API 1184 - Pipeline Facility Construction Inspector

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This exam is scheduled to be administered in-person at designated test centers only.

The API 1184 Pipeline Facility Construction Inspector certification program was developed in cooperation with industry experts in order to establish an industry-wide credential for the inspection of pipeline facilities construction. 

Qualified individuals should be knowledgeable about:
  • General pipeline facilities construction inspection
  • Inspector responsibilities
  • Personnel and general facilities safety
  • Environmental and pollution control

API 1184 certification is valid for a three-year term.

1. Studying for the Exam

  • The API 1184 Pipeline Facility Construction Inspector certification exam tests the applicant’s knowledge in relevant codes and standards necessary to perform inspection activities of pipeline facilities construction.
  • Publications Effectivity Sheet - Questions on the API 1184 examination are derived from the references listed in this document.     
  • Body of Knowledge - List of specific topics included in the API 1184 exam

2. Exam Structure

  • The API 1184 exam is 3 hours long. 
  • The exam has 120 questions, of which only 110 are scored. The remaining 10 are pretest, which are not scored questions. 
  • Paper, notes, and reference materials are not allowed into the exam. 
  • There will be a brief tutorial on the computer-based testing experience before the exam begins. View the Exam Tutorial before exam day to familiarize yourself with the format. 

3. Additional Resources

Are you qualified to take the API 1184 exam?

API 1184 Pipeline Facility Construction Inspector certification requirements are based on work experience acquired within the last 20 years. Education and other certifications may also be needed.

Applicants can qualify in one or more of these categories.
  • Pipeline Facilities Inspection Experience
  • General Oil & Gas Industry Inspection Experience
  • Non-Inspection Pipeline Facilities Experience
  • Non-Inspection General Oil & Gas Industry Experience
  • Other Heavy Industry Experience

Determine which category applies to you and then provide the information that is required.
  • The minimum amount of experience/education needed to qualify MUST be documented on your application and will be verified after your application has been submitted. 
  • If you are using education or certification to help you qualify, then official documentation (in the English language) will need to be uploaded into your application.

INSPECTION EXPERIENCE

Experience Required Years of Experience Plus Education

PIPELINE FACILITIES and/or PIPELINE INSPECTION

Experience acquired in areas such as Chief inspector, welding inspection, electrical inspection, instrumentation inspection, civil inspection, utility inspection, coating/paint inspection, Pressure/Leak Testing, Safety Inspection, Environmental Inspection, rotating equipment inspection

e.g. terminal, compressor station, meter station, pump station, storage facilities, valve station

 3 years Any or no education
2 years

2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR
2 years of military service in a technical role (Dishonorable discharge disqualifies credit)
1 year  BS in a technical discipline, engineering, or technology 

GENERAL OIL & GAS INSPECTION

Experience acquired in areas such as: Equipment Inspection, NDT, In-service Inspection, Visual Inspection, Welding Inspection, Pressure/Leak Testing, Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks, Piping or Pressure Vessels, Manufacturing/Source Inspection
 3 years High School, GED, or no education
2 years 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR
2 years of military service in a technical role (Dishonorable discharge disqualifies credit)
1 year  BS in a technical discipline, engineering or technology 

NON-INSPECTION EXPERIENCE in PIPELINE FACILITIES and/or PIPELINE

Experience Required Years of Experience Plus Education
Experience acquired in areas such as: Construction, Surveyor,  Operation, Welding, Fitting, Coating, Operation of Heavy Equipment, Safety Supervisor             

 4 years High School, GED, or no education
3 years 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR
2 years of military service in a technical role (Dishonorable discharge disqualifies credit)
 2 years BS in a technical discipline, engineering or technology 

GENERAL OIL & GAS INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Experience Required Years of Experience Plus Education Plus Certification

Experience acquired at any petrochemical facility, such as refinery or petrochemical plants.

Experience may relate to: Operation, Construction and repair of petrochemical equipment.


 5 Years              Any or no education  Any certification from any of the following:
• AWS, CWB
• NACE (Level II or greater)
• API
• ASNT (Level II or greater) 
Total of 4 years which includes at least 1 year of Pipeline Facilities/Pipeline Specific experience  Any or no education  Any certification from any of the following:
• AWS, CWB
• NACE (Level II or greater)
• API
• ASNT (Level II or greater
3 years  2-year degree/diploma in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR
2 years of military service in a technical role (Dishonorable discharge disqualifies credit) 		 No certification required 
2 years  BS in a technical discipline, engineering or technology  No certification required 

OTHER HEAVY INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Experience Required Years of Experience Plus Education Plus Certification

 

Experience acquired in industries or areas such as: Road Building, Civil Construction, Mining, Logging, Heavy Equipment Operating, Blasting

 5 years  Any or no education Any certification from any of the following:
• AWS, CWB
• NACE (Level II or greater)
• API
• ASNT (Level II or greater) 
4 years  2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR
2 years of military service in a technical role (Dishonorable discharge disqualifies credit) 		 No certification required
 3 years BS in a technical discipline, engineering or technology  No certification required
  1. API 1184 certification holders need to apply for recertification every three (3) years. Apply online in the ICP Portal.
  2. You may apply for recertification 90 days prior to the certification expiration date, and for a 90-day grace period after. Late fees apply after the expiration date.
  3. If an application is not submitted by the end of the 90-day grace period, the certification will expire. A new application and fees must be submitted, and you will need to pass a full examination in order to be recertified.
    • Circumstances such as heavy work schedule or work in other countries or remote areas do not relieve applicants of the responsibility to file a timely renewal application.
  4. API 1184 certification holders need to demonstrate that a minimum of 20% of time over the most recent three-year certification period was spent performing pipeline facilities-related activities as described under the Pipeline Facilities Inspection and Non-Inspection Pipeline Facilities experience as found on the API 1184 Qualifications page.

API 1184 Recertification Web Quiz 

  1. API 1184 inspectors are required to take an online, open-book quiz every 6 years in order to recertify.
  2. This quiz is available 90 days prior to your expiration date and for a grace period of 90 days after your expiration date. The quiz will not be available beyond this grace period or when your certification expires. 
  3. You may take the quiz either before or after submitting your recertification application. 
  4. To take the recertification quiz or to determine if a quiz is needed for your current certification, log into your account in the ICP Portal. If a quiz is due, there will be a notification at the top of your 1169 certification page with a link. You may also log in directly to the Web Quiz section in the MyAPI Portal. 
    • The Web Quiz login is the same username and password as your account in the ICP Portal.
    • Each quiz has 25 questions and addresses any changes in the relevant API documents over the past 6 years. 
    • You have a total of 4 hours to complete the quiz. The quiz may be paused or interrupted up to 3 times.
    • If you fail the quiz once, you will be able to take it again. If you fail twice, you will not be able to recertify. You will need to submit a new application and take a full version of the exam to certify again.