PCN GEN - PCN AERO

UK National Aerospace NDT Board

NANDTB/10 – Policy on recognition of PCN Aerospace Certificates for NDT personnel operating under EASA Part 145
In accordance with the requirements within EN 4179, the NANDTB is entitled to recognise equivalency, and in this regard the UK National Aerospace NDT Board has agreed to recognise that the PCN/GEN Appendix A (aerospace sector) certificates issued after 28 November 2004 satisfy the qualification criteria of EN 4179 until 31 March 2011, after which date only certificates issued under PCN/AERO (which superseded PCN/GEN Appendix A on 1 April 2006) will be recognised by the Board as satisfying the qualification requirements of EN 4179.

It remains the responsibility of the Nominated Level 3 (as defined in the UK CAA Generic Requirements – GR 23) to determine whether additional job-specific training and examination, covering the NDT processes and products utilised by the employer, is required.

Transition from PCN GEN Appendix A to PCN AERO
Important information for holders of PCN Level 2 and 3 Aerospace certificates

PCN Aerospace certificates issued as a result of examinations commenced on or before 31 March 2006 were issued under the rules defined in PCN/GEN Appendix A, and would be eligible for renewal without examination using document CP16 after 5 years. However, the UK Aerospace NDT Board, which controls PCN Aerospace examinations, has decided that it will recognise certificates issued under PCN/GEN Appendix A rules only until 31 March 2011.

With effect from 1 April 2006, all PCN aerospace examinations – and certification – were in accordance with PCN/AERO, and on that date PCN/GEN Appendix A was withdrawn. PCN/AERO complies with the qualification criteria of EN 4179, which does not allow renewal without examination and requires recertification every 5 years through examination.

All holders of PCN certification issued under PCN/GEN Appendix A should therefore make preparation for conversion of their existing PCN/GEN Appendix A (Aerospace) certification by recertification under PCN/AERO during the transition period to 31 March 2011.