Is online NDT training effective?

For theory, yes. The self-paced material is backed by an ASNT Level III who answers your questions, and the same ASNT SNT-TC-1A minimum training hours are covered. The Practical NDT simulator helps you visualise equipment responses and signal interpretation. Hands-on skill still comes from the supervised practical on real parts.

What equipment do I need?

A computer or laptop with webcam, microphone and a reliable internet connection. A quiet learning environment is important. We provide the digital course materials. A second monitor is helpful but not essential.

Are online certificates recognised?

Your certificate of training completion documents the training hours; it is not a certification. ASNT SNT-TC-1A does not differentiate between online and classroom training in its certification requirements — what matters is that the required theory hours are completed and documented. Employer certification (the final step) is issued based on the full training record including online completion.

Can I get fully certified online — without any in-person attendance?

No. The practical examination component cannot be completed online — this is a fundamental requirement of ASNT SNT-TC-1A certification. You must demonstrate hands-on competence on physical reference test specimens. Online training covers the complete theoretical component. The practical training and examination are completed at your employer's facility, on its own equipment and parts, under an ASNT Level III. Atlantis has no regional centres or public venues.

How does online NDT training work technically?

The theory is self-paced online: pre-recorded video modules with knowledge-check questions, digital notes and practice exams, with progress tracked on our learning management platform. An ASNT Level III answers your course questions by email or message. There are no live classes to attend, so you study around your shifts.

How long do I have access to the course materials?

Access periods for the course materials and recordings are confirmed when you enroll. We recommend completing your practical examination soon after you finish the online theory, while the content is fresh.

Is online NDT training recognised by employers in oil & gas?

Yes. ASNT SNT-TC-1A does not specify that training must be in-person — it specifies minimum training hours and content. Many operators and inspection companies accept online training as long as the hours are properly documented in the training record. Some specific employer written practices may specify in-person requirements — always verify with your employer before enrolling.

Which NDT certification standards can I prepare for online?

Our online courses are built to ASNT SNT-TC-1A, the recommended practice most US employers base their written practices on. Atlantis does not offer ISO 9712, NAS 410 or other schemes' training; the physics is the same, but if you need another scheme, check its own training requirements first.

Online NDT Training Courses

Online NDT training for ASNT SNT-TC-1A certification. Level I and II theory courses for UT, MT, PT, RT, ET, and VT methods. Theory is self-paced online, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions. Practical component must be completed in-person. Not sure which level you need? See NDT Level 1 Training, NDT Level 2 Training, and ASNT Level III Training. Prefer an in-person option? See NDT Training Near Me.

Self-paced online NDT training to ASNT SNT-TC-1A, open to candidates worldwide. Start any time.

Check your eligibility Training FAQs Register & Buy Now

Local price for your country, pay with your local card, and course access opens automatically.

Looking for training near you rather than fully online? NDT training near me explains how on-site and blended courses run at your facility and links the training pages for your area.

Online NDT courses by method

Each method runs online at Level I and Level II. The classroom hours are the SNT-TC-1A recommended minimums; your employer's written practice sets the binding numbers, and Level II hours are in addition to Level I.

Online NDT courses: SNT-TC-1A classroom hours, how the course runs and the next step
Method	Level I classroom hours	Level II classroom hours	Start	Format	Practical	Next step
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)	40	40	Any month (first-week starts); enrolment open all year	Self-paced theory, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions	Practical NDT simulator, then supervised practical at your employer's facility	UT Level 2 practice test
Radiographic Testing (RT)	40	40	Any month (first-week starts); enrolment open all year	Self-paced theory, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions	Practical NDT simulator, then supervised practical at your employer's facility	RT Level 2 practice test
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)	12	8	Any month (first-week starts); enrolment open all year	Self-paced theory, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions	Practical NDT simulator, then supervised practical at your employer's facility	MT Level 2 practice test
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)	4	8	Any month (first-week starts); enrolment open all year	Self-paced theory, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions	Practical NDT simulator, then supervised practical at your employer's facility	PT Level 2 practice test
Visual Testing (VT)	8	16	Any month (first-week starts); enrolment open all year	Self-paced theory, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions	Practical NDT simulator, then supervised practical at your employer's facility	VT Level 2 practice test
Eddy Current Testing (ET)	40	40	Any month (first-week starts); enrolment open all year	Self-paced theory, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions	Practical NDT simulator, then supervised practical at your employer's facility	ET Level 2 practice test

