Answers to Common Questions About API Exams

 

 

How do I register with API?

Call the American Petroleum Institute (API) at 202-682-8064 to request a registration package for the inspector certification you are interested in obtaining or download the application from www.api.org/icp.

The inspector certifications that are available include API 510 Pressure Vessels, API 653 Aboveground Storage Tanks, API 570 Process Piping. You can also visit www.api.org/icp for more information on API Inspector Certification Exams.

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When Do I Need to Register?

You must be registered 8 to 10 weeks before the actual API exam date. API publishes registration deadline dates for each exam in the applications. Browse the CodeWest API 510, API 570, and API 653 Exam Prep Course pages for deadlines dates as well.

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Who Administers the Exam?

The API exams are administered by a subcontractor to API.  In some areas the API 510 and API 570 exams are administered by the “Chief Boiler Inspectors” of several US States and Canadian Provinces. There is no difference in the registration process with API either way. However; if the exam is administered by one of the states or provinces there is often an additional fee that must be paid to that organization. These fees run from about $25.00 to $150.00. All the API 653 exams are administered by API through a subcontractor. The subcontractor will send you a letter about three to four weeks in advance of the exam which will give you the exact site where the exam will be administered. 

We don’t know until you do exactly where the exam will be given.  We do provide a map and directions from the Houston course locations when ever possible once we do know the exam location.  Transportation from the course site to the exam is your responsibility.

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What Are the Exams Like?

All the exams have the same length and presentation format.

The exams are all 8 hours with a lunch break. All exams include 150 questions. The “Open Book” portion will be administered in the morning and the “Closed Book” in the afternoon. The “Open Book” is approximately 1/3 of the exam ( maybe 45 to 55 questions) and the “Closed Book” is about 2/3 of the exam ( maybe 95 to 105 questions). The passing score varies for each exam but is normally between 65% and 75%. The passing score will be given to you when you get your final grade. It takes about six to eight weeks for you to get your grade. Your certificate and wallet card will be sent to you by API ICP shortly after the grades are sent out.

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Where Can I Get the Codes and Standards Required for a Specific Examination?

Purchase required exam prep course publications from:

The Codes and Standards required for the exams are listed in general terms in several places. However; there is an “Effectivity Sheet” for each exam in the application booklet sent out by API. This sheet lists the exact Edition, Addenda, or Supplement required for each exam. This is the list you should go by when ordering the books you will need to study. The list we publish in our advertisements gets checked about 10 times prior to publication and it is pretty reliable as well.

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What Should I Study?

You can download the “Body of Knowledge” for the certification you are studying for. This outlines in general the areas you will need to be familiar with for the exam and even points out some areas not to study. It will help you to some extent to get started. Also see our "Pre Course Preparation"page on this site.

Which exam is the easiest?
This will depend on YOUR work experience and educational background. 

Take a look at the list of codes and their titles listed for study for each certification (these are listed on the “Effectivity Sheet” – sometimes the last page of the application) and the Bodies of Knowledge for each certification.  The easiest one for you will be the one you are already most familiar with.

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