Radiography Testing Level I

Course Overview

Radiographic Testing Level I is a foundational course designed for individuals pursuing certification in radiographic testing (RT). It addresses the training requirements outlined in certification standards such as NAS-410, SNT-TC-1A, and NavSea Technical Publication T9074-AS-GIB-010/271, and follows the topical outlines defined in ANSI/ASNT CP-105.

Through structured learning, students gain a solid understanding of RT principles, radiation physics, equipment operation, image quality, and radiation safety. When paired with hands-on training under the guidance of a Level II or III, this course satisfies the total required training hours for Level I certification. Upon successful completion of all course materials and exams, learners receive a training certificate—an important document to retain throughout one’s NDT career.

Upon Completion, Learners Will Be Able To:

• The history of radiography and the advantages and disadvantages of RT
• Mathematics for radiography and calculator operation
• Properties of matter, the atom and its parts, elements, and periodic table notations
• Ionization; alpha and beta particles and gamma and x-rays; electron volts; photo-electric effect; Compton scattering; pair production; Units of radiation exposure in air; gamma source emissivity; X-Ray output
• Gamma radiation; Isotope production; gamma source properties; activity and half-life; calculations for half-life; agreement and non-agreement states; advantages and disadvantages of gamma ray radiography; gamma source projectors; double encapsulation; collimator
• X-Ray generation; Bremsstrahlung process; Scatter; parts of x-ray tube; intensity and Kv of tubes; heel effect; characteristic x-rays; transformers and generators; rectification; warm up requirements; focal spot size; filtering at the tube; high-energy x-ray sources
• Radiographic quality; film processing; sensitivity and quality of radiograph; types of IQIs; film structure, film handling, and film artifacts
• Intensifying screens and cassettes; multiple film load techniques
• Radiographic sensitivity, contrast, and definition; characteristic curves; latitude; unsharpness; protection and detection of scatter radiation; geometric unsharpness formula and rules of shadow formation
• Measuring radiographic quality; IQI details and uses; placement of IQI; shims for hole-type IQIs; exposure charts; density requirements; step wedge strip for densitometer calibration; calculation of minimum source to film distance
• Non-film imaging devices; line pair gauge; EN-465 gauge; resolution and contrast sensitivity verification
• Sources of radiation in society; ionizing radiation; tissue damage mechanism from radiation; radiation exposure units; dose calculation; Code of Federal Regulation (CFR); state and NRC control of radiation licenses; ALARA; dose limits for radiation workers and public; radiation effects and variables; acute and somatic effects; restricted area, radiation area and high radiation area limits and posting requirements; types of facilities
• Methods of protection against radiation, including time, distance, and shielding; dose calculation, inverse square calculations, and definition; shielding by ½ and 1/10 value layer and definitions, and calculations
• Radiation safety equipment and monitoring devices; survey meter types, calibration and measurement limits; pocket dosimeter; TLD, OSLD and film badges; alarming rate meter; area alarms
• Required surveys for radiation work; labeling of sites and equipment; gamma ray container types and radiation limits; vehicle requirements for various levels of radiation; truck storage limits; shipping requirements; storage surveys
• Daily and quarterly maintenance checks, leak testing, and x-ray machine labels
• Reports, records, and notifications per NRC regulations; licensing requirements
• NRC training requirements for radiographers and radiation safety officers; periodic observation by RSO
• 10-CFR-37 regulations
• Radiographic variables such as changing Ma, Ci, Kv and distance
• Qualification and certifications documents and SNT-TC-1A review

Meet the Instructor

Questions? Contact us at education@asnt.org

This training will meet most certification documents for Level I Radiographic Testing such as SNT-TC-1A, and encompasses the subject matter listed in ANSI/ASNT CP 105 outline for radiographic testing certification. Please verify that the employer’s written practice (document for certification of NDT personnel) allows for online training. Upon satisfactory completion of all training material and exams, a training certificate will be issued. Please secure this document in a safe location, as it may be needed multiple times throughout your career.

Note: Please note the contact hours being awarded for this course.  To meet the training requirements in SNT-TC-1A, CP-189, and NAS-410, the student must complete the eLearning course and the necessary practical lab/hands-on sessions. These lab sessions must be overseen and documented by a Level III to ensure the required training hours are fulfilled.