PAUT and TOFD build on UT Level II, and their hours are set by your written practice. All eight methods have free practice questions: NDT Level 2 exam questions and answers.

Training in the United States? The published US fees are below; for other regions, the fee table links the regional pages.

NDT training fees — United States

Published fees for ASNT SNT-TC-1A Level I and Level II training in the United States, and for the online Level III refresher. All fees are in US dollars.

Level I and Level II five-method packages (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT), USD
Package	Training hours	Package fee
Level I — all 5 methods	104 hours	$2,799
Level II — all 5 methods	112 hours	$2,799

Level I or Level II, one method at a time, USD
Method	Fee per method
Visual Testing (VT)	$349
Penetrant Testing (PT)	$399
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)	$399
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)	$799
Radiographic Testing (RT)	$899

Level III online refresher (self-paced, exam-focused), per method, USD
Level III refresher	Fee per method
Basic (general examination)	$1,260
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)	$1,260
Radiographic Testing (RT)	$1,260
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)	$900
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)	$900
Visual Testing (VT)	$900

The Atlantis course page shows the price for your country. Pay with your local card and your course access opens automatically.

Level I and Level II: materials and exam preparation are included. Training hours follow the recommended initial hours in ASNT SNT-TC-1A Table 6.3.1A; final hours are set by the employer's written practice.
Payment: 50% in advance to start training, with the 50% balance due before the certificate is issued. Applicable taxes may apply.
Level III refresher: fees cover online course access, study materials, mock exams and instructor support. ASNT examination fees are paid separately to ASNT and are not included.
Fees are subject to change. Group and corporate programmes are quoted on request.

Published fees for other regions: Middle East, Europe, South East Asia. Training outside the United States, the Middle East, Europe and South East Asia (including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Africa)? Contact us for fees in your region.

Nationwide: NDT training by city, state and region

Every programme below is delivered online or onsite at the employer's facility under ASNT Level III oversight. Atlantis does not run walk-in training centres. Pick your market for local industries, codes and employer requirements.

United States — cities

United States — states and regions

Canada

Certifying a whole crew? See the SNT-TC-1A certification programme for NDT companies.

NDT training online: what you can complete from anywhere

Online NDT training covers the theory, the formal classroom hours and the written-exam preparation for ASNT SNT-TC-1A Level I, Level II and Level III. At Atlantis NDT the theory is self-paced online, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions, and practice questions for each method. Enrollment is open all year. The parts that cannot be done online are the supervised on-the-job experience, the vision test and the practical examination on real specimens. We deliver the hands-on training and practical exam onsite at the employer's facility. That split is the core of how a legitimate online NDT programme works, and the rest of this page explains it method by method.

Online NDT course matrix by method

Every course below is built to the ASNT SNT-TC-1A framework and the ANSI/ASNT CP-105 topical outlines, the documents US employers use to structure their written practices. The training-hour minimums for each method and level are set out in our training requirements matrix. Your employer's written practice may require more.

