EN 4179:2026 Is Here: What Changes for Aerospace NDT Personnel

And no, it isn't just a repackage with a new cover — there are several changes that can genuinely affect your Written Practice, your training plans, and your examination procedures.

The good news: none of it catches you off guard if you prepare ahead of time. Let's take it one step at a time, without the unnecessary jargon.

In short: EN 4179:2026 introduces a brand-new annex for Level 3 qualification, a mandatory basic examination, two updated NDT methods, stricter rules for revocation and reinstatement, plus a series of terminology clarifications. Personnel already certified to previous editions do not need to recertify until their current certification expires.

Why this standard matters

EN 4179 sets the minimum requirements for the qualification and certification of personnel performing non-destructive testing (NDT) in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance and overhaul. In short, it's the reference document that says who is allowed to do what, at which level, and on the basis of which examinations.

One important detail right from the start, so you don't panic: the transition isn't abrupt. Personnel certified to previous editions of NAS410/EN 4179 do not need to recertify to the new edition until their current certification expires. So you have time to get aligned in an orderly way.

1. The NDT methods — reorganized structure, one new method and one renamed

One of the first visible changes is in the clause that lists the NDT methods covered (formerly §1.3.1, now §1.2.3). The order has been rearranged, Thermographic Testing (TT) has been renamed Infrared Thermographic Testing (IRT), and Shearography Testing (ST) is entirely new in the standard.

EN 4179:2021 (§1.3.1)	EN 4179:2026 (§1.2.3)
ET — Eddy Current Testing	ET — Eddy Current Testing
MT — Magnetic Particle Testing	PT — Penetrant Testing
PT — Penetrant Testing	MT — Magnetic Particle Testing
RT — Radiographic Testing	RT — Radiographic Testing
TT — Thermographic Testing	ST — Shearography Testing (new)
UT — Ultrasonic Testing	IRT — Infrared Thermographic Testing (renamed from TT)
(Shearography — not present)	UT — Ultrasonic Testing

Good news for IRT folks: the hour values remain identical to those for TT. And ST, being a new method, comes with the same requirements as IRT.

Formal training hours (Table 1)

Method	Level 1	Level 2 (with L1)	Level 2 (without L1)	Note
PT	16	16	32	Unchanged
MT	16	16	32	Unchanged
ST	20	20	40	New in 2026 (Shearography)
IRT	20	40	60	Renamed from TT; values identical
ET	40	40	80	Unchanged
UT	40	40	80	Unchanged
RT (film/non-film)	40	40	80	Unchanged
RT (film+non-film)	60	60	120	Unchanged

Experience hours (Table 3)

Method	Level 1	L2 with L1	L2 without L1	Note
PT	130	270	400	Unchanged
MT	130	400	530	Unchanged
IRT	200	400	600	New (renamed from TT, values identical)
ST	200	400	600	New (Shearography)
ET	200	600	800	Unchanged
UT	200	600	800	Unchanged
RT (film/non-film)	200	600	800	Unchanged
RT (film+non-film)	220	780	1000	Unchanged

2. The Basic Examination — the new gateway to Level 3

This is a real change, not a cosmetic one. EN 4179:2021 had no separate basic examination as a prerequisite for Level 3. In 2026 (§7.1.3), it becomes mandatory for any Level 3 candidate and is structured in three sections:

Section	Type	Content	Min. questions
1 — NDT Methods	closed-book	At least 4 NDT methods from §1.2.3, including those used by the employer	10 per method
2 — Materials and manufacturing processes	closed-book	Knowledge of materials and processes relevant to NDT	10
3 — NAS410/EN 4179 requirements	open-book	The standard's requirements	10

A few important rules to remember:

• The minimum score is 80% for each section (vs. 70% for the other examinations).
• It's taken only once per candidate — not repeated for each method certified.
• It is not factored into the certification composite score.
• Anyone who already holds a current ASNT, EN ISO 9712 or NANDTB Level 3 certification only needs to take the supplemental section covering the NAS410/EN 4179 requirements.

3. Annex D — initial qualification to Level 3 via credits

Probably the most interesting novelty for personnel looking to advance. Annex D is entirely new and offers an alternative to the experience requirements of Table 5, on a competency and credit basis.

Eligibility conditions:

• The candidate holds a valid Level 2 certification in the applicable method.
• It applies only to initial certification to Level 3 (recertification stays on Annex A).
• A minimum of 36 cumulative points must be accrued as a Level 2, of which at least 20 from the categories with mandatory minimum points.
• Mandatory minimum time: 1 year to attain eligibility, regardless of method.

