2025 Version Embraces Digital Innovation and Modernized Standards

The 2025 edition of NB-263, RCI-1, Rules for Commissioned Inspectors, is available and can be accessed here.

This edition marks the first electronic-only publication of the standard. This shift reflects the broader trend towards digital accessibility and efficiency.

The changes officially take effect on January 1, 2025, and mandatory compliance is required by July 1, 2025, aligning with the 2025 Commission/Endorsement renewal cycle.

This standard was developed and is maintained by the National Board’s Committee on Qualifications for Inspection. This committee meets regularly to consider revisions to existing rules and to formulate new regulations. Revisions are presented to the Board of Trustees of the National Board for final approval.

This standard describes the requirements for becoming a National Board Commissioned Inspector and the representative duties of National Board Commissioned Inspectors and Inspector Supervisors. The National Board offers two inspector commissions: the National Board Inservice Inspector Commission (IS) and the National Board Authorized Inspector Commission (AI).

The National Board Inservice Commission is issued to individuals qualified to perform inspections related to installation and inservice, that is, the jurisdictionally required periodic inspections of boilers and pressure vessels in operation. In this standard, the holder of a National Board Inservice Commission is referred to as an Inspector.

The National Board Authorized Inspector Commission is issued to individuals qualified to perform inspections of boilers and pressure vessels as required by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME BPV Code). In this standard, the holder of a National Board Authorized Inspector Commission is referred to as an Authorized Inspector.

The National Board also offers nine endorsements – Repair Inspector (R), Authorized Nuclear Inspector (N), Authorized Nuclear Inservice Inspector (I), Authorized Nuclear Inspector (Concrete) (C), Authorized Inspector Supervisor (B), Owner-User Inspector Supervisor (O),  Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor (NS),  Authorized Nuclear Inservice Inspector Supervisor (NSI), Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor (Concrete) (NSC).