Method	Levels online	Delivered online	Delivered onsite (employer's facility)	Typical prerequisite
Ultrasonic testing (UT)	I, II; Level III prep	Wave physics, transducers, calibration (DAC, TCG), straight- and angle-beam technique, thickness, weld scanning theory, code reading (ASME V Article 4)	Calibration on real blocks, scanning weld and plate specimens, practical exam	None for Level I; Level I plus experience for Level II
Phased array UT (PAUT)	II	Array physics, focal laws, S-scan and linear scans, scan planning, data analysis	Setup, encoded scanning and analysis on real welds	UT Level II
TOFD	II	Diffraction principles, probe separation, dead zones, D-scan interpretation and sizing	Setup and scanning on real welds, practical exam	UT Level II
Radiographic testing (RT)	I, II; Level III prep	Radiation physics, exposure calculations, geometric unsharpness, IQIs, film and digital recording, interpretation	Film or image interpretation on real radiographs, practical exam. Radiation safety training and licensing follow state or NRC rules	None for Level I; Level I plus experience for Level II
Magnetic particle testing (MT)	I, II; Level III prep	Magnetism, currents, field direction, particles and lighting, demagnetisation, interpretation	Yoke and bench techniques on flawed specimens, practical exam	None for Level I
Liquid penetrant testing (PT)	I, II; Level III prep	Capillary physics, penetrant classification, process steps and controls, interpretation	Full process on flawed specimens, practical exam	None for Level I
Visual testing (VT)	I, II; Level III prep	Vision and lighting, optical aids, remote visual equipment, weld and material discontinuities, acceptance criteria	Measurement and inspection on real welds and components, practical exam	None for Level I
Eddy current testing (ET)	I, II; Level III prep	Induction, impedance plane, depth of penetration, probes, frequency selection, tubing and surface applications	Calibration and scanning on reference standards and specimens, practical exam	None for Level I

Level III candidates prepare fully online, because the ASNT NDT Level III exams are written, computer-based tests. See Level III Basic exam prep and the method pages for UT, RT, MT, PT, VT and ET. Technicians who want ASNT's central Level II credential can use our ASNT NDT Level II exam prep.

How the online delivery works

Self-paced theory, with an ASNT Level III answering questions

The theory is self-paced online, so a technician on nights or on a turnaround studies around the shift pattern. Course questions are answered by Anoop Rayavarapu, ASNT NDT Level III (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and founder of Atlantis NDT, including worked calculations and code extracts. There are no live classes to attend.

Study material and practice questions

Alongside the course material, trainees work through reading assignments, worked examples and practice questions in the style of the general and specific exams. Free examples are on our blog, including UT Level II practice questions and the MT, PT, RT, VT and ET mock exams.

Simulator practice with Practical NDT

Theory sticks better when trainees can see it. Practical NDT, an online practical NDT simulation portal, lets trainees practise 12 method families in 12 virtual workplaces (including an NDT lab, a welding workshop, an aircraft hangar, an oil and gas site and a storage tank) and get step-by-step procedure feedback, with the interpretation reviewed by the instructor. It is used to rehearse setup, scanning and interpretation alongside the theory. It is practice only. It does not replace hands-on training or the practical exam on real specimens.

Documented hours

Each trainee's attendance and hours are recorded per method and level, so the employer's Level III can count them as formal training under the written practice. Before enrolling, check that your employer's written practice permits online formal training. Most do, and if yours does not yet, it can be amended.

What is online and what is onsite

Element	Where it happens	Who controls it
Formal (classroom) training hours	Online, self-paced, with Level III support	Atlantis, documented for the employer
Written exam preparation	Online	Atlantis
Simulator practice	Online (Practical NDT)	Trainee, reviewed by Atlantis
Hands-on training on equipment	Onsite at the employer's facility	Atlantis Level III or the employer's Level III
On-the-job experience	The employer's real work	The employer
Vision examination	In person	The employer
General, specific and practical exams	Written exams administered to the written practice; practical onsite on real specimens	The employer's Level III, or Atlantis as outsourced Level III
Certification	—	The employer, under its written practice

If you are asking whether this adds up to "NDT certified online", read our honest answer: can you get NDT certified online?

Who online NDT training suits

Employers with distributed crews. Technicians across several sites or states study the same material online without travel, and the practical is run as a concentrated onsite block. Programmes for companies are covered on corporate NDT training.

Working technicians moving from Level I to Level II. Self-paced study fits around shift work. Experience continues to build on the job while the theory is completed.

