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SUBJECT: Notification of California Department of Transportation

Qualification Requirement for Ultrasonic Testing

Personnel

TEST SITE: CALTRANS

Bay Area METS Laboratory

690 Walnut Ave, Suite 150

Vallejo, California 94592

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has established a

policy that Caltrans qualify Ultrasonic Testing personnel, prior to

performing specified weld testing for designated Construction Contracts.

The purpose of the qualification program is to provide a means for

Caltrans to confirm the proficiency and knowledge of Ultrasonic Testing

Technicians performing work on Caltrans projects. This qualification

program consists of candidates passing a two-part test.

The Prime Contractor is responsible for submitting the applications of the

Quality Control Ultrasonic Test personnel to Caltrans. The attached

application, in addition to an electronic application copy, must be

completed and returned to:

CALTRANS UT QUALIFICATION PROGRAM

Quality Assurance and Source Inspection Branch

690 Walnut Ave, Suite 150

Vallejo, California, 94592

ATT: Jason Wilcox – Certifying Authority

jason.wilcox@dot.ca.gov

Fax Number: 707-649-5493

Applications must be received by Caltrans a minimum of five days prior to

the established exam date to be admitted to the scheduled exam.

Applications submitted to Caltrans for initial qualification testing will be

reviewed and verified. Candidates that meet the minimum requirements

specified in this letter will be tested in the order as received. The

candidates will be notified by mail or E-Mail correspondence of the

scheduled test date and location. The scheduled test date may be

rescheduled if a written request is received by Caltrans two working days

prior to the test date. If a candidate does not arrive at the test site, as

scheduled, the application will be marked as disqualified. The applicant

may reapply after the 30-day waiting period as allowed for disqualified

candidates.

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The first part of the qualification test consists of a written examination, and

the second part is a hands-on practical demonstration of ultrasonic

testing proficiency. Both parts will be based on the requirements of the

American Welding Society AWS D1.1-20 Code, Clause 8, Part F “Ultrasonic

Testing of Groove Welds”. The written specific examination will be given a

minimum of twice per month at the Caltrans Transportation Laboratory in

Sacramento, California or the Bay Area METS office located at 690 Walnut

Ave Suite 150 in Vallejo, CA. A maximum of ten people can take the test

on any given day. The written specific qualification examination will

consist of twenty multiple choice, and true or false questions. The written

examination will test the candidate’s ability to apply the rules of AWS

D1.1-20 Code. A maximum time duration of two hours will be strictly

enforced. A minimum of fourteen out of the twenty questions (70%) must

be answered correctly to pass the written test.

Caltrans will provide reference material to answer the code and

specification questions. The Caltrans provided reference material is a

laminated copy of AWS D1.1-20, Clause 8, and a Caltrans Standard

Specification book. Some questions will require calculations to determine

the correct answer. Candidates must bring a calculator and photograph

identification to the test site. The candidate shall not bring any additional

reference material to the test. A representative of Caltrans will proctor

the examination. The proctor for the written examination will be an

Engineer, Caltrans NDT Level III, or Caltrans NDT Level II Technician. The

results of the examination will be mailed to the candidate within seven

working days. The results will be reported as “pass” or “fail”. No

information regarding the results of the qualification test will be given on

the telephone. The examination questions will not be reviewed or

discussed with the applicants. The candidate is responsible for notifying

their employer of their test result status. Only candidates that pass the

written examination will be permitted to take the second part of the

qualification test.

Candidates that fail the written examination may apply for a subsequent

qualification test, after a thirty-day waiting period. The thirty-day waiting

period commences from the date noted on the result notification letter.

During this waiting period, the candidate shall receive additional training.

This additional training must be documented in a notarized letter signed

by an ASNT NDT Level III. This notarized letter must be attached to the

application, along with the qualifications of the Level III. Caltrans will

review the application for re-testing and notify the candidate of the

application disposition within ten days of receipt. The Certifying Authority

shall determine if the additional training is sufficient, based upon the

previous qualification test results.

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Candidates who pass the written examination will receive a scheduled

date for the practical demonstration, along with the results of the written

examination. The candidate must confirm or cancel the practical

demonstration within five days of the scheduled practical demonstration

date.

