Nondestructive testing technicians are certified one method at a time. Ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic particle (MT), liquid penetrant (PT), radiography (RT) and visual testing (VT) each have their own requirements and exams. Two routes are common. Under ASNT's central certification, the ASNT NDT Level II, you sit ASNT's exams. Under employer certification to SNT-TC-1A, your employer writes and gives the exams. Angle Beam starts with the UT General exam on the ASNT route and adds other methods next.
How the ASNT Level II exams work
- For each method you take a General exam (50 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours) and a Specific exam for an industry sector (40 questions, 2 hours).
- You test in person at Pearson VUE or an ASNT Authorized Exam Center.
- The initial General and Specific exams cost $740 for members and $820 for non-members per method. Retaking a failed exam costs $370 for members and $410 for non-members.
- UT eligibility includes 120 days of UT experience, 229 days of total NDT experience and 12 days of training (ASNT counts a training day as 7 hours).
Read the UT Level II General exam guide.
The UT outline changes in 2027
ASNT has announced that the UT General exam topics change for exams taken after 5 February 2027. If you're sitting UT before then, study the current topic list. Our UT outline change guide covers the date boundary and how to adjust a study plan.
How to use Angle Beam
- Take the free UT diagnostic: 25 questions across the published UT topics, with no signup.
- If the theory comes out weakest, drill the math (Snell's law, skip distance and decibels) until you can do it quickly.
- Retake the diagnostic before your exam.
Every question is original and written to the published ASNT outline. They are never real or recalled exam questions.