Level II technicians preparing for Level III. The Level III exams are entirely written, so preparation works well online.

Career starters. Online theory is a legitimate start, but the experience and certification come from an employer. Our guide to becoming an NDT technician and NDT schools guide explain the route honestly.

Level I, Level II and Level III online: what changes at each level

Level I online is about fundamentals: how the method works, what the equipment does, how to follow a procedure and record results. The online format suits it well because the concepts are new and trainees can repeat the material as often as they need. The limitation is obvious. A Level I trainee has usually touched very little equipment, so simulator practice and early supervised work matter more at this stage than at any other.

Level II online adds technique selection, calibration to a code, interpretation and evaluation against acceptance criteria, and the ability to guide Level I technicians. The theory is heavier and more mathematical for UT, RT and ET, so the material spends more time on worked problems. Trainees at this level already have field experience, and they bring real calibration problems and real indications to their questions.

Level III online is exam preparation for the ASNT Basic and method exams, plus the procedure-writing and programme knowledge a Level III needs. Nothing in the ASNT Level III exams is hands-on, so the whole preparation can be online. The simulator is used only as a method refresher for candidates who have been away from the equipment.

How an employer programme runs with online theory

Scope. The employer lists the methods, levels and number of technicians, and confirms that its written practice allows online formal training. If it does not, the Level III amends it.
Online theory. Technicians study the self-paced material from their sites, with an ASNT Level III answering questions. Attendance and hours are recorded per person, per method and per level.
Simulator practice. Technicians practise setup and interpretation on Practical NDT, and the instructor reviews common mistakes with them.
Onsite practical block. An ASNT Level III delivers hands-on training at the employer's facility, on the employer's equipment and specimens, scheduled around production or shutdowns.
Examinations. General, specific and practical exams are administered and graded to the written practice, by the employer's Level III or by Atlantis as the outsourced Level III.
Certification. The employer certifies each technician once experience and vision requirements are met, and files the training and exam records for audit.

This sequence keeps technicians productive during the classroom phase and concentrates the hands-on work where it belongs. For multi-site companies it also means every technician is taught the same material by the same Level III, which makes the written practice easier to audit. See SNT-TC-1A training and certification for the employer-side requirements in more detail.

Online versus in-person classroom: the honest trade-offs

Online theory removes travel, lets technicians keep working, and lets them revisit the material as often as they need, which helps with the heavier UT, RT and ET material. It also makes it easier to train small numbers of people at different sites at the same time. What it loses is the chance to pass equipment around the room during theory. That is why simulator practice runs alongside the theory and why the onsite practical block is not optional. Self-paced study needs self-discipline, so an ASNT Level III answers questions throughout and the practice questions show where you stand. Our article on online versus in-person NDT training goes into the trade-offs in more depth.

What you need to take part

A computer with a reliable internet connection. A tablet works for reading and practice questions.
A quiet place to study. Site offices work fine.
A scientific calculator for UT, RT and ET courses.
Access to the relevant code or standard extracts your employer works to, for example ASME Section V, which the course references.
An employer contact (usually the Level III or QA manager) if the hours are to count under a written practice.

Starting and scheduling

Enrollment is open all year and there are no fixed course dates. Portal access opens the moment you enroll, at any time of year. Employers can arrange a private online group for their crews, with the hands-on practical at their facility scheduled around shutdowns and turnarounds. Quotes depend on method, level, group size and whether the practical at your facility is included. Ask about online NDT training.

Online NDT training: more questions answered

Is online NDT training accepted under SNT-TC-1A?

Yes, as formal training, when the employer's written practice allows it and the hours are documented. The employer still controls experience, exams and certification.

Which NDT methods can I study online?

UT, PAUT, TOFD, RT, MT, PT, VT and ET theory for Level I and II, and Level III exam preparation for the Basic and the UT, RT, MT, PT, VT and ET method exams.

Can the practical exam be done online?

