Engineering Procedure

SAEP-1142 4 December 2014

Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel
Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope.................................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations..................................... 2
3 Applicable Documents........................................ 2
4 General............................................................... 3
5 Training............................................................... 4
6 Qualification of Examinations.............................. 5
7 Certification......................................................... 7

Appendix I - Approved National

Certification Programs................................... 9
Appendix II - Individual Certification Techniques... 10
Appendix III - Saudi Aramco Required
Practical Verification Examinations…......… 11

Previous Issue: 19 May 2009 Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019

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Primary contact: Al-Mudaibegh, Isa Houmud (mudaibih) on +966-13-8720240

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2014. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

1 Scope

This Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure (SAEP) establishes the minimum training,
examination, qualification, and certification requirements of contractor, subcontractor,
consultant, or other non-Saudi Aramco personnel performing, interpreting, or otherwise
affecting the results of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) operations during purchase,
construction, or maintenance of plant and equipment being purchased, constructed, or
operated for Saudi Aramco. Also, it provides minimum requirements for development
of NDT contractors’ written practices.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this procedure and other Saudi Aramco Engineering
Procedures (SAEP's), Engineering Standards (SAES’s), Materials System
Specifications (SAMSS's), Standard Drawings (SASD's), or industry standards,
codes, and forms shall be resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer
Representative through the Manager, Inspection Department of Saudi Aramco,
Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this procedure in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Inspection Department of Saudi
Aramco, Dhahran.

3 Applicable Documents

The requirements contained in the following documents apply to the extent specified in
this procedure.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American National Standards Institute / The American Society for

Nondestructive Testing, Inc.
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel
(2011 Edition)
ASNT SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel
Qualifications and Certification (2011 Edition)

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

International Organization for Standardization

ISO 9712 Non-Destructive Testing - Qualification and
Certification of NDT Personnel (2012 Edition)
ISO/TR 25107 Non-destructive Testing - Guidelines for NDT
Training Syllabuses (2006 Edition)
ISO 17024 Conformity Assessment - General Requirements for
Bodies Operating Certification of Persons
(2012 Edition)

4 General

4.1 This procedure shall cover all or any of NDT methods and techniques and shall
include, but not be limited to, those listed in Appendix II.

4.2 Any organization (referred to as employer in the procedure) supplying,

employing or delegating NDT personnel shall have a written practice or
procedure covering NDT personnel training, experience, qualification and
certification. This written practice shall meet or exceed the minimum
requirements of ANSI/ASNT CP-189 and/or ISO 9712 plus the additions and
clarifications outlined in this SAEP. However, NDT personnel performing NDT
out of kingdom (OOK) as a result of procurement of materials or equipment
obtained from OOK vendors using Purchase Orders directly from Saudi Aramco
or through construction contractors may be certified to a nationally recognized
program that complies with the requirements of ANSI/ASNT CP-189,
ANSI/ASNT SNT-TC-1A or ISO 9712. Appendix I contains a list of acceptable
NDT certification programs.

4.3 The employer’s NDT personnel qualification and certification procedure shall
be submitted to the Saudi Aramco Inspection Department for review and
approval prior to the commencement of any NDT activities.

4.4 All documentation shall be prepared in the English language.

4.5 Personnel responsible for interpretation of or affecting the results of NDT

operations shall be certified to a minimum of Level II per the certifying
employer’s written practice.

4.6 The written practice shall include and specify the qualification/certification
requirements for both conventional and advanced NDT methods and techniques.

4.7 All NDT procedures and documentations shall be prepared by certified NDT
Level III personnel. For NDT techniques that do not have Level III
certification, the individual shall have a NDT Level III in the method and
minimum Level II in the technique.

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

4.8 Principal NDT Level III personnel shall be officially assigned by a written letter
from the employer, i.e., the owner or his representative such as general manager.
The letter shall include the main duties of the principal NDT Level III.

4.9 Proncipal NDT Level III shall be responsible for developing and approving all
NDT documentations, training and certification programs.

