NDT Inspection Checklist — Pre-Inspection to Reporting (Free Download)
A comprehensive, step-by-step NDT inspection checklist for planning, executing, and documenting inspections — covering pre-inspection planning, equipment and calibration verification, during-inspection discipline, post-inspection reporting, and code-specific reminders for ASME Section V, API 510, API 570, and API 653. Download the editable Excel version free, or print it for field use. Developed by ASNT Level III professionals at Atlantis NDT.
1. Pre-Inspection Planning
Complete before mobilising: review the work scope and inspection objectives against the purchase order; identify the governing code or standard (ASME Section V, AWS D1.1, API 510/570/653, EN, or client specifications) and obtain the correct edition; verify equipment calibration status and due dates; confirm technician certifications are valid for the required method and level per the employer's written practice (SNT-TC-1A) or scheme (ISO 9712, PCN, ACCP); review previous inspection reports for known indications and corrosion rates; identify access needs (scaffolding, rope access, confined space); prepare report forms and technique sheets; and secure safety permits, orientation, and PPE.
2. Equipment & Calibration
Verify every instrument is within calibration date and will remain valid through the project. Check reference standards and calibration blocks (IIW/V1, V2, DSC) and confirm block material matches the component where required. Verify couplant and consumables — penetrant, developer, magnetic particles, film or imaging plates — including expiration dates. Function-test instruments, probes, cables, and batteries. Record all serial numbers on the technique sheet, and measure and log ambient and surface conditions against procedure requirements.
3. During Inspection
Follow the approved written procedure exactly — deviations require Level III authorization. Track scan coverage systematically toward 100% using grids or digital mapping. Document every indication with location, size, orientation, and classification. Log environmental conditions at intervals. Evaluate each indication against the specific code paragraph, table, or figure. Photograph reportable findings with a scale reference. Mark rejectable indication locations on the component. Perform calibration verification checks at the required frequency — and if calibration is lost, re-examine all work since the last valid check.
4. Post-Inspection & Reporting
Complete the report per procedure: procedure number, technique, equipment, personnel, results, and disposition. Include all mandatory data fields — date, component ID, material, thickness, weld numbers, indication details, sketches, acceptance criteria, and signatures. Attach calibration records and traceability documentation. Obtain Level III review and approval, distribute to stakeholders, and archive per retention requirements (typically five years minimum; longer for nuclear and some pressure vessel codes).
5. Code-Specific Reminders
ASME Section V: use the correct Article for your method (Art. 4 UT, Art. 2 RT, Art. 7 MT, Art. 6 PT, Art. 8 ET, Art. 9 VT); remember acceptance criteria live in the referencing code, not Section V; procedures must address all mandatory variables (e.g., Table T-421 for UT). API 510: verify minimum thickness calculations, short- and long-term corrosion rates, remaining life, and CML records. API 570: classify piping circuits by service class, prioritise injection points, deadlegs, and CUI areas, include small-bore and socket welds, and check MAWP at measured thickness. API 653: measure settlement at a minimum of 8 perimeter points, take shell readings per Table 6.1, inspect the critical zone at the shell-to-bottom weld, and evaluate annular plates per Table 4.4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should an NDT inspection checklist include?
Four phases at minimum: pre-inspection planning (scope, codes, certifications, access, permits), equipment and calibration verification, during-inspection discipline (procedure compliance, coverage tracking, indication documentation), and post-inspection reporting with Level III review and archiving. Code-specific reminders for ASME and API work prevent the most common audit findings.
Is this checklist compliant with ASME Section V?
The checklist is structured around ASME Section V execution requirements and reminds you where acceptance criteria actually reside — in the referencing code such as ASME Section VIII UW-51/52. Always verify against the code edition your contract specifies.
What format does the download come in?
An editable multi-section Excel (XLSX) workbook you can brand, extend, and print. A print-friendly page version is also available for field clipboards.
How often should calibration be verified during an inspection?
At the frequency your procedure specifies — commonly at the start and end of each examination and at set intervals such as every two hours. If a verification check fails, all examinations since the last valid check must be repeated.
Can I get a checklist customised to my project?
Yes — Atlantis NDT Level III consultants build project-specific checklists tailored to your codes, equipment, and quality plan, and Atlantis ERP can turn them into digital forms with automatic report generation. Contact us for a tailored quote within 24 hours.
Atlantis NDT Products & Services
Atlantis NDT supports inspection organisations end to end: NDT inspection management software — Atlantis ERP for work orders, certification tracking and audit-ready records; a digital twin platform for asset integrity that overlays inspection history on a navigable 3D model; modern NDT reporting software; NDT training & certification backed by a 96% first-attempt pass rate and ASNT Level III authorship; ASNT Level III consulting; and 3D laser scanning services. Affordable. Accessible. Fully customizable. Book a free consultation — pricing varies by region and scope, and we return a tailored quote within 24 hours.