PCN confirms availability of TFM certification as a technique within ultrasonic testing
28/09/2026
The total focusing method (TFM) has now been formally incorporated into the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing’s (BINDT's) PCN ultrasonic testing (UT) certification framework. The change provides industry with a recognised route for demonstrating competence in this increasingly established advanced ultrasonic inspection technique.
The requirements are contained within PCN24/GEN/APP/UT Issue 03, April 2026, which introduces specific PCN examination arrangements for total focusing method ultrasonic testing (UT-TFM), covering both weld applications and multi-sector certification.
Under the revised PCN structure, TFM sits within the conventional ultrasonic testing (UT) method as an advanced technique, alongside phased array UT (UT-PA) and time-of-flight diffraction (UT-TOFD).
TFM certification is currently available at PCN Levels 2 and 3. Importantly, TFM is not intended to replace the fundamental competence established through conventional UT certification. Candidates seeking UT-TFM certification must first hold the appropriate conventional UT certification for the level and product sector in which TFM certification is sought.
The principle is straightforward: TFM certification builds upon an established conventional UT competence; it is not a standalone route into ultrasonic testing. This prerequisite is significant for both employers and candidates, as a PCN candidate cannot simply undertake a TFM course and proceed directly to TFM certification.
For Level 2 TFM, this means holding a current UT Level 2 certificate in the applicable product sector; for Level 3 TFM, the prerequisite is UT Level 3. BINDT's general requirements also identify UT Level 2 and UT Level 3, respectively, as the minimum prerequisites for UT-TFM.
This approach reflects the technical requirements confirmed within the training requirements for techniques detailed in Annex F of BS EN ISO 9712 and as replicated within PCN24/GEN. The techniques for TFM introduce advanced data acquisition, imaging, reconstruction and interpretation capabilities; however, it is essential that the practitioner must already understand the fundamental principles of ultrasonic testing, calibration, sensitivity, material behaviour, defect response and examination methodology prior to being accepted for specific technique training for TFM.
For candidates who already hold the appropriate conventional UT certification, BINDT's general requirements specify additional training for the technique. For UT-TFM, the recommended additional training requirement is ten days for Level 2 and five days for Level 3.
These training requirements are additional to the training requirements for the underlying UT method. It is also worth noting that where a candidate is successful and certification for TFM is issued, certification in the technique remains linked to the validity of the main method certification.
The additional training seeks to provide candidates with both the theoretical understanding and practical competence necessary to use TFM appropriately. This includes areas such as full matrix capture (FMC), beam forming and reconstruction, imaging modes, calibration and sensitivity, amplitude fidelity, data acquisition, display optimisation, indication characterisation and sizing and practical examination of relevant components.
Training provider Lavender International has assisted BINDT in introducing the PCN TFM programmes and has been offering TFM training for advanced UT inspectors for several years, including practical work covering FMC data collection, TFM modes, plane wave imaging, weld and corrosion applications and hands-on examination using TFM equipment.
One of the most important aspects of the new certification route is that completion of the additional TFM training and success in the PCN examination are not, in themselves, sufficient for certification. PCN24/GEN/APP/UT specifically requires additional practical industrial experience to be demonstrated when an existing certificate holder adds a further technique or product sector.
In accordance with BS EN ISO 9712, the additional experience for a new technique is based on the candidate demonstrating at least 25% of the experience specified for the certification required in the conventional method.
For those employers planning to introduce TFM into their inspection activities, it is important to note that the additional experience needs to be genuine industrial experience in the relevant application and must be appropriately documented. BINDT provides PCN24/PSL30 (Log of industrial NDT experience) for recording the necessary experience.
As an illustration, the conventional UT experience requirements in PCN24/GEN include 45 days for Level 1, 135 days for Level 2 when progressing through Level 1 and 180 days for direct Level 2 access. The 25% technique-related requirement is then applied to the relevant baseline. In the case of an already certified PCN Level 2 certificate holder (180 days), the candidate seeking certification for TFM would be required to provide to PCN an additional 45 days of verified practical industrial experience within the UT technique – TFM.
Consequently, candidates and employers should not regard the additional TFM course as a substitute for practical experience. Rather, the training develops the additional knowledge and skills that candidates need to gain the required industrial experience and apply TFM competently in the workplace.
