New API Inspector Recertification Program

Next year, the API Inspector Recertification Program (ICP) will be recertifying inspectors who have held their API certifications (Pressure Vessel, Piping, and Storage Tanks) for more than 6 years. Instead of just filling out the necessary API paperwork and sending in your fees, inspectors who last took the exam at least 6 years ago will be required to pass a short, web-based, open-book exam (about 25 questions) covering material that has changed in our code books in the past 6 years. A database of questions is being assembled now from which to draw those questions. Each applicant which is due for the recertification exam will be notified when the new recertification process applies to them. When that occurs, the applicant will be expected to access the exam on the API website, answer the questions and submit the completed exam to the API, along with the normal paperwork and fees. Passing the exam (getting something like 80% correct) will be required before recertification can proceed.

We are making every effort to try to keep this process as simple and inexpensive as possible, hopefully being able to manage the new recertification process with no increase in fees.

The reason for this new recertification requirement is to satisfy the need to show that API certified inspectors are in fact keeping up with recent changes in inspection practices included in our code books. That is necessary in order to maintain the high state of public credibility and operating company confidence in API certified inspectors.

This process will start sometime in 2004. When that occurs, I will notify readers of the IJ that the process has, in fact, begun, along with any updates on how it will be implemented. This is just a “heads up” to let you know what is coming down the pike. In the meantime, if you have any comments on this new recertification process, let me know by responding to this note through the IJ at inquiries@inspectioneering.com.