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, SIRE, 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 windows for year 2023 for API SIRE are: March 14 – April 4, 2025; July 11 – August 1, 2025 & November 7 – 28, 2025.

The initial exam fee is US $475.

After registering and obtaining the exam authorization approval from 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 as soon as you can because exam slots at Prometric centers are reserved on first com first serve basis.

Please note that Prometric is subcontracted by API to hold the computer-Based Examinations.

To apply for exam, register a free account with API ICP using below link:

APPLY

You shall normally receive the API authorization email within 2-3 days after applying for the exam and paid the fee.

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 authorization as seats fill in quickly.

There are more than 3000 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.

Note: 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.

Please note that, during registration with API, you are required to select one of the available ‘’3 weeks’ exam 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, failure to book a seat with Prometric including inability to book a seat at your preferred test center is as good as failing the exam itself.

If you receive your approval (API authorization email) too late; you may not be able to find a suitable exam slot or worse, you might not be able to find any available slot at all with your favorite Prometric test center within the allocated ‘’3-week window’’.

Therefore, it is recommended that you register and get API approval (API Exam Authorization Notice email) around 2-3 month prior to your scheduled exam.

You can change the location and the date (within the allocated 3 weeks window) up to 30 days before the last day of test window free of charge and between 5-29 days for a fee of USD 70 $ subject to availability.

Normally, it is possible to change the time and location for API SIRE.

API gives each candidate 12 consecutive months (One Year) to pass an exam beginning from the first scheduled test window. This means you can attempt an exam for a maximum of 4 consecutive times and pay a reschedule fee of 200 $.

If you do not pass the exam within a year for any reason such as exam failure, fail to schedule the exam, no show up at the scheduled date, etc., you have to apply all over again and pay the full initial fee (US $465).

API SIRE Certification, Recertification, Rescheduling and Cost

API SIRE certification is valid for a three-year term and the exam costs US $465; rescheduling cost US $200.

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 a late application 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 and fees must be submitted, and you will need to pass a full examination in order to be recertified.

API inspectors are required to take an on-line, open book quiz every six years in order to keep their certification.

The 6-year recertification quiz has 25 questions and address the changes in the relevant API standards over the past six years.

You have a total of four hours to complete the quiz, and it may be paused or interrupted up to three times.

If you fail the quiz once, you will be able to take it again. If you fail the quiz a second time, you will not be able to recertify and you shall need to submit a fresh application and take the full version of the exam in order to be certified again.

If you fail the initial exam, you need to request rescheduling and pay $200 for re-examination.

After requesting for rescheduling and paying the fee, you shall receive the approval letter via email within a day or two.

You shall then book your seat with the Prometric as soon as possible.

Remember, you have one year from the date of your first exam to pass which entitles you to maximum FOUR consecutive attempts or ONE YEAR starting from your initial exam.