tncwi ,
Which methods will you be pursuing? What field of weld inspection will you be working? Also notice that TC-1a has a certain amounts of education/experience required to achieve any levels of certification(similar to your CWI). Get a copy of SNT-TC-1a:96 and see what education is required before pursuing the methods you choose.
You have to train under a qualified (min) Level II and the employer will have a training program to give you the experience/education to achieve the Levels of certification. Level I personnel can only work under a Level II or Level III. Usually the employer's written program/policy will spell out the requirements because SNT-TC-1a is only a guide for the employer to establish their written program/policy and it contains the only the minimums that should be included in the program/policy. So the employer could elect to go further than what is recommended by SNT-TC-1a and require more education/experience.
If I can help answer questions about the methods that I am current in, let me know, I would be glad to help.(Level II in UT,MT,PT,and CWI) For UT some trig. math skills will be very helpful in determining sound path and locating indications.
Good Luck with your NTD and congrats on your CWI,
John Wright