In the Non-Destructive Testing industry, your certifications and experience are your currency. But before you can demonstrate your skills in a hands-on practical test, you need to pass the first, most critical inspection: the resume review. A hiring manager may spend only a few seconds scanning your resume before deciding if you’re a candidate worth talking to.

A powerful NDT resume does more than just list your work history; it’s a marketing document that sells your value as a skilled professional. It needs to be clear, concise, and strategically designed to highlight the specific skills and qualifications that NDT employers are looking for.

Whether you’re writing an entry level NDT resume with no field experience or you’re a seasoned Level III, this guide will provide a step-by-step framework and NDT resume examples to help you craft a document that gets noticed and lands you the interview.

The Foundation: A Clean, Professional Format

Before we get into content, let’s talk about structure. Your resume must be easy to read. A hiring manager should be able to find your most important qualifications in seconds.

• Keep it to One Page: For all but the most experienced Level IIIs with decades of experience, a single page is the standard.
• Use a Clean Font: Stick to professional, easy-to-read fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman in a 10-12 point size.
• Use Clear Headings: Use bold headings like “Professional Summary,” “Certifications,” “Experience,” and “Skills” to create a clear, logical flow.
• Proofread Meticulously: Typos and grammatical errors are a major red flag that suggest a lack of attention to detail—a fatal flaw for an NDT technician.

Section by Section: Building Your NDT Resume

1. Contact Information

This seems simple, but get it right. Include your full name, city and state, phone number, and a professional email address. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile.

2. The Professional Summary or Objective

This is the first thing a hiring manager will read. It’s a 2-3 sentence “elevator pitch” that summarizes who you are and what you offer.

• For an Experienced Technician (Professional Summary):
  • What it is: A summary of your key qualifications and experience.
  • Example: “ASNT certified NDT Level II technician with over seven years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Specialized in advanced ultrasonic testing (PAUT/TOFD) for critical weld inspection and pipeline integrity. Proven ability to work safely and efficiently in high-pressure turnaround environments.”
• For an Entry-Level Candidate (Objective):
  • What it is: A statement of your career goals and your key attributes.
  • Example: “Motivated and mechanically inclined individual seeking an NDT Trainee position. Recently completed 80 hours of formal classroom training in MT and PT. Eager to apply a strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to safety to build a long-term career in the nondestructive testing industry.”

3. The Certifications Section

In NDT, your certifications are your most important qualification. This section should be prominent, clear, and placed right after your summary so a hiring manager sees it immediately.

• How to Format: List your certifications clearly. State the method, the level, and the certifying body or standard.
  • Example:
    NDT CERTIFICATIONS
    • ASNT NDT Level II – Ultrasonic Testing (UT), SNT-TC-1A
    • ASNT NDT Level II – Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), SNT-TC-1A
    • ASNT NDT Level II – Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT), SNT-TC-1A
    • AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) – Certificate #123456

4. The Professional Experience Section

This is the core of your resume. Don’t just list your duties; showcase your accomplishments using bullet points. Start each bullet point with a strong NDT resume action verb.

• The Key: Quantify Your Experience. Numbers add scale and credibility to your work.
  • Instead of: “Performed ultrasonic inspections on piping welds.”
  • Write: “Performed and interpreted UT shear wave inspections on over 2,500 feet of critical piping welds in accordance with ASME B31.3.”
  • Instead of: “Wrote inspection reports.”
  • Write: “Generated over 300 detailed and code-compliant inspection reports, maintaining a 100% on-time submission rate.”
• Example for an NDT Level II Resume:
  NDT Technician Level II | ABC Inspection Services | Houston, TX | 2019 – Present
  • Performed UT, MT, and PT inspections on pressure vessels, piping, and structural steel in refinery and chemical plant environments.
  • Successfully completed inspection scopes on 5 major turnarounds, consistently meeting tight deadlines.
  • Mentored and provided on-the-job training for 3 NDT Trainees, guiding them to achieve their Level I certifications.
  • Maintained a perfect safety record with zero recordable incidents over 8,000 hours worked.
• For an NDT Trainee Resume with No Experience:
  If you don’t have direct NDT experience, use this section to highlight transferable skills from other jobs.
  Construction Laborer | XYZ Construction | Your City, USA | 2020 – 2022
  • Operated hand and power tools in a safety-critical environment, adhering strictly to all OSHA regulations.
  • Assisted skilled craftspeople by preparing materials and work areas, demonstrating a strong ability to follow detailed instructions.
  • Praised by supervisors for reliability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic.

5. The Skills Section

This section is a quick, scannable list of your specific NDT-related skills. It’s a great place for keywords that an applicant tracking system (ATS) might be looking for.

• What to Include:
  • NDT Methods: UT (Shear Wave, PAUT, TOFD), RT (Film, CR/DR), MT (Yoke, Bench), PT (Visible, Fluorescent), ET, VT.
  • Code & Standard Knowledge: ASME Section V, AWS D1.1, API 1104, NAS 410.
  • Technical Skills: Equipment Calibration, Flaw Detection & Sizing, Report Writing, Procedure Interpretation.
  • Soft Skills: Teamwork, Communication, Attention to Detail, Problem-Solving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should I put my OJT hours on my resume?
Yes, especially if you are a trainee or a newer Level I/II. You can add a line in your summary or under your certifications like: “Documented 1,200+ hours of on-the-job training in Ultrasonic Testing.”

What if I only have classroom training?
If you have no experience for your NDT resume, your training is your experience. Put your Education and Training section at the top, right after your Objective. Detail the courses you took:

• Formal NDT Training | NDT Training Institute | Dates
  • Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) – 40 Hours
  • Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) – 40 Hours

Your resume is your first test. It’s a direct reflection of your professionalism and attention to detail. By creating a clean, strategic, and accomplishment-driven document, you can ensure you pass that test with flying colors and get the call for the interview you deserve.

Ready to get your new resume in front of the right people? Upload your resume to the NDT-Jobs.com platform and connect directly with top employers who are hiring now.