Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

API’s Individual Certification Programs provide the petroleum and petrochemical industries with a way to evaluate the knowledge and experience of inspectors. These programs improve management control of the operation, repair, and maintenance of process units and tanks; reduce the potential for inspection delays resulting from regulatory requirements; and provide a continued high level of safety through the use of inspectors specialized in a field.

It means that the individual has the ability to work with various code books and standards, including the API standards that cover the inspection, repair, and maintenance of process equipment.

Almost always, providing the examination does take place at your chosen location. Occasionally when we have only 2 or 3 candidates for a particular location, we are forced to cancel it. In that instance you will be contacted by API staff and informed about your options.

API can organize an examination location just about anywhere in the world, providing there is sufficient interest. We are unlikely to hold a test just for one person; however, if there are at least 10 applicants interested we can almost always work it out. Please contact API staff for more information.

Approximately eight weeks after taking the examination you will receive an official Examination Score Report. If you have submitted a complete application and the appropriate certification fee and passed the examination, you will receive a wallet card and certificate from API approximately six weeks after receipt of your score report.

Yes. You may request a site change up to four weeks prior to the examination. If you contact our office by the that time and there is room available at the site you would like to change to, there is no fee. There is a charge of $150 for changes requested less than four weeks prior to the exam date. There is no guarantee that your site can be changed. API reserves the right to deny requests to change examination site. Room sizes are limited and not all requests may be accommodated. Changes must be submitted in writing by mail, fax, or e-mail.

No. Marking on a "curve" means comparing the scores of one candidate to all the other candidates who took the examination and assigning grades or passing status according to a fixed percentage. The implication is that whether an individual passes the examination or not might depend on the ability level (or preparation) of all the other candidates who took the examination. This would not be fair for a credentialing examination.

API uses a statistical method called "equating" to score the examinations. The original passing point of the examination is set by a committee of experts and it represents an absolute standard of knowledge (the minimum amount that a competent inspector should know in order to be certified). Each examination has different questions in it. The equating process then adjusts the passing point of each examination to compensate for differences in the difficulty level of those questions. Thus, the passing point always represents the minimum knowledge required and the absolute knowledge standard is held constant. The test results of candidates only reflect whether they have this minimum amount of knowledge or not. Passing the examination is not affected by any other candidate's performance.

Yes -- however, API does give you a 3-month grace period to prepare and send your application package to us. Be aware that if applying after your expiration date and within this grace period you will be charged a late fee of $150. If you do not file for recertification within three months of the expiration of your certification, you will be decertified. You will then have to take the full examination again and pay a full fee in order to get your certification back.

You have the option of signing up for the next examination or requesting a 50% refund. Requests to take the next examination or to obtain a refund must be submitted in writing by mail or by fax. (For more information please see Refunds.) If you wish to reschedule for the next examination date you must submit a reschedule fee of $150.

To ensure the continuity of your certification, you MUST submit recertification information to API by the expiration date on your wallet card and certificate. The recertification application forms are available online. You may download them, fill them out, and send them with appropriate fee to API via mail.

Each examination is given twice a year. API 510, 570, and 936 examinations are usually held on the first Wednesday of June and December of each year. API 653, TES, and the Supplemental Certification (571, 577, and 580) examinations are usually held in March and September of each year. Each application package contains the schedule of examinations for the year.

You must implement a quality manual and quality management system that are compliant with API Spec Q1, and you must have the capability – processes, equipment, and personnel – to manufacture products that meet the technical requirements of the applicable API product specification(s).

You must also perform and document an internal audit and management review in accordance with API Spec Q1. After your quality management system has been operational for at least four months, you may then complete the application documents and send them to API along with a copy of your quality manual and the application fee. Please do not send design documents, procedures or work instructions.

You must implement a quality manual and quality management system that are compliant with the applicable standard: API Spec Q1, ISO/TS 29001 and/or ISO 9001. You must also perform and document an internal audit and management review in accordance with the applicable standard(s). After your quality management system has been operational for at least four months, you may then complete the application documents and send them to API along with a copy of your quality manual and the application fee. Please do not send design documents, procedures, or work instructions.

Approximately three to six months depending on several factors. The length of time it takes API to accept your quality manual is one of these factors. We strongly suggest you complete the quality manual checklist provided in the application package to improve the chances of early acceptance. Other factors include auditor availability and the additional time necessary to correct nonconformances, if any, identified during the audit.

For a quotation, please contact Chip Evans at evanst@api.org or go to the Get A Quote section of this site. API will prepare a quotation and send it with an application package and a copy of the applicable API product specification(s). You may also contact your local API Certification Programs marketing representative for an application package.

Please visit the Marketing Representatives section of this site to review a list of API marketing representatives and contact information. You may also e-mail Chip Evans at evanst@api.org. If API does not have a marketing representative in your area, we are pleased to answer your questions directly.

API will use local auditors whenever possible. At present, API auditors are based in more than 30 countries. Please note that factors such as auditor availability, conflict of interest concerns, and API’s policy that an organization should not be audited more then twice consecutively by the same auditor may direct API to use non-local auditors.

Probably very close. ISO 9001 certification means that you meet approximately 85% of API Spec Q1. So, you must add these additional API Spec Q1-specific requirements to your quality manual and quality management system to bring you into conformance. These additional API Spec Q1 requirements are outlined in the application package. Next, ensure that you have the technical capability to meet the applicable API product specification(s) requirements and possess a design package, if required. At that point, you should be ready to apply.

The application and the quality manual must be provided in English. Procedures and any other documents that make up your quality management system may be in the language of your choice. In most cases, the audit will be performed in the local language.

Yes, you may apply, but you must still address how you will receive, review, identify, and transfer key aspects of the design package into shop routers/checklists, prepare for the possibility of design changes, and finally ensure the design resulted in a product compliant with the applicable API product specification. API will review these control features that ultimately make up the design package.

In some cases, due to the nature of the products and specifications, API allows an applicant to exclude design and development activities in its quality management system. Casing, tubing, pipe and plate manufacturers, threaders, drilling mud producers, testing agencies, and gage manufacturers that follow the API specification with no deviation, may apply to exclude design development and control. Applicants manufacturing products to one of the other API specifications must be prepared to show the API auditor their design documents.

No. Although registration to these quality management system standards brings you closer to meeting the API Monogram’s quality management system requirements, registration is not required. API Monogram Licensees must have a quality management system that is compliant with API Spec Q1, but API Spec Q1 Registration is not required.