Get Involved - Codes and Standards Development

Where would the NDT/NDE discipline be without codes and standards? Our industry, in fact, would not exist without these fundamental regulations. Getting involved in ASNT through the committees that establish and maintain codes and standards yields great benefits, one of which is the satisfaction of having helped develop, maintain and improve internationally recognized certification programs and national standards. There’s also the satisfaction of having helped develop new NDT training materials for industry and recognition by your peers as a person willing to be involved with improving the own field of endeavor. Participation also earns recertification points towards ASNT NDT certifications.

The Technical & Educational Council Committees and the Standards Development Committee are the groups that help make the Society what it is, by doing the necessary background work regarded as ASNT's codes and standards development processes. The codes and standards that ASNT maintains and publishes include the following:

• Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
• CP-105, ASNT Standard Topical Outlines for Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
• CP-106, Nondestructive testing—Qualification and Certification of Personnel
• CP-189, ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel

Divvying Up Duties

Of these four sets of codes and standards, the Technical and Education Council (T&E Council) manages SNT-TC-1A, and the Standards Development Committee (SDC) manages CP-105, CP-106 and CP-189. Volunteer NDT subject matter experts (SMEs) from industry make up the T&E Council, which is governed by the T&E Council Rules of Conduct. These council members are responsible for establishing and managing the technical, education and qualification activities of the Society and for formulating plans and programs designed to enhance the Society’s technical, education and qualification activities. T&E Council members develop content for the CP-105 Topical Outlines within their Method Committees, and they also develop and maintain Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A. Formal interpretations to inquiries about Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A are issued by this council.

The SDC is a Standing Board Committee that reports directly to the ASNT Board of Directors. As a SDC member, you are an industry volunteer with a material interest in the standards being developed. The SDC, which is governed by SDC policies based on the ANSI Essential Requirements: Due Process Requirements for American National Standards, is the consensus body for all ASNT American National Standards in accordance with SDC procedures. The committee is responsible for adopting, developing, maintaining, revising and withdrawing American National Standards within the scope of NDT personnel qualification and certification, and formal interpretations to inquiries about ASNT American National Standards are issued from this body. Another important responsibility of the SDC is participating in the adoption, development, maintenance, revision and withdrawal of International Standards within the scope of NDT personnel qualification and certification.

How to Get Involved

Just as codes and standards exist for very good reasons, so to the process of signing up for each of these groups. To join the T&E Council, you must first complete a written application to the appropriate committee chairman. Members are appointed to council committees on the basis of their personal interests, qualifications and their ability to contribute to the work of the committee. ASNT membership is encouraged but is not a prerequisite, and there is no term length for committee members. Missing three consecutive meetings with a lack of activity on committee business may result in removal.

SDC membership requests must be directed to the SDC Secretary. Members must have a direct and material interest in the NDT profession and fall in one of the following interest categories: Producer (provider of NDT services or of goods which require NDT services); User (user of NDT services or of goods which require NDT services); or General Interest (all others). ASNT membership is not required to be a SDC member, nor is there a specified term of service. Members may be removed for non-participation.

T&E Council and SDC meetings are held during the Spring and Fall ASNT Conferences. SDC members meet on the Sunday and Monday before each conference at the conference hotel. The T&E Council meets Monday through Wednesday during the conferences.

To find out more about the T&E Council and the SDC, contact standards@asnt.org.