Individual Certification Programs
- Certifications: View certification info, qualification requirements and study materials.
- Apply: Submit new, reschedule and recertification applications.
- Schedule Exams: Schedule a test and learn about exam day.
Since 1989, API’s Individual Certification Programs (ICP) have provided the petroleum and petrochemical industries with an independent and unbiased way to evaluate the knowledge and experience of technical and inspection personnel. These certification programs are based on the industry-developed standards that are recognized and used with confidence worldwide.
ICP testing, developed in partnership with industry leaders, confirms that certified inspectors and personnel will demonstrate competence in content areas that are relevant to their practices.
API’s certifications have come to be regarded as the most demanded and desired credentials in the industry. They provide applicants with means to improve their skills through learning and strengthening their overall job performance. API certified inspectors and personnel are recognized worldwide as professionals who are fully knowledgeable of the relevant industry inspection codes and standards, and who are capable of performing their jobs in accordance with the latest and most acceptable industry inspection practices.
API certification allows qualified personnel to establish a career path and make valuable contributions to the safety and quality of industry operations.
API's individual certification programs benefit the industry by:
- Providing knowledgeable specialized inspectors
- Establishing a minimum standard of knowledge and skill for the personnel
- Providing higher management control of inspection practices
- Increasing employer’s confidence and peace-of-mind
- Helping maintain safety and high level of performance
- Reducing potential for downtime because of equipment failure
January 23, 2018
Attention: 570 Recertification Quiz Maintenance
On March 1st between 5:00am and 12:00pm Eastern Time, we will be updating the 570 recertification quiz questions in myicp.api.org to reflect the new BOKs and Effectivity Sheets. Please refrain from starting your recertification quiz during this time period.
December 5, 2017
Important Changes to Refund Policy
Effective January 1, 2018, the API Refund Policy for ICP applicants will be changed. Candidates who are marked as Unqualified on their application will no longer be eligible for a refund. To ensure you qualify, please review all Program Requirements before submitting an application. You may also review our Refund policy before submitting. If you have any questions regarding the change, please contact ICP at Inspector@api.org
November 17, 2017
Source Inspector Webinar
API recently teamed with Inspectioneering to host a webinar, "The Role of the Source Inspector in the Quality Assurance Process", which was presented by ICP Subject Matter Expert, John Reynolds. If you are interested in the Source Inspector Certification program and want to learn more, please take a look at the informative session here:
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The Role of the Source Inspector in the Quality Assurance Process Source Inspectors are in high demand and low supply. The oil & gas and chemical processing industries need more qualified, competent, certified Source Inspec... |
September 27, 2017
Attention: Changes to Exam Times
Starting with the October 2017 exam window, the total time allotted for candidates to complete the 510, 570, 653, TES, SI, 936, 580, 571, and 577 exams will reduced. Read the full announcement here.
August 11, 2017
Attention: Change to Refund Policy
Effective immediately, the API Refund Policy for ICP applicants has been updated. Please review the policy prior to submitting refund requests to confirm the eligibility of an applicant to receive a refund.
June 8, 2017
Attention: 653, 570 and 510 Recertification Quiz Maintenance
On Thursday, June 15, 2017, between 6:00am and 12:00pm Eastern Time, we will be updating the 653, 570 and 510 recertification quiz questions in myicp.api.org to reflect the new BOKs and Effectivity Sheets. Please refrain from starting your recertfication quizzes during this time period.
New ICP Certificates
Effective January 1, 2017 the management of API’s Individual Certification Programs (ICP) has transitioned from Tina Briskin to Andri Orphanides. Please be advised that certificates issued with Tina Briskin’s signature will remain valid until their expiration date. Going forward, certificates and wallet cards for new certifications, recertifications and reprints will bear the signature of Andri Orphanides. While new certificates and wallet cards are being printed, the mailing of certificates is delayed until mid-February.
March 25, 2016
Application Submissions
Effective March 28, 2016 API will no longer accept any changes or additions to an application after it has been submitted.
- Before submitting an application, PLEASE read and understand the minimum qualification requirements for your selected program. The minimum necessary experience MUST be documented on the application. Read the Qualification Requirements
- Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements or do not contain all the necessary information on employment and education, will be marked as unqualified. API will reject these applications and issue a refund of the application fee minus a $100.00 processing charge. Candidates will then need to submit a new application and pay a full application fee again.
December 11, 2015
NEW Auditor Certification Program - Exams Start March 2016
API is pleased to announce six new individual certification programs for auditors in the oil and gas industries. These certifications include three levels of proficiency, and each can be obtained in either API Spec Q1 or Spec Q2.
