Test method names often refer to the type of penetrating medium or the equipment used to perform that test. Current NDT methods are:

Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT),

Magnetic Particle Testing (MT),

Ultrasonic Testing (UT),

Radiographic Testing (RT),

Visual Testing (VT).

Acoustic Emission Testing (AE),

Electromagnetic Testing (ET),

Guided Wave Testing (GW),

 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR),

 Laser Testing Methods (LM),

Leak Testing (LT),

 Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL),

 Microwave Testing,

 Neutron Radiographic Testing (NR),

 Thermal/Infrared Testing (IR),

Vibration Analysis (VA)

The six most frequently used test methods are MT, PT, RT, UT, ET and VT. Each of these test methods will be described here, followed by the other.