PCN News

Qualifications & Certification Talk

PCN Level 2 renewal customer satisfaction survey

All individual comments received are collated and reviewed and then considered when the Certification Services Department revises its strategic plan for documentation and processes.

More surveys regarding the department’s processes are in progress and will be published in due course.

Results from the survey so far are shown below:

Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with  the renewal process?	How would you rate the customer service received from  the Certification Services Department?
How responsive has the Certification Services Department been  to your questions/concerns during your renewal process?	How likely are you to use the renewal process for revalidation of certification in the future?

Certification Services will shortly be releasing the PMI Scheme for qualification of personnel who perform NDT applications of a limited nature with positive material identification. 

Further details will soon be available at: www.bindt.org/certification/pcn-exam-requirements-and-document-download

PCN online examinations

PCN has been working on a project to implement online examinations. The project is due to be rolled out in the UK during 2019.

The Certification Services Department is happy to report that it has reached its highest number of condition monitoring certificate holders since the scheme began. Since January 2018, the number of certificate holders has increased by 9% due to the continued input and development from working group members and stakeholders. 

For more information on CM certification, visit: www.bindt.org/COMADIT/CM-Certification

Revalidation of certification

Options for revalidation:

• Renewal by the paperwork method, direct to PCN (only for issue 1 certificates (CP16 and CP17)).
• Recertification by examination, direct to the Authorised Qualifying Body (AQB) (for issue 1 and issue 2 certificates).

• Revalidation can be initiated six months prior to expiry;
• Revalidation must be no later than six weeks prior to expiry: – Recertification exams must be sat no later than six weeks prior to expiry
  – Renewal applications must be submitted to PCN no later than six weeks prior to expiry.

• Deferred approval – PSL/28, current fee £85.00 + VAT (please always refer to PSL/35 for the latest fee). The PCN certificate holder will apply for deferred approval from BINDT, up until the expiry date of their certificate. Following receipt of the approval letter, the PCN certificate holder must then apply to an AQB for a recertification exam. This does not extend the certificate. 
• Late approval – PSL/28, current fee £190.00 + VAT (please always refer to PSL/35 for the latest fee). The PCN certificate holder will apply for late approval from BINDT if their certificate has already expired. The late approval can be submitted up to ten months after the expiry of the certificate. Following receipt of the approval letter, the PCN certificate holder must then apply to an AQB for a recertification exam. This does not extend the certificate.

Product technology questions in PCN examinations

It is recognised that there will be a period of several months required for the ATOs and AQBs to implement the necessary changes to training and examination processes after the procedures have been issued.  

Alternatively, the PCN Verifier app can be downloaded at: www.bindt.org/publications/ndt-apps
PCN NDT certification data is updated in real time as a new qualification is issued. This also includes PCN CM certification.

Approved PCN stamps

BINDT offers candidates the opportunity to purchase an approved form of stamp, which, when used in support of the usual signature, will positively identify the PCN certificate holder reporting the results of tests or authorising NDT instructions and procedures.

Two models of stamp are available:

• Self-inking stamp.
 Approximate dimensions: 95 x 50 x 40 mm. Cost: £28.50 plus VAT.
 You can now include your PCN methods and levels – prices start at £28.50 plus VAT. 
Please note that this cost depends upon the amount of information to be added. For further pricing information please contact us by emailing: pcn@bindt.org
• Rubber stamp.
 Requires separate ink pad (not supplied). Approximate dimensions: 70 x 30 x 25 mm. Cost: £22.00 plus VAT.
• New! Coloured ink pads for self-inking stamps.
 Now available in red, green or blue at a cost of £3.50 including VAT.

PCN rules state that a PCN ID (wallet) card is only valid for ten years, after which it will need to be renewed. 

The PCN rules also state that a certificate is only valid when signed by the PCN certificate holder and presented with an ID (wallet) card bearing the photographic image of the certificate holder. Wallet cards must be valid when presented with the certificate. 

BINDT Certification Services will continue to check ID card validity, for example when applications are submitted.

To renew your ID card, please complete and submit form PSL/18, which is available to download from the BINDT website using the following link: www.bindt.org/Certification/pcn-exam-requirements-and-document-download

New PCN AQBs/ATOs 

Up-to-date contact details for all Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) can be found on the BINDT website at:www.bindt.org/education-and-training/bindt-approved-trainers

Up-to-date contact details for all Authorised Qualifying Bodies (AQBs) can be found on the BINDT website at: www.bindt.org/downloads/PSL4.pdf