PCN Basic Level 3
In collaboration with Argyll Ruane
Why Attend This Course?
This is a guidance course aimed at the PCN Level 3 requirements for NDT practitioners to prepare them for the Level 3 Basic examination.
The main objective of the course is to make candidates fully aware of the scope of the examination and level of knowledge required, while also identifying their weak subject areas. Advice will be given on any further tuition required.
Special Note
Candidates should ideally hold a PCN Level 2 approval in 4 methods with at least 2 years’ experience in NDT/Inspection before attempting the course. See also the latest edition of PCN/GEN for the minimum requirements for examinations.
Candidates may be able to avoid certain parts of Level 3 Basic based on their current certifications, please refer to the latest edition of PCN/GEN or contact us for further information.
Argyll Ruane’s online training program offers students the flexibility to work and monitor their progress through the course at their own pace. This allows students to allocate more time and revisit specific areas of the course that they may not fully understand.
Assessments are provided to test knowledge, and students can attempt them as many times as needed. However, a minimum pass rate of 70% is required to advance.
Equivalent in-class training duration: up to 10 days
PCN Level 3 Basic offers excellent preparation for individuals aiming to advance to Level 3 certification, enhance their proficiency in various methods, and gain more experience in readiness for the examination.
Progress completion is denoted by a green tick next to each lesson, facilitating effective monitoring of progress.
Course notes are downloadable for viewing on a separate device or for printing for future reference.
Assessments follow each lesson and are marked complete upon achieving a 70% pass rate. Don’t worry, you can attempt these assessments as many times as needed, even if you exceed the 70% threshold.
The final assessment consolidates questions from all previous assessments to comprehensively review your learning and reinforce your knowledge.
The course is structured into modules to facilitate learning in manageable segments:
- Unit PRT1 – Casting
- Unit PRT2 – Wrought Products
- Unit PRT3 – Weld Terminology
- Unit PRT4 – Welding Processes
- Unit PRT5 – Steel Weld Metallurgy
- Unit PRT6 – Weld Defects
- Unit PRT7 – Mechanical Testing
- Unit PRT8 – Cracking
- Unit PRT9 – Other Processes and Technologies
- Unit PRT10 – Terminology
- Unit QA2 – Normative Documents
- Unit NDT1 – Non-Destructive Testing
The module is based on PCN/GEN ISSUE 13, which can be downloaded and referred to while you work through the assessment. Here are the units covered:
- Unit 1 – Scope
- Unit 2 – References
- Unit 3 – Terms and Conditions
- Unit 4 – Abbreviations
- Unit 5 – Duties and responsibilities
- Unit 6 – Levels of PCN Certification
- Unit 7 – Eligibility
- Unit 8 – Industrial NDT Experience
- Unit 9 – Vision Requirements
- Unit 10 – Qualification Examination
- Unit 11 – Examination Exemptions
- Unit 12 – Conduct of Examinations
- Unit 13 – Grading of Examinations
- Unit 14 – Re-examination
- Unit 15 – Publication of Examination Results
- Unit 16 – Certification
- Unit 17 – Validity of Certification
- Unit 18 – Revalidation
- Unit 19 – Complaints and Appeals
- Unit 20 – Change of Employer
- Unit 21 – Supplementary Examinations
- Unit 22 – Certification and Examination Records
- Unit 23 – Use and Misuse of Certificates
- Unit 24 – Transition between EN473; 2008, ISO 9712:2005 and EN ISO 9712:2012
The module is designed to refresh existing knowledge in a minimum of 4 Level 2 Main Methods, which include:
- Eddy Current Testing
- Magnetic Particle Testing
- Penetrant Testing
- Radiography
- Ultrasonic Testing
