Over View of API Individual Certification

Program (ICP)
Prepared by:

Presented by:

Thursday, April 13, 2023

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1. Outlines.
2. Overview of API-510/570/653.
3. Overview of API-580.
4. Overview of API-571.
5. Overview of API-577.
6. Overview of API-936.
7. Question& Answer Section.

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 Out Line
Individual Certification Programs (ICP) have been offered by the 
American Petroleum Institute (API) since 1989 as a way to test the knowledge and
document the experience of inspection and technical personnel. These programs
provide certification for several different API standards. Most API ICPs remain valid for
three-year terms and can be renewed after that period.

Each ICP program has minimum qualification requirements, which usually include a
certain degree of knowledge about the corresponding API standard, as well as a
specific amount of experience in the field. Scheduled exams are conducted at
computer testing centers and completed online

The standards in which one can become certified under this program include:
  Basic Certification Program
•API 510 - Pressure Vessel Inspector
•API 570 - Piping Inspector
•API 653 - Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector
Supplementary Certification program
•API 571 - Corrosion and Materials Professional
•API 577 - Welding Inspection and Metallurgy Professional
•API 580 - Risk Based Inspection Professional
•API 936 - Refractory Quality Control Personnel
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API 510/API570/API653 certification
• API offers a 510/570/653 certification through their Individual Certification Program.
The purpose of the certification is to identify individuals that possess broad knowledge
in maintenance, inspection, repair, and alteration of pressure vessels/Pipe/Above
ground Storage tank. In order to receive the certification,.
• applicants must pass a two part — one closed-book and one open-book —
examination. The closed-book test requires candidates demonstrate an everyday
working knowledge of API 510 and related documents. The open-book test requires
candidates to show proficiency in more detailed issues where answers aren’t normally
memorized but can be found in relevant documents. There are 110 closed-book
questions and 60 open-book questions. The API 510 exam day is 7.5 hours long - a
short tutorial session, 2.75 hours for the closed-book portion, a 45-minute lunch break
and 3.75 hours for the open-book portion. There are 170 questions on the exam, of
which only 140 are scored. The remaining are pretest questions.
• In order to sit for the exam, applicants must meet minimum education and experience
requirements. Applicants with no formal education can apply to sit for the exam after
acquiring 5 years of relevant industry experience. An applicant with a high school
diploma or equivalent can apply after acquiring 3 years of relevant industry
experience. Applicants with 2 year degrees or certificates in engineering or technology
require 2 years of relevant experience. Those holding a bachelor of science or higher
degree must have 1 year of experience
• All applicants must have at least 1 year of experience supervising or performing
inspection activities described in API 510.
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ASME /API Code API -510 API-570 API-653
API-571   
API-572 
API-574 
API-575 
API-576   
API-577   
API-578  
API-650 
API-651 
API-652 
ASME-Viii Div-1 
ASME -V   
ASME-1X   
ASME B 31.3 
ASME B 16.5 
ASME-PCC-2 (Added)
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API -580 Certification
API RP 580, Risk-Based Inspection, is a recommended practice developed and
published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that outlines and explains the
basic elements for developing, implementing and maintaining a credible 
risk-based inspection (RBI) program. It is a generic document on RBI that can be used
as a measuring stick by which the quality of any and all RBI methods and work
processes.

If you hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certification, you automatically qualify to take
the API 580
If you do not hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certification, then qualification is based
on a combination of your level of education and industry experience acquired within the
last 10 years.
• The API 580 exam is 3.25 hours long. This exam has a set passing scaled score
• There are 90 questions, of which only 80 are scored. The remaining 10 are pretest,
which are not scored.
• All questions are multiple-choice and closed-book. Paper and reference materials are
not allowed into the examinations.

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API -571 Certification
API RP 571, Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry,
is a recommended practice developed and published by the American Petroleum
Institute (API) that provides an in-depth look at nearly 70 different variety of service-
induced damage and deterioration mechanisms, including corrosion and other types of
metallurgical damage, that are most likely to affect the condition of the materials of
construction commonly used in refinery equipment. Each of the damage mechanisms
found in API RP 571 is given a write up that consists of a description of the mechanism,
a list of materials that are susceptible to that mechanism, critical factors that affect the
mechanism (i.e., rate of damage), affected equipment and/or units where the damage
mechanism commonly occurs, appearance or morphology of the damage, and measures
that can be taken to prevent or mitigate that particular mechanism.
If you do not hold If you hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certification, you
automatically qualify to take the API 571 Corrosion and Materials certification exam.
a current API 510, 570 or 653 certification, then qualification is based on a combination
of your level of education and industry experience acquired within the last 10 years.
• The API 571 exam is 3.25 hours long. This exam has a set passing scaled score. 
• There are 110 questions, of which only 100 are scored. The remaining 10 are pretest,
which are not scored. 
• All questions are multiple-choice and closed-book. Paper and reference materials are
not allowed into exams.
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API -577 Certification
API RP 577, Welding Processes, Inspection, and Metallurgy, is a recommended practice
developed and published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that provides
guidance to inspectors on welding inspection as encountered with fabrication and repair
of refinery and chemical plant equipment and piping. API RP 577 was originally
published in 2004, and the most recent 3rd Edition was released in October of 2020.
Common welding processes, welding procedures, welder qualifications, metallurgical
effects from welding, and inspection techniques are described to aid the inspector in
fulfilling their role implementing API 510, API 570, API Std 653 .
If you hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certification, you automatically qualify to take
the API 577 exam.
If you do not hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certification, then qualification is based
on a combination of your level of education and industry experience acquired within the
last 10 years.
• The API 577 exam is 3.25 hours long. This exam has a set passing scaled score. 
• There are 110 questions, of which only 100 are scored. The remaining 10 are pretest,
which are not scored. 
• All questions are multiple-choice and closed-book. Paper and reference materials are
not allowed into exams.

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API -936 Certification
API 936, Refractory Installation Quality Control - Inspection and Testing Monolithic
Refractory Linings and Materials, is a standard developed and published by the 
American Petroleum Institute (API) that provides installation quality control guidelines for
monolithic refractory linings and may be used to supplement owner specifications.
Materials, equipment, and personnel are qualified by the methods described, and
applied refractory quality is closely monitored based on defined procedures and
acceptance criteria. The responsibilities of inspection personnel who monitor and control
the quality control process are also defined.

The API 936 Refractory Personnel certification is open to applicants with any experience
in the petroleum and petrochemical industries, as well as applicants wanting to gain
industry experience.
• The API 936 exam is 3.25 hours long. This exam has a set passing scaled score. 
• There are 85 questions, of which only 75 are scored. The remaining 10 are pretest,
which are not scored. 
• All questions are multiple-choice and closed-book. Paper and reference materials are
not allowed into exams.

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 Thank you

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