been going down a rabbit hole reading about inspection work — NDT, confined space entry, all of that. keep running into the same thing I can’t figure out.

sensors, cameras, ultrasound, drones — all of it exists. but at some point someone still has to go in. and from what I can tell it’s not always a reach problem. sometimes the equipment gets there fine, the data comes back, and a person still has to go in anyway because the data alone isn’t enough to make the call.

is that right? or am I reading this wrong?

I’m a cs student and this is something I’m genuinely working on — not a class assignment. what got me into it was reading about confined space incidents. people going into tanks with bad air, divers in conditions that ground everyone else, inspectors on ropes in spaces that had no business having a person in them. every time I traced back why the person had to be there, it kept coming back to the same thing. I want to understand that thing.

whether you’ve been doing this 3 months or 30 years — what have you personally run into where the remote data wasn’t enough and you had to go in yourself? what did being there get you?

any context welcome. I’ve been reading about UT on jet engines, storage tank floor inspection, underwater bridge work, LNG vessel spaces. but nothing beats hearing it from someone who’s actually been in these spaces.

this isn’t about replacing inspectors. the judgment that comes from doing this work is exactly what I’m trying to understand. I just keep thinking about whether the people going into genuinely dangerous spaces to confirm something already half-known have to keep doing that forever.

Edit:
Thanks all of the feed back helped immensely. If you have any feed back or something I can learn. Feel free to add comment it
-Really grateful

cheers

Been doing NDI for about 6 years now, since i was 18. Did 2 1/2 years on the Industrial side, been doing aerospace ever since then. But recently i’ve started missing the life style of industrial NDI, traveling, per diem, seeing new people all the time over time, etc. I’m going to get my NAS410 eddy current soon, making around $39/hr. But been thinking of going back to industrial once i have it.

I work a steady 40hr week schedule, rarely ever any overtime, pretty good PTO and decent benefits where i work. 24 yrs old, single, no kids right now.

Current Certs:
NAS 410 MT LV2
NAS 410 & ASNT PT LV2
ANST UT LV2
Enough RT OJT to certify

Thoughts?

Oh Geez.. No I'm not going to lie for you... Oh darn... it's already sent to engineering... dang itttt

Hi everyone, i would like to get advice/perspective on what my options are. A little bit of background I am CGSB UT 2 MT 2 and almost PT 2(just missing some hours exams are all passed). I am currently working for a small firm in Ontario, but I want to change jobs. What are my options? Should I go for shutdown work down ouest? Try to get in nuclear?

State carded helper here. Experience in RT, CR/DR Profiles, MT, and UT.

Need to move back to central texas area...family members health not doing well. Does anyone know any inspection companies in the Killeen/Austin area?

Willing to be up to 1 and ½ hour drive from Killeen

Thanks so much!!!!

AI keeps saying my frontend dev experience (10 years) will help me get a head start in NDT in terms of my hireability. Anyone agree that my technical background could move the needle for someone coming in at entry level looking for their first job? I'd be based in Utah. I'd have hopes of getting trained and hired by Acuren - how realistic is that?

Ok lemme answer the first question "why tf u wanna do inspections instead of being an operator" its still on the table which ever hits first.

Anyways Im in the pipeline for an apprenticeship with TEAM industrial and its been almost 3 weeks a buddy of mine sent my resume to an area rep for tem at the refinery he works at (he's also an inspector). In addition they just picked up some turnarounds.

I guess my main question is when could I possibly get an interview and does it normally take this long to get, at minimum, an interview. Also how do ptech grads look to hiring teams in this sector.

Just a caveat I plan to stay with whatever hits first for as long as they'll have me so I could also use some tips to put the hiring panel at ease that im not gone in a month when an ops job hits.

Thank you!

Has anyone taken the CR ckass with worldspec? How is it? Is there any other study material or q&a's to study out there?

Bonjour NDT inspecteur MT2 CGSB.

J'ai mon examen de MT2 CGSB à CMQ trois rivières Québec si quelqu'un à déjà passer par cette étapes svp me donne plus de détails sur les pièces qui a inspecter les toutes informations pertinentes qui aides à la réussite...

Très bien apprécié..

Lmk what you see. Just a lil disagreement

Hi everyone,

I am a prospective overseas applicant preparing for Australian skilled migration as a Non-Destructive Testing (Ultrasonic Testing) Technician. I would highly appreciate advice from anyone who has completed the VETASSESS assessment or successfully obtained PR in this occupation.

Here is my clear situation and my key questions:

My Background

1. Bachelor graduate from China (non-engineering major, unrelated to my future trade).

​

2. I plan to obtain UT Level 2 certification and accumulate 1–2 years of full-time relevant NDT working experience in China.