Competence category	Min. points	Example activities and point allocation
Procedural documentation	8	Engineering specification: 6 pts; new procedure: 4 pts; WI/inspection plan: 2 pts; procedure revision: 1 pt
Continuing education / prof. dev.	4	NDT society meetings / training / seminars: 1 pt / 4 hrs
Training / qualification	4	Classroom instruction: 1 pt / 4 hrs; OJT supervision: 1 pt / 8 hrs; writing exams: 1 pt / exam
Technical control	4	External audit (primary auditor): 2 pts; internal audit: 1 pt; investigations: 2 pts; active L3 >12 months: 4 pts (volumetric) / 2 pts (other)
Capability development	0	Patents: 8 pts; committee/standards projects: 2 pts (lead) / 1 pt; NDT publications: 2 pts / 1 pt co-author

Important: using Annex D does not exempt the candidate from examination per Clause 7.

4. Loss and reinstatement of certification — stricter rules

Revocation (§8.3.3)

In 2021, revocation for unethical conduct and incompetence was handled in a single item. In 2026, the two are separated:

• Certification is revoked for non-performance of at least 24 consecutive months, termination of employment, or technically incompetent conduct.
• New: "All certifications shall be revoked when the individual's conduct is found to be unethical" — ethics-based revocation is separated and covers ALL of the individual's certifications, not just one.

Reinstatement (§8.4)

The procedure becomes more rigorous:

Situation	EN 4179:2021	EN 4179:2026
Suspended	Reinstated up to the original date after the cause is corrected (employer verification) or proficiency is verified by the RL3	Requires correction of the cause + confirmation from the Responsible Level 3 and proficiency verified by the RL3 or Examiner
Expired	Only by specific and practical examination	Only by specific and practical examination
Revoked	Only by specific and practical examination	Only by general, specific and practical examination + cause corrected and verified

In short: reinstatement after revocation becomes significantly harder in 2026, because it adds the general examination.

5. Other useful changes to know

• Re-examination (§7.2.4): entirely new — re-examination must be taken within a timeframe specified in the Written Practice, but no later than 6 months, and the maximum number of re-examinations is specified in the Written Practice.
• Specific examination (§7.1.5): questions without a written answer must have a minimum of 3 multiple-choice options, and True/False questions must include an explanation portion.
• Examination delegation (§7.2.1): True/False can no longer be delegated — only multiple-choice questions.
• Vision requirements (Table 7): explicit normative reference to EN ISO 18490:2015 and the obligation to re-examine after any condition or procedure that could affect vision.
• Examiners (§4.3.2): designation becomes mandatory ("shall be identified"), not optional ("may") as in 2021.
• OJT Instructors (§6.2.2): may provide on-the-job training only if explicitly designated by the Responsible Level 3.
• Automated equipment (§8.1): new clause — partially or fully automated equipment requires the involvement of a Level 3 certified in the method to assess what NDT knowledge and skills are needed.
• Terminology: "Responsible Level 3 person" becomes "Responsible Level 3"; "persons" becomes "individuals" for Levels 1, 2 and 3.
• Normative references: EN ISO 9712 and NAS410 added; ISO 18490 explicitly versioned (18490:2015).

Summary: impact of the EN 4179:2026 changes

If you remember a single table from this whole article, make it this one. We've grouped the changes by their concrete impact on your qualification program, so you know where to focus first.

🔴 Major impact — needs immediate action

Change	What it means for you
Annex D — new	Alternative to L3 qualification through experience, on a credit basis. Requires updating the Written Practice if you want to use it.
Basic Examination	New mandatory prerequisite for all L3 candidates. A question bank across 3 sections, 80% score, must be prepared.
Separate ethics-based revocation	Now covers ALL of the individual's certifications, not just one.
Reinstatement from revocation	Now also requires a general examination, in addition to the specific and practical ones.

🟠 Moderate impact — plan ahead

Change	What it means for you
ST (Shearography)	New method included in the standard.
TT → IRT	Renamed; the hours remain identical.
Examiners: "shall"	Designation becomes mandatory, not optional.
OJT Instructors	Formal designation by the RL3 is mandatory.
Re-examination	Maximum 6-month timeframe + maximum number specified in the Written Practice.
True/False	Requires an explanation and can no longer be delegated.

🟢 Minor impact — good to know

Change	What it means for you
Normative references	EN ISO 9712 and NAS410 added; 18490 versioned (18490:2015).
Terminology	"Responsible Level 3" (no "person"); "individuals" instead of "persons".
Tables 5/6	"physical science" explicitly specified in the education requirements.
Annex A	Definitions section removed and moved into Clause 3.
New terms	automated equipment, recognized NDT qualification program.
Auditor	Must be explicitly designated by the Responsible Level 3.

What you should do now

1. Review your Written Practice in light of the four major-impact changes — especially the Basic Examination and Annex D.
2. Check the methods covered — if you work with shearography or thermography, update the nomenclature (ST, IRT) and associated documents.
3. Prepare the question bank for the basic examination (3 sections, 80% score).
4. Update your revocation and reinstatement procedures to the new, stricter requirements.
5. Don't panic about deadlines — already-certified personnel remain valid until their current certification expires.

At NDT Dynamics we can support you in aligning your internal documentation to the new edition, in preparing the basic examinations, and in interpreting the changes concretely for your program. Get in touch — we'd be glad to talk.