Recertifying Your NDT Certification

NRCan NDTCB Service fees update

The NRCan NDTCB is implementing a service fee update to existing fees; this update will take effect April 1, 2025. Application and fee submissions to the NRCan NDTCB that are postmarked, emailed or faxed after March 31, 2025 are subject to the new fee schedule.

Recertification and renewal due dates/expiry dates

Personnel certified by the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) National Non-Destructive Testing Certification Body (NDTCB) in Non-Destructive Testing are required to recertify or renew their certifications prior to their certification expiry date, in order to have the period of validity for a given certification extended for up five (5) years (60 months or less).

Recertification is the process for maintaining valid NDT certification via verification of continued satisfactory work activity, examination(s) and other requirements described below.
Renewal is the process for maintaining valid NDT certification via verification of continued satisfactory work activity and other requirements (including a structured credit system for certifications due for renewal April 15, 2026 and later) as described on the Renewing your NDT Certification page.

To find out when your certifications are due for renewal and/or recertification, view the Certified NDT Personnel Directory. If one or more of your certifications are due for recertification, you may apply up to fifteen (15) months in advance of the due date/certification expiry date.

Recertification examination requirements

Level 1: Two-specimen practical examination

Level 2: Two-specimen practical examination with written instruction for Eddy Current Testing (ET), Magnetic Testing (MT), Penetrant Testing (PT), and Ultrasonic Testing (UT); two-specimen practical examination with film interpretation and written instruction for Radiographic Testing (RT).

Level 3: Two-specimen practical examination and choice of either a written examination or Structured Credit System for Eddy Current Testing (ET), Magnetic Testing (MT), Penetrant Testing (PT), and Ultrasonic Testing (UT); two-specimen practical examination with film interpretation for Radiographic Testing (RT) and choice of either a written examination or Structured Credit System.

Detailed information about the recertification examinations can be found in the Examination guide for NDT recertification. See Quick downloads: forms and guides page in the Find out more section below to download the guide.

Recertification examination attempts and applying for re-examination

Recertification candidates have a maximum of two (2) re-examination attempts if they are unsuccessful on the first recertification examination attempt. There must be a minimum of seven (7) days between attempts and any re-examinations must be completed within twelve (12) months of the initial attempt.

If you have recently failed a recertification examination, you should apply for NDT recertification re-examination as soon as possible.

Level 3 recertification

For written examination: An updated structured credit system is allowed as an alternative to the written recertification examination as per paragraph 11.3.1 b) of CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2022 / (ISO 9712:2021, IDT).

For practical examination: The Level 2 practical examination is required; alternative documentation is not acceptable.

What to submit for your recertification application

Complete and submit the following required recertification documents in addition to the appropriate fee (see below for fee information):

Fully completed Recertification Application Form (PDF, 2 Mb)
Recertification application and examination registration fees
Vision Test Report Form for Non-Destructive Testing Personnel (PDF, 977 kb)
Attestation Form for NDT Vision Test Report (if applicable) (PDF, 336 kb)
NRCan National Non-Destructive Testing Certification Body Code of Conduct (PDF, 583 kb)
2 Passport-style photos (required approximately every 10 years)
Structured Credit System Application Form (PDF, 2.27 Mb) Note: One for each method, if you are applying for the Structured Credit System for Level 3 recertification instead of completing a Level 3 written recertification examination.

Instructions for submitting your application

Recertification application form, record of experience and attestations

Your application form must be fully completed, signed and dated, and include all required attestations. Detailed instructions for the required signatures and attestations are listed on the Recertification Application Form. For full details about what counts as continued satisfactory work activity, please read the policy for continued satisfactory work activity in NDT.

Recertification application and examination registration fees

Recertification application and examination registration fees are dependent upon the number of methods being recertified at a given time, as well as which examinations are required. All fees are subject to the current fee schedule in effect. Fees and other process requirements are subject to change. Fees paid to the NRCan NDTCB are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Payment of fees

Secure electronic payment system: Once the NRCan NDTCB begins processing your application, we will send an email message that includes an individualized payment weblink to our secure electronic payment system, which you/the payer will use to pay for your application fee and examination registration fee(s).

Payments made by company cheque or money order can be made payable to the “Receiver General for Canada” and can be mailed with the application to the NRCan NDTCB. Please note that we do not accept credit card information by email or telephone. Payments from other government departments must be made via inter-departmental FIS transactions.