4.10 The principal NDT Level III shall officially assign other NDT Level IIIs within
his organization.

4.11 Obtaining NDT Level III services through an outside agency is acceptable. It is
the responsibility of the employer to evaluate the services provided by the
agency and ensure their compliance to this SAEP and applicable international
standards and codes referenced within this SAEP. Obtaining NDT Level III
services through individuals who don’t have official representation, i.e.,
commercially, is not acceptable and shall be through direct employment of the
NDT Level III individual(s).

5 Training

5.1 Training programs for any NDT method shall include at least the body of
knowledge shown in ANSI/ASNT CP-105 or the body of knowledge in
ISO/TR 25107.

5.2 The minimum required hours for training and experience shall be as shown in
Appendix A of ANSI/ASNT CP-189 or Tables 2 and 3 of ISO 9712 in the NDT
method being certified.

5.3 For NDT techniques that are not included in either ANSI/ASNT CP-189 or
ISO 9712, the employer shall develop required training programs and
certification requirements. These requirements shall be included in the
employer’s written practice.

5.4 If the current employer has not administered the training being claimed for
qualification, or the experience being claimed for qualification was not gained
with the current employer, the current employer shall verify the claimed training
and/or experience in writing from the previous employer(s) and retain the
verification on file. Any claimed training or experience that cannot be verified
and documented shall be considered invalid. The sum of claimed trainings and
experiences obtained through different employers is acceptable if it is meeting
the minimum training and experience requirements of ISO 9712 and
ANSI/ASNT CP-189.

5.5 The employer’s NDT instructors shall be assigned officially and in writing by
the principal NDT Level III. The NDT instructors shall meet the minimum

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

requirements specified in ANSI/ASNT CP-189.

5.6 The employer shall establish the NDT training documentations and records in
compliance with the requirements of ISO 9712 and ANSI/ASNT CP-189.
The principal NDT Level III shall be responsible for the verification and
accuracy of these documents and records.

5.7 Saudi Aramco shall have the right to request submission of, or be granted access
to, any and all training, experience, qualification, and certification records
pertaining to NDT personnel. This applies to any organization covered under
the scope of this document.
Note: Saudi Aramco, at it own discrition, shall have the right to request from NDT
contractors that their assigned NDT instructors and exam proctors set and pass
Saudi Aramco NDT qualification exams in the applicable NDT metohds and/or
technuqes. The exams can be written, practical or both.

5.8 At the end of each training, NDT technician shall set for and pass a final exam
covering the training topics and similar to the method exam ( practical, specific
and general exams) to receive credit for the training and training period as
prerequisite for the methods certification exam. Training exam shall not be
considered as method exam. For in-house employer training examinations, all
exams shall be graded using red ink.

5.9 All training exams and attendance records, i.e. hours, shall be reviewed and
approved by employer’s principal NDT Level III. For computer based exams,
principal NDT Level III shall sign on printed copy of the exam.

5.10 NDT employer shall have one page training certificate that fulfill the training
record requirements addressed in ANSI/ASNT CP-189, Section 9.2.1.
Attendance sheet shall not be accepted as evidence of training completion.
Sample certification form shall be attached to NDT organization’s written
practice.

5.11 Training certificates obtained through third party training organizations that
comply with ISO 9712 and ISO/TR 25107 shall waive the requirements stated in
5.10.

6 Qualification Examinations

6.1 Access to qualification materials shall be limited and the qualification

examinations shall be maintained in secure files. The principal NDT Level III
shall be responsible of control and security of NDT examination materials and
resources. Training course materials and examinations shall be available for
review or assessment by Saudi Aramco Inspection Department.

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

6.2 Written Examination

6.2.1 Written qualification examinations shall contain questions covering at

least the body of knowledge of ANSI/ASNT CP-105 or ISO/TR 25107
in the method being examined.

6.2.2 For NDT techniques that are not included in either ANSI/ASNT CP-189
or ISO 9712, the employer shall develop required qualification programs
and certification requirements. These requirements shall be included in
the employer’s written practice. Training and experience hours shall be
identified using guidelines of ANSI/ASNT CP-189 and/or ISO 9712.

