How to Apply  

API examinations are divided into two main groups: core exams (API 510, 570, 653) and non-core exams (API 571, 577, 580, 936, TES, 1169, SIFE, SIRE).

All API examinations are held 3 times a year and each API certification has a ‘’ 3 weeks exam window’’ that you should choose from at the time of registration.

The three API SIFE exam windows for year 2020, are: March 14 – April 4, 2025; July 11 – August 1, 2025, and November 7 – 28, 2025.

The exam fee is $475.

After registration and approval by API, your 3 weeks exam window is frozen, and you can only select the location, date and time at a Prometric test center.

Seats are limited at your preferred Prometric location, so select the date and time with Prometric as soon as you can once you have received the API Authorization email.

Note:  Prometric is subcontracted by API to hold the computer-Based Examinations.

To get the API approval in order to sit for the exam, file the application form by registering with API ICP by using the link:

APPLY

Create an account and pay the fee. You shall receive the API authorization email within 3-4 days.

Within the API authorization email, there is a link to ‘’Prometric’’ where you can select the exam center, the date and time slot.

Select your time slot as soon as you have received the API authorization as seats fill in quickly.

There are more than 600 Prometric testing centers across 160 countries worldwide to choose from.

All Prometric test centers operate on the first-come-first-served basis.

Therefore, API cannot promise that you will be able to obtain a seat at your preferred location.

It is highly recommended that you schedule your exam immediately after receiving your ‘’Exam Authorization Notice’’ from API. If seats are not available, try a different date within the same window, or choose another location.

Please note that, at the time of applying for API examination, you are required to select one of the available ‘’3 weeks’ time window’’.

Once the time window selected, you cannot change it which means you can only attempt the exam within the selected ‘’3 weeks window’’ unless you decide to reschedule and pay the fees which is as good as failing the exam.

Remember, no show, failing to book a seat or even inability to book a seat at your preferred test center is as good as failing the exam itself.

API in collaboration with Prometric offers a “Remote Proctoring” option where you can attend from the comfort of your home or office. To know more, click on below link:

Remote Exam

It is highly recommended that you schedule your exam immediately after receiving your ‘’Exam Authorization Notice’’ email from API. If seats are not available, try a different date within the same window, or choose another location.

Although it takes only 3-4 days before API approves your application, you might not be able to find a suitable available date with your selected Prometric test center or worse, you might not be able to get a seat at your favorite test center within the allocated ‘’3 weeks window’’ at all if you receive your approval (API authorization email) too late.

Therefore, it is recommended that you register and get API approval (API Exam Authorization Notice email) at least three months prior to your scheduled exam.

API gives each candidate 12 consecutive months to pass an exam beginning from the first scheduled test window.

This means you can attempt an exam for a maximum of 4 consecutive exam Schedule or one year.

If you do not pass the exam within a year for any reason such as failure in exam, fail to schedule the exam, no show up at the scheduled date, etc., you have to apply all over again and pay the full fee.

API SIFE Certification, Recertification, Rescheduling and Cost

API SIFE certification is valid for a three-year term and the initial exam costs US $465.

For exam schedule and list of fees, please follow below link:

Schedules & Fees

After 3 years, you need to apply for recertification demonstrating that you still work as an API inspector for 20% of the time. Recertification cost $ 370.

You may apply for recertification 90 days prior to the certificate expiration date, and up to 90-day after the expiry of your certificate (subject to late payment fee of 200 $).

If an application is not submitted by the end of the 90-day grace period, your certificate will expire. A new application with full fee must be submitted, and you will need to pass the initial examination in order to be recertified.