The revised UT appendix establishes dedicated practical examination requirements for TFM.
For TFM weld certification, candidates must practically test examination specimens supplied by the examination centre. They must demonstrate that they can acquire data for subsequent interpretation and, where applicable, sentencing. BINDT specifically identifies both data acquisition and data interpretation as fundamental elements of the practical examination.
For the initial plate/pipe weld examination, candidates are required to examine a minimum of two weld specimens selected by the Authorised Qualifying Body (AQB), together with a lamination plate. The additional 3.8 nozzle category requires a supplementary examination due to the increased complexity associated with TFM inspection of nozzle welds.
BINDT has also introduced a multi-sector UT-TFM certification route, covering welds, castings and wrought products. Candidates seeking this certification must demonstrate practical competence across all three product types, including a minimum of two weld specimens, one casting and one wrought-product specimen.
These arrangements underline the purpose of the new certification, in that it is intended to demonstrate practical competence in applying TFM, rather than simply demonstrating knowledge of the underlying technology.
The introduction of UT-TFM also provides an opportunity for BINDT-Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and AQBs to support existing UT personnel through the transition to formal certification. The delivery of UT-TFM training and examinations is open to all ATOs and AQBs that already deliver UT training in conventional and advanced techniques. ATOs and AQBs wishing to take up this option must apply for ATO/AQB extensions to scope before adding UT-TFM to their training and examination portfolios.
Organisations already delivering supplementary TFM training and/or associated PCN examinations should ensure that their programmes and examination arrangements are aligned with the latest PCN requirements. Candidates should confirm with their chosen ATO or AQB that the relevant TFM training and PCN examination are being delivered within the organisation's current scope of approval.
Lavender International, for example, already provides TFM training and examination services, with its published Level 2 programme covering ten days of training, including one examination day, and offering initial, resit and recertification examination options. Its published prerequisite is existing UT Level 2 certification in welds, consistent with the fundamental PCN principle that TFM builds upon existing UT competence.
Candidates should nevertheless check the current BINDT-approved status and scope of the ATO/AQB before booking. BINDT publishes current lists of ATOs and AQBs, while its PCN examination information identifies the AQBs and examination centres currently authorised to conduct PCN examinations.
For an existing UT Level 2 practitioner, the route to TFM certification can therefore be summarised as:
- Hold the appropriate conventional UT Level 2 certification: the certification must cover the relevant product sector for which TFM certification is required.
- Complete the required additional TFM training: BINDT's current guidance specifies ten days of additional training for Level 2 UT-TFM.
- Obtain relevant industrial TFM experience: additional experience must be demonstrated in accordance with PCN24/GEN/APP/UT and BS EN ISO 9712; normally, at least 25% of the applicable conventional UT; in this instance, at Level 2, this shall be 45 days.
- Maintain appropriate records of experience: the experience should be recorded and verified using the applicable BINDT documentation, including PCN24/PSL30 where appropriate.
- Apply through an appropriate BINDT AQB and undertake the PCN examination: the examination includes the relevant theoretical and practical elements, with TFM data acquisition and interpretation forming important parts of the practical assessment.
- Certification follows when all eligibility, examination and experience requirements have been satisfied.
The formal introduction of TFM into the PCN UT framework represents an important step in establishing a consistent, independently assessed competence standard for this technology.
For employers, the new certification route provides a clearer means of specifying competence when TFM is incorporated into inspection procedures. For existing UT practitioners, it provides a structured progression from conventional UT into an increasingly sophisticated ultrasonic technique.
The key message is that TFM certification should be viewed as an extension of established UT competence, not as an alternative to it. Candidates will need the appropriate conventional UT certification, additional technique-specific training, relevant industrial experience and successful completion of the applicable PCN examination.
Candidates and employers considering TFM certification should refer to the latest versions of PCN24/GEN, PCN24/GEN/APP/UT and the relevant BINDT application and experience documentation, as these requirements are subject to revision as the PCN Scheme develops. BINDT's PCN24 document download area provides the current controlled versions of these documents.
BINDT's current PCN documentation and examination centre information are available through the BINDT certification pages. Training organisations such as Lavender International can also provide guidance on the supplementary training and examination route available to existing UT certificate holders.
