This practice provides basic criteria for the development and operation of a certification body, the development and operation of a certification program, and the development and use of customary mechanisms to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge, skill, and ability.

The basic criteria provided by this practice are intended to be supplemented by more specific criteria serving the requirements of the certification body.

The certification body and its program, accredited according to the requirements of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 and this practice, shall be considered as having met the full intent of this practice.

1.1 This practice provides supplemental requirements to those of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 for bodies that certify personnel engaged in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection. ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 provides generic requirements that can be adapted to any discipline where assurance that certified individual meets the requirements of the certification scheme. Therefore, certification bodies certifying personnel engaged in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection, must meet the requirements of this practice and ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024.

1.2 This practice may be used as a reference by:

1.2.1 Developers of standards requiring personnel certification in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection, as a reference to harmonize terminology and reduce confusion among users;

1.2.2 Personnel certification bodies that establish criteria and certify construction inspection, construction testing, and Special Inspection agency personnel against specific requirements,

1.2.3 Accreditation bodies that accredit certification bodies, and

1.2.4 Users and specifiers as a reference when requiring personnel certification.

1.3 This practice follows the format of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 and provides additional requirements where needed.

1.4 Certification may be specific to a single test or inspection method or practice or a grouping or collection of methods or practices (any such method, code, or practice being hereinafter referred to as “method,” or collectively as “methods”).

1.5 Personnel certification is an important aspect of the quality system of agencies engaged in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection. Certification of personnel is required to meet the personnel qualifications of Practice E329.