API 653 Current Edition 2026: Standard vs BoK Window Explained

Dates for Addenda 1-3 and the errata are as listed on API's 2026 Publications Effectivity Sheet. Earlier editions: 4th (April 2009), 3rd (December 2001), 2nd (December 1995) and 1st (January 1991).

The effectivity sheet for the March, July and November 2026 windows lists: API 653 5th edition with Addenda 1-3 and Errata 1-2; API 650 13th edition (March 2020) with Errata 1; API RP 571 3rd edition (10 listed mechanisms); RP 575 5th edition (September 2024); RP 576 5th edition (Sections 4.3.2 and 6.7 only); RP 577 3rd edition; RP 651 5th edition (August 2024); RP 652 5th edition (May 2020); and ASME Section V and IX (2023). Addendum 4 to API 653 and the 14th edition of API 650 (August 2025) are not on the 2026 sheet. API 579-1, API 620 and API RP 580/581 are not referenced publications.

Routine owner inspections at intervals not exceeding one month; external inspection by an authorized inspector at the lesser of 5 years or RCA/4N; shell UT at 5 years when the corrosion rate is unknown, otherwise the lesser of RCA/2N or 15 years; first internal inspection within 10 years unless Table 6.1 safeguards add credit (capped at 20 years without a release prevention barrier and 30 years with one); later internals from bottom corrosion rates or an RBI assessment that meets the code's requirements.

Atlantis NDT does not offer API 510, API 570 or API 653 exam preparation and does not administer those examinations. We provide ASNT SNT-TC-1A NDT training, ASNT Level III consulting on NDE procedures and written practices, and inspection software (Atlantis ERP and the Digital Twin platform).

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There is no “2026 edition” of API 653. The current standard is the 5th edition (November 2014), maintained through addenda and errata — most recently Addendum 4 (July 2025). The “2026” you see on exam documents refers to the exam windows, and the 2026 exam uses the edition through Addendum 3.