Background Overview

The API-570 certification is issued by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and evaluates the candidate's ability to inspect, repair, alter, and re-rate in-service metallic piping systems. This certification is crucial for maintaining process safety and equipment integrity in the industry and is accredited by ANSI under ISO 17024.

Exam Structure

The total exam duration is 7.5 hours, including a short tutorial, a 2.75-hour closed-book exam, a 45-minute break, and a 3.75-hour open-book exam. The exam includes 170 questions, of which 140 are scored (110 closed-book, 60 open-book) and 30 are unscored pretest questions.

Exam Content (Body of Knowledge)

The BOK outlines that the closed-book section tests the candidate's practical understanding of API-570 and its referenced documents, while the open-book section evaluates their ability to locate and apply information from standards. Referenced documents include API-570, API-571, 574, 576, 577, 578, ASME Sections V and IX, B16.5, B31.3, and PCC-2. Exam topics cover corrosion rate, remaining life, inspection intervals, weld and casting quality factors, minimum thickness, pressure testing, and impact testing.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must meet education and experience combinations within the last 10 years:

* Bachelor's degree in engineering or technology (or ≥3 years military technical service) plus ≥1 year piping inspection experience.

* Associate degree/certificate plus ≥2 years related experience (1 year in inspection).

* High school diploma plus ≥3 years related experience (1 year in inspection).

* No formal education but ≥5 years experience (1 year in inspection).

Recertification

The certification is valid for three years. Candidates can recertify from 90 days before until 90 days after expiration. Beyond this grace period, a full reapplication and retake are required. Recertification requires proof of engagement in API-570-related inspections for at least 20% of the time during the certification period.

From 2022, continuing professional development (CPD) hours are required. By 2025, 24 CPD hours are needed per cycle. Activities must be submitted via the ICP portal. Additionally, every six years, certificate holders must complete an online open-book web quiz (Webquiz) covering standard updates. The quiz is time-limited to four hours and allows up to three interruptions. Failure twice requires a full exam retake.

Industry and Market Impact

The API-570 certification is widely recognized in industries such as oil, petrochemical, and refining. Certificate holders are regarded as experts in maintaining piping system safety, compliance, and operational integrity, contributing significantly to plant reliability.