The Level III (SNT-TC-1A) / Level 3 (NAS 410) population of inspectors is graying and looking forward to retirement. Hence, there is a current shortage of qualified Level IIIs in all NDT methods, and that will continue to be a problem for the foreseeable future. There is nothing wrong with having a career as a Level II inspector. It is a relatively good-paying job that can provide job satisfaction while having the advantage that the job does not follow you home. While there are many opinions on what makes a good Level III, this article seeks to suggest practical means by which a Level II inspector can progress toward the goal of being a competent Level III.
Technically, all you have to accomplish to become a Level III is to pass a series of tests that are more difficult than those you took to achieve Level II status. Practically speaking, just about any competent inspector can be coached through the exams and be certified as a Level III by the company. However, just because you pass some tests does not make you a competent Level III. There are different expectations of what a good Level III should be. Management has a certain viewpoint, and the Level IIs working under the new Level III have somewhat different expectations. Management expects them to be the technical lead, to manage the NDT program in compliance with customer requirements, as well as to mentor and lead the Level IIs. Level IIs expect their Level III to teach them more, to be approachable, and to back them up when they make an accurate but unpopular assessment of inspection results. One expectation on both sides of the equation is that the Level III is the technical representative regarding the two parties. If there is a question as to the validity of what the inspector is accepting or rejecting, only the Level III certified in the same inspection method, not the manager, can overrule the original disposition. Such a responsibility infers that they have superior judgment when it comes to evaluating the acceptability of the inspection results.