​

3. I will apply for VETASSESS skills assessment as an overseas applicant (no Australian study or local work experience).

My Core Questions (very targeted)

1. VETASSESS Eligibility

Does Chinese domestic UT Level 2 certification + 1–2 years full-time offshore working experience fully satisfy the skill requirement for a positive VETASSESS outcome for NDT Technician?

​

2. Major Irrelevance Impact

My university degree is irrelevant to engineering or NDT. Will this affect my skills assessment result or future EOI invitation?

​

3. Work Experience Recognition

Are mainstream industrial NDT working experiences in China (pressure vessel, machinery, steel structure ultrasonic testing) fully recognized by VETASSESS for this ANZSCO occupation?

​

4. Realistic PR Pathway

For offshore NDT technicians with positive VETASSESS, which visa pathway is more practical: 190 State Nomination or 491 Regional Visa? Is this occupation still in demand for 2026–2027?

​

5. Common Rejection Risks

What are the most common reasons for VETASSESS rejection or partial assessment for overseas NDT applicants from China?

Thank you so much for your help! I only want real experienced cases instead of agent marketing answers.

So I started working here in fort Mac for about a month as a labourer at suncor just doing man watch for tanks. With that I’ve gotten to speak with NDT inspectors a lot and have been very interested. I’ve got a lot of mix advice and would like some guidance on how to approach the next steps, this job finishes in early November, and I am a local to Edmonton, my plan was to go to nait to take their NDT course, math and materials pre req, and then UT, as I’ve been told I should focus on that so basically my questions are

- Should I just do the UT course training?
- Since I have the time off do more? Like MT as well?
- After course training how can I go about getting work hours for level 1 reqs?

There’s prob a lot more im curious about but that’s the main gist, any and all tips appreciated

Neat free tool to 3D model a piping iso. Can export it, GPS lock it, or align it with the real deal for measurements.

I’m preparing for the state test’s combo exam, but it’s been challenging to get my company to provide me with study guides. Can anyone suggest some resources that can help me pass the exam?

Just graduated from school I have experience and and qualifications in UT/RT/DR-CR under SNT-TC-1A as well as NAS410, I'm currently in the bay area CA reach out to me to connect and chat!

Hello!

Okay, first off, "new" is maybe a bit of an understatement haha...

I just got accepted into ATDM for the NDT pathway, and my cohort is starting relatively soon! I'm pretty excited! ... But I have absolutely no experience in the field. Or with any trades, to be honest.

Whilst I'm somewhat passable at mathematics and science stuff, the greatest credentials I currently possess are my OSHA 10 training and being a college dropout... :P

I'm perseverant though!

I just figured I should ask if any of you seniors (not in ATDM or necessarily in age, but like in the industry itself) have any advice for someone getting started on this pathway!

Recommended certs, career connections, locations, study materials/resources, or really anything at all! (Stuffs like: clothes y'all like on the job, food/snacks you take in a pinch, people / businesses you would avoid specifically, red flags, smells or residue that bothered your pets or family, ect..) (also of note that ATDM requires 1-2 years of defense industry/submarine associated work for the US government, so that might change some of the pathways available to people in my situation)

Anything and everything is greatly appreciated!

Albeit, I'd presume y'all receive these questions a lot so I totally understand if no one answers, I'll just be browsing stuff myself anyways!

Thank you so much! I look up to y'all and look forward to materializing in the same field as you someday! Maybe we'll event work on a project together! :D

Hello, I’m beginning my API 570 studying and I’m
Curious to see if anyone has implemented or used any AI system to help study for the big test!

Anyone use one if these? I dont really wanna be shaving all the time when needing to have face fits etc I used to use one at an old job I was wondering if any of you use one thats not too bulky when getting in tight spaces instead of a normal mask I also wear glasses so they steam up when wearing a half mask... maybe an air fed hood and then just slap my helmet and torch on top

Currently working in a warehouse and dying. I have a degree but in an unrelated field.

I learned about NDT and found theres a school that can get me ut, mt, pt, 1 and 2 within a month. Its about $3k-4k cost. Does that sound worth it to you guys?

I worry about spending that money and taking a month break from my current job only for that to get me nowhere. The school is called TXNDT I talked to a guy there for a while and it seems legit

This is just a weird field that I've never really heard anyone talk about irl before so I dont want to dive in headfirst into potentially shallow water.

I graduated in computer engineering technology 2024 and currently working in a test (electronics) lab for an aerospace Defense company for 1 yr now and thinking of getting into nuclear sector, hoping to get into nuclear lab cuz it pays better and more secured. I saw a 1 yr fast track program for non destructive evaluation. Wondering if it’s worth pursuing this or it will make me start rock bottom again since I’m neglecting my electronics experience and education.