The NACE-CIP1-001 Training Course is a professional training course designed to prepare you thoroughly for the Coating Inspector Program Level 1 (CIP Level 1) certification exam, which is part of the industry-recognized Coating Inspector Program administered by AMPP (formerly NACE International). This training course serves as your complete study guide and learning resource, giving you the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and exam preparation strategies you need to succeed on the exam and advance your career in coating inspection and corrosion protection. Offered through experienced instructors and structured learning modules, this training course covers the essential topics that candidates must master before sitting for the NACE-CIP1-001 written and practical assessments.

The NACE-CIP1-001 Training Course on the Coating Inspector Program Level 1 is aimed at both beginners entering the field and professionals seeking structured study support, helping you build confidence through clear explanations, actionable study plans, and realistic practice questions. As a training course, it guides you through the core concepts of coating inspection, including surface preparation techniques, inspection procedures, non-destructive testing, environmental and safety controls, documentation practices, applicable standards such as ASTM and SSPC, and professional ethics—topics that reflect the exam blueprint and body of knowledge for this certification.

This NACE-CIP1-001 training course emphasizes not only exam content but also real hands-on application. Participants will engage with both theoretical instruction and practical exercises, using inspection tools and techniques that mirror the skills tested on the CIP Level 1 practical assessment. By blending classroom learning with case studies and hands-on labs, the training course helps you grasp both the technical fundamentals and the real-world context of protective coatings and their inspection on steel and industrial infrastructure.

Whether you are preparing for the written multiple-choice portion of the NACE-CIP1-001 exam or need to develop confidence with practical inspection instruments and reporting, this training course provides a structured path tailored to your success. It incorporates best practices for study, review, and exam readiness, along with practice questions and study materials aligned with the most recent exam domains, including safety, corrosion fundamentals, documentation, and standards interpretation. The goal of the training course is to ensure you enter your certification exam well-prepared, knowledgeable, and ready to perform as a competent entry-level Coating Inspector.

Table of Contents

1. Study Plan for NACE-CIP1-001 Exam

2. Study Methods and Key Points

3. Knowledge Explanation

• Recognize how corrosion forms and the role protective coatings play in preventing corrosion

  • Understand corrosion mechanisms, including anodic and cathodic reactions.
  • Study the components of a corrosion cell and factors influencing corrosion.
  • Learn protective coating mechanisms: barrier protection, sacrificial anode protection, and inhibition.

• Describe the role of the inspector as it applies to responsibilities, authority, safety, ethics, communication, and decision-making

  • Review the inspector’s responsibilities in supervision, reporting, and quality control.
  • Understand safety protocols, including confined space hazards and PPE.
  • Learn ethical principles under the AMPP Code of Conduct and how to handle real-world dilemmas.

• Differentiate surface preparation equipment, methods, and standards for solvent cleaning, hand/power tool cleaning, wet/dry abrasive blasting, and water jetting

  • Study SSPC standards such as SP1, SP2/SP3, SP5/SP10, and SP12.
  • Compare methods for removing contaminants and achieving appropriate surface cleanliness.

• Identify quality control issues, recognizing design and fabrication defects and coating failure modes

  • Understand common coating defects such as blistering, delamination, cracking, and chalking.
  • Learn how to detect and prevent quality control issues during surface preparation and application.

• Compare and contrast different generic coating types, modes of protection, and curing mechanisms

  • Review epoxy, polyurethane, and zinc-rich coatings.
  • Understand curing mechanisms such as solvent evaporation, chemical reaction, and heat curing.

• Differentiate coating application by type, including brush, roller, airless, conventional, and plural component spray

  • Learn the strengths, limitations, and use cases for each application method.
  • Focus on achieving uniform thickness and avoiding common application issues.

• Utilize job specifications, safety product data sheets, and a variety of inspection report documentation including NCRs, daily reports, and inspection test plans

  • Understand how to interpret job specifications and SDS for safe and compliant work.
  • Learn how to draft detailed NCRs, daily reports, and test plans to document inspections.

• Perform non-destructive inspection procedures for environmental conditions, visible/non-visible contaminants, surface profile, film thickness, and holiday detection under the supervision of a qualified inspector

  • Practice using NDT tools such as hygrometers, contaminant test kits, DFT gauges, and holiday detectors.
  • Understand how to assess surface profiles and verify coating quality without causing damage.

• Comply with the AMPP Coating Inspector Code of Conduct

  • Emphasize fairness, professionalism, and confidentiality in all inspection activities.
  • Study practical examples of ethical decision-making in inspection scenarios.

4. Practice Questions and Answers