- IAQ1 and IAQ2 - Internal Auditor
- AQ1 and AQ2 – Auditor
- LAQ1 and LAQ2 - Lead Auditor
The first exams will be administered in the testing window of March 1 – 15, 2016
November 11, 2015
Important Changes to the 1169 Pipeline Program
ATTENTION all applicants for API 1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification Program.
As of 2016 the 1169 examination has been updated to address specific industry-governing documents of Canada. This means that the exam is equally suitable for Canadian inspectors. All applicants will have access to BOTH American and Canadian references, as identified on the effectivity sheet. Applicants can choose to study either set of documentation, and all relevant exam questions will have content that meets both sets of technical requirements.
November 5, 2015
New Source Inspector Certification Program
ICP has launched the new SIRE - Source Inspector Rotating Equipment certification program. The first examinations will be held in the December 9-23, 2015 testing window.
November 3, 2015
Exam Publication Packages No Longer Available for API 510, 570 and 653 Examinations
Effective January 1, 2016 API will no longer offer API and ASME document packages for the API 510, 570 and 653 Inspector Certification exams.
API has historically offered exam packages that contain only the pertinent codes and standards needed for the API 510, 570 and 653 examinations. Candidates should continue to refer to the ICP website for the Publications Effectivity Sheets and Body of Knowledge documents, which include information on all codes and standards needed for the examinations.
API publications can still be purchased individually from an API Authorized Redistributor.
September 3, 2015
COMING SOON… Source Inspector Rotating Equipment Certification Program
The API SIRE - Source Inspector Rotating Equipment is the newest Source Inspector certification to be developed in cooperation with industry experts. This certification will focus primarily on Rotating Equipment, including but not limited to: pumps, gears, compressors, turbines and associated appurtenances.
The first SIRE examination will be held in the December 9-23, 2015 testing window. Check back to find out when applications will be accepted. The program will be open to candidates with any experience in the petroleum and petrochemical industries, as well as those wanting to gain industry experience.
February 27, 2015
API Introduces Instant Preliminary Scoring with March 2015 Exams
Starting with the March 2015 certification exams, ICP will begin providing preliminary scores at the completion of computer-based examinations. After the March trial run, the preliminary scoring will be instituted for all other exams. As most candidates know, API does not finalize the scores until all candidate exam challenges have been reviewed by a committee of subject matter experts. This review frequently results in a change to the scoring process, and that’s why the instant scoring will only yield the preliminary results. The final results will be released 6-8 weeks after the testing window ends.
Preliminary results for the 510, 570, 653, and TES examinations will have three levels:
- Preliminary Pass
- Marginal (score too close to call)
- Preliminary Fail
For all other exams either a Preliminary Pass or a Preliminary Fail result will be issued. This preliminary scoring system will help the majority of candidates determine whether they need to submit a reschedule application to take the exam again, and whether to continue their studying efforts.
July 23, 2014
Apply Now for the New Pipeline Inspector Certification Program
API is now accepting applications for the 1169 Pipeline Inspector certification program. This basic program tests applicant’s core knowledge in relevant codes and standards to perform inspection activities during construction of new onshore pipelines. It is open to qualified applicants who are seeking to become certified inspectors in API-1169: Recommended Practice for Basic Inspection Requirements - New Pipeline Construction.
The first exam will be administered during the testing window of October 31 - November 14, 2014. Find out more about the 1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification
July 2, 2014
NEW API-1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification Program Launching Fall 2014
This basic program will test applicant’s core knowledge in relevant codes and standards to perform inspection activities during construction of new onshore pipelines. It will be open to qualified applicants who are seeking to become certified inspectors in API-1169: Recommended Practice for Basic Inspection Requirements –New Pipeline Construction.
June 10, 2014
Preview the Computer Testing Tutorial
Responding to requests from our candidates, ICP is providing the computer testing tutorial that is given on exam day. Please preview it in order to better prepare yourself for the computer testing experience.
Learn test-taking tips and how to maneuver through the exam. Learn how to mark a question so that you can return to it later. Learn how to provide your feedback to the ICP exam committee, and more.
The tutorial also addresses the open-book exams, and includes information explaining the use of code book PDFs. On exam day, the PDF information on the tutorial will only be available to those applicants who take an open-book exam (API 510, 570 and 653).May 16, 2014
National Board No Longer Accepted for API-510
Effective May 16, 2014, and based on the new 10th edition of API 510, a National Board certification will no longer be accepted as a substitution for passing the API-510 exam.
