ASTM D5255-15(2023)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5255 − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Certification of Personnel Engaged in the Testing of Soil
and Rock
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5255; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This practice provides a guide for evaluation and certi-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
fication procedures for personnel engaged in testing soil and
rock in accordance with ASTM test methods and is intended
2. Referenced Documents
for use by independent organizations providing certification
2.1 ASTM Standards:
services.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.2 Qualifications for certification candidates, qualifications
Fluids
of those administering the certification examinations, methods
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
of administering the certification tests, and certain certification
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
organization operating requirements are given.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.3 Certification is specific to a single ASTM test method. A
3. Terminology
monitored written examination and a monitored performance
examination are normally required. 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms, refer to
NOTE 1—Personnel certification may be an important aspect of a quality
Terminology D653.
system as described in Practice D3740. Certification of personnel is one
means of meeting personnel qualifications given in Practice D3740. 3.1.2 agency—an organization, or part of an organization,
engaged in activities of technically oriented testing or
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
inspection, or both.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.3 inspection—the process of measuring, examining,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- testing, gaging, or using other procedures to ascertain the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
quality or state, detect errors or defects or otherwise appraise
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing materials, products, services, systems, or environments to a
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
pre-established standard.
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
3.1.4 testing—the determination by technical means of
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
properties, performance, or elements of materials, products,
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
services, systems, or environments that may involve applica-
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
tion of established scientific principles and procedures.
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
3.2.1 administratively independent—all policy decisions re-
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
lating to certification matters are the sole decision of the
title of this document means only that the document has been
certifying organization and not subject to approval by any other
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
body and that all financial matters related to the operation of
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
the certifying organization are segregated from those of the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
parent or affiliated organization.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.2 certification—an action which determines and an-
nounces that an individual has fulfilled the pre-established
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.99 on Quality Control. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D5255 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5255-15R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5255 − 15 (2023)
requirements and is competent to perform the designated 5.2 Resources:
task(s) associated with a single ASTM test method. 5.2.1 The certification organization shall disclose, through
publication of a publicly available document, evidence the
3.2.3 certification organization—an independent body en-
organization has the financial resources to properly conduct the
gaged in the evaluation and credentialing of the knowledge and
certification activities.
abilities of individuals performing specified tasks.
5.2.2 The certification organization shall disclose, through
3.2.4 examinee—certification applicant involved in the ex-
publication of a publicly available document, evidence its staff
amination process.
possesses the knowledge and skill necessary to conduct the
3.2.5 examiner—a qualified professional who administers
certification activities or has available and makes use of
and evaluates the performance examination component of the
non-staff consultants and professionals to sufficiently supple-
certification process.
ment staff knowledge and skill.
3.2.6 personnel—employees of inspection and testing agen-
5.3 Responsibilities:
cies who perform soil and rock tests.
5.3.1 The certification organization shall disclose, through
3.2.7 proctor—the individual responsible for administering
publication of a publicly available document, evidence the
the written examination component of the certification process.
mechanism used to evaluate individual competence is
objective, fair, and based on the knowledge and skills needed
3.2.8 qualified professional—a professional engineer or
to properly perform the test method(s).
similar professional who is recognized by peers and associates
5.3.2 The certification organization shall publish, at least
as having soil and rock testing expertise.
annually, a summary of certification activities to include
3.2.9 specifying entity—the organization requiring the certi-
number tested, number passing the examinations, number
fication through provisions in contracts, standards, regulations,
certified, and, when applicable, number re-certified.
codes, and legislation.
5.3.3 The certification organization shall provide a mecha-
4. Significance and Use nism for responding to inquiries from individuals and organi-
zations wanting to verify that a particular certified individual
4.1 This practice provides basic criteria for the development
has a specific certification.
and operation of a certification organization, selection of
examination material for a written examination, and the scope 5.4 Records:
and details of a performance test. The qualification
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