PCN News
CERTIFICATION SERVICES DIVISION

PCN Level 3 Certification - Scopes of Competence

CAB/05/M2 action 2005/07 – approval of CP17 issue 3 (report from the 22nd March 2006 AQB Workshop). Mr Thompson explained the changes in the document CP 17 Issue 3 Rev A, after discussions it was agreed that all UT Welds L3 certificates would show the scope of the practical examination, It was suggested that a mailshot to all L3 holders who do not hold a L2 certificate explaining the practical element and strongly recommend that if they are involved in practical NDT they should also hold a valid L2 certificate.
Are You Aware of the Conditions of Validity of PCN Certificates?

In order for your PCN certificate to remain valid, you must:

• undergo an annual test for visual acuity and retain proof that you can read Jaeger number 1 letters at not less than 30 cm in at least one eye, corrected or uncorrected (PCN document PSL/44 refers);

• maintain continuity, without significant interruption, in the application of your certificated competence;

• in the case of certification for industrial radiography, hold valid PCN basic radiation safety certification (or an alternative acceptable to PCN);

• abide by the code of ethics which is published as CP27 (see below), and which is binding on all PCN certificate holders.

Failure to notify PCN of a breach in any of the above could invalidate your certificate!

CP27 : Code of Ethics for PCN Certificate Holders

Individuals certified within the PCN Scheme must recognise that personal integrity and professional competence are the fundamental principles on which their testing activities are founded. Accordingly, it is a condition of PCN certification that certificate holders shall undertake to:

1. comply with this code of ethics;
2. undertake only those non-destructive testing assignments for which they are competent by virtue of their training, qualification and experience;
3.

only sign documents for work of which they have personal professional knowledge and/or direct supervisory control;

4. engage, or advise the engagement of, such specialists as are required to enable assignments to be properly completed;
5. conduct themselves in a responsible manner and utilize fair and equitable business practices in dealing with colleagues, clients and associates;
6. at all times, be aware of and uphold the provisions/ requirements of codes, regulations and standards under which they are working;
7. immediately report to their supervisor/employer any perceived violation(s) of codes, regulations or standards. In the event that their supervisor/employer provides no satisfactory explanation or takes no corrective action, the certified individual shall report the situation direct to the British Institute of NDT;
8. perform their professional duties with proper regard for the physical environment and the safety, health and well-being of the public;
9. protect to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the well being of the public and the provisions of this code of ethics, any information given to them in confidence by an employer, colleague or member of the public;
10. avoid conflicts of interest with the employer or client, but when unavoidable, forthwith disclose the circumstances to the employer or client;
11. strive to maintain their proficiency by updating their technical knowledge as required to properly practice NDT in the certified methods and levels.
12. indicate to the employer or client any adverse consequences which may result from an overruling of their technical judgment by a non-technical authority;
13. not falsify nor permit misrepresentation of their own or their associate’s academic or professional qualifications, training, experience or work responsibilities;
14. refrain from making unjustified statements or from performing unethical acts which would discredit the PCN scheme;
15.

immediately report to the British Institute of NDT any perceived violation(s) of this code of ethics;

16. immediately report to the British Institute of NDT any attempt to pressure or force an individual certified under the PCN Scheme to violate this code of ethics;
17. inform their employer in the event that their PCN certificate is suspended, cancelled or withdrawn.


Employer’s Responsibilities In Connection With PCN Certification

The employer ‘introduces’ the candidate to the certification body or the authorised qualifying body and documents the validity of the personal information provided on the examination application form (PSL/57), including the declaration of training and experience required for the eligibility of the candidate.

With regard to PCN certificated persons, the employer is responsible for:
  • establishing a documented procedure for the qualification and authorisation of NDT employees (a written practice);
  • providing job-specific training, if necessary;
  • issuing written operating authorisation(s); 
  • verifying annually the NDT employee’s visual acuity in accordance with PSL/44, and 
  • verifying continuity in the application of the NDT method without significant interruption.

A self employed individual must assume all responsibilities ascribed to the employer.

PCN Certification of Personnel Using Ultrasonic Instruments

Are you aware that there is a PCN qualification for personnel carrying out material thickness measurement using standard ultrasonic instruments and thickness gauges? Further information on this is contained in E8 which can be downloaded from PCN document downloads.