It’s been a long road! The evolution of NDT training has been an interesting and challenging trip. And along the way there have been issues that have not always been effectively addressed. Prior to the advent of some of the qualification programs such as SNT-TC-1A, MIL-STD-410E (now NAS-410), and others, NDT training was mostly unorganized if, in fact, it was done at all. In many cases, early training was assigned to an individual who had gained experience by performing NDT or following instructions provided by equipment or product manufacturers.
Several companies offered courses that were primarily focused on the use of specific equipment they manufactured with some theory and principles thrown in. In addition to these industry courses, some of the local ASNT sections (SNT at that time) attempted to fill the need for NDT training through short courses. Most were conducted in cooperation with local technical schools or colleges, but these early efforts left much to be desired. The Body of Knowledge (BOK) had not been developed and there were no recommended course outlines. Reference books and publications to supplement these courses were limited. The first NDT Handbook, a two-volume, in-depth reference set that covered the major methods, was published in June 1959. Today, there are numerous sources for NDT training ranging from companies that offer both scheduled and onsite programs and those who provide specialized and advanced courses. Overall, the technology of NDT deserves and requires excellence in training programs. This is not always a goal that is achieved. This article intends to offer the key elements necessary to provide the high-level, and effective, training courses to achieve that goal.