A radioisotopic method for determining the depth of surface cold-work hardening in 09Г2C-steel pipelines subjected to shot blasting is described. Its physics is based on the irradiation of the surface to be checked by gamma quanta from 3H/Zr radionuclides (E=15 keV) and the detection of the characteristic K radiation from Mn contained in 09Г2C steel. The proposed technique can be implemented in field conditions during scheduled repair of pipelines. The portable recording equipment has a self-contained 12-V power supply. The quickness of the method is 7 min per measurement.