Section 50. Examination for an inspector's certificate of competency

A. Examination for an inspector's certificate of competency in accordance with the requirements of § 40.1-51.9 of the Code of Virginia shall be held at the office of the commissioner or at any other location selected by the commissioner, four times each year, on the first Wednesday and Thursday of March, June, September and December.

B. An applicant for an examination shall have a minimum of five credit points accumulated under the following subdivisions:

1. Education (1 credit minimum, 4 credits maximum)

		Category	Credit Points
	a. Technical Training in Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspection (1 pt. maximum)		1
		Includes any of the following:
		Continuing Education: Having completed and received a passing grade in a training course in at least one of the following (or related) subjects: quality assurance, engineering, fabrication methods, nondestructive examination or inspection. The training course(s) may be a correspondence course or conducted in a classroom.
		Coded Courses: Completion of a course on knowledge, understanding and general structure of the National Board Inspection Code OR other codes or related standards, as applicable.
		Other Courses: Completion of a course on procedures and techniques of auditing, and/or basic inspection methods.
	b. Technical Curriculum:		2
		Includes any of the following:
		A diploma from an accredited technical school,
		Power Engineering certificate,
		Accredited Trade Certificate in such skills as a welder, boilermaker, mechanic, steam fitter, machinist or millwright,
		Evidence of completion of a military or merchant marine training course in the area of marine or stationary boilers or pressure vessels.
	c. College/University		3
		Includes any of the following:
		Associate's Degree in science, mathematics or engineering
		Bachelor's Degree in Science or Mathematics
	d. College/University		4
		Bachelor's Degree in engineering

2. Experience (1 credit minimum, 4 credits maximum)

Credit as shown for each full year's technical experience associated with boilers and pressure vessels in the categories listed below.

	Category	Credit Points/ Each full year of experience
	a. Engineering, design.	1
	b. Manufacturing, including fabrication methods or processes in either shop or field.	1
	c. Responsible charge in the operation of boilers exceeding 50,000 pounds of steam per hour total capacity.	1
	d. Perform repair, alteration or maintenance of boilers or pressure vessels.	1
	e. Quality control system related to boiler or pressure vessel manufacturing, repair or alteration in either shop or field.	1
	f. Inspection of boilers and pressure vessels either inservice or during construction including either shop or field.	1
	g. A Nondestructive Examination Level II examiner of boilers and pressure vessels.	1

C. Applications for examination shall be in writing on a form furnished by the commissioner stating the education of the applicant, a list of his employers, his period of employment and position held with each employer.

D. Applications containing willful falsifications or untruthful statements shall be rejected.

E. If the applicant's education and experience are acceptable to the examining board, he shall be given a written examination dealing with the construction, installation, operation, maintenance and repair of boilers and pressure vessels and their appurtenances, and the applicant shall be accepted or rejected on the merits of this examination.

F. If the applicant passes the written examination, a certificate of competency may be issued by the commissioner, when the inspector is employed by an authorized inspection agency as defined in 16VAC25-50-10.

G. After 90 days, an applicant who fails to pass the examination will be permitted to take another written examination and his acceptance or rejection will be determined on the basis of this examination. Applicants who fail to obtain a passing grade on the examination after three attempts shall not be permitted to take the examination for at least one year following the last attempt.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR425-01-75 § 2.4, eff. July 1, 1974; amended, eff. November 1, 1978; July 1, 1991; September 1, 1993; Volume 15, Issue 05, eff. January 1, 1999.

Statutory Authority

§ 40.1-51.6 of the Code of Virginia.