While obtaining the necessary knowledge of inspection is one of the most important aspects of qualification, the goal is to become a CERTIFIED Inspector.
All companies typically retain a document that states how an employee is certified to perform a certain inspection method and technique. Unfortunately, when you are certified through a company or employer that certification is no longer valid when you leave your employer. Additionally, you will find that the requirements to become a certified inspector varies from one company to the next.
For this reason, the governing society or organization (such as API, AWS, or ASNT) have created a way that allows the technician to not only meet the requirements of any employer he may go to but additionally by Certifiying through a third-party agency, enables the technician to take his certifications with him/her.