Getting Certified
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has launched a program to certify pipeline inspectors. Oil & Gas 360® spoke with an API media spokesperson who answered questions about the program.
OAG360®: What is the specific prerequisite education and/or experience/job title a person needs to achieve this certification?
API: The qualification requirements for the API 1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification Program are based on a combination of the number of years of experience acquired within the last 10 years, plus education, and in some cases, other certifications. Your experience and education should match at least one of the combinations in any one of these areas:
- Inspection Experience
- Non-Inspection Pipeline Experience
- General Oil & Gas Industry Experience
- Other Heavy Industry Experience
OAG360®: What is the cost to obtain the certification?
API: The cost varies, depending on what type of test you are taking (certification test vs. recertification test). The initial certification test costs between $300-$400. Test schedules and fees can be found here.
OAG360®: Are companies hiring for these certified inspectors?
API: ICP’s certifications have come to be regarded as the most demanded and desired credentials in the industry. They provide applicants with a means to improve their skills through learning and strengthening their overall job performance.
OAG360®: What else on the larger scale is required to get a job as a pipeline inspector – do you already need a mechanical engineering degree, for example?
API: Experience acquired in areas such as Utility inspection, Pressure/Leak Testing, Welding Inspection, Coating Inspection, etc. Degrees are required for pipeline inspectors. Specific information on the years of experience required and education can be found here.
Below is a chart outlining the program qualifications (source: API):
Who is qualified to take the API 1169 exam?
The qualification requirements for the API 1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification Program are based on a combination of the number of years of experience acquired within the last 10 years, plus education, and in some cases, other certifications.
Your experience and education should match at least one of the combinations in any one of these grids below:
INSPECTION EXPERIENCE
| Description of Experience Required | Minimum Years of Experience Required | Education |
| PIPELINE INSPECTION
Experience acquired in areas such as Utility inspection, Pressure/Leak Testing, Welding Inspection, Coating Inspection |
3 years | Any |
| GENERAL OIL & GAS INSPECTION
Experience acquired in areas such as: Equipment Inspection, NDT, In-service Inspection, Visual Inspection, Welding Inspection, Pressure/Leak Testing, Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks, Piping or Pressure Vessels, Manufacturing/Source Inspection |
3 years | BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology |
| 4 years | High School, GED | |
| 5 years | No Formal Education |
NON-INSPECTION PIPELINE EXPERIENCE
| Description of Experience Required | Minimum Years of Experience Required | Education |
| Experience acquired in areas such as: Pipeline Construction, Pipeline Operation, Welding, Fitting, Coating, Operation of Heavy Equipment | 4 years | BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology |
| 5 years | High School, GED | |
| 7 years | No Formal Education |
GENERAL OIL & GAS INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
| Description of Experience Required | Minimum Years of Experience Required | Education & Certification |
| Experience acquired at any petrochemical facility, such as refinery or petrochemical plants.
Experience may relate to: Operation, Construction and repair of petrochemical equipment. |
4 years of General Oil & Gas experience and 1 year of Pipeline Specific experience |
High School, GED or Higher Plus Any certification –Level II or greater – from any of the following: · AWS, CWB· NACE· API· ASNT |
| 7 years | High School, GED or Higher Plus Any certification – Level II or greater – from any of the following: · AWS, CWB· NACE· API· ASNT |
OTHER HEAVY INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
| Description of Experience Required | Minimum Years of Experience Required | Education & Certification |
| Experience acquired in industries or areas such as: Road Building, Civil Construction, Mining, Logging, Heavy Equipment Operating, Blasting
|
10 years | BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology |
| 10 years | High School, GED or Higher in a non-engineering or non-technology discipline Plus Any certification – Level II or greater – from any of the following: · AWS, CWB· NACE· API· ASNT |
Robin Rorick, API’s midstream director, offered a comment to Oil & Gas 360® about the certification program:
“The industry consistently seeks opportunities to reinforce our core value of safety and leads the way by creating new standards to enhance pipeline safety. The API 1169 Certification Program is a key component of the industry’s efforts to reach its goal of zero incidents and we hope individuals will continue to pursue the certification.”
