The nondestructive testing (NDT) industry is standing at a critical crossroads. Faced with rapid technological advancements and a growing workforce shortage, the systems used to train and certify NDT professionals must evolve to keep pace.

ASNT Content Strategist Haley Cowans recently sat down with ASNT Chief Global Strategy Officer Paul Lang to discuss the future of the NDT landscape, the impact of artificial intelligence, and how ASNT’s certification programs are adapting to meet the industry's changing needs.

Here are the key takeaways from their conversation regarding the future of NDT certification.

The Power of Industry Collaboration

To tackle these widespread challenges, ASNT participated in the inaugural NDT Week in January, bringing together ASNT, ASTM, and AWS. Because issues such as global supply chain disruptions, new technologies, and workforce shortages are not confined to a single organization or industry, this collaboration enabled the industry's standard-setting bodies for NDT to align their philosophies.

By sharing perspectives, these organizations can deliver the industry's best possible products and prevent confusion about training and certification standards. The next NDT Week is already scheduled to take place in Miami, Florida from 24–28 January 2027.

AI and the Evolving NDT Skill Set

As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning become more prevalent, there is natural anxiety about technology replacing human jobs. However, Lang emphasized that in the NDT world, AI is here to enhance an individual’s capabilities, not replace them. Because NDT is fundamentally tied to safety and quality, the human element—the inspector or evaluator who makes the final decision—remains essential.

However, the required skill sets will undoubtedly shift. Lang predicts that the next generation of NDT professionals will need:

• Digital Competencies: A strong foundational understanding of digital tools and data-assisted analysis.

• Model Validation: While technicians may not need to build AI models themselves, they will need the skills to properly validate them along with their proper use.

• Advanced Communication: Because the digital world requires moving and interpreting large amounts of data, soft skills like communication will become increasingly critical.

Accelerating the Workforce Pipeline

Currently, it can take up to a year and a half to fully train, certify, and have a new NDT professional actively working in the field. Lang notes that this timeline is not sustainable for the future workforce.

To lessen this gap, training must become more nimble and flexible. This includes moving beyond traditional classroom settings to incorporate online and virtual training modalities. Looking five to ten years ahead, Lang foresees a shift toward micro-credentialing or task-based certification. This model would allow technicians to quickly learn and qualify for specific tasks, enabling them to work and provide immediate value to their employers while simultaneously progressing toward their full method certification.

Elevating Standards: Updates to ASNT 9712 and SNT-TC-1A

ASNT is also actively updating its core certification programs to include higher quality and greater accountability.

ASNT 9712, while built on the ISO 9712 framework, has elevated specific requirements to enhance the overall skill set of certified individuals. For example, ASNT mandates a psychometric process for both written and practical exams, requires an 80% passing score on practical specimens (compared to the standard 70%), and is stricter regarding experience reductions. The program is currently focused on global expansion to meet the ever-increasing international workforce that is required to be competent and mobile, leveraging facilities in India, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, while adding methods such as phased array and time of flight diffraction (TOFD) ultrasonics.

To address weaknesses often found in employer-based NDT programs—such as ethical issues, misuse, and inconsistencies—the 2024 edition of SNT-TC-1A features cleaned-up language and definitions. It also includes a new addendum with changes coming in the 2028 edition and an appendix regarding Employer-Based Certification (EBC) to drive what the industry is actively demanding: stronger NDT programs with increased transparency, accountability, and oversight.