API 570 Piping Inspector: Exam & Requirements [2026]

API 570 Piping Inspector Exam & Requirements: Complete Guide 2026

The API 570 Piping Inspector certification is issued by API's Individual Certification Programs (ICP) to people who meet its education and experience rules and pass its exam. This guide summarises the requirements from api.org and the published Body of Knowledge (BOK), and gives an independent study plan. Atlantis NDT does not offer API exam training; always confirm details on the API 570 program page before applying.

API 570 Exam Overview

Eligibility Requirements

Education	Piping-related experience required
BS or higher in engineering or technology	1 year in supervision or performance of inspection activities
2-year degree or certificate in engineering/technology	2 years in design, construction, repair, operation or inspection of piping, including 1 year in supervision or performance of inspection
High school diploma or equivalent	3 years, including 1 year in supervision or performance of inspection
No formal education	5+ years, including 1 year in supervision or performance of inspection

There is no ASNT Level III (or any NDT certification) prerequisite. Experience must be documented and verified by an employer or client, and must be recent (API checks experience within the last 10 years).

Exam Format

Component	Details (api.org)
Total questions	170 multiple-choice (140 scored, 30 unscored pretest)
Structure	110 closed-book questions, then 60 open-book questions with references provided electronically
Duration	About 7.5 hours including tutorial and break
Delivery	In person at Prometric test centers only (remote proctoring ended in September 2024)
Scoring	Scaled score; API does not publish a fixed percent-correct pass mark
Results	Prometric emails a score report, typically within 24 hours; API posts final results to the ICP portal
Fees and retakes	Set by API; a reschedule/retest application and fee apply after a fail or no-show

Referenced Documents

The BOK lists: API 570; API RP 571 (selected damage mechanisms); API RP 574; API RP 576; API RP 577; API RP 578; ASME Section V; ASME Section IX; ASME B16.5; ASME B31.3; and ASME PCC-2. Editions are on the Publications Effectivity Sheet for your exam window. API does not publish topic percentages. API 579, RP 580/581 and RP 583 are not API 570 BOK documents.

Core Content Requirements

API 570 Code Knowledge

• Roles: owner-operator, authorized piping inspector, piping engineer, inspection supervisor, examiner, repair organization
• Piping classes (1-4) and the recommended maximum intervals: thickness 5/10/10 years and external visual 5/5/10 years for Classes 1/2/3; injection points 3 years; thickness intervals also limited to one-half remaining life
• Corrosion rates (long-term and short-term), remaining life, required thickness, MAWP
• CUI, injection points, deadlegs, soil-to-air interfaces, buried piping (frequency table based on soil resistivity)
• Repairs, alterations, rerating, pressure testing, records

Worked example: a line drops from 0.312 in. to 0.218 in. over five years: corrosion rate = 0.094 / 5 = 0.0188 in./yr (18.8 mpy). If required thickness is 0.150 in., remaining life = (0.218 - 0.150) / 0.0188 = 3.6 years; because remaining life is under four years, the interval may be the full remaining life up to a maximum of 2 years, so the next thickness measurement is due within 2 years.

ASME B31.3 and B16.5

• Pressure design thickness for straight pipe (t = PD / 2(SEW + PY)) and the BOK-listed limits
• Hydrostatic and pneumatic leak test pressures
• Examination requirements and acceptance criteria for normal fluid service
• B16.5 flange pressure-temperature ratings and class selection

NDE Methods for Piping (RP 574, RP 577, ASME V)

UT thickness at CMLs, profile RT, MT/PT, angle-beam UT, PMI per RP 578, and screening methods for CUI. Know the ASME V articles listed in the BOK.

Damage Mechanisms (RP 571)

Study the mechanisms listed in the current BOK: appearance, critical factors, affected units, and inspection/monitoring.

Welding and Repairs (RP 577, ASME IX, PCC-2)

WPS/PQR review against essential variables, welder qualification, preheat/PWHT, and the PCC-2 repair methods listed in the BOK.

Study Strategy (Example 8-Week Plan)

• Week 1: Download the current BOK and effectivity sheet; read API 570 in full and list every number.
• Week 2: API 570 calculations: corrosion rate, remaining life, intervals, MAWP.
• Week 3: ASME B31.3 calculations and test pressures; B16.5 ratings.
• Week 4: API RP 574 and RP 578.
• Week 5: API RP 571 mechanisms in the BOK.
• Week 6: API RP 577, ASME IX, ASME V.
• Week 7: API RP 576 and ASME PCC-2; mixed practice questions.
• Week 8: Timed full-length practice (closed then open book) and review.

Use free practice sets such as our API 570 practice questions. Third-party prep courses exist; pick one aligned with the current effectivity sheet.

Time Management for Exam Day

• Closed-book part: answer recall questions quickly; flag long calculations.
• Open-book part: practise searching electronic copies of the references before exam day.
• Check units and whether the question asks for required thickness, remaining life or interval.

Study Materials & Costs

You need access to the referenced documents in the editions on the effectivity sheet. API sets the application and exam fees; check api.org for the current schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is API 570 harder than API 510 or 653?

A: All three share the same 170-question closed-plus-open-book format; difficulty depends on your familiarity with the referenced codes (B31.3 for 570).

Q2: How long should I study for API 570?

A: There is no official figure; many candidates plan 8-12 weeks of part-time study.

Q3: Can I take API 570 before API 510?

A: Yes. Each certification is independent.

Q4: What if I don't have enough piping experience yet?

A: You must meet API's experience requirement for your education level before applying; there is no provisional route.

Q5: Is the API 570 exam open-book?

A: Partly. 110 questions are closed-book and 60 are open-book, with references provided on screen. You cannot bring your own books.

Q6: What's the job outlook after API 570 certification?

A: Demand follows refinery, petrochemical and turnaround activity in your region; check current postings and BLS data.

Q7: How often must I recertify?

A: Every 3 years: at least 20% of working time on inspection activities, 24 CPD hours, and a web quiz every 6 years.

Q8: Can I use API 570 to sign inspection reports?

A: API 570 certification demonstrates qualification as an authorized piping inspector; who signs which reports is defined by the owner-operator's inspection program and any jurisdictional rules.

Q9: What's the difference between API 570 and ASME B31.8?

A: API 570 is an in-service inspection code for process piping. B31.8 is the design and construction code for gas transmission and distribution piping; in-service pipelines are governed by pipeline regulations and standards, not API 570.

Q10: Should I take API 510 before API 570?

A: Choose the one that matches your current work. See which API certification to take first.

Conclusion

API 570 eligibility is education plus piping experience (no NDT Level III needed), the exam is 170 questions over about 7.5 hours at Prometric centers, and recertification runs every 3 years. For the code itself, read our API 570 code guide and the API 570 certification page.