The second part of the qualification test is a hands-on practical

demonstration of the candidate’s ability to perform ultrasonic testing in

accordance with AWS D1.1-20, Clause 8, Part F “Ultrasonic Testing (UT) of

Groove Welds”. The practical demonstration will be conducted on two

separate weld sample plates. The candidate shall evaluate twelve linear

inches of weld, in each sample plate, in accordance with the

requirements of AWS D1.1-20 Clause 8.25 “Testing Procedures”.

The candidates must be capable of detecting, sizing, evaluating, and

reporting known ultrasonic indications in accordance with the criteria set

forth in AWS D1.1-20. Two separate reports (“Report of UT of Welds” Form

P-11, Annex P, AWS D1.1-20) are required for documentation of findings

and evaluation of discontinuities. Caltrans will provide the necessary

report forms.

The candidate shall bring the following items to the test site for the

practical demonstration examination:

• Scientific calculator

• Ultrasonic equipment (as specified in this letter).

• Photographic identification.

• Notification letter received from Caltrans.

The two weld sample plates are mock-ups of typical joints utilized in the

field welding of pile material. One sample is a double “V” groove joint

and the other sample is a single “V” groove joint with backing. The

sample welds have known ultrasonic indications that were evaluated and

qualified by a series of examinations conducted by Caltrans personnel,

consultants, and the test block manufacturer. Certain discontinuities have

been designated as “Required Detection Indications” that must be

detected and properly evaluated in order to pass the qualification test.

Candidates failing to locate, size, evaluate, and report the “Required

Detection Indications” are disqualified.

In addition to the “Required Detection Indications”, the candidates will be

evaluated on their ability to comply with the requirements of AWS D1.1-20,

Clause 8, Part F. The candidate will receive credits for the proper

completion of specific mandatory checkpoints. The checkpoint items are

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derived directly from the AWS D1.1-20 Code requirements. A minimum

score of seventy-percent (70%) is required for the hands-on demonstration

test. This evaluation will be scored by a Caltrans proctor, during the entire

practical demonstration. The proctor for the hands-on practical

examination will be a Caltrans Level III or an approved Caltrans Level II

NDT Technician. The composite average score of the written examination

and the hands-on practical demonstration must be equal to or greater

than eighty-percent (80%) for successful qualification.

The maximum time allowed for the practical demonstration is four hours.

During this four-hour period, the candidate is required to calibrate the

instrument, test both plates, and document the test findings. If the

candidate does not complete the above noted tasks within the allotted,

time he/she will be disqualified.

Results of the second part of the qualification test will be reported as

“pass” or “fail” only. The candidates will be notified by mail of their

qualification status within seven days after completion of the qualification

test. The results of the qualification test will be reported as “Qualified

Ultrasonic Testing Technician” or “Disqualified”. The results of the

examination will be sent to the candidate. The candidate is responsible

for informing their employer of their qualification status. Caltrans will not

accept telephone calls regarding the examination results.

Qualified technicians will be issued a wallet card with a qualification

identification number. This qualification will be effective for a period of

three years. Caltrans reserves the right to revoke this qualification if the

technician fails to maintain proficiency as determined by the Engineer. In

order to renew or recertify the qualification, the technician must submit to

Caltrans a current application, current eye examination, current employer

NDT certification, a notarized letter that details their work history for the

previous qualification period, and Caltrans Ultrasonic Testing Letter (if

applicable). Caltrans may renew the qualification if there is no lapse of

hands-on ultrasonic testing greater than six months, and if the technician’s

previous Caltrans work history is satisfactory, as determined by the

Certifying Authority. A 9-year recertification by practical exam is required.

The practical exam will evaluate you in the practical aspects of ultrasonic

testing and establish that your skills are current.

Disqualified candidates may apply for qualification testing after a thirty-

day waiting period. Disqualified candidates will be required to retake the

entire practical examination. The thirty-day waiting period commences

from the date noted on the disqualification letter. During this waiting

period, the candidate shall receive additional training and hands-on

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experience performing ultrasonic testing in accordance with the AWS

D1.1 Code. This additional training and hands-on experience must be

documented in a notarized letter signed by an ASNT NDT Level III. This

notarized letter must be attached to the application, along with the

qualifications of the Level III. Caltrans will review the application for re-

testing and notify the candidate of the application disposition within ten

days of receipt. The Certifying Authority shall determine if the additional

training and hands-on experience is sufficient.

