In just one year, ASNT’s presence on Capitol Hill has grown in both size and substance. At our 2026 ASNT Day on the Hill, more than 60 participants joined us in Washington, DC—a significant increase from the inaugural year. Together, we conducted more than 150 meetings with congressional offices, committees, and federal agencies, including the US Departments of Labor and Transportation.

That growth is important. But what matters more is what happened inside those meetings.

Across the board, congressional staff were engaged, curious, and eager to learn. Many asked thoughtful questions about how nondestructive testing (NDT) connects to broader skilled trades, workforce development, infrastructure, and national security priorities. These were not one-sided conversations; they were productive, two-way discussions that helped position NDT as a solution to challenges policymakers are trying to solve.

Employers Are Driving This Momentum

One of the most important shifts this year was the level of employer engagement.

More companies are recognizing the value of advocacy and investing in sending their employees to Washington. That commitment matters. It ensures that policymakers hear directly from the people doing the work and facing workforce and operational challenges every day.

To the employers who supported their team’s participation: thank you. Your leadership is helping move this effort forward and ensuring that NDT has a stronger, more consistent voice in policy conversations.

Where Conversations Are Turning into Opportunity

This year’s meetings made one thing clear: policymakers are not just listening— they are asking how they can help.

Last year, most of our time was spent introducing NDT and explaining its role. This year, we saw a noticeable shift. Staff came prepared with questions, engaged in meaningful back-and-forth, and in several cases asked how they could collaborate with us more directly.

We were asked what specific language ASNT would recommend for upcoming legislation. That level of engagement reflects growing trust in our expertise and signals a move toward real partnership.

In other discussions, staff pushed deeper, asking us to walk through how NDT fits within real-world operations and how it connects to broader industry needs. These were not surface-level conversations. They required our members to translate technical expertise into practical, policy-relevant insights.

We also saw moments where our role was clarified in real time. In one exchange, a question about whether NDT falls within the skilled trades sparked a thoughtful discussion about training, career progression, and its application across industries. By the end, there was clear alignment on where NDT belongs and why it matters.

What stood out most was the level of curiosity and openness. Staff were not only listening but also asking informed questions and seeking ways to better understand how our industry fits into the broader workforce and infrastructure landscape.

That is progress.

It signals that we are beginning to establish ASNT as a credible, go-to resource for insight and guidance, exactly where we need to be to drive long-term impact.

Expanding The Conversation

Another encouraging takeaway was the number of offices that looked beyond awareness and asked how to take action.

There is growing interest in:

• Increasing workforce pipeline opportunities, particularly through apprenticeships

• Expanding awareness of NDT careers at the high school level

• Supporting veterans transitioning into civilian careers

• Addressing gaps in infrastructure testing and safety standards

In multiple meetings, staff noted that they had never been introduced to NDT before. That reinforces the importance of continuing this work. Awareness is still one of our biggest challenges, but it is also one of our greatest opportunities.

At the same time, we are beginning to see traction at the policy level. ASNT supported multiple pieces of legislation right after this Hill Day, submitting formal letters and engaging directly with congressional offices. Our input was included in legislative discussions and referenced in public communications, signaling that our voice is gaining recognition.

Strengthening Agency Engagement

In addition to congressional outreach, our engagement with federal agencies continues to deepen.

Discussions with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration reinforced the importance of aligning industry standards with regulatory frameworks. As ASNT continues its work to update SNT-TC-1A, coordination with agencies will be critical to ensuring both safety and workforce readiness.

We also had productive conversations with the US Department of Labor, particularly around the role of registered apprenticeships in addressing workforce shortages. There is clear alignment on the need to expand “earn-while-you-learn” pathways, and ASNT is actively developing a national NDT apprenticeship program to support consistent training and access Nationwide.

Across these discussions, workforce challenges remained a consistent theme—availability, training, and experience levels—and how these factors impact inspection quality and overall system safety.

Building Toward Long-Term Impact

The progress we have made in one year is meaningful.

We have increased participation. We have expanded our reach. And we are starting to build relationships that can lead to real policy outcomes.

But this is not a one-day effort. The conversations that started on Capitol Hill are continuing through follow-up discussions, additional outreach, and new opportunities to collaborate. We are also building the infrastructure to support this work long term, including expanding grassroots engagement and providing tools for members to stay involved in ways that work for them.

A Collective Effort

 What makes this work effective is the collective effort behind it.

Every participant played a role in advancing these conversations, whether by sharing technical expertise, explaining career pathways, or connecting NDT to real-world applications that impact public safety and infrastructure.

And every conversation helped move us forward.

Looking Ahead

We have come a long way in a short time. The momentum is real. Policymakers are listening. And more importantly, they are asking how to engage. Our focus now is to build on this progress, strengthen these relationships, and continue positioning NDT as a critical part of workforce, infrastructure, and innovation solutions.

There is more work to do—a lot more. But we are moving in the right direction.

Learn more about ASNT's advocacy initiatives and how you can get involved.