633/STC Sector B Testing Laboratories: What to Check Regarding Personnel Qualifications and Certifications After Decree No. 66/2026

Following the publication of Decree No. 66 of March 6, 2026, issued by the President of the Italian Superior Council of Public Works, which updates Circular 633/2019/STC, Testing Laboratories authorized under Sector Bshould carefully review their internal organization and the certification coverage of their technical personnel.

The regulatory update has clarified several requirements concerning minimum staffing and the qualifications of Testing Technicians. At the same time, the coexistence of UNI EN ISO 9712:2022 and UNI 11931:2024 requires particular attention when determining which certification scheme applies to each testing method.

Minimum Staffing and Personnel Qualifications

Circular 633/STC establishes a minimum staffing structure for each authorized laboratory, consisting of:

1. one Laboratory Director;
2. two Testing Technicians;
3. one technician acting as an assistant testing technician and/or test assistant;
4. one administrative or secretarial staff member.

The Laboratory Director is required to hold a Level 3 certification for the specific testing methods included within the authorization, while Testing Technicians are required to hold a Level 2 certification, issued by a Certification Body accredited according to UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17024.

Decree No. 66/2026 has also further clarified the qualification requirements for Testing Technicians, providing more specific indications regarding the required educational background and documented professional experience.

A Key Point to Consider: The CH Method

One of the areas requiring particular attention concerns tests classified under the CH method, including, for Sector B, the sampling of bolts and structural steel components.

For these tests, personnel certification is not covered by UNI EN ISO 9712, but by UNI 11931:2024, the standard specifically addressing technical personnel performing non-destructive testing in civil engineering and on cultural and architectural heritage.

A laboratory that has planned its personnel certification exclusively according to the UNI EN ISO 9712 scheme could therefore find that some of the testing methods included within its authorization are not fully covered.

This is an important issue to assess carefully, as deficiencies relating to personnel and competence certifications may have consequences for maintaining the laboratory’s authorization.

Three Key Areas to Check

For laboratories authorized pursuant to Article 59 of Italian Presidential Decree 380/2001, it is therefore advisable to carry out a detailed review focusing on three main areas:

1. Minimum staffing: does the laboratory currently have all the personnel required by the Circular, including at least two Testing Technicians?
2. Certification coverage by method: for every authorized testing method, does the relevant personnel hold the certification required by the applicable standard?
3. Traceability of authorizations: has each Testing Technician included in the laboratory’s staff been formally notified to and recognized by the Central Technical Service?

Reviewing the existing documentation in advance makes it possible to identify potential gaps and address them before they emerge during an inspection.

Novatest Academy: Dedicated Certification Pathways for the CH Method

To meet the specific requirements of Sector B Testing Laboratories, Novatest Academy is developing dedicated certification pathways for the CH method according to UNI 11931:2024, with specific content focused on the relevant testing methodologies.

Novatest can also support laboratories with a preliminary review of their documentation and organizational structure against the updated requirements of Circular 633/STC.

Are you reviewing the qualifications and certifications of your laboratory personnel?

Contact us for a technical consultation and discover the Novatest Academy pathways dedicated to the CH method.