The following is a summary of the minimum requirements for applicant

candidates and ultrasonic equipment:

Minimum Requirements for Candidate: Candidate’s certification and

experience level must comply with the following criteria:

1. Certified by employer as Level II UT Technician, in accordance with the

current American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), SNT-TC-1A

Guidelines.

2. Proof of formal Ultrasonic Testing training as described in the current

SNT-TC-1A.

3. Current eye examination as specified in the current SNT-TC-1A.

4. Documented work history for the current period of Level II certification.

5. Certifying Level III’s credential must be submitted with application.

Minimum Equipment Requirements: Candidates must bring the following

ultrasonic equipment and documents to the practical demonstration test:

1. Ultrasonic instrument meeting the minimum requirements of AWS D1.1-

20, Clause 8.21. The instrument must be qualified in accordance with

the requirements of AWS D1.1-20 Clause 8.23. Proof of current two-

month qualification of instrument gain control is required. Previously

stored calibrations may not be utilized during the qualification test. The

instrument storage will be cleared at the qualification test site. The

candidate shall be capable of calibrating and setting-up the

equipment for testing as required by AWS D1.1-20 and as stated in

ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A.

2. Angle beam search units meeting the minimum requirements of AWS

D1.1-20, Clause 8.21. Transducer frequency shall be between 2 and 2.5

MHz, inclusive. Transducer dimensions must comply with the

requirements of AWS D1.1-20, Clause 8.22.7.2.

3. Straight beam (longitudinal wave) search unit meeting the minimum

requirements of AWS D1.1-20, Clause 8.21.6

4. Couplant conforming to the requirements of AWS D1.1-20 Clause

8.25.4. With the following restrictions: The couplant material shall be

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Ultra-Gel or equivalent and in no case shall it be two-part cellulose

gum. This is to protect the test plates from corrosion.

5. AWS D1.1-20 Structural Welding Code (for the hands on practical

demonstration only).

6. IIW Calibration Reference Standard.

7. Measuring and marking materials.

Caltrans Provided Resources: Caltrans will provide the following resources

at the qualification test site:

1. Reference material for written test (laminated copy of AWS D1.1-20,

Clause 6, and Caltrans Standard Specification Book).

2. Test report forms for documenting findings.

Confidentiality Statement

Caltrans will require each qualifying candidate to sign a confidentiality

statement prior to testing. This requirement forbids the disclosure of any

information regarding the content

of the written test or flaw location and characterization. In addition, the

candidate may not take notes or remove any scratch paper from the test

facility. If Caltrans has reason to believe the integrity of the qualification

test has been jeopardized, the qualifications of the individuals involved will

be revoked.

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Application for Ultrasonic Qualification Testing

Name of Applicant:

Address:

Phone No:

Contract No:

Prime Contractor

Company Name:

Address:

Phone No:

Name of Contact Person:

Position and Title of Contact Person:

Nondestructive Testing Company

Company Name:

Address:

Phone No:

Name of Contact Person:

Position and Title of Contact Person:

All the information requested below must be submitted to be considered a

completed application. An incomplete application package submitted for

qualification will not be accepted or processed.

The application package shall include the following documentation:

1. A written practice conforming to ASNT-TC-1A

2. Proof of Education (diploma or degree)

3. Proof of Testing (the actual exams may be requested)

4. Documentation of Experience (list references and phone numbers)

5. Certification by employer as Level II UT Technician, in accordance with the

American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), SNT-TC-1A Guidelines

6. Proof of formal Ultrasonic Testing training as described in SNT-TC-1A

7. Current eye examination as specified in ASNT-TC-1A

8. Documented work history for the current period of Level II certification

9. Certifying Level III's credential

10. Certification by ASNT as ACCP Level II UT (optional).

I certify that the above provided information is true and accurate.

Signature:

Date:

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