Industrial radiographers are the backbone of many NDT operations. They are the technicians on the front lines, responsible for producing clear, interpretable images while handling powerful radiation sources. When hiring an RT Level II, you are looking for more than just a certificate; you are searching for a technician who possesses a deep-rooted, uncompromising commitment to safety, combined with the technical skill to perform the job correctly every time.

This interview kit is designed to help you identify that candidate. It moves beyond basic theory to probe the three areas that define a top-tier radiographer: technical proficiency, an impeccable safety mindset, and the ability to apply their knowledge in a practical, real-world setting.

What to Look For in an RT Level II: Beyond the Certification

A valid RT Level II certification is the entry ticket, but it’s not the grand prize. The certification verifies that a candidate has met the minimum requirements for training, experience, and examination. Your interview process must determine if they meet your standards. A truly competent RT Level II is:

• Technically Proficient: They understand the physics of radiography and know how to apply them to create high-quality images.
• Safety-Obsessed: Safety is not just a chapter in a book for them; it is the foundation of every action they take on a job site.
• Reliable and Detail-Oriented: They follow procedures meticulously, maintain accurate records, and can be trusted to work independently.

Part 1: Technical & Procedural Interview Questions

This section will assess the candidate’s core understanding of radiographic principles and their ability to apply them.

Image Quality and Technique

1. How do you calculate geometric unsharpness (Ug), and what are the three main factors you can control to minimize it?
   • What to listen for: They should identify the formula (Ug = Focal Spot Size * Object-to-Film Distance / Source-to-Object Distance). More importantly, they should identify the three controlling factors: use the smallest possible focal spot, place the film as close to the object as possible, and maximize the distance from the source to the object.
2. You’ve just processed a film, and the image is too light. What are five potential causes for this?
   • What to listen for: A systematic approach to troubleshooting. Potential answers include: insufficient exposure time (mA or time), low tube voltage (kV), excessive source-to-film distance, film placed backward in the cassette, or issues with processing chemistry (depleted, wrong temperature, or insufficient development time).
3. You are looking at a radiograph with low contrast. What technique adjustments could you make on the next shot to improve it?
   • What to listen for: An understanding of the relationship between kilovoltage and contrast. The primary method to increase contrast is to lower the kV. They might also mention using lead screens or filters to reduce scatter radiation, which also improves contrast.

Codes & Acceptance Criteria

1. Explain the purpose of an Image Quality Indicator (IQI). Where do you typically place a wire-type IQI when radiographing a weld?
   • What to listen for: They should state that an IQI (or penetrameter) is used to verify the sensitivity and quality of the radiographic technique. For a weld, a wire-type IQI should be placed on the parent material, adjacent to and perpendicular to the weld, so the wires lie across the weld reinforcement.
2. You are interpreting a weld film according to AWS D1.1 for a statically loaded structure and you see rounded indications (porosity). What information do you need to determine if it’s acceptable?
   • What to listen for: They should mention that for AWS D1.1, the acceptability of porosity depends on its size and distribution within a given length of weld. They would need to measure the size of the largest indication and check the total number and clustering of pores against the code’s charts and tables for the specific class of inspection.

Digital Radiography (CR/DR) Knowledge (If applicable)

1. What is Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in digital radiography, and why is it important for identifying defects?
   • What to listen for: A basic but clear understanding. They should explain that SNR is the measure of the useful image signal compared to the background noise. A higher SNR results in a clearer, less grainy image, making it easier to detect fine discontinuities like cracks or small inclusions.

Part 2: The Non-Negotiable: Radiation Safety Questions

This is the most critical part of the interview. Answers to these questions should be immediate, confident, and 100% correct. Any hesitation or incorrect information is a significant red flag.

