The two dominant international NDT personnel certification schemes are ASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Testing) and PCN (Personnel Certification in Non-destructive Testing, administered by BINDT). Both certify Level 1, 2, and 3 NDT inspectors in UT, RT, MT, PT, VT, ET, and other methods, but they operate on different philosophies, exam formats, and bodies of recognition. This 2026 guide compares ASNT and PCN across the dimensions that matter to inspectors, employers, and project managers.
\n| Dimension | ASNT (SNT-TC-1A / CP-189 / ASNT 9712) | PCN (ISO 9712 via BINDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Certification model | Primarily employer-based (SNT-TC-1A); also third-party (ASNT 9712 / ASNT Central Certification) | Third-party (BINDT issues certificate independent of employer) |
| Origin / HQ | USA — Columbus, Ohio | UK — Northampton (BINDT) |
| Underlying standard | SNT-TC-1A (recommended practice), CP-189 (standard), ANSI/ASNT CP-105 | ISO 9712:2021 (international standard) |
| Geographic recognition (strong) | USA, North America, ASME-driven industries globally | UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia, oil & gas globally |
| Body of knowledge | ASNT BOK per method & level; Written Practice (employer-tailored) | ISO 9712 + PCN method documents (CP-7 UT, CP-8 RT, etc.) |
| Exam administration | Employer-administered under SNT-TC-1A; ASNT-administered for ASNT 9712/Central | BINDT-approved authorized qualifying bodies and exam centers |
| Certificate ownership | Employer holds the certificate (SNT-TC-1A); ASNT for ASNT 9712 | Individual holds the certificate (portable to any employer) |
| Validity period | 5 years; renewal at 5; re-exam at 10 | 5 years; renewal at 5 (document review); full re-exam at 10 |
| Levels | Trainee, Level I, II, III | Level 1, 2, 3 |
| Industry sectors | Not formally sectorized; written practice may specify | Formal sectors: welds, castings, forgings, wrought, aerospace, railway, in-service |
| Training requirements | Per Table 6.3.1A of SNT-TC-1A | Per ISO 9712 Table 1 (often very similar hours) |
| Vision requirements | Annual near vision (Jaeger J1 at 12 in), triennial color | Annual near vision (Jaeger 1 at 30 cm), triennial color |
| Cost per certification | a modest cost to a modest cost per method (employer-borne for SNT-TC-1A) | £700 to £1,500 per method (individual-borne typically) |
The most important distinction:
\nASNT SNT-TC-1A: The employer certifies the inspector based on training, experience, and exams administered by the employer’s Level III (or contracted Level III). The certificate is tied to that employer. If the inspector changes employer, the new employer must re-evaluate and reissue certification under their own Written Practice.
\nPCN: BINDT certifies the individual through approved authorized qualifying bodies (AQBs). The certificate is the individual’s property and is portable to any employer worldwide. The new employer verifies the certificate but cannot revoke it.
\nASNT also offers third-party certification via ASNT 9712 (which replaced ACCP, the former ASNT Central Certification Program) and the ASNT Level III certificate. These are portable, similar to PCN. ASME, API, and many specifications recognize ASNT Level III certificate.
\nASNT operates under three main documents:
\nPCN operates under ISO 9712, the international standard for NDT personnel certification. ISO 9712 is mandatory and prescriptive: it sets exam structure, training hours, experience hours, vision requirements, and recertification cycles.
\nRough rule of thumb:
\nFor international inspectors, holding both ASNT and PCN provides the broadest employment access.
\nBoth schemes have General, Specific, and Practical exams at Level 2. Differences:
\n| Component | ASNT (typical) | PCN |
|---|---|---|
| General Exam | 40 closed-book MCQs | 40 closed-book MCQs |
| Specific Exam | 20 open-book MCQs (employer’s procedures + applicable code) | 30 closed-book MCQs on chosen sector codes/standards |
| Practical Exam | Demonstration on at least 1 specimen; 70% | Demonstration on 2 to 3 specimens with separate scoring on each step; 80% |
| Written instruction | Not always required | Required at Level 2 (write a method-specific instruction from a procedure) |
| Composite | 80% average across general, specific, practical | All components must individually meet pass marks |
PCN is generally stricter on the practical, with its higher pass mark (80% vs 70%) and explicit instruction-writing component.
