June 3, 2003 -- Columbus, Ohio, USA -- The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) and AWS signed an agreement, effective 28 May 2003, permitting Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) and Senior Certified Welding Inspectors (SCWI) to transition to the ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) without additional examination. All AWS Certified Welding Inspectors and Senior Certified Welding Inspectors holding valid certificates are eligible to apply for transitioning through the 30 September 2003 application deadline.

ACCP provides visual inspection certification in accordance with ASNT Recommended Practice No.SNT-TC-1A. It is the most widely referenced NDT program document and is specified in codes and standards worldwide, most notably by ASME. Significantly, the ACCP certificate permits the holder to work under numerous codes, standards and specifications.

CWIs and SCWIs who transition will be issued ACCP VT Level II in the Visual Testing for the Direct Visual Inspection technique under the ACCP General Industry (GI) Sector. A Remote technique may be applied for as well. The Remote technique covers fiber optics, boroscopes, and computer-assisted and other remote viewing equipment. To add the technique, applicants must provide additional documentation. The GI Sector is for personnel performing general inspection tasks in multiple industries.

For a listing of codes and standards either directly, or indirectly, referenced by ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A refer to http://www.aws.org/pr/june3-2003.html

Applications and more information may be found at the ASNT Web site at http://www.asnt.org/certification/accp/transition.htm