Shad, the price of becoming certified is well worth it. Many Codes don't require "specific" certification for it's visual inspector's because there are so many methods; internal or company certification, of course the AWS CWI, CWB CSWIP, IIW, etc., etc. Back in the very early 1980's, D1.1 made a mandate that ONLY CWI's would be suitable for inspection personnel. After several lawsuits, you will see current requirements in D1.1 read like this:
If the Engineer elects to specify the basis of inspector qualification, it shall be so stated in contract document.
The acceptable qualification bases are the following:
(1) Current or previous certification as an AWS Certified
Welding Inspector (CWI) in accordance with the provisions of AWS QC1, Standard and Guide for Qualification and Certification of Welding Inspectors, or
(2) Current or previous qualification by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) to the requirements of the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) Standard W178.2,Certificatìon of Welding Inspectors, or
An engineer or technician who, by training or experience, or both, in metals fabrication, inspection and testing, is competent to perform inspection of the work.
ASME also leaves the method of selecting the basis for qualification of VT staff up to the employer however if it is code stamp work you can bet the Authorised Inspector (AI, ANI, etc) will be checking as will Customer's who may audit facilities.
That said, just because some of the codes are non-specific, there are many reasons for wanting certified people.
As jon say, there are plenty of reasons to become certified.
Here in europe we have to comply to PED, PED is a very strict set of guidelines which has to be followed when making new pressure equipment with an operating pressure >0.5 bar
One funny thing, PED does not require any specific education/certification for the inspectors (the examiners has to be certified AND approved by a third party body) which in theory means that when a company build a new 200 bar P91 steam line they can select who ever they think is suiteble for the inspections.
Most clients however require some kind of education/certification.
I have rejected some inspectors the contractor brought in, they were certified but had little experience (and I myself has been rejected a few times)
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