The document summarizes Brazil's certification systems for non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel and welding inspectors. For NDT personnel, there are two levels - Level 2 technicians perform tests, interpret results, and write reports, while Level 3 technicians prepare procedures and may coordinate projects. Welding inspectors also have two levels - Level 1 inspectors monitor work and ensure procedures are followed, while Level 2 inspectors qualify procedures and sign welding documents. Both systems are overseen by professional associations and inspectors have certification numbers that can be verified online. Procedures and reports require signatures according to the inspector's qualifications and applicable codes.

1. Brazilian certification system for NDT and welding inspectors,
and usual requirements for welding documents
This document was prepared to explain the Brazilian system for qualification and
certifications of Non Destructive Test personnel and welding inspectors, and thereafter
will help to define how our documentation system and the relationship with
subcontractors regarding welding and NDE documents will work, for Brazilian welding
works.
1 – NDE personnel
In Brazil, the NDE personnel are qualified according to the code “NBR – NM ISO 9712
Non-destructive testing – Qualification and certification of personnel” and the
responsible organization to qualify the inspectors is called ABENDI (Brazilian
association of nondestructive tests and inspection). This system is called SNQC-END
(national system of qualification and certification – nondestructive testing) and the
qualified professional has a number that can be checked at www.abendi.org.br if this
professional is really qualified and if the qualification is valid.
EXAMPLE:
If you check the number 10.451 will appear:
Name: JOAO VITOR BARBOSA SILVA – SNQC-END: 10.451 LP-N2-G
Qualified Method: LP-N2-G (penetrant liquid inspector)
There are two levels of NDT inspectors. (for PT, MT, RT, UT and more)
 LEVEL 2: The person responsible to make the tests and interpret the results
and judge as acceptable or not, according to the approved procedure. Is the
responsible to prepare and sign the reports.
Example:
o LP-N2-G (penetrant liquid inspector)
o PM-N2-S-Y (magnetic particle inspector)
o EV-N2-S (welding visual examination inspector)
o US-N2-S2.1 (ultrasound inspector – welding examination)
o US-N1-ME (ultrasound inspector – thickness measure)

2.  LEVEL 3: The responsible to prepare and sign the procedures for nondestructive
testing, according to the method that he is qualified. In some cases, is who will
coordinate the NDT services and the inspectors team.
Example:
o LP-N3 (penetrant liquid)
o EV-N3 (welding visual examination)
o PM-N3 (magnetic particle)
 Documents: Procedures and Reports
The example below shows how the procedures and reports are signed:
1 – Welding Inspectors
In Brazil, the welding inspectors are qualified according to de code “NBR 14842
Requirements for qualification and certification of welding inspectors” and the
responsible organization to qualify the inspectors is called FBTS (Brazilian foundation
of welding technology). This system is called SNQC-IS (national system of qualification
and certification – welding inspectors, in Portuguese IS means “Inspetores de
Soldagem) and the qualified professional has a number that can be checked at
www.fbts.org.br if this professional is really qualified and if the qualification is valid.
EXAMPLE:
If you check the number 8794 will appear:
Name: JOAO VITOR BARBOSA SILVA – SNQC-IS: 8794 N1
Qualified Method: welding inspector level 1

3. There are two levels of Welding Inspectors, 1 and 2:
 LEVEL 1: The professional hired by the subcontractor who is responsible to
follow the welding works and assure that the procedure are being used, makes
visual inspection, analyzes the charts of PWHT, receive welding consumables
and materials, doing the respective inspection, to execute the hardness test on
welded joints if required, follows the welders test’s qualification and another tasks
depending on the scope of the service.
All subcontractors doing welding services needs to have their own welding
inspector level 1. The quantity required will depend of the size on the work.
 LEVEL 2: The responsible to qualify the welding procedures, preparing and
signing the welding documents (WPS’s, PQR’s, WPQR’s, List of qualified
welders) according to the code that he is qualified.
The welding inspector level 2 can sign only welding documents regarding the
code that he is qualified, and should be punished if does not respect this
condition.
Applicable Codes
API 1104
API 650
ASME B31.1
ASME B31.3
ASME B31.4
ASME B31.8
ASME B31.2
ASME VIII DIV 1
ASME VIII DIV 2
AWS D1.1
Example:
o If you will build a oil storage tank, will be necessary a welding inspector
level 2 qualified at least in two codes, in this case API 650 (for the tank)
and the welding procedures for ladder and platform assemblies,
handrails, stairways, and other miscellaneous assemblies, but not their
attachments to the tank, shall comply with either AWS D1.1.
Usually the subcontractors doing welding services have a welding inspector
level 2 as a consultant. Depending on the size of the work could be necessary
that the subcontractor hire a welding inspector level 2 for full time job.

4. In cases where the contractor has the qualified WPS’s, like POSCO on the CSP
project, the subcontractors need the welding inspector level 2 to qualify welders
and weld machine operators, who will prepare the applicable documents. So, this
professional could be paid to do only this kind of service.
The welding inspector level 2 (Brazilian system) could be compared to the welding
engineer (international system – AWS or IIW)
 Documents: Procedures and Reports
The example below shows how the procedures and reports are signed: