Acoustic Emission Testing (AE)
What Is Nondestructive Testing? Discover the World of NDT
Uncover the sophisticated technologies and methods that ensure the safety and reliability of infrastructure, products, transportation, and more—and meet the heroes working in this critical field
What Is Nondestructive Testing?
When you think about the airplanes you board, bridges you cross, electricity you rely on, and products you use, you don’t often think about whether they’re safe. You just know they are.
Behind every piece of infrastructure, manufacturing process, and industrial system are people and processes that make them safe, reliable, and effective—without causing damage or disrupting their usability.
This is the world of nondestructive testing (NDT), a multidisciplinary profession that blends quality assurance and materials science. It’s invisible to most of us, but it’s essential to our daily lives
Read on to learn more about NDT and the unsung heroes of this critical profession.
Why Is NDT Important?
Just as it sounds, nondestructive testing involves inspecting and evaluating materials, components, or assemblies—without harming them, and often without even taking them out of service. Regular NDT inspections are at the core of proactive maintenance programs supporting our most vital industries
Prevention
Productivity
Progress
How Does NDT Work? High Tech Methods Meet Specialized Skills
To perform nondestructive testing with precision and accuracy, NDT specialists need to be able to inspect materials and components from the outside, inside—and even through solid, semi-solid, or liquid elements
A variety of media, technologies, and equipment make this type of inspection not only possible, but also highly accurate. For example:
Electromagnetic radiation and sound-based testing return information about a material’s composition and integrity.
Penetrating radiation—think X-rays and gamma rays—reveals the interior of objects.
Ultrasonic waves can help both pinpoint the location and evaluate the severity of a crack or discontinuity.
Cameras, magnifiers, and dyed or fluorescent fluids help inspectors visually locate otherwise invisible flaws.
Nondestructive Testing, Nondestructive Evaluation, Nondestructive Inspection: What’s the Difference?
In nondestructive testing (NDT), a technician applies scientific techniques and methods to detect flaws in materials and structures.
The term nondestructive inspection (NDI) is used selectively in some industries to refer to the process of nondestructive testing.
In nondestructive evaluation (NDE), the technician both performs and analyzes the results of nondestructive tests.
Since 1941, the American Society for Nondestructive Testing has been recognized as the leading standardizing and certifying body for NDT professionals
The ASNT Standards Council maintains oversight of our standards and documents for NDT personnel certifications.
We are also an ANSI-accredited standards developer and the US representative for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) NDT Standards.
Learn More About ASNT StandardsWho Are Nondestructive Testing Specialists?
As first-line defenders of safety, quality, and reliability, NDT professionals are highly skilled, specially trained experts who come from every walk of life.
See Yourself in NDT
Gian Suazo: Energetic Self-Starter
A high-school job showed this hard-working young man the potential of a career in NDT. Through diligent study and continuous expansion of his skills, Gian has become a respected leader in his organization, where he is a lead auditor responsible for the X-ray department and works on orders using film and computed radiography. He looks forward to someday becoming an NDT trainer—and showing others the rich opportunities in this dynamic career.
Learn More About the Role of Level III NDT Technicians
Marc Hunter: Fearless Change-Seeker
When it was time for this former math teacher and IT professional to make a career change, he wanted a truly fresh start. Since training in NDT at his local college, Marc has achieved NDT Level II certification. As a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspector for a major aerospace manufacturer, he inspects aircraft components using a water washable liquid penetrant method. Marc is reaching his NDT career goals with the help of his mentor and support from his local ASNT section.
Learn More About the Role of Level II NDT Technicians
Marybeth Miceli: Mission-Driven Mentor
For this savvy NDT professional, a nondestructive testing career has opened doors to both opportunity and service. From work on site safety at Ground Zero after 9/11 to co-founding the We-NDT Marketing Network to owning her own consulting firm, Marybeth has experienced the satisfaction of meaningful work. Now, she actively supports other women in NDT as the creator of Advancement of Women in NDT Recognition, the Women in NDT LinkedIn Group, and the ASNT Women in NDT Committee.
Learn More About the Role of NDT Consultants
Christopher Black: Lifelong Leader
For this lifelong NDT practitioner, career development means continuously learning and giving back. At 17, Christopher started as an industrial radiographer working in refineries, on pipelines, and on water towers inspecting welds. He has achieved Corporate, CWI, and ASNT NDT Level III certifications in PT, RT, UT, and MT, becoming a Level III/Certified Welding Inspector and lead NDT inspector for Boeing. Now, Christopher mentors others in NDT, teaches NDT classes, and operates his own NDT consulting business
Learn More About the Role of NDT Instructors
“NDT is unpredictable, and that’s what I love about it. Every year, every month, there’s a new challenge or a customer that wants something that nobody else can provide—and you get to figure out how to make it happen for them.”
Jesse Groom
Innovative Tech Lead, NDT
ASNT: Fostering NDT Excellence for a Safer World
As the world’s largest technical society for nondestructive testing professionals, ASNT serves all individuals and organizations who have an interest in, engage in, benefit from, or serve in the nondestructive testing field.
To bring visibility and respect to the field of nondestructive testing, ASNT engages in multi-faceted leadership, education, and innovation.
Developing and maintaining international nondestructive testing standards
Developing, managing, and operating ASNT certification programs
Supporting an engaged membership with networking, education, and career development benefits
Becoming the centralized Source of industry-recognized, authoritative periodicals, research, resources, and training and certification materials
Producing leading conferences and events involving a wide cross sectioncross-section of professionals and leaders in NDT
Ensuring continuous learning and education opportunities for NDT professionals
Growing the NDT profession through research, scholarships, and workforce development
supported by our philanthropic Foundation.
“ASNT is creating a safer world—together, as a community, we make the world a little bit safer. There’s no greater purpose in my mind. ASNT membership has benefited me in in so many ways, from finding a job to advancing at that job to now being on the board of directors. If you’re willing to share with the industry and be an advocate, ASNT gives you the platform to do so."
Emilie Peloquin
Director of Global Advanced Product Support
Shaping the Future of NDT: ASNT Foundation and Advocacy
As a field that’s invisible to much of the public it serves, nondestructive testing isn’t always on the radar of people seeking a meaningful and lucrative career.
The ASNT Foundation aims to change that. Through outreach, research, and financial support we inspire, recruit, and develop the next-generation workforce for NDT.
At the same time, we act as the voice of the industry, promoting public awareness and understanding of the NDT profession. We build positive relationships that enable us to advocate with media and government agencies that shape public policy around our work.
Learn More and Donate to the FoundationLearn about ASNT’s Advocacy
NDT Certification: Demonstrating Excellence
For many NDT professionals, Level II or Level III certification is a requirement for practicing their profession. Either employers or customers may mandate certification.
Certification also supports career development at an individual level. Certification enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills—and document how you’ve added to your capabilities over time.
For more than 50 years, ASNT has been the leader in NDT certification, providing:
Rigorous, standards-based NDT certification programs and testing
Documentation and validation of certification records
Accreditation of organizational NDT certification programs
Governance of certification statuses for organizations and individuals
Training and education for certification preparation and renewals
Start Your Journey in NDT Today
Have more questions about nondestructive testing? Explore the rich information and resources available through the American Society of Nondestructive Testing.