No. The practical is performed with real equipment on real specimens. Atlantis delivers it onsite at the employer's facility under an ASNT Level III.

Are the sessions live or self-paced?

Self-paced. There are no live online classes: you work through the material online, an ASNT NDT Level III answers your questions, and practice questions come with each method. Access opens the moment you enrol.

Who teaches the online courses?

Anoop Rayavarapu, ASNT NDT Level III (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and founder of Atlantis NDT, leads the training. Eddy current (ET) is not one of his Level III methods, so for ET we confirm who delivers the practical before you enroll.

Do I get a certificate at the end?

You receive documented training records per method and level. NDT certification itself is issued by your employer under its written practice once experience, vision and exam requirements are met.

Can PAUT and TOFD be learned online?

The theory can: array physics, focal laws, scan planning, diffraction and sizing. Encoded scanning and analysis on real welds is done in the onsite practical. Both require UT Level II first.

Can Level III preparation be done fully online?

Yes. The ASNT Level III Basic and method exams are written, computer-based exams, so all the preparation can be online.

Is radiography training fully online?

RT theory is online. Radiation safety training and any radiographer licensing follow state or NRC requirements, and interpretation practice on real radiographs is part of the onsite element.

What does online NDT training cost?

US fees for Level I and Level II, per method and as five-method packages, and for the online Level III refresher are in the fee table on this page. Middle East, Europe and South East Asia fees are on the regional pages, and other regions and on-site programmes are quoted.

Where does the training take place?

Theory is self-paced online. Practical training is delivered onsite at the employer's facility, on its equipment and specimens. Atlantis does not run a public walk-in classroom.

Can the online hours count toward the ASNT NDT Level II?

ASNT sets its own training minimums for the central Level II, stated in days per method. Documented formal training can support your application. Check ASNT's current requirements when you apply.

Ask about online NDT training for your team or use the training enquiry form.

Practise between sessions

Free practice tests and downloadable question packs show where you stand, and Practical NDT lets you practise scans on a 3D simulator before the practical examination.

Free downloads

Download these directly: no form and no email address needed.

PDFUT Level II General practice questions40 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF
PDFUT Level II Specific practice questions20 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF
PDFMT Level II General practice questions40 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF
PDFMT Level II Specific practice questions20 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF
PDFPT Level II General practice questions40 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF
PDFPT Level II Specific practice questions20 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF
PDFRT Level II General practice questions40 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF
PDFRT Level II Specific practice questions20 questions. PDF with an answer key and explanations.Download PDF

Need more templates, or templates made for your work?

These downloads are a free starter set. Atlantis NDT also prepares report templates, practice and qualification exams, and document packs matched to your industry, method, code and client format: PAUT and TOFD data sheets, IRIS and eddy-current tube reports, MFL tank-floor reports, hardness, PMI and holiday-test records, calibration and equipment logs, and complete report packs aligned with your written practice. Tell us what you need and we will reply with a quotation.

Request custom templatesAll free report templates · All practice tests

Online NDT courses compared: what to check before you enrol

Online NDT courses range from self-paced libraries to live virtual classrooms. The difference matters, because your employer's written practice decides which training hours it will accept, and some written practices ask for instructor-led hours with a record of attendance.

Before you enrol in any online NDT training, check four things: whether the course is live or self-paced, how training hours are documented, where the practical block happens, and whether the course outline follows the topics in ANSI/ASNT CP-105 that your written practice references.

Self-paced theory with Level III support. Atlantis online theory is self-paced: you work through the material at your own pace, an ASNT NDT Level III answers your questions, and practice questions sit between modules. Access opens the moment you enrol.
Documented hours. Training hours are recorded per person so your employer can file them under its written practice.
Blended NDT training. Theory online, practical in person: the hands-on block is supervised at your employer's facility, on its own equipment and parts. Courses run year-round with no fixed dates.
Practice between modules. The Practical NDT simulator lets you practise UT, PAUT, TOFD and other methods in the browser between modules, as organised training only.

