FAQs for Special inspection Agencies on the Inspector Qualification Examination - Structural Welding

With one exception, there are no specific requirements for personnel certifications in inspection agency accreditations.

The International Accreditation Service AC98 Accreditation Criteria for Inspection Agencies, Section 5 on Training and Supervision of Inspectors, calls for training and supervision / monitoring of inspectors, and documentation of same.

A2LA and other accrediting bodies for inspection agencies and laboratories do not address specifics of personnel, rather rely upon the inspection agencies to establish a written practice regarding personnel.

The International Code Council has implemented a new accreditation for IBC (R) special inspection agencies, effective May 2005. At this time, only laboratories doing work with the City of Las Vegas need to have the accreditation. More information on this program can be found here.

How does the SSTC Inspector Qualification Exam fit into the picture?

The following is required under AC 291, the Accreditation Criteria for IBC (R) Special Inspection Agencies, May 2007 version.

"6.0 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR SPECIAL INSPECTORS
6.7.2 Welding
6.7.2.1 AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), and
6.7.2.2 Current ICC certification as a Structural Steel and Welding Special Inspector and a minimum one year of experience."

As such, AWS certification is required. Qualification to B5.1 by the employer is not addressed. HOWEVER, the preface to the standard has the following statement:

"IAS may consider alternate criteria provided the proponent submits substantiating data demonstrating that the alternate criteria are at least equivalent to the attached criteria and otherwise meet applicable accreditation requirements."

SSTC is actively discussing this issue with IAS staff.