API Certification, Recertification, and Fees
API certifications are typically valid for three years from the date of certification. The application and examination fees vary depending on the certification.
For the latest examination fees, application deadlines, and schedules, please visit the API Individual Certification Program (ICP) website under Schedules and Fees, or refer to Module 1 of our online training courses, which is available free of charge.
Recertification Every Three Years
To maintain your certification, you must apply for recertification every three years before your certification expires.
As part of the recertification process, API generally requires you to demonstrate that you have continued to work in the relevant inspection discipline. Typically, this means showing that you have spent at least 20% of your professional work time performing activities related to the certification.
Recertification Timeline
You may submit your recertification application:
- Up to 90 days before your certification expires.
- Up to 90 days after the expiration date during the grace period with an additional late application fee of $ 200.
If you do not submit your recertification application before the end of the grace period, your certification will expire. In that case, you will generally need to:
- Submit a new certification application.
- Pay the full application and examination fee.
- Pass the complete certification examination again.
Six-Year Knowledge Verification Quiz
Every six years, API requires certified inspectors to complete an online open-book recertification quiz as part of maintaining their core certification only (API 510, API 570 & API 653).
The quiz is designed to verify that certified inspectors remain up to date with changes to the applicable API codes and standards.
The recertification quiz typically:
- Contains 25 questions.
- Focuses on significant code changes introduced during the previous six years.
- Allows up to four hours for completion.
- Can be paused and resumed up to three times.
If you do not pass the quiz on your first attempt, you are normally permitted one additional attempt. If you are unsuccessful on the second attempt, you will generally need to submit a new certification application and pass the full certification examination to regain your API certification.
Stay Current with Our Refresher Courses
To help inspectors maintain their certifications and stay up to date with the latest code revisions, we offer API Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. These courses review changes to the applicable codes and standards, reinforce key inspection concepts, and help you prepare confidently for API recertification.
