“Every part gets inspected visually — whether or not anyone was trained to do it.”
Visual Testing is the oldest and most widely used nondestructive test method — and the one most often done badly. It uses the inspector's eye, aided by lighting, magnification, mirrors, borescopes, and measuring tools, to find surface conditions such as cracks, corrosion, porosity, weld discontinuities, misalignment, and handling damage before they become failures. Because VT requires no consumables and no complex equipment, it is typically the first method applied to a part and often a prerequisite to every other method that follows.
Done correctly, VT is a disciplined, documented process governed by written procedures, light-level requirements, surface preparation, and defined acceptance criteria. Certification under SNT-TC-1A, 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 VT Level 1 and Level 2 training built to those requirements, taught by a Responsible Level III with 30+ years in aerospace and industrial NDT.
VT Level 1 (SNT-TC-1A) · $249
For technicians new to visual inspection or documenting Level 1 training hours. Covers vision requirements, lighting and surface conditions, tools and aids, common discontinuities, and inspecting to a written procedure. Online, self-paced, start any time. Includes quizzes, final exam, and a certificate of documented training hours.
VT Level 2 (SNT-TC-1A) · $349
For inspectors ready to interpret and evaluate, not just report. Covers acceptance criteria, evaluating and disposing indications, weld and casting discontinuities, equipment and measurement, and writing and approving VT procedures. Online, self-paced, start any time. Includes quizzes, final exam, and a certificate of documented training hours.
Visual Testing Qualification Requirements
VT Level 1 & 2 (SNT-TC-1A) · $549
Both courses in one enrollment. The full path from vision requirements 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 certificate of documented training hours.
Certification is issued by your employer, not by a school. SNT-TC-1A recommends the training and experience below; your employer's written practice sets the actual requirement and may exceed it.
Going straight to Level 2? A candidate with no Level 1 time must meet both levels combined — 24 training hours, 210 hours in the method, and 400 total NDT hours. The VT 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.