6.2.3 Questions used in general examinations for Level I and Level II

personnel shall be similar in type and difficulty to those published by
ASNT. Questions shall not be used verbatim from the ASNT published
lists or other resources, e.g., internet sites. Examinations shall be
established from a database of questions that ensures that no two
candidates receive more that 25% of identical questions during any
individual examination session.

6.2.4 Specific examinations shall be tailored to NDT techniques listed in

Appendix II. The specific examination shall also cover experience and
knowledge of recognized standards and codes for the technique being
used.

6.3 Practical Examinations

6.3.1 The employer shall establish adequate inventory of practical examination

test samples, considering all provided NDT services for both methods
and techniques.

6.3.2 Each practical examination test sample shall have a unique serial number
and associated certified answer key document.

6.3.3 Access to the practical examination test samples and their answer keys
shall be limited to and controlled by the employer’s principal NDT
Level III. Access to delegated NDT Level III shall be documented
through official letter issued and signed by the principal NDT Level III.

6.4 Visual Acuity Examinations

6.4.1 Vision examinations shall be performed annually. The examinations

shall be documented and retained in the individual files.

6.4.2 Vision test shall be conducted in accordance with ANSI/ASNT CP-189

or ISO 9712. Vision examinations form shall be prepared and attached

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

to the written practice.

6.4.3 Saudi Aramco shall have the right, at its own discretion, to request
contractor’s individuals taking Saudi Aramco verification examinations,
to pass a visual acuity verification examinations administered by Saudi
Aramco.

6.5 Saudi Aramco shall have the right, at its own discretion, to request employers’
NDT Level II personnel, as well as any individuals interpreting or influencing
the interpretation of NDT results, to set for and pass Saudi Aramco qualification
verification exams, written and/or practical. The verification examination shall
be administered by Saudi Aramco.

6.6 Saudi Aramco shall have the right, at its own discretion, to request employers’
NDT Level III personnel to set for and pass Saudi Aramco qualification
verification exam, written and/or practical, for NDT Level III. The verification
examination shall be administered by Saudi Aramco.

7 Certification

7.1 NDT Level I and II certifications shall be issued as per the requirements of
ANSI/ASNT CP-198 and/or ISO 9712.

7.2 NDT certification format shall be developed and approved by the employer’s
principal NDT Level III. Copy of the approved certification format shall be
included in the employer’s written practice.

7.3 Individual NDT methods may be subdivided into specialized techniques as listed
in Appendix III; performance qualification may be required in each of the
applicable specialized techniques at the discretion of Saudi Aramco Inspection
Department.

7.4 Limited certifications in NDT techniques are acceptable providing the training
and experience requirements are established as per ANSI/ASNT CP-189 and
ISO 9712.

7.5 Personnel performing or evaluating NDT results shall be certified, at least to

Level II, in the NDT method or specialized technique being used.

7.6 NDT certification validity shall not exceed 5 years.

7.7 If the employer accepts third party internationally recognized NDT certification
then, this shall be clearly addressed in his written practice.

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

Commentary Note:

NDT individuals who are working directly under the supervison of Saudi Aramco
Inspection Department/Operation Inspection Division, and provided through NDT
service contracts or Supplemental Manpower contracts, i.e., SMP, can be
certified by Saudi Aramco as per SAEP-1140. The certification is considered
valid as long as the individual has a valid contract, i.e., Released Purchase Order
(RPO), with Saudi Aramco. Once the RPO is expired or not renewed, the
certification is void. The issued certification shall not be used outsoide Saudi
Aramco at any time. The certification shall be returned to Saudi Aramco
Inspection Department upon end of contract or termination of services.

7.8 Recertification

7.8.1 Level I and Level II personnel shall be recertified every five (5) years in
accordance to the employer's written practice. The recertification shall
be based on setting for and passing written and practical examination.
Recertification by demonstration of experience is not acceptable.

7.8.2 The employer recertification program shall meet the recertification

requirements as stated in ANSI/ASNT CP-189 and/or ISO 9712.

