Frequently Asked Questions

NDT Connect is a marketplace connecting asset owners with certified non-destructive testing (NDT) service providers and freelance inspectors. Browse and compare providers, post a job, and receive quotes — free to use.

Create a free account, post a service request with your scope, or browse the provider directory by location and method. Providers respond with quotes and availability, usually within 24 hours.

Yes — browsing providers, posting jobs, listing a provider/inspector profile, and the calculators and reference content are all free. There is no subscription or listing fee. See the pricing page for details.

Register a free account, set up your profile with certifications, methods and service areas, and start receiving inspection requests. Listing is free.

Yes — providers are registered across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, India, Asia-Pacific, Africa and Oceania, with content for 220+ cities.

You can track inspection requests from booking through completion — inspector dispatch, on-site progress, and digital report delivery — through the platform.

All major methods: Ultrasonic (UT), Radiographic (RT), Magnetic Particle (MT), Liquid Penetrant (PT), Eddy Current (ET), Visual (VT), plus advanced Phased Array UT (PAUT), TOFD, Guided Wave and MFL. See the methods hub for guides on each.

Ultrasonic (UT) uses sound waves and needs single-sided access; Radiographic (RT) uses X-/gamma rays and usually needs two-sided access. UT excels at thickness and crack sizing; RT gives a permanent image of internal/volumetric defects.

PAUT uses multi-element transducers that electronically steer and focus the beam, giving superior imaging, faster coverage and better defect characterisation than conventional UT — and no radiation exclusion zone.

It depends on the defect (surface vs volumetric vs wall loss), material, access and governing code. Surface cracks → MT or PT; buried flaws → RT/UT/PAUT/TOFD; wall loss → UT thickness/MFL. See the "how to choose an NDT method" guide.

Magnetic particle (MT) detects surface and slightly sub-surface flaws in ferromagnetic steel; penetrant (PT) detects surface-breaking flaws on any non-porous material including stainless and aluminium.

Providers verify their certifications (ASNT, ISO 9712, PCN, API, etc.) and qualifications. Look for the Verified badge, which means the credentials were checked against the relevant rosters.

Yes. NDT personnel are certified to recognised standards such as ASNT SNT-TC-1A, ASNT ACCP, ISO 9712 or PCN. The specific requirement depends on industry, location and the applicable code.

SNT-TC-1A is an employer-based recommended practice (the employer certifies personnel). ISO 9712 / PCN are third-party central schemes where an accredited body certifies the individual, making the certification portable between employers.

It varies by method and prior education, but the standards set minimum classroom training hours plus documented on-the-job experience per method, followed by a passing examination.

See the training hub for NDT training and certification (Level I-III) across major US and international inspection hubs, with local providers and exam-prep paths.

Cost depends on method, scope, location, access and urgency — roughly $125-$375/hr for visual up to $400-$1,300/hr for phased array. Use the cost estimator or see the inspection cost index, or post a job for real quotes.

Verify accreditations (ISO/IEC 17020, API Q1 where applicable), personnel certifications, calibrated equipment with traceable records, and adequate insurance. Quote the same scope to 2-3 providers and compare on price basis, certification and availability.

For a clearly defined scope, vetted providers typically quote within 24-48 hours.

Oil & gas, aerospace, power generation, manufacturing, marine & offshore, construction, mining, automotive and more. See the industries section for method and code detail per sector.

Expect general liability (commonly $1-2M), professional indemnity, and workers compensation; for radiography, a radioactive-materials licence and radiation-liability coverage. Request current certificates before mobilisation.