As long as the inspectors qualifications are documented and acceptable to the client, all is good. Generally, qualification involves a record of the inspector's training, relevant work experience, and examinations. AWS has a document, B5.2, that addresses the inspection specialist and the systems that need to be in place. It defines an employer based certification process and is modeled after SNT-TC-1A.
It all boils down to the customer's acceptance of your "qualification" process.
Al
Good Day,
Many QC and NDT programs have allowances for employer specific training, experience, testing and qualification. These allow for the employer to train specifically for their needs.
CWI's get a lot of education in industry sectors that they will never work in and aren't applicable at least immediately if ever. Same with NDT techs who get qualified through ASNT and not a Level III working with the employer.
The spec that Al mentioned, B5.1, for AWS/CWI applications and SNT-TC-1A for ASNT applications provides an avenue whereby an inspector may be educated, trained, and qualified for the work at hand without the broader, deeper, more intensive testing required to attain CWI or Level II status.
The third provision you mention is very often accepted by customers as long as there truly is a legitimate program in place.
Customers can always stipulate other provisions which can usually be met on a temporary basis by hiring a local independent CWI to perform all final inspections and make sure in progress work is acceptable. It may even be arranged for the customer to hire them as a Verification Inspector representing them and not you. That is the procedure used for many structural building projects and the same can be incorporated into the equipment codes as well.
He Is In Control, Have a Great Day, Brent