\nPCN formally sectorizes Level 2 certification:
\nA PCN UT Level 2 (Welds) inspector cannot inspect castings without a separate Castings sector certification. ASNT does not formally sectorize; the employer’s Written Practice may specify product scope.
\nBoth schemes require similar formal training hours and experience hours. Examples for Level 2:
\n| Method | SNT-TC-1A (L1 + L2 hours) | ISO 9712 / PCN (L1 + L2 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| UT | 40 + 40 = 80 training; 210 + 630 = 840 experience | 40 + 40 = 80 training; 320 + 640 = 960 experience |
| RT | 40 + 40 = 80 training; 210 + 630 = 840 experience | 40 + 40 = 80 training; 320 + 640 = 960 experience |
| MT | 12 + 8 = 20 training; 70 + 140 = 210 experience | 16 + 8 = 24 training; 130 + 260 = 390 experience |
| PT | 4 + 8 = 12 training; 70 + 140 = 210 experience | 16 + 8 = 24 training; 130 + 260 = 390 experience |
PCN/ISO 9712 generally requires more documented experience hours than SNT-TC-1A.
\nTotal cost (training + exam + materials) per method, Level 2:
\nTimeline from zero NDT to Level 2: typically 6 to 18 months, depending on experience accumulation.
\nBoth certifications yield similar salaries. In the US, employers tend to view ASNT Level III certificate and ASNT 9712 as the gold standard. In international oil & gas, PCN Level 3 is often preferred. Holding both opens the broadest career path. Typical 2026 salaries:
\nBoth schemes use a 5-year primary cycle and 10-year re-examination cycle. Key differences:
\nThe PCN 5-year administrative renewal is generally easier than the SNT-TC-1A 5-year re-exam.
\nChoose ASNT (SNT-TC-1A) when:
\nChoose ASNT 9712 / Central Certification when:
\nChoose PCN when:
\nHold both when:
\nThere is no automatic mutual recognition between ASNT and PCN. To gain the other, the inspector typically:
\nBINDT publishes an Aerospace Equivalency policy and some bridging exams; check the latest with each body.
\nA: Neither is better; they are different models. PCN portability is preferred by international contractors; ASNT is the US default.
\nA: There is no automatic conversion. You sit the new scheme’s exams with credit for documented training/experience.
\nA: Some do, especially in oil & gas. ASME and most US codes still default to ASNT.
\nA: Yes — both ASNT and PCN are widely accepted by Aramco, ADNOC, KOC, QatarEnergy, Sonatrach. Specification language varies.
\nA: SNT-TC-1A is a recommended practice (guidance). CP-189 is a standard (mandatory when invoked). CP-189 has stricter Level III qualification requirements (must hold ASNT Level III).
\nA: SNT-TC-1A is often easier to enter because the employer pays and administers. PCN gives stronger long-term portability.
\nA: Yes — our combined training program covers both bodies of knowledge. Candidates can sit either exam after the program. See our training page or call +1 (281) 840-8969.
\nA: Yes — SNT-TC-1A requires a Level III to develop and administer the Written Practice exams. CP-189 requires ASNT Level III certificate specifically.
\nA: Yes — PCN practical has 80% pass mark with separate scoring on instruction writing, setup, detection, sizing, and reporting. ASNT practical is typically 70% on overall demonstration.
\nA: BINDT publishes the ATO register; ASNT lists Approved Training Organizations on its site. Atlantis NDT delivers in partnership with both networks. Contact us for the next cohort.
\n\nAtlantis NDT is an NDT technology and services company based in Houston, Texas, led by founder Anoop Rayavarapu (ASNT NDT Level III). We provide NDT training under ASNT SNT-TC-1A (Level I, II and III), ASNT Level III consulting on NDT procedures and written practices, and inspection software: the Atlantis ERP and the Digital Twin platform.
\nAtlantis NDT does not run API 510, 570 or 653, CWI, CSWIP or PCN exam-preparation courses; the guides on this site are free, independent study resources. Our ASNT-based training is delivered self-paced online or onsite at your facility.
\nCall us at +1 (281) 840-8969 or email sales@atlantisndt.com for a quote on corporate group NDT training, delivered self-paced online or on-site at your facility.
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