Overview
ISO/TS 25108:2018 - Non-destructive testing (NDT) - NDT personnel training organizations - defines requirements and recommendations for organizations that deliver NDT training. The Technical Specification harmonizes and maintains the general standard of training for NDT personnel to meet industrial needs and establishes minimum requirements for structured training that ensures eligibility for qualification examinations and third‑party certification (referenced standards such as ISO 9712).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Training management: appointment of persons responsible for overall course and quality management.
- Quality management system (QMS): documented QMS required; ISO 9001 cited as an example; systems must be controlled and periodically reviewed.
- Curriculum and course notes: master, revision‑controlled training notes and course outlines aligned to ISO/TS 25107 and ISO 9712; maintain theory/practical balance.
- Practical training ratio: for Levels 1 and 2, practical exercises should represent 50 ± 10 % of minimum training time.
- Student induction & assessment: clear admission requirements, fees, logistics; ongoing assessment and counselling; traceable statement of completion including trainers and final evaluation.
- Facilities and equipment: adequate classrooms, PPE, and NDT instruments; sufficient equipment so students can perform exercises (max two students per exercise) and documented maintenance/verification.
- Training specimens: adequate number and complexity of specimens; records of real/artificial discontinuities and their characterization.
- Instructors & training staff: defined competence, training, and evaluation of effectiveness.
- Records and library: training records, technical standards, certification scheme documents, and relevant publications must be available.
- Distance education / e‑learning: Annex B provides guidance on remote delivery and safeguards for exam integrity.
- Normative references: ISO 9712, ISO/TS 25107, ISO/TS 18173.
Practical applications - who uses it
- NDT training providers designing compliant courses and syllabuses.
- Certification bodies and examiners assessing eligibility for ISO 9712 qualification exams.
- Employers and procurement teams evaluating training quality for workforce qualification (manufacturing, aerospace, oil & gas, power generation, infrastructure).
- Regulators and accreditation bodies defining requirements for recognized training organizations.
- NDT instructors and curriculum developers implementing best practices for practical training, assessment and e‑learning.
Related standards
Using ISO/TS 25108:2018 helps standardize NDT personnel training, improve training quality, and support consistent pathways to third‑party certification for safe, reliable industrial inspection.
