Nondestructive Testing Training / Certification

The Ocean Corporation prepares you for a career in one of the most in-demand fields in quality assurance and quality control. Nondestructive testing (NDT) uses specialized techniques like ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing and magnetic particle testing to inspect materials and components without causing damage, allowing NDT professionals to detect flaws, verify material integrity and confirm safety before equipment goes into service.

NDT plays a critical role across industries including aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, manufacturing and infrastructure. The NDT training program equips you with the hands-on skills and technical knowledge to excel in this career, with training for Level I and Level II in six NDT methods in accordance with ASNT Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A. No prior experience is required.

Over 55 years of industry leadership. The Ocean Corporation has been training commercial divers and NDT technicians since 1969, when it was established in Houston, TX. It was the first U.S. trade school to include bell diving in its curriculum, the first to offer underwater NDT training, and the first to provide nuclear diving instruction. As a founding member of the Association of Commercial Diving Educators, it helped draft and revise the ANSI diving training standards.

Purpose-built facilities. The 4.2-acre Houston campus includes multiple dive tanks ranging from 8 to 24 feet deep, welding labs, a recompression chamber, and a full suite of NDT equipment. Students gain real-world experience through open-water dives, zero-visibility training, and work on actual industrial equipment.

Recognition. The school has been recognized as a School of Distinction by ACCSC, was the 2015 Career Colleges and Schools of Texas (CCST) School of the Year and 2012 CCST Innovator of the Year, and was ranked 9th for return on investment among more than 4,500 U.S. institutions in a Georgetown University study.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old (there is no maximum age limit) and hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent. There are no placement tests, entrance exams or test scores required, and no prior NDT experience is needed. Students in the nondestructive testing program do not require a dive physical but should be prepared for hands-on training that may include climbing, lifting and working in industrial settings.

The NDT certification program lasts 30 weeks. Classes are held Monday through Friday for five hours a day, either 7:30 am to 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, or 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm (night class), and new classes begin every five weeks. The enrollment form lists upcoming starts including November 16, 2026, January 4, 2027 and February 8, 2027; the night class runs on alternate starts (for example January 4 and March 8, 2027). The maximum time allowed to graduate is one and one-half times the scheduled program length.

Tuition. Tuition for the Ultimate Diver Training program is $27,000, and the Nondestructive Testing Training program is $24,500. The school says more than 90% of its students qualify for some form of federal financial aid, and most pay less out of pocket after grants, GI Bill benefits or other assistance.

Federal aid. The Ocean Corporation is a Title IV eligible institution. Completing the FAFSA (school code 02600200) can unlock the Federal Pell Grant, up to $7,395 in need-based aid that does not need to be repaid, and subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans.

Veterans. The programs are approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for GI Bill benefits, which can cover tuition, books and a housing stipend, under Chapters 33, 30, 35 and 1606. The school has trained veterans since 1969.

Other options. Students can also use private loans (including Climb Credit), scholarships such as the Mike Rowe Works Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship, the TOC Scholarship Foundation, CCST, ASNT and AWS scholarships, and flexible payment plans arranged through the business office.

NDT professionals are in demand across industries including aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, manufacturing and infrastructure. Career opportunities include quality control inspector, NDT technician, and specialized inspection roles for pipelines, refineries and aircraft. With experience and additional certifications, technicians can progress from Level I to Level II and eventually to Level III positions, including senior technical, management or consultancy roles.

The school's disclosure reports an accreditor employment rate of 80.00% for NDT completers from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024 (52 confirmed employed of 65 graduates), and 88.16% of completers finished in 30 weeks. Graduates receive lifetime career services, including job leads, resume reviews, a private job board, the twice-yearly 'Meet and Eat' recruiting event, free refresher courses and a 20% discount on continuing education.

In-person, hands-on training. The programs are hands-on by design and require in-person attendance to complete the practical components; the school offers limited streaming for some coursework. Training is built around hands-on experience in small groups, so students and instructors spend real time together on the floor, in the water and in the lab.

Grading. Exams are graded on a percentage scale with 70% as the minimum passing score (except certain modules where an outside entity mandates a higher minimum). Practical evaluations are graded pass/fail on a scale of 1 to 3. A student who fails an exam may retake it once within the following five scheduled class days; failing the retake is an automatic failure of the module and results in academic dismissal.

Sequential modules and homework. Each module must be completed in sequence, so a grade of incomplete is not available. Coursework outside classroom and practical time, such as homework, reading and research, is a critical part of the training, and all homework is graded and affects the GPA.