When are the API 510, 570 and 653 exams held?

API runs its ICP examinations in scheduled windows across the year rather than on fixed single dates, with computer-based testing booked through its testing partner. Applications close well before each window opens, so the practical deadline is the application cut-off — not the exam date. The full window-by-window schedule and application deadlines are below.

API 510, 570 & 653 Exam Schedule 2026: Windows, Deadlines & Dates

Every 2026 API ICP exam window, application deadline, Body of Knowledge (BoK) edition, and result-release date for API 510 (Pressure Vessel Inspector), API 570 (Piping Inspector), and API 653 (Tank Inspector) in one table. Paper-based testing (PBT) runs in three fixed 3-week windows; computer-based testing (CBT) is offered year-round at Prometric centers. Always verify final dates at api.org before locking in your prep schedule.

2026 API ICP Exam Schedule (All Three Certifications)

API 510, API 570, and API 653 share the same 2026 calendar:

Exam WindowApplication OpensApplication ClosesExam DatesResults
Q2 (May 2026) — 510 / 570 / 653Jan 6, 2026Mar 18, 2026May 5–23, 2026~Jul 17, 2026
Q3 (Aug 2026) — 510 / 570 / 653Apr 7, 2026Jun 17, 2026Aug 4–22, 2026~Oct 16, 2026
Q4 (Nov 2026) — 510 / 570 / 653Jul 7, 2026Sep 16, 2026Nov 3–21, 2026~Jan 15, 2027
CBT (year-round)Rolling~21 days before seatAny Prometric seat in 2026~8 weeks after exam

Quick read: three PBT windows — May 5–23, August 4–22, and November 3–21, 2026. Applications close 6–8 weeks before each window; results arrive roughly 8 weeks after it closes. CBT is the fastest path if you have already missed a PBT deadline. See the official API ICP pages for current application and exam fees.

PBT vs CBT: How the API Exam Windows Work

  • Paper-Based Testing (PBT): three fixed windows per year; hard-copy reference standards with personal tabs and highlighting allowed; pass rates around 45–55%; preferred by veterans who study with marked-up code books.
  • Computer-Based Testing (CBT): rolling year-round at Prometric; seats typically bookable within 2–6 weeks; electronic (unmarked) standards; pass rates around 40–50%; best for flexibility or a missed PBT deadline.

Both deliveries award the identical ICP certificate from the same question bank and Body of Knowledge.

Application Deadline Math: How Far Ahead to Plan

  • Application window opens ~14 weeks before the exam window starts
  • Application window closes 6–8 weeks before the exam window starts
  • API review and approval takes 2–4 weeks after submission
  • Authorization to Test (ATT) issued 4–6 weeks before the exam
  • Recommended submission buffer: 10–12 weeks before the window

Worked example — August 2026: exam Aug 4–22 → application closes ~Jun 17 → submit by ~May 27 for safety → start gathering employer attestation by mid-April. Late applications are never accepted; a missed deadline means the next window (3–4 months) or a CBT pivot.

Which Body of Knowledge Edition Applies in 2026?

All three 2026 windows (May, August, November) use the 2026 BoK, locked roughly six months before the first window. Standards in force:

  • API 510: 11th Edition + 2026 Addenda, with ASME Section V, VIII Div. 1, and B31.3
  • API 570: 5th Edition + 2026 Addenda, with ASME B31.3 and API 574/577/578
  • API 653: 6th Edition + 2026 Addenda, with API 650 and API 579-1/ASME FFS-1
  • Common references: ASME Section V (NDE) and Section IX (Welding Qualifications)

Buying the wrong edition is the most expensive avoidable prep mistake — read our API 510 BoK 2026 changes breakdown before purchasing standards.