Recertification application fee schedule:

Number of methods for recertification
1	2	3	4	5	6
$345	$565	$785	$1005	$1225	$1445

Recertification examination registration fee schedule:

Level	Radiographic Testing	Ultrasonic Testing	Magnetic Testing	Penetrant Testing	Eddy Current Testing	Visual Testing
Level 1	$160	$160	N/A	N/A	$160	N/A
Level 2	$350	$350	$155	$155	$350	$155
Level 3	$490	$490	$295	$295	$490	$295

If you are applying for recertification in both the Engineering Materials and Components (EMC) sector and the Aerospace (A/S) Sector for Radiographic Testing, you must pay separate recertification examination registration fees for each examination.

Vision test report

Applicants must undergo a visual acuity test with a recognized medical professional attesting that the candidate has completed a satisfactory vision examination. Near and distance vision acuity results are valid for one (1) year, while colour vision and/or grey scale perception results are valid for five (5) years.

Attestation Form for NDT Vision Test Report (if applicable)

In cases where a CAN/CGSB Level 3 NDT personnel acting on behalf of the employer has approved another trained professional according to the requirements of ISO 18490 (latest version) to administer the vision test, the Attestation Form for NDT Vision Test Report must be completed and submitted to NRCan NDTCB together with the completed Vision Test Report form for Non-Destructive Testing Personnel.

Code of conduct

Applicants must submit a newly signed Code of Conduct form with each application.

Passport photos

Certified Personnel must provide two (2) passport-style photographs every second period of validity (approximately every 10 years) or if your appearance has significantly changed.

Passport photos must:

measure 5 cm wide X 7 cm high (2 inches wide X 2-3/4 inches high)
be taken by a commercial photographer and be professionally printed on photographic paper
- commercial photographer: may be provided through a retail location, photo studio, registered business/organization, or NDTCB accepted RTO/AEC.
be clear, sharp, in focus, and in full colour
be taken straight on with your face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera
reflect your current appearance (taken within the last twelve (12) months)
show your complete name, as well as the name and complete address of the photo studio and the date the photo was taken on the back of one photo
be submitted, via mail or courier

Note: Self-taken and/or self-printed photographs and non-passport-style photographs will not be accepted. We may request additional photographs at any time if we deem previously submitted photographs unacceptable.

Structured credit system (Level 3 certifications only)

An updated Structured Credit System is allowed as an alternative to the Level 3 written recertification examination as per 11.3.1 b) CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2022. Credits may be awarded for certain types of NDT experience/activities gained over the last 5 years, providing that point minimums and maximums are met, and appropriate documentary evidence is provided. A structured credit system application counts as a written examination attempt for recertification and cannot be withdrawn once it has been submitted. If you submit a structured credit system application and it is not approved, it counts as a failed written recertification examination attempt. Only one attempt of the structured credit system is allowed per level 3 method.

How to apply for a structured credit system:

Ensure that you have submitted a recertification application for the applicable level 3 method(s), with the appropriate recertification examination registration fee (see instructions above).
Fill out separate Structured Credit System Application Forms for each Level 3 method that you would like to submit an application for. Your application(s) will not be accepted if you submit an application form with more than one method indicated on page 1.
Attach applicable documentary evidence for each activity that you would like to be credited for, ensuring that you indicate which activity each piece of documentation corresponds to.
Submit your application form(s) and documentary evidence to the NRCan NDTCB for review and assessment. As structured credit system applications may require additional information, documentation and/or verification, we recommend that you submit at least six (6) months in advance of your recertification due date.

Before you decide to apply:

Please read all information/instructions on the "Structured Credit System Application Form" and the “Examination Guide for Recertification” prior to deciding if you would like to apply for a structured credit system instead of completing a written recertification examination. See Quick downloads: forms and guides page in the Find out more section below.

Our responsibilities and policies

The NRCan NDTCB makes all reasonable efforts to ensure candidate applications, examination requests and certification submissions are completed as per service standard targets. Despite these efforts, errors, omissions and delays are possible. The NRCan NDTCB is not responsible for any direct and indirect costs, expenses or delays that may arise.

Recertification applications are subject to current NRCan NDTCB policies and procedures. Processed payment does not complete or guarantee the recertification process. Recertification of certification is issued only after completion, verification and NRCan NDTCB approval of application and successful completion of the recertification examination(s).

Late recertifications

Late recertifications may require additional information, documentation and/or verification. As recertification applications are processed in arrival sequence, processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications received and are not guaranteed. Incomplete documentation or complexity of routine verifications and checks may also lead to longer processing times.

Once decertified, candidates have a late recertification grace period of up to twelve (12) months after the certification expiry date. The certification can be reactivated by submitting a properly completed recertification application, payment of a $150 late recertification fee (in addition to the regular recertification fees), and by completing the recertification examination(s).

If the recertification process (including successful completion of exams) is not completed more than 12 months after the certificate expiry date, a candidate can only reactivate their certification(s) via successful completion of the initial certification process.

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