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Military to Civilian: Your Pathway to a Career in NDT

Transition your valuable military experience and technical skills into a career in nondestructive testing.

Find Jobs in NDT 

Accelerate Your Civilian NDT Career with ASNT

Nondestructive testing (NDT) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and reliability of structures, transportation, infrastructure, and machinery across critical industries.

NDT is an industry that relies on discipline, consistency, and high ethical standards, making it a perfect fit for anyone transitioning from military service.

If you have performed nondestructive testing (or inspections) of systems, aircraft, vehicles, or equipment during your military service—or have interest in doing so—your skills are in high demand and highly valued in civilian industries.

To support your transition from military service, ASNT provides connections, career resources, and certifications to help you successfully enter this cutting-edge field.

Make a Plan: Leverage Your Military Resources Before Separation

As a veteran, you have access to many useful resources to help you navigate your transition to civilian life.

Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

Your interactive guide through the transition process, the TAP provides professional guidance and counseling, workshops, publications, automated resources, information, and educational programs, along with referrals to potential employers.

Find instructions for your Military Branch 
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Use Your Benefits

Check your GI Bill eligibility for funding to support education and certification in NDT. Click these links to learn how to use your benefits.

College Programs  Non-College Programs  Certification Test Fees 
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Apprenticeships and Training

Explore opportunities to add education and experience through specialized programs that address the specific needs of veterans moving into civilian life. Some examples:

  • The American Aerospace Technical Academy provides online training and a hands-on apprenticeship program.

  • Warrior 2 Inspector provides in-person classroom and hands-on training as well as connections to employers for graduates of the program.

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Build a Civilian Resume

Learn how to put together a resume that effectively communicates the value of your military experience to civilian employers in private and government sectors.

ASNT Career Center: Resume and Job Search Services VA for Vets: Resume Building Guide
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Building Qualifications for Your NDT Career Transition: Three Key Elements

For a career in NDT, you’ll need to provide prospective employers with validation of your NDT skills and knowledge. For most employers, that validation comes from your:

  • Experience

  • Training and education

  • Certifications

Before you leave service, be sure to get records of your education and work experience and copies of any training and certification documents.

Why Documentation Matters

NDT companies rely on having documentation that proves the qualifications of NDT technicians. They may provide employer-based certification programs; any third-party certifications or military certifications you have already attained add to your employability.

Having your documentation in place makes it easier for employers to hire you because they can decrease the time to get you trained and certified in the specific methods they need you to perform.

Experience

Your experience in the military is invaluable. Whether you were involved in routine inspections, maintenance, or in-service testing, your hands-on experience is a significant asset. Leverage these resources to translate and document your work experience.

Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

This online, interactive application lets you explore and search occupations. Its skills translator will help you convert Military Occupational Code (MOC, Rating, MOS, or AFSC) terminology into civilian language that potential employers will understand.

Explore Occupations and resources at O*NET 
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Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET)

This form (DD form 2586) retrieves information from your military records and lists demographics, experience, and the dates and official titles of formal training you attended during your service. This information helps you demonstrate how you meet requirements for employment or education programs.

Access your Military Records at VMET 
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Training and Education

You may have received formal NDT training and courses during your service. Depending on your employment goals, additional education might be necessary to transition into civilian NDT roles.

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Military Training

The hours you acquire during classroom and training courses service can typically be applied toward employer-based or third-party certification programs.

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On-the-Job Training

Each military branch requires OJT hours to be recorded. If properly documented, service members can easily meet the minimum OJT hours required for civilian NDT certifications.

Further Education

Consider enrolling in vocational or trade schools, community college, or ASNT programs that offer NDT courses.

Vocational or trade school programs typically lead to Level I or trainee qualifications that you need for entry level employment.

Community college programs typically lead to an associate of applied science degree in nondestructive testing or a related field such as engineering technology. Community college students in welding programs also can enter the NDT workforce. After graduation, you can enter the workforce as a Level II NDT inspector, or as a Level III supervisor or manager.

ASNT education opportunities —including online courses and instructor-led training—provide essential principles and best practices you’ll need in the field and as you work toward NDT certifications.

View ASNT Education opportunities
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ASNT Foundation Scholarships

The ASNT Foundation supports students at all levels who are pursuing education and training in NDT.

Learn About Scholarships from ASNT
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Certifications

Certifications are the key to proving your skills and knowledge in NDT. As an NDT professional, you will need to be certified for all of the inspection methods that you use regularly.

Any certification programs you completed during your military service may not correspond exactly with the requirements for civilian certifications; but they will increase your level of qualification as you move into your civilian career.

Third-Party Certification

Third-party certification programs, like those from ASNT, cover a broad NDT skillset as well as specific knowledge and skills for a variety of NDT methods. These comprehensive certifications are portable, meaning they are accepted by all employers, so you may not need additional testing when you change jobs.

Explore ASNT Certifications

Employer-Based Certification

Employer-based certification (EBC) programs are geared specifically toward activities required for the organization you work for. Because each employer may have specialized certification requirements, EBCs are not transferable. That means you will likely need to complete a different EBC program if you move to a different employer.

See Organizations with ASNT Accredited EBC Programs

Ready to Start Transitioning to Your Civilian Career in NDT?

Explore ASNT resources and connect with experts and mentors to guide your journey through this exciting field.

Browse ASNT Certification Programs
Visit the ASNT Career Center
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