SNT-TC-1A Hours Planner — Classroom and On-the-Job Hours Left to Your Next Level
Choose the method and the level you are working towards, then enter the classroom training and on-the-job (OJT) experience hours you have already logged. The planner shows the recommended minimums from the SNT-TC-1A tables, what you still need, and how far through you are. Going straight to Level II without holding Level I adds the two levels together, which is how the recommended practice treats direct entry.
The interactive planner runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
| Method | Level I | Level II | Level III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasonic Testing (UT) | 40 / 210 | 40 / 630 | 40 / 1,260 |
| Radiographic Testing (RT) | 40 / 210 | 40 / 630 | 40 / 1,260 |
| Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) | 12 / 130 | 8 / 400 | 24 / 800 |
| Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) | 4 / 130 | 8 / 400 | 24 / 800 |
| Visual Testing (VT) | 8 / 130 | 16 / 400 | 24 / 800 |
| Eddy Current Testing (ET) | 40 / 210 | 40 / 630 | 40 / 1,260 |
Formulas used
| Classroom hours still needed | required classroom − classroom hours logged (never below zero) |
|---|---|
| OJT hours still needed | required OJT − OJT hours logged (never below zero) |
| Direct entry to Level II | required = Level I hours + Level II hours |
| Level II after holding Level I | required = Level II hours only (they are in addition to Level I) |
| Progress | hours logged ÷ hours required, shown separately for classroom and OJT |
Worked example
Worked example: a technician going straight to UT Level II with no Level I certificate needs 40 + 40 = 80 classroom hours and 210 + 630 = 840 hours of on-the-job experience under the recommended minimums used on this site. With 40 classroom hours and 300 OJT hours logged, 40 classroom hours and 540 OJT hours remain: classroom is 50% done and OJT about 36% done. If the same technician already held UT Level I, Level II would need 40 classroom and 630 OJT hours of its own.
Before you rely on the numbers
- Your employer's written practice sets the binding hours. SNT-TC-1A is a recommended practice: the written practice may require more, and it governs certification under that employer's programme.
- The figures are the recommended minimums shown in the training requirements matrix on this site. Check them against the edition of SNT-TC-1A your written practice adopts, and against CP-189 or ISO 9712 if your programme follows one of those instead.
- Level III is different. SNT-TC-1A sets Level III eligibility mainly by education and years of experience; the planner shows only the matrix hours beyond Level II, as a planning aid.
- Experience must be in the method and documented. Hours in another method, or hours nobody can evidence, do not count towards this method.
- Hours alone do not certify anyone. Under SNT-TC-1A the employer certifies, after the general, specific and practical examinations and a vision examination.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours do I need for UT Level II under SNT-TC-1A?
Using the recommended minimums in the matrix on this site, direct entry to UT Level II needs 80 classroom hours (40 for Level I plus 40 for Level II) and 840 hours of on-the-job experience (210 plus 630). If you already hold UT Level I, Level II adds 40 classroom and 630 OJT hours. Your employer's written practice can set higher figures, and it is the written practice that applies.
Does simulator or VR time count as experience hours?
Treat it as training, not experience. Simulator and VR sessions can count towards organised training where the written practice allows it, but on-the-job experience means documented work in the method. Do not log simulator time as OJT unless your written practice explicitly says it may be counted.
Who certifies me once the hours are done?
Your employer. SNT-TC-1A is an employer-based scheme: the employer's Level III administers or oversees the examinations, and the employer issues the certification under its written practice. A training provider issues a training record, which is evidence for the employer, not a certificate on its own.
Do hours carry over when I change employer?
Documented training and experience can be accepted by a new employer, but certification does not transfer automatically. The new employer reviews your records against its own written practice and recertifies you under its programme.
Are the hours different for MT, PT and VT?
Yes. The surface and visual methods carry lower classroom and experience minimums than UT, RT and ET. Pick the method in the planner to see its figures.
Related
- Training requirements matrix: hours for every method and level
- Free NDT written practice template
- NDT Level 1 training: how to get certified
- NDT Level 2 training
- ASNT Level III training
- How training, exams and certification fit together
Need the classroom hours delivered to a crew, or a written practice that sets the hours for your company? Atlantis NDT training is led by an ASNT Level III, and outsourced Level III cover includes writing and approving the written practice. Contact Atlantis NDT.
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.