7.8.3 For third party issued NDT certifications, the recertification

requirements shall be as per the requirements of ISO 9712.

7.8.2 NDT Level III personnel shall be recertified by employer through

verification of the individual's NDT Level III certificate validity in each
method for which recertification is sought.

Revision Summary
4 December 2014 Revised the Next Planned Update, reaffirmed the content of the document, and reissued
as major revision.

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

Appendix I - Accepted NDT Certification Programs

The following Certification Programs for NDT personnel are acceptable:

 ANSI/ASNT NDT and ACCP
 PCN Scheme
 CSWIP Scheme
 Other NDT certification schemes meeting the requirements of ISO 9712, ISO 17024
and ISO/TR 25107 for qualification and certification of individuals.
Note: Supporting documents for the NDT certification scheme shall be submitted to Saudi
Aramco for evaluation and acceptance.

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

Appendix II - Individual Certification Methods/Techniques

Training and Certification shall be required in the following methods and sub methods.
This list shall be subject to revision at any time and reference should be made to the
NDT Standards Committee for the latest revision:
 Visual Testing
 Magnetic Particle Testing
 Liquid Penetrant Testing
 Radiographic Testing (Manual & Automated)
 Radiographic Film Interpretation
 Ultrasonic Testing (Automated Corrosion Mapping, i.e., ambient/high temperature and
SWC/HIC)
 Ultrasonic Testing (Automated Pipeline Girth Weld Inspection)
 Ultrasonic Shear Wave Testing (Plate & Pipe - Manual)
 Ultrasonic Shear Wave Testing (Branch Connection (TKY) - Manual)
 Ultrasonic Testing (Manual & Automated Phased Array)
 Ultrasonic Testing (Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD))
 Ultrasonic Thickness Testing (UTT)
 Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT)
 Eddy Current Testing
 Remote Field Eddy Current Testing
 MFL Tubing Testing
 MFL Tank Floor Testing
 Infrared Testing
 Acoustic Emission Testing (Tank Floors)
 Acoustic Emission Testing (Loading Arms)
 Acoustic Emission Testing (Valve Leakage)
 Acoustic Emission Testing (Pressure Retaining Systems)
 Guided Wave Inspection

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Document Responsibility: Non-Destructive Testing Standards Committee SAEP-1142
Issue Date: 4 December 2014
Next Planned Update: 4 December 2019 Qualification of Non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel

Appendix III - Saudi Aramco Required NDT Verification Examinations

MUT Manual UT (Shear Wave)

ToFD Time of Flight Diffraction
UTDI Ultrasonic Testing Data Interpreter
ACFM Alternating Current Field Measurement
ECT Eddy Current Testing
RFT Remote Field Testing
RTFI Radiographic Testing Film Interpreter
RT Radiography Testing
UTGW UT Guided Wave
AUT-P/L Automated UT Pipeline Girth Weld Scanning
AE Acoustic Emission – Tanks, Loading Arms and Valve Leakage
MFL-Tube Magnetic Flux Leakage Tube Examination
UTPA UT Phased Array
MFL Magnetic Flux Leakage
IRIS Internal Rotary Inspection System
LOTIS Laser Optic Tube Inspection System
EMAT Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducer
SLOFEC Saturated Low Frequency Eddy Current
DRT/CRT Digital RT/ Computerized RT
AUTCM AUT Corrosion Mapping, Ambient/High Temp.
AUT SWC/HIC AUT Stepwise Cracks/Hydrogen Induced Cracks
MFL-Tank Magnetic Flux Leakage Tank Floor Examination

Notes:

1. Other NDT techniques that are not listed in the above table may require Saudi Aramco qualification
examination. Saudi Aramco Inspection Department shall be consulted in case the NDT technique
sought for qualification is not listed.

2. The NDT verification examination result should indicate the area of application on the NDT
approval such as;

 Plate/Shell
 Piping
 Pipeline
 Nozzle
 Branch connections, i.e., T, K and/or Y.
 General
 Others (needs to be specified)

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