API 570 certification is a highly recognized qualification for professionals involved in the inspection and maintenance of piping systems. The API 570 certification exam is meant to check how much you know about piping inspection, and following rules, and standards. Getting this certification can open up better job chances in industries like oil and gas. But, passing the API 570 exam isn’t simple. It needs a strong grasp of the subject and thorough studying. That’s where our API 570 Piping Inspector Study Guide can help you.
In this blog, we will provide you with an overview of the API 570 certification exam, the benefits of obtaining this certification, and how our study guide can help you prepare for the exam. We’ll also share some tips and resources to help you succeed in your API 570 certification journey. Whether you’re a seasoned piping inspector or new to the field, our API 570 Piping Inspector Study Guide can help you prepare for the exam and achieve your career goals. So, let’s dive in!
API 570 Piping Inspector Glossary
API 570 Piping Inspector Glossary:
- API: American Petroleum Institute
- ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- ASNT: American Society for Nondestructive Testing
- AWS: American Welding Society
- Corrosion: The slow breakdown of a material because it reacts with the things around it.
- Crack: A fracture or fissure in a material
- Defect: Any imperfection or abnormality in a material that could impact its performance or structural integrity
- Flange: A type of connection used to attach pipes, valves, or other equipment to a pipe system
- Fitness for Service (FFS): A methodology used to evaluate the structural integrity of equipment that may have flaws or damage
- Gasket: A seal used to prevent leakage between two connecting surfaces
- Hardness: The ability of a material to resist indentation or scratching
- Hydrostatic Test: A test that involves filling a piping system with water and pressurizing it to check for leaks and structural integrity
- Inspection: The process of visually or physically examining a component to determine its condition
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Testing methods that do not damage the component being tested, such as ultrasonic testing, radiography, and magnetic particle testing
- Pipeline: A system of pipes used for the transportation of liquids or gases
Exam resources for API 570 Piping Inspector Exam
API 570 is a certification program for Piping Inspectors that covers the inspection, repair, alteration, and rerating of in-service piping systems. To become a certified API 570 Piping Inspector, you must pass the API 570 examination. This study guide will provide you with resources and links to help you prepare for the exam.
- API 570 Codebook: The API 570 Codebook is the most important resource for the exam. It contains all the information that you need to know about the inspection, repair, alteration, and rerating of in-service piping systems. You can purchase the codebook from the API website.
Link: https://www.api.org/products-and-services/individual-certification-programs/certifications/api-570
- API 570 Exam Preparation Course: The API offers a prep course that covers the topics you need to know for the exam. The course includes lectures, practice problems, and quizzes to help you prepare.
- Practice Exams: Practice tests are a crucial part of getting ready. They help you pinpoint which areas you should concentrate on in your studies and get familiar with how the real exam is set up. The API provides a practice exam, and there are also various other websites that offer practice exams for a fee.
- Inspectioneering Journal: The Inspectioneering Journal is a great resource for Piping Inspectors. It covers a wide range of topics related to piping inspection, repair, and maintenance. You can access the journal online for free.
Link: https://inspectioneering.com/journal
- ASME B31.3: ASME B31.3 is a code that covers the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of process piping systems. It is one of the codes referenced in the API 570 codebook, so it is important to be familiar with it. You can purchase a copy of the codebook from the ASME website.
Link: https://www.asme.org/codes-standards/find-codes-standards/b31-3-process-piping
- ASNT Level III Study Guides: The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) offers study guides for Level III certification in various nondestructive testing methods, including visual testing, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing, and more. These study guides are a good resource for understanding nondestructive testing methods used in piping inspection.
Link: https://asnt.org/Learn/Certification/Level-III-Study-Guides
- Piping Inspection Handbook: The Piping Inspection Handbook by Ali M. Al-Ajmi is a comprehensive guide to piping inspection. It covers the inspection, testing, and evaluation of piping systems, as well as the various types of damage that can occur in piping systems.
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Piping-Inspection-Handbook-Ali-Al-Ajmi/dp/1138072658
- NDT Handbook: The NDT Handbook by the ASNT is a comprehensive guide to nondestructive testing methods. It covers the principles, techniques, and applications of various nondestructive testing methods used in piping inspection.
Link: https://asnt.org/Learn/Books/NDT-Handbook-Series
- YouTube Videos: There are many YouTube videos that cover topics related to piping inspection, repair, and maintenance. These videos can be a great supplement to your studies.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=piping+inspection+tutorial
Exam Prerequisite for the API 570 Piping Inspector Exam
You must have a combination of education and expertise with in-service metallic piping systems to be considered for this position. The experience must have been gained during the last ten years while working for or under contract with an authorised inspection agency as specified by API 570. You can also use the chart below to determine your eligibility:
| Education | Years of Experience | Experience Required |
| BS or higher in engineering or technology | 1 year | Supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 570, |
| 2-year degree or certificate in engineering or technology | 2 years | Design, construction, repair, operation, or inspection of in-service piping systems, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 570 |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3 years | Design, construction, repair operation, or inspection of in-service piping systems, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 570, |
| No formal education | 5 or more years | Design, construction, repair, operation, or inspection of in-service piping systems, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 570, |
Now that we have all the details in hand let’s move further and gather all expert resources to begin our preparation.
