{"id":"315","title":"API 570 Body of Knowledge 2026 — Topics + Code Mapping + What Changed","slug":"api-570-body-of-knowledge-2026-changes-explained","date":"June 21, 2026","author":"Anoop Rayavarapu","category":"Standards & Codes","metaDescription":"API 570 Body of Knowledge for 2026: the exact reference editions (API 570 5th ed., RP 574 5th ed., B31.3-2024), the 15 RP 571 mechanisms on the exam, the 170-question format, and what changed.","snippet":"API 570 Body of Knowledge for 2026: the exact reference editions (API 570 5th ed., RP 574 5th ed., B31.3-2024), the 15 RP 571 mechanisms on the exam, the 170-question format, and what changed.","content":"<!-- atlantis-inline-anchors-v1 -->\n<h2>API 570 Body of Knowledge 2026 &#x2014; Official Outline + What Changed</h2>\n<p>The <strong>API 570 Body of Knowledge (BOK)</strong> and <strong>Publications Effectivity Sheet</strong> define what the API 570 Piping Inspector exam can test. API&apos;s current set is marked &quot;for 2026&quot;. This page summarises them; download the originals from the API 570 program page before you study.</p>\n<h2>Reference Publications and Editions (2026)</h2>\n<table>\n<thead><tr><th>Publication</th><th>Edition on the effectivity sheet</th><th>Exam scope</th></tr></thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>API 570, Piping Inspection Code</td><td>5th edition, February 2024</td><td>Whole code</td></tr>\n<tr><td>API RP 571, Damage Mechanisms</td><td>3rd edition, March 2020</td><td>Section 2 plus 15 listed mechanisms (below)</td></tr>\n<tr><td>API RP 574, Inspection Practices for Piping System Components</td><td>5th edition, February 2024, Addendum 1 (March 2025)</td><td>Per BOK</td></tr>\n<tr><td>API RP 576, Inspection of Pressure-relieving Devices</td><td>5th edition, September 2024</td><td>Sections 5, 6.1-6.5 and 7</td></tr>\n<tr><td>API RP 577, Welding Processes, Inspection, and Metallurgy</td><td>3rd edition, October 2020</td><td>Per BOK</td></tr>\n<tr><td>API RP 578, Material Verification Program</td><td>4th edition, February 2023</td><td>Per BOK</td></tr>\n<tr><td>ASME BPVC Section V</td><td>2023 edition</td><td>Articles 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 23 (SE-797 only)</td></tr>\n<tr><td>ASME BPVC Section IX</td><td>2023 edition</td><td>Welding only</td></tr>\n<tr><td>ASME B16.5, Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings</td><td>2020 edition (issued January 2021)</td><td>Per BOK</td></tr>\n<tr><td>ASME B31.3, Process Piping</td><td>2024 edition (issued December 2024)</td><td>Per BOK</td></tr>\n<tr><td>ASME PCC-2</td><td>2022</td><td>Articles 101, 201, 206, 209, 210, 211, 212, 304, 305, 306, 501, 502</td></tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<h3>RP 571 Mechanisms on the Exam</h3>\n<p>Section 2 (definitions) and paragraphs 3.3 amine SCC, 3.8 atmospheric corrosion, 3.9 boiler water and steam condensate corrosion, 3.14 caustic corrosion, 3.15 caustic SCC, 3.17 chloride SCC, 3.22 CUI, 3.27 erosion/erosion-corrosion, 3.31 galvanic corrosion, 3.37 hydrochloric acid corrosion, 3.43 mechanical fatigue (including vibration-induced fatigue), 3.45 MIC, 3.57 soil corrosion, 3.58 sour water corrosion (acidic) and 3.61 sulfidation.</p>\n<h2>What Changed on the Latest Effectivity Sheet</h2>\n<p>Items API highlights as updated on the 2026 sheet include RP 574 5th edition with Addendum 1 (March 2025), RP 576 5th edition (September 2024) limited to Sections 5, 6.1-6.5 and 7, and ASME B31.3 2024 edition. API RP 583 (CUI) is not a reference document; CUI is examined through API 570, RP 574 and RP 571 section 3.22.</p>\n<p><strong>Not on the API 570 BOK:</strong> API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 (fitness-for-service) and API RP 580/581 (risk-based inspection) are not listed reference documents for this exam. You should understand that the code allows RBI to set intervals and refers damage beyond its own rules to an FFS evaluation, but there are no FFS or RBI calculation sets to study. API does not publish percentage weightings by document; any &quot;weight map&quot; you see elsewhere is an estimate, not API data.</p>\n<p>Atlantis NDT does not run API 570 exam-preparation courses, and does not provide RBI or FFS services. This page is a free, independent summary of API&apos;s published documents.