Since 1989, the American Petroleum Institute (API) has offered Individual Certification Programs (ICP) to test the knowledge and document the experience of inspection and technical personnel. These programs offer certification for a variety of API standards. Most API ICPs are valid for three years and can be renewed after that.
This program’s certification standards include the following:
- API 510-Pressure Vessel Inspector
- API 570-Piping Inspector
- API 653-Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector
- API 571-Corrosion and Materials Professional
- API 577-Welding Inspection and Metallurgy Professional
- API 580-Risk-Based Inspection Professional
- API TES-Tank Entry Supervisor
- API 936-Refractory Quality Control Personnel
- API SIEE-Source Inspector Electrical Equipment
- API SIFE-Source Inspector Fixed Equipment
- API SIRE-Source Inspector Rotating Equipment
- API RP 1169-Pipeline Inspector
- API RP 1184-Pipeline Facility Construction Inspector
- API QUPA-Qualification of Ultrasonic Testing Examiners (Phased Array)
- API QUSE-Qualification of Ultrasonic Testing Examiners (Sizing)
- API QUTE-Qualification of Ultrasonic Testing Examiners
How to Apply for API 510, API 570, and API 653 Certification: Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1:
Create an account or login if you are already registered on the API ICP portal .Click here
Step 2:
After creating an account or logging in, you will see the API Dashboard, where you need to click on ICP Individual Certification Program.
Step 3:
If you’re a new registered user, then you need to update your “Profile Information, Company Affiliation, Addresses, and User Agreement” and then save. For those already registered, please skip this step and follow step 4.
Step 4:
When you log in to the API ICP portal, you can see a first look. In the very right corner, you will see an option to “Create New Application”. Click on this option and after you are redirected to another screen, refer to the below screen shot.
Step 5:
Click on “Start Application.” Once clicked, you will see another page of “Person Profile.” Congratulations! Now scroll down and carefully read your given information. At the bottom of the page you can see two buttons; one is “Back” and the other is “Next.” Click on “Next.”
Step 6:
After completing step 6, you will see a new screen “Application Program Selection”. Here you’ve got to select one of the API ICP certification programs, i.e., API 510, API 570, or API 653. Once you select the API ICP certification program, choose your exam preference. These preferences are here : Exam Method, Date, Location, and Language (refer to below screenshot). After completing this step, scroll down to the bottom of the page and then click on the “Next” button.
Step 7:
After successfully completing the above step, you will be redirected to another screen. This section states the “Review Qualifications.” You can also visit our other “Published Blog ( How to Become a Static Equipment Inspector: Step-By-Step Guide” on reviewing your qualifications and experience requirements to comply with the requirements of the API ICP certification program.
Avoid delays or denial of your application. Please carefully read the application requirements and then scroll down to the bottom of the page, write your name as a signature, and click next.
Step 8:
In this step, you need to give your signature after reviewing the “Legal Agreement.” Sign the agreement at the bottom of the page and accept it.
Step 9:
Add your education and upload your educational certification documents as PDF files and save and click “Next.” Refer to the below screenshot.
Step 10:
After adding education history and clicking on Next, you will be redirected to “Employment History.” You need to update your experience as required by API ICP requirements in this section. First of all, give your employment history, then add experience in different terms. Make sure your number of years and your job responsibilities are matched as required. Secondly, if your company is a API corporate member company, then click yes and add the name of the API member company to avail a $200 discount on the application fee. Write your company address, your job title, and job description, Make your job description acceptable and match it with the requirements of the API ICP certification programs. Once you finish this section, scroll down and write your responsibilities with the starting date and end date. Give the end date as the current date if it is your current job responsibility. Refer to the below screenshot:
Continue to Step 10:
After completing the above screenshot, scroll down the page. In this section, you have to give the specified skills in different areas of engineering with dates (from to end). Once you finish this step, then click on Next. You can also add different employers by clicking on Add Employer. Do not overwrite previous employment history twice as this may create errors for previous employment verification.
Step 11:
After successfully providing your employment history, you will be redirected to “Employment References.” Your employment and skills will be verified to assess your qualifications for an API exam. Each supervisor you wish to use requires a name, email address, and phone number to be specified. If the API team can’t verify your employment, you may not qualify to sit for the exam. Please make sure all the information is accurate.
Step 12:
After providing the reference information, click Next. After clicking, you will be directed to “Application Code of Conduct/Term and Conditions.” Read carefully and write your name as signature in given box and click next.
Step 13:
After accepting the terms and conditions, you will be redirected to the invoice/payment information section. Please provide your billing contact and payment information correctly. Choose your method of payment, Upload scanned / digital image of the ACH, Check / Money Order, Wire etc. Please review your invoice below to ensure that billing information and all other details are correct before clicking the Submit button. Your application is not submitted until you enter valid payment options and click the submit button. After you submit it, no changes can be made to the invoice. If you need a copy of your receipt sent by e-mail to a third party, include the email address in the “Additional Email for Receipt” field. You may print a copy of the invoice by selecting the “Print Invoice” button at the bottom of the page.
Once you have completed all the steps, you will receive a confirmation email of your payment received after one day, and then your application will proceed to the next steps of exam location selection. When your provided references accept your response and verify it, then the API team will start verifying it.
If you have any doubts or require assistance, you may ask me through my email [email protected]
Thank You, Have a nice day.
