The objective of this policy is to promote a better understanding—among candidates and the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) National Non-Destructive Testing Certification Body (NDTCB) staff—of what constitutes acceptable work activity for the purposes of certification renewal and recertification.
Policy application
This policy applies to all certification renewal and recertification applicants and to the NRCan NDTCB staff.
Policy subject
Policy on the interpretation and application of the experience clauses for the renewal and recertification of certification is described in paragraph 10.1 c), and 11.2.1 of Standard CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2022 / (ISO 9712:2021, IDT) standard. These clauses state that verifiable documentary evidence and confirmation of continued satisfactory work activity without significant interruption in the applicable methods and sectors is required for certification renewal and recertification.
Significant interruption
Significant interruption as per CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2022, section 3.38: an absence or a change of work activity which prevents the certified individual from practising the duties corresponding to the level in the method and the sector(s) within the certified scope, for either a continuous period in excess of one year, or two or more periods for a total time exceeding two years within the previous period of validity.
Note: Legal holidays or periods of sickness or training courses of less than 30 days are not taken into account when calculating the interruption.
Interpreting the policy
In The NRCan NDTCB’s judgement, “continued work activity” relevant to the certification is to be interpreted broadly. Thus, any work activity or experience gained during the certificate's period of validity that contributes to maintaining or improving an individual's knowledge required to test, detect, locate, identify and evaluate discontinuities within an engineering material using the particular non-destructive testing method may be credited when evaluating an application for renewal of certification.
Examples of work activities that may be considered valid for renewal of certification are:
- Work in other non-destructive testing methods in which certification is held
- Work that increases an individual's knowledge of material properties and metal processes
- Work demonstrating non-destructive testing equipment that requires setting up and operating the equipment
- Work that involves managing non-destructive testing services, where knowledge of the applicability and limitations of non-destructive testing is required
Policy requirements
- A candidate applying for certification renewal or recertification is responsible for submitting a properly completed renewal or recertification application that contains a signed attestation of experience verified by the employer, supervisor and referee.
- A candidate’s certification status becomes inactive if they fail to renew or recertify by the certificate expiry date.
- As per CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2022 paragraphs 10.3, a candidate’s certification status may be reactivated up to 12 months after the certification expiry date by submitting a properly completed application, which includes payment of a $150 late renewal/recertification fee in addition to the regular renewal fees, and completing all other renewal or recertification requirements.
- If the renewal application is submitted more than 12 months after the certification expiry date, a candidate may recertify. Candidates who fail recertification will need to successfully complete the initial certification process.