A test sample is extracted from a hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) resistant material candidate. A control sample is extracted from a prequalified HIC susceptible material that is known to suffer predetermined HIC damage when subjected to preset test conditions of a standardized HIC test (e.g., NACE TM0284). The HIC test is performed on the test and control samples. A value of a predetermined cracking criteria is calculated for the control sample. It is determined whether the calculated value of the predetermined cracking criteria is at least equal to a predetermined minimum threshold value. If yes, respective values of a plurality of predetermined HIC resistance criteria for the test sample are calculated. It is determined whether the calculated respective values of the plurality of predetermined HIC resistance criteria for the test sample are not greater than corresponding predetermined maximum threshold values. If yes, the HIC resistant material candidate is qualified as a valid source for sour service applications.