as well.
If applicants wish to apply for the Pressure Equipment Sector, they must document at least three years of experience in pressure-related work with at least 1-1/2 years of that experience within the past five years. An ASNT Level III, ACCP Professional Level III, or an Authorized Inspector must attest to the experience.
ACCP personnel certified under this agreement are required to renew their ACCP certification when their current AWS CWI or SCWI certification expires. Initial renewal is based on documented proof of continuous satisfactory performance and submittal of a renewed AWS certificate. The initial renewal cost is $150.00.
The subsequent recertification, consisting of an abbreviated practical examination, will be required three years later and is again concurrent with the CWI or SCWI renewal. The renewal and recertification cycles then repeat for as long as the certificate is held.
Applications may be downloaded from ASNT Web site at http://www.asnt.org/certification/accp/transition.htm
or from the AWS Web site. For additional information or questions, contact ASNT's Technical Services Department.
Betsy J. Blazar
Senior Manager, Marketing & Membership
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing
1711 Arlingate Lane
Columbus, OH 43228-0518
800-222-2768, 614-274-6003
Dateline: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Directly references ACCP through acceptance of SNT-TC-1A.
Indirectly references ACCP through acceptance of SNT-TC-1A.
Paragraph T-140(b)(3) directly permits the use of ACCP for NDT certification.
Paragraph T-140(b)(1) references the 1996 SNT-TC-1A with 1998 Addenda, so acceptance is by reference.
UW-51, RT and Radioscopic Examination of Welded Joints:
Paragraph UW-51(a)(2) allows ACCP certification to be used for RT certification.
Other NDT methods refer the Code user back to Section V.
Section IWA 2300, Qualifications of NDE Personnel:
IWA 2310(b) accepts ACCP as an approved alternative to CP-189.
Directly references ACCP in their Referenced Standards List.
Indirectly references ACCP through acceptance of SNT-TC-1A.
Indirectly references ACCP through acceptance of SNT-TC-1A.
Indirectly references ACCP through acceptance of SNT-TC-1A.
Indirectly references ACCP through acceptance of SNT-TC-1A.