It may be a bit of a stretch, but doesn't it amount to the same thing when D1.1 allows inspectors to be called 'Welding Inspectors' even when they are not AWS/CWI's? Especially for a small company to call someone their QC person with a certain amount of experience, skills, and knowledge carries the same weight as a UT inspector qualified by a level III to his own in house standards that come short of 139.
And, depending on the work they are allowed to inspect, they can hone their skills while not endangering anyone.
Welders also. In house certifications meet many needs. Just not all. Some contracts call out stricter specifications for inspectors, NDT, and welders and also specify they be tested by an outside agency to a specific code for qualification. But, as you said, when not specified, and customers don't know or it doesn't really affect their work, why not?
I guess though Al, I take a little different approach to the answer of that. I feel it is just a better gauge of me and my employee's to have the correct certs completed by an outside source to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that we are up to the task. And, if a bigger, more restrictive code job comes along, we are already qualified to do it. No playing around trying to get everything taken care of while starting production on the job. And I feel the same about many of the NDT certs as well. I want the ones that really mean something to anyone truly interested in my qualifications.
Just my two tin pennies worth.
Have a Great Day, Brent