“A crack that runs parallel to the field doesn’t exist as far as the inspection is concerned.”
Magnetic Particle Testing finds surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials by magnetizing the part and applying iron particles that gather at flux leakage fields. A crack, seam, lap, or inclusion interrupts the magnetic field and pulls the particles into a visible or fluorescent indication many times wider than the discontinuity itself. It is fast, inexpensive per part, and tolerant of thin coatings and rough surfaces — which is why it dominates weld, forging, casting, and in-service inspection anywhere the material will hold a magnetic field.
The method's weakness is direction. A discontinuity only shows when the magnetic field runs across it, so every part must be magnetized in at least two directions and every technique choice — longitudinal or circular, continuous or residual, wet or dry, AC or DC — changes what the inspection can find. Field adequacy, amperage, particle concentration, and lighting all have to be verified, not assumed. Certification under NAS 410 or an employer's written practice requires documented training hours, experience, and examination — including a current near-vision and color-contrast test. AMS Level 3 provides MT Level 1 and Level 2 training built to those requirements, taught by a Responsible Level III with 30+ years in aerospace and industrial NDT.
MT Level 1 (NAS 410) · $329
For technicians new to magnetic particle inspection or documenting Level 1 training hours. Covers magnetism and flux leakage, magnetization methods and field direction, equipment types, wet and dry particles, fluorescent and visible systems, lighting and inspection conditions, demagnetization, and processing to a written procedure. Online, self-paced, start any time. Includes quizzes, final exam, and a dated record of training hours.
MT Level 2 (NAS 410) · $329
For inspectors ready to interpret and evaluate, not just process. Covers technique selection and field adequacy verification, amperage and coil calculations, system performance and process control checks, evaluating and disposing indications, discontinuities by product form, and writing and approving MT procedures. Online, self-paced, start any time. Includes quizzes, final exam, and a dated record of training hours.
magnetic particle Qualification Requirements
MT Level 1 & 2 (NAS 410) · $599
Both courses in one enrollment. The full path from magnetism fundamentals through procedure writing, with training hours documented for each level separately so your employer's Level III can credit them independently. Online, self-paced, start any time. Includes quizzes, final exam, and a dated record of training hours.
Certification is issued by your employer, not by a school. NAS 410 sets minimums an employer's written practice cannot reduce. Requirements shown reflect the current revision of NAS 410.
Level 2 hours assume the candidate already holds Level 1. A candidate qualified directly to Level 2 with no Level 1 certification must meet the doubled requirement shown in the third column. The PT Level 1 & 2 enrollment covers the training side of that path in one purchase.
AMS Level 3 delivers the classroom hours — and documents them.
Your training hours arrive in a dated record formatted for your employer's Level III to file. Work experience is earned on the job. Certification is issued by your employer, and we don't sell what we can't issue.