Understanding NAVSEA Welding Levels

There are three classifications for NAVSEA welding as it pertains to personnel: Nondestructive Testing (NDT) Level I, Level II, and Level III. All levels require experience, training, and testing in the applicable NDT methods as defined by their respective work responsibilities and procedures.

NDT Level I refers to the certified welding operator. For further information on the certification process of Level I personnel, please refer to: Mastering the NAVSEA Welding certification process. NDT Level II is the formal title for inspectors, and NDT Level III is for examiners.

Qualified NAVSEA inspectors are responsible for the setup and maintenance of equipment and can determine if a job passes or fails to adhere to naval industry and contract-specific requirements. Examiners can oversee the same aspects of the workflow as Level II, but they are also typically responsible for the approval or creation of a company’s written processes. Additionally, they approve and/or oversee the training of staff for NAVSEA NDT certifications; examiners oversee the training and examination of Level II inspectors. NAVSEA-certified NDT Level III examiners are individuals with practical experience at all levels of a job, with hands-on, demonstrable knowledge about fabrication, materials, and technology that are relevant to their field. They are people who can develop and create techniques and procedures for others as contractors or other third-party services. Some common NAVSEA NDT methods that Level II inspectors and Level III examiners can be certified in are:

• ET: Electromagnetic Testing
• LT: Leak Testing
• MT: Magnetic Particle Testing
• PT: Liquid Penetrant Testing
• RT: Radiographic Testing
• UT: Ultrasonic Testing
• VT: Visual/Dimensional Testing

Eligible NDT Level III examiners can also pursue certification of these same methods as Naval Shipbuilders NDT Level III, should they qualify and pass the method exams required.

To become a certified NAVSEA welding inspector or examiner, a person has to submit records of first-hand, monitored experience and take general and specific written exams relating to principles, theories, equipment, and procedures that an NDT Level II or III would encounter in the industry and method of their choosing. The organization most often relied upon to provide these exams and training is the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). It is typically the responsibility of the employer or their Level III staff to oversee practical application examinations, such as eye and job-specific exams to match their internal procedures and work contract requirements.

ASNT published Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, which outlines industry standards for NDT personnel certification. It covers everything from written practice to training and recertification guidelines. Before pursuing any certification as NAVSEA-certified welding personnel, it is recommended that an interested company or organization first purchase SNT-TC-1A to gain a better understanding of industry guidelines.