This topic has previously been discussed and debated in length; don't know the thread number but it should still be here... anyway, from my own personal experience, in working primarily with the ASME Codes, the only Code we work with which REQUIRES an ASNT-TC-1a VT is ASME Section III, Subsection NF (nuclear pipe/component supports). That is definately not saying that things won't change but I haven't run into the requirement elsewhere.
As for your Level III REQUIRING an "in-house" test, that's also pretty normal in my experience; just as MOST company's will not accept previous welder qualifications MOST company's Level III's also require their inspector's to qualify to their written practice. Naturally, there are exceptions in both cases.
So, I guess to sum things up, if my employer had not offered to pay for my ACCP VT, I would not have paid for cross certification on my own but have always been a firm believer that more is usually better especially if the boss is paying for it! ;-)
I have found that the pressure equipment endorsement may be useful as a qualification basis in countries outside of the USA.
Hope this helps and ducking to take cover from all of the counter opinions!
As jon20013 mentioned, it depends on the work you do or will run into. My background is structural steel and bridges and I have never seen a client not accept a CWI in that type of work. When I have seen references to a VT level II, the spec was usually written by someone with ASME experience who is covering all the bases because they aren't necessarily sure what is required.
If the VT cert would help me on a project, then I would go for it. No harm in having it if your budget allows for it. But strictly speaking for myself, I would need to see a real need for the certification first.
By all means, you ought to look for the previous threads on this subject. A lot was said about it.
Chet Guilford
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