Study Guide for API 570 Piping Inspector Exam
Exam preparation is the real task. The two most important keys to unlocking your certification are consistency and determination. However, it is also critical to prepare using legitimate materials and to stay on track. Look no further since we’ve put together a step-by-step study guide for you. The resources in the guide will help you refresh your test abilities and concepts while also giving you with all of the necessary information.
Step 1- Review the API 570 Exam Objectives
Before embarking on any adventure, one must have a clear understanding of what he or she is getting into. As a result, reviewing each exam objective becomes the most crucial aspect of your preparation. So, to get a clear picture, go to the Official website of API 570 Piping Inspector. Because it is the most trustworthy source of exam-related information. After you’ve gone through the fundamentals of the exam. It’s time to crack open the exam manual. Allocate enough time to each of the concepts covered in this exam. It covers the following subjects:
- Organization and Certification Requirements
- Types and Definitions of Maintenance Inspections
- Welding on Piping
- Corrosion and Minimum Thickness Evaluation
- Estimated Remaining Life
- Inspection Interval Determination and Issues Affecting Intervals
- Maintenance Inspection Safety Practices
- Inspection Records and Reports
- Repairs/Alterations/Reratings to Piping
- Rerating Piping
Pressure Testing After Repairs - Alterations, or Rerating
- Pressure-Temperature Ratings
- Markings
- Materials
- Dimensions, and Test
- Limiting Dimensions of Gaskets
- Methods for Establishing Pressure-Temperature Ratings
- Methods of performing positive material identification and related record keeping
Step 2- Explore Learning Resources
The extent of your preparation will affect your performance in the exam. To excel in the exam, you need to choose the best materials that match your learning style and how well you understand the subject. Here are some of the top-notch resources you should include in your preparations.
– Refer the Publications Effectivity Sheet
Questions on the API 570 exam are derived from the set of publications recommended by API. Only the specific sections of publications that are listed on the Effectivity Sheet will be available to you during the open-book portion of the exam. So, do proper research before you buy books. API has released the API 570 Publications Effectivity Sheet which consists of various publications, topics to focus upon.
– Explore the API Body Of Knowledge
API Body Of Knowledge specifies the different sets of books to be referred for appearing in the Piping Inspector examination. The API Piping Inspector test is divided into two sections. The applicant is tested on knowledge and tasks requiring a daily working understanding of API Standard 570 and the necessary reference documents in the closed-book portion. The open-book component of the test necessitates the use of more detailed information that the inspector should be able to find in the papers but not ordinarily commit to memory. Applicants will be expected to choose the best response from the options offered throughout the exam.
REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS:
A. API Publications
- Firstly, API Standard 570, Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Rerating of In-Service Piping Systems
- Secondly, API Recommended Practice 571, Damage mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry
- Thirdly, API Recommended Practice 574, Inspection Practices for Piping System Components
- Then, API Recommended Practice 577, Welding Inspection and Metallurgy
- Moreover, API Recommended Practice 578, Guidelines for a Material Verification Program (MVP) for New and Existing Assets
B. ASME Publications
- To begin with, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
- Then, Section V, Nondestructive Examination
- Also, Section IX, Qualification Standard for Welding, Brazing, and Fusion Procedures; Welders; Brazers; and
- Further, Welding, Brazing and Fusing OperatorsB16.5, Pipe Flanges, and Flanged Fittings, B31.3, Process Piping
– Join Study Groups
While studying for the exam, it is critical to join a study group or an online forum. When a large number of people get involved in a problem, the chances of finding a solution grow dramatically. In addition, having different points of view makes the material more lively. The research get more extensive as a result of these conversations. Introverts, who might otherwise avoid dialogues, get a chance to express themselves. Forums are excellent for forming a community that is necessary for understanding others.
Step 3 – Self Evaluate with Practice Tests
The Piping Inspector exam checks both your book smarts and hands-on skills. After you’ve finished preparing, it’s a smart move to do a practice test before the real one. This boosts your confidence and shows you which areas you should focus on more. Practice papers make your brain get used to the real test. Besides what you know, many factors can affect your exam performance, like how confident you feel, how fast you work, understanding how the scoring works, staying physically and mentally sharp, and staying focused, among other things. Let’s start practising now!