Registration: APIcheck + Prometric in 7 Steps

  1. Create an APIcheck account at my.api.org/icp (verification takes 1–2 business days)
  2. Complete the experience attestation, signed by your employer
  3. Upload resume, education documents, and government-issued photo ID
  4. Pay the application and exam fees (see api.org for current fee amounts)
  5. Wait 2–4 weeks for API approval and your Authorization to Test (ATT)
  6. CBT only: schedule a seat at prometric.com/api; PBT seats are auto-assigned for your window
  7. On exam day bring your ATT, matching photo ID, and (PBT only) tabbed reference standards

What to Do If You Miss a 2026 Window

  • Switch to CBT: Prometric seats are usually available within 2–6 weeks with the same question pool and BoK
  • Defer to the next PBT window: May → August → November; fee transfers can be requested via APIcheck within 30 days
  • Use the gap for deeper prep: candidates with 400+ study hours reach 80%+ pass rates versus ~25% at 100–150 hours
  • Stack a second certification: triple-crown holders (510+570+653) earn $130K–$180K versus $105K–$140K for single-cert inspectors — see our API 653 certification guide for the tank track

Recommended 26-Week Prep Timeline

PhaseFocusActions
Weeks 26–22FoundationBuy current-edition standards, read every BoK reference once, tab the code books
Weeks 21–16Content masteryDeep-dive each content area: inspection, NDE, welding, materials, RBI, repair
Weeks 15–10Calculation drillsMAWP, remaining-life, t-min, corrosion-rate, and pressure-test calculations until automatic
Weeks 9–6Full-length practice3–4 timed practice exams; identify weak content areas
Weeks 5–3RemediationRebuild weak areas; memorize key thickness and MAWP tables
Weeks 2–1Exam readinessLight review, logistics check, final tab check on standards

Countdowns: August 4–22 window → start by Feb 2, 2026. November 3–21 → start by May 4, 2026. May 2027 → start by Nov 2, 2026. Compare difficulty across the three exams in our API ICP pass-rate comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next API 510 exam in 2026?

The remaining 2026 PBT windows are August 4–22 (apply by June 17) and November 3–21 (apply by September 16); the Q2 window ran May 5–23. CBT seats at Prometric are available year-round, usually within 2–6 weeks. Verify final dates at api.org.

What is the API 570 exam schedule for 2026?

API 570 follows the same three 2026 PBT windows: May 5–23, August 4–22, and November 3–21, with applications closing roughly March 18, June 17, and September 16 respectively. Results arrive about 8–10 weeks after each window closes. CBT delivery is also available year-round.

When is the API 653 exam window in 2026?

API 653 uses the standard API ICP calendar: May 5–23, August 4–22, and November 3–21, 2026. Application windows open ~14 weeks before each exam and close 6–8 weeks before. Most tank-inspector candidates choose PBT for the tabbed hard-copy standards advantage.

What are the application deadlines for 2026 API exams?

Approximately March 18, 2026 for the May window, June 17, 2026 for August, and September 16, 2026 for November. Applications require experience documentation, employer attestation, and ID. Late applications are not accepted — API recommends submitting at least 10 weeks before the window opens.

How much do the API exams cost in 2026?

API sets separate application, examination, retake, and recertification fees that change periodically — see the official API ICP pages (api.org) for current fee amounts. Prep-course pricing varies by region and scope; request a tailored quote for Atlantis NDT cohort training.

What happens if I miss an API exam window?

There are no late registrations or makeups. Your options: switch to CBT (seats within 2–6 weeks), apply early for the next PBT window 3–4 months later, or use the gap to extend prep — the strongest predictor of passing is total study hours.

How early should I start studying for the November 2026 window?

Start by May 4, 2026 for a full 26-week runway, matching the 300–400 study hours successful candidates invest. Experienced vessel, piping, or tank inspectors can compress to 12–16 weeks. Structured cohorts with weekly live sessions materially raise pass rates.