</p>\n\n<h2>Exam Format (api.org)</h2>\n<ul>\n<li>170 multiple-choice questions, of which 140 are scored and 30 are unscored pretest items</li>\n<li>Closed-book part: 110 questions in 2.75 hours; open-book part: 60 questions in 3.75 hours, with the references provided electronically; about 7.5 hours in total including tutorial and a 45-minute break</li>\n<li>In person at Prometric test centers only (remote proctoring for API 510, 570 and 653 ended with the September 2024 window)</li>\n<li>Scaled scoring; API reports a scaled score rather than a fixed percent-correct pass mark</li>\n<li>Prometric emails a score report, typically within 24 hours; API posts final results to the ICP portal afterwards</li>\n<li>Certification lasts 3 years; recertification needs at least 20% of working time on inspection activities and 24 CPD hours, plus a web quiz every 6 years</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Always confirm the format, fees and dates on the API 570 program page before you book.</p>\n\n<h2>Study Strategy</h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Index every referenced document in the listed edition for the open-book part</li>\n<li>Drill API 570 corrosion rate, remaining life, interval (class table plus half-remaining-life rule) and MAWP calculations</li>\n<li>Drill B31.3 pressure design thickness, test pressures and examination requirements, and B16.5 pressure-temperature ratings</li>\n<li>Learn the 15 RP 571 mechanisms and the RP 574 guidance on CMLs, injection points, deadlegs and CUI</li>\n<li>Practise WPS/PQR review against ASME IX</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Free practice: <a href=\"/blog/api-570-practice-questions\">API 570 practice questions</a>. Code guide: <a href=\"/blog/api-570-piping-inspection-code-requirements\">API 570 explained</a>.</p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n<h3>Q1: Is API RP 583 on the API 570 exam?</h3>\n<p><strong>A:</strong> No. It is not on the effectivity sheet.</p>\n<h3>Q2: Is RBI on the API 570 exam?</h3>\n<p><strong>A:</strong> API RP 580/581 are not reference documents; know only how API 570 allows RBI to set intervals.</p>\n<h3>Q3: Which B31.3 edition is used?</h3>\n<p><strong>A:</strong> The 2024 edition (issued December 2024).</p>\n<h3>Q4: Is the exam fully open-book?</h3>\n<p><strong>A:</strong> No. 110 questions are closed-book and 60 open-book.</p>\n<h3>Q5: What is the pass mark?</h3>\n<p><strong>A:</strong> A scaled score; API does not publish a percent-correct pass mark.</p>\n\n<h2>Related Atlantis NDT Resources</h2>\n<ul>\n  <li><a href=\"/asnt-certification\">ASNT certification</a> &#x2014; Level I/II/III pathway, pass rates, employer recognition</li>\n  <li><a href=\"/api-510-certification\">API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector</a> &#xB7; <a href=\"/api-570-certification\">API 570 Piping Inspector</a> &#xB7; <a href=\"/api-653-certification\">API 653 Tank Inspector</a></li>\n  <li><a href=\"/consulting/ndt-consulting-level-iii\">ASNT Level III consulting</a> &#x2014; outsourced Level III of record with SLA</li>\n  <li><a href=\"/best-ndt-reporting-software-2026\">NDT reporting software</a> &#x2014; digital NDT inspection reports</li>\n  <li><a href=\"/erp\">Atlantis NDT ERP</a> &#x2014; affordable, accessible, fully customizable</li>\n  <li><a href=\"/digital-twins\">Atlantis Digital Twin platform</a> &#x2014; 3D inspection-data overlay, predictive maintenance</li>\n</ul>\n<p><strong>Atlantis NDT</strong> is led by Anoop Rayavarapu (ASNT NDT Level III in UT, RT, MT, PT and VT). Free consultation for NDT inspection companies, training providers, and asset owners worldwide. <a href=\"/contact\">request a free consultation</a>. Pricing varies by region and scope, quote on request.</p>","order":0,"createdAt":"2026-06-21","updatedAt":"2026-10-18","quickAnswer":{"question":"What is the API 570 Body of Knowledge for 2026?","answer":"The API 570 BOK and Publications Effectivity Sheet for 2026 list API 570 5th edition (February 2024), API RP 571 3rd edition (selected mechanisms), RP 574 5th edition with Addendum 1 (March 2025), RP 576 5th edition (Sections 5, 6.1-6.5 and 7), RP 577 3rd edition, RP 578 4th edition, the 2023 ASME BPVC (Sections V and IX, selected parts), ASME B16.5-2020, ASME B31.3-2024 and ASME PCC-2 2022 (selected articles). The exam is 170 questions (110 closed-book, 60 open-book) over about 7.5 hours at Prometric centers.","bullets":["References: API 570, RP 571, 574, 576, 577, 578, ASME V, IX, B16.5, B31.3, PCC-2","New for 2026: RP 574 Addendum 1, RP 576 5th ed. sections, B31.3-2024","API RP 580/581, RP 583 and API 579 are not on the API 570 BOK"]}}