July 25, 2013
Changes to the ICP Directory
Effective August 2013 participation in the API ICP Directory is no longer optional. The directory now includes all certified individuals. Each individual will have the option of a privacy setting for partial or full listing. Partial listings will only include your name and a country/state of residence. Full listings will also include your addresses and phone numbers.
You can view and make changes to your privacy settings in the new ICP Portal. If you have never logged into the online portal, review instructions here: Apply & Recertify.
May 13, 2013
Supplemental Certifications Now Stand-alone Credentials
Candidates applying for API 571, 577 and 580 certification programs are no longer required to hold a current certification in API 510, 570 or 653.
Similar to other API certification programs, applicants are required to have experience in the petrochemical industry. Minimum experience required for any ICP certification is based on the applicant’s level of education and experience, as described in the ICP Certifications program details.
December 2012
Changes to 510, 570 & 653 Exam Administration
Effective with the December 5, 2012 exam administration, API is making two changes to the API 510, 570 and 653 examination processes. Read the announcement
.ICP Statistics as of November 2017
ICP Statistics as of May 2017
ICP Statistics as of November 2016
ICP Statistics as of November 2015
ICP Statistics as of November 2013
E-mail: inspector@api.org
Customer Service: 202-682-8064
Fax: 202-682-8348
Mailing Address:
American Petroleum Institute
Attn: ICP
1220 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005-4070
ICP Portal (Apply / Re-Certify):
ICP Portal Technical Support: 877-562-5187 or ICPHelpdesk@api.org
Mail Checks To:
API
P.O. Box 1425
Merrifield, VA 22116-1425
USA
Send Checks by Courier Services To:
API
Attn: Financial Operations Department
1220 L Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20005-4070
USA
Send Wire Transfers To:
TD Bank
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Washington, DC 20005 USA
ABA Routing # 054001725 (ACH)
ABA Routing # 031101266 (Wire)
Credit To American Petroleum Institute
Account # 4251303172
SWIFT: NRTHUS33
I’m having trouble logging into my account. What can I do?
Why isn’t my application accepting an email address for my employment verifier?
Why was my application marked as Unqualified and what happens next?
Before submitting an application, please read the qualification requirements for your selected program. The necessary minimum experience MUST be documented on the application. Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements or do not contain all the necessary information will be marked as unqualified. Candidates will then need to submit a new application and pay a full application fee again.
Review the Qualification Requirements for your program.Do I need to take a training course for the test?
Questions on ICP examinations are derived from the publications listed in each program's Publications Effectivity Sheet. Additional information and precise topics are included in the program’s Body of Knowledge. These documents, along with other pertinent reference materials, are found on the Exam Info tab for each ICP Certification.
Can I schedule my exam with Prometric if I have a deficiency on my application?
I cannot locate a Prometric testing center near me.
The Prometric website does not show any openings at my preferred testing location.
How are ICP exams scored?
- The pass points for these exams will differ with each exam period. Each examination has different questions in it, and consequently, different examinations will vary in the level and range of difficulty. API uses an industry-standard statistical process called equating to adjust the pass mark according to the relative difficulty of the exam form. Thus, the passing point used for each examination 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.
- API follows the industry standard of using multiple forms (exams) during the same exam period. This means that the person next to you may be taking a different exam with different questions and the two exams will vary in the level of difficulty and will have a different pass point. The equating process adjusts the pass mark according to the relative difficulty of the exam form.
API 571, 577, 580, 936, SIFE, SIRE, and all Auditor Exams:
- The pass point for these exams will remain constant from exam to exam. See each program’s Exam Info pages for details.
Pretest Questions
- Preliminary results for the 510, 570, 653, 1169 and TES examinations have three levels:
- Preliminary Pass
- Marginal (score too close to call)
- Preliminary Fail
When will I receive my exam results?
When will I be certified?
The certification process typically takes 2-4 weeks after exam results are released, at which time a paper certificate and wallet card will be mailed to the “Preferred” address in your API account profile.
NOTE: If you pass the exam and your application is showing “Scheduled-Deficient,” API will not certify you until all deficiencies are cleared. Please log into your account in the ICP Portal and select the “Notifications” tab across the top of your account. Review your Deficiency Letter and submit the necessary information so that your certification can be completed.
If you have questions, please contact ICP customer service at 202-682-8064, or by email at inspector@api.org.
Where do I take my Recertification Web Quiz?
Go to Certifications for additional recertification information for your program, including the Publications Effectivity Sheets for web quizzes.
How Can I Get a Copy of My Receipt?
ICP Portal Apply, Recertify and Track Your Certifications
Schedule an Exam with Prometric Computer Based Test (CBT)
Web Quiz Gateway (My ICP) API 510, 570, 653 Recertification Quiz