Emergency Procedures

1. Describe, step-by-step, what you would do if you cranked out your source and your survey meter showed no change in the reading.
   • What to listen for: A calm, methodical response. 1) Stop. 2) Immediately return the crank and source to the locked position. 3) Re-survey the camera to confirm it’s shielded. 4) Check the survey meter for malfunction (battery check, source check). 5) If the meter is faulty, get a working meter before proceeding. Never operate without a functional survey meter.
2. You are retracting the source, and it gets stuck in the guide tube (a camera lockout). What are your immediate actions?
   • What to listen for: The priority is securing the area. 1) Secure the crank handle and lock the camera if possible. 2) Immediately move away from the camera toward the boundary. 3) Using a survey meter, quickly define the restricted area (e.g., the 2 mR/hr boundary) and post it. 4) Keep unauthorized personnel out of the area. 5) Notify the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) immediately. They should never suggest attempting to retrieve the source themselves without authorization.

Daily Operations and ALARA

1. How do you establish and maintain your restricted area boundary on a busy, multi-crew job site?
   • What to listen for: A proactive approach to safety. They should describe using ropes and multiple “Caution – Radiation Area” signs, performing a full 360-degree survey of their boundary, and maintaining constant visual surveillance. They should also mention communicating clearly with other crews and supervisors working in the vicinity.
2. What does ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) mean to you in your daily work? Give me three practical examples.
   • What to listen for: They must understand that ALARA is a core safety principle, not just a suggestion. Practical examples include:
     • Time: Using the shortest exposure time necessary.
     • Distance: Maximizing their distance from the source during exposure.
     • Shielding: Using collimators to narrow the beam and placing temporary shielding when possible.
3. Walk me through the daily checks you must perform on your radiography camera and survey meter before starting a job.
   • What to listen for: A detailed, routine process. For the camera, this includes checking for damage, legible labels, a secure lock, and proper connection points. For the survey meter, it includes a battery check and an operational check with a dedicated check source. They must document these checks.

Part 3: Situational & Behavioral Questions

These questions assess how a candidate handles pressure, communicates, and works within a team.

1. You are on-site and the client is pressuring you to take a shot in a way that you feel compromises either safety or the quality of the radiograph. How do you respond?
   • What to listen for: Professionalism and backbone. The right answer involves calmly but firmly explaining the safety or quality concern to the client, referencing the procedure or regulations, and refusing to proceed until it can be done correctly. They should state they would contact their RSO or supervisor if the pressure continues.
2. Describe your experience working with a radiographer’s assistant. How do you ensure they stay safe and perform their duties correctly?
   • What to listen for: A sense of responsibility. They should talk about clear communication, direct supervision, ensuring the assistant understands the boundaries and safety rules, and using their presence as a teaching opportunity.

Part 4: The Practical Screen: Assessing Hands-On Ability

Book smarts are one thing; real-world competence is another. A practical test is the best way to verify that a candidate’s skills are ingrained and second nature.

Why a Practical Test is Essential for RT

In radiography, actions related to safety and equipment operation need to be muscle memory. Observing a candidate in a controlled, hands-on scenario reveals their true habits and level of comfort with the equipment, far more than any question can.

How to Design an Effective RT Practical Screen

• Task 1 (The Setup – No Source): Using a camera with a dummy source, ask the candidate to perform their daily equipment checks. Then, have them set up for a specific shot on a test piece (e.g., a piece of welded pipe). Have them attach the guide tube, collimator, and crank assembly.
• Task 2 (The Interpretation): Provide the candidate with a set of pre-exposed training films or digital images. These should include various welds with common discontinuities (porosity, slag, lack of fusion) and some artifacts (film scratches, pressure marks). Ask them to interpret the images according to a specific code (like AWS D1.1) and fill out a basic inspection report.

What to Look For During the Practical Exam

• Safety First: Do they handle the (dummy) equipment with respect? Do they talk through the safety steps they would be taking?
• Systematic Approach: Do they follow a logical sequence for their equipment checks and setup? Is their process efficient and professional?
• Interpretation Skills: Can they correctly identify the discontinuities and artifacts? Do they know how to use the required tools (densitometer, film viewer)?
• Reporting: Is their report clear, legible, and accurate?

Hiring a Radiographer You Can Trust

By combining technical questions, non-negotiable safety scenarios, and a hands-on practical assessment, you can build a complete picture of your candidate. This rigorous approach helps ensure that the RT Level II you hire is not just certified, but is a truly competent, safe, and reliable professional you can trust in the field.

Find qualified and safety-conscious technicians now. Post your RT Level II job on NDT-Jobs.com.