Are online NDT courses accepted by employers?

Usually, when the hours are documented and the outline matches what the employer's written practice requires; some written practices also ask for instructor-led hours. Ask your Level III to confirm before you enrol; the written practice is the document that decides.

Can I take the NDT practical exam online?

No. The practical examination is performed on real specimens and graded by the employer's Level III or a qualified examiner. Online courses prepare you for it; they do not replace it.

How many hours do you still need?

Online theory covers the classroom hours; on-the-job experience is logged separately with your employer. The planner shows both against the recommended minimums.

Start NDT training any time of year

Enrolment is open throughout the year. Courses are primarily self-paced, so you can join at any time and work through the learning material around your schedule.

Monthly starts: Portal access opens the moment you enrol, at any time of year.
Level III support: Level III support is available throughout the year for course clarifications. Confirm the contact method and arrangements when you enrol.
Practical arrangements: Practicals are done in the Practical NDT simulator and in person at your employer’s facility, on its equipment and parts. Simulator practice supports training; it does not replace supervised experience, the practical examination or employer certification.

Ask about enrolment and practical arrangements

Training and certification: who does what

A course gives you training. It does not certify you. Under ASNT SNT-TC-1A (2024 edition) your employer certifies you under its written practice, and ASNT also runs central certification. Each part is separate:

What the Atlantis course gives you

Documented training hours for the method and level, recorded per person
Theory: self-paced online material, with an ASNT NDT Level III answering your questions
Practice in the Practical NDT simulator
Supervised hands-on practical at your employer's facility, on its own equipment and parts
A training record that you and your employer can keep on file for audits

What your employer does under SNT-TC-1A

Keeps a written practice that sets the training, experience and examination requirements
Gives the general, specific and practical examinations
Carries out the vision examination (near-vision acuity and color contrast)
Logs and verifies your experience in the method
Certifies you. That certification belongs to the employer and does not move with you to a new job

The ASNT central route

ASNT NDT Level II: ASNT administers a computer-based general exam and specific exams, in MT, PT, RT, UT and VT
ASNT states that employers are responsible for carrying out the visual acuity, practical and any job-specific exams
ASNT NDT Level III: the Basic exam plus at least one method exam, with documented NDT experience
ASNT certifications are renewed every five years

ASNT NDT Level II requirements on certification.asnt.org

Completing a course finishes the training part only. Experience, examinations and certification still have to be completed and documented.

How the practical works

There are no fixed course dates. Enrollment is open all year.

Start in any month. Portal access opens the moment you enroll, at any time of year. There are no dated cohorts to wait for.
Learn the theory. Work through the self-paced material online and ask the Level III when something is unclear.
Practice in the simulator. Use the Practical NDT simulator to rehearse the method before you touch real parts.
Hands-on at your facility. An ASNT Level III supervises practical training at your employer's facility, on its own equipment and parts. Atlantis has no classroom, partner site or public venue for practicals.
Your employer's practical exam. Your employer gives the practical examination under its written practice. An outside Level III, including Atlantis, can administer it for the employer.

What the simulator trains

Instrument set-up
Calibration
Scanning discipline
Coverage of the area to be examined
Following procedure steps in order

What it cannot train

The feel of couplant and probe pressure
Real signal noise
Real surface condition, access and geometry on actual parts

Simulator time counts as training. It does not count as industrial experience hours unless a certification body or your employer's written practice explicitly allows it.

Practical NDT simulator · Try the browser A-scan demo

Who leads the training

Led by Anoop Rayavarapu, ASNT NDT Level III (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT), 11+ years of international NDT field experience. About Anoop Rayavarapu.

Any ASNT certificate can be checked in ASNT's online certificant directory, which you can reach from certification.asnt.org.

Speak to an ASNT NDT Level III

Atlantis NDT provides ASNT Level III consulting, NDT training to ASNT SNT-TC-1A, inspection management software and independent report validation. Request a free consultation and we will return a tailored quote — affordable, accessible and fully customizable to your programme.