Atlantis NDT Products & Services

Locking a 2026 window is step one; passing it is step two. Atlantis NDT supports inspection teams end to end: run your operation on NDT inspection management software — Atlantis ERP (affordable, accessible, fully customizable), visualize thickness data and RBI findings on our digital twin platform for asset integrity, and generate code-compliant reports with modern NDT reporting software. Advance your career through ASNT Level III-led NDT training & certification, engage our ASNT Level III consulting team for procedures, audits, and inspector-of-record support, or capture as-built asset geometry with 3D laser scanning services. Pricing varies by region and scope — book a free consultation for a tailored quote.

Running this as a programme, not a one-off

If you are responsible for an inspection programme rather than a single job, the recurring problem is rarely the code — it is keeping measured thickness, damage-mechanism assignment and next-inspection dates in one defensible place. Asset integrity management software covers how RBI under API 580/581 and fitness-for-service under API 579 behave when they run on measured corrosion rates per CML instead of default rates, and what changes for the integrity team.

API 510, 570 and 653 examinations run in fixed windows each year, and applications close roughly two months before the window opens. Candidates book a seat through Prometric once API approves the application, so the application deadline governs the timeline rather than the examination date itself.

The sequence that catches candidates out is administrative rather than technical. API opens an application window, reviews eligibility against the education and experience combinations in the certification programme, and only then releases the candidate to schedule at a Prometric centre. That review takes weeks, so a candidate who applies close to the deadline may find preferred dates and locations already taken even though the examination itself is months away. Candidates requiring a visa or long-haul travel should work backwards from the seat, not from the window. Each certification is examined as a closed-book portion plus an open-book portion using the published effective editions, and those editions are fixed per window — sitting a later window can mean a different edition and a changed body of knowledge.

Source: API Individual Certification Programs (ICP) published examination schedule and body of knowledge documents

Technically reviewed by Anoop Rayavarapu — ASNT NDT Level III (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT, ET) · API 653 · ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor
API ICP examination sequence — what governs each step
StepWho controls itTypical lead timeWhat goes wrong
Application submittedCandidateOpens months before the windowApplying near the deadline compresses everything after it
Eligibility reviewAPIWeeksExperience documentation rejected, restarting the clock
Scheduling releasedAPI to PrometricAfter approvalPreferred centre and date already full
Examination satPrometric centreWithin the published windowTravel or visa not aligned to the seat actually obtained
Result issuedAPIWeeks after the windowRetake planning assumes a faster turnaround than occurs
Effective code editions are fixed per examination window. Confirm the edition against the current API body of knowledge before buying reference material.

When do API 510, 570 and 653 exams take place?

API runs examinations in fixed windows through the year rather than on demand. The window dates and their application deadlines are published per certification, and the application deadline — roughly two months ahead — is the date that actually constrains a candidate.

How far in advance should I apply for an API exam?

Apply as soon as the window opens rather than near the deadline. API must review eligibility before releasing you to schedule with Prometric, and that review takes weeks; late applicants routinely lose their preferred centre and date even when the exam is months away.

Which code edition will my API exam use?

The effective editions are fixed per examination window and published in the body of knowledge for that window. Sitting a later window can change the edition, so confirm before buying reference material — an out-of-edition code is the most expensive avoidable mistake in preparation.

What happens if I fail an API ICP exam?

You retake within the retest rules for that certification rather than reapplying from the start, but results take weeks to issue, so a retake usually lands in a later window. Build that lag into any plan tied to a contract or promotion date.

Can I sit API 510 and API 570 in the same window?

Yes, they are separate examinations with separate applications and fees, and candidates do sit both. The practical limit is preparation: each has its own body of knowledge and open-book code set, and splitting revision across two tends to weaken both.

Do I need an employer to apply for API certification?

No, but you need documented experience an employer or supervisor can attest to. API reviews the education and experience combination at application, and unverifiable experience is the most common cause of an application being returned.

If a candidate has already failed once

Scheduling a retake is the easy part. diagnosing a repeated exam failure covers the harder question of what the failure was actually telling you.