Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) has been steadily supplanting conventional ultrasonic testing since its introduction in the early 2000s. PAUT offers significant advantages over conventional UT in terms of both data acquisition and data analysis. In addition, advances in PAUT hardware have led to the development of more advanced imaging techniques such as full matrix capture/total focusing method (FMC/TFM) which offer improved flaw sizing and characterization. This article gives a general overview of PAUT technology and details its benefits relative to conventional UT, followed by a brief discussion of the next generation of PAUT inspection technology: FMC/TFM.