API 1169 - Pipeline Construction Inspector
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This exam can now be scheduled either at in-person test centers or through remote proctoring.
The API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector certification program was developed in cooperation with industry experts in order to establish an industry-wide credential for the inspection of new construction of on-shore pipelines.
This certification is open to qualified applicants who are seeking to become certified inspectors in API-1169: Recommended Practice for Basic Inspection Requirements - New Pipeline Construction.
Qualified individuals should be knowledgeable about:- General onshore pipeline construction inspection
- Inspector responsibilities
- Personnel and general pipeline safety
- Environmental and pollution control
API 1169 certification is valid for a three-year term.
1. Studying for the Exam
- The API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Certification exam tests the applicant’s knowledge in relevant codes and standards necessary to perform inspection activities during construction of new onshore pipelines.
- Publications Effectivity Sheet - Questions on the API 1169 examination are derived from the references listed in this document. Not all publications listed will be available to the applicant during the exam. Page two of the Publications Effectivity Sheet lists the references that will be available during the exam, and those publications are provided below.
- API 1169 Publications Effectivity Sheet for December 2023 - September 2024 exams
- API 1169 Publications Effectivity Sheet for December 2024 - September 2025 exams
- Body of Knowledge - List of specific topics included in the API 1169 exam
- API 1169 Body of Knowledge for December 2023 - September 2024 exams
- API 1169 Body of Knowledge for December 2024 - September 2025 exams
NOTE: The API 1169 examination has been updated to address specific industry-governing documents of Canada. This means that the exam is equally suitable for Canadian inspectors and the exam has been reviewed and approved by Canadian experts for use by the Canadian pipeline industry. Applicants may choose to study either the American or Canadian references, with the assurance that exam questions will focus on areas where the technical content overlaps.
2. Exam Structure
- The API 1169 exam is 3 hours long.
- The exam has 115 questions, of which only 100 are scored. The remaining 15 are pretest, which are not scored questions.
- Paper, notes and reference materials are not allowed into the exam.
- There will be a brief tutorial on the computer-based testing experience before the exam begins. View the Exam Tutorial before exam day to familiarize yourself with the format.
3. Reference Documents on Exam
- The following PDF reference documents will be available to view on the computer during the exam:
- U.S. References
- 29 CFR 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
- 29 CFR 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
- 33 CFR 321, Navigation and Navigable Waters
- 33 USC Chapter 9, Protection of Navigable Waters and of Harbor and River Improvements
- 40 CFR 300, National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
- 49 CFR 172, Hazardous Materials Table, Special Provisions
- 49 CFR 192, Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline
- 49 CFR 195, Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline
- 50 CFR 21, Migratory Bird Permits
- Endangered Species Act of 1973
- FERC Upland Erosion Control Revegetation and Maintenance Plan, May 2013
- FERC Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures, May 2013
- Canadian References
- CEPA Pipeline Associated Watercourse Crossings 4th Edition
- Environmental Protection Act, 1999, S.C. 1999, c. 33
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, SOR/86-304
- Canada Water Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-11
- Fisheries and Oceans, Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat
- Migratory Bird Convention Act, S.C. 1994, c. 22
- Navigation Protection Act, R.S.C., 195, c. N-22
- Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2002, c.29
- U.S. References
4. Additional Resources
- Examination Policies & Notifications: Policies
- Purchasing Authorized API Publications: API Publications Store
U.S. & Canadian Applicants
In February 2016, two major U.S. and Canadian pipeline associations, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA), along with their respective foundations, publicly endorsed API’s 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Certification Program. Member companies are encouraging their pipeline inspectors to become API 1169-certified by 2018.Read the Announcement: INGAA and CEPA Endorse API’s 1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification Program
Beginning with the March 2016 exams, the API 1169 exam was updated to address specific industry-governing documents of Canada. This means that the exam is equally suitable for Canadian inspectors and is approved by Canadian experts for use by the Canadian pipeline industry.
When a U.S. reference has a Canadian equivalent (for example ASME B31.4 and CSA Z662-15), the applicant may choose to study either the U.S. or Canadian reference with the assurance that exam questions will focus on only those areas where the technical content overlaps. These exam questions will have content that meets both the American and Canadian technical requirements.
Are you qualified to take the API 1169 exam?
API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Certification requirements are based on work experience acquired within the last 20 years. Education and other certifications may also be needed.
Applicants can qualify in one or more of these categories.- Pipeline Inspection Experience
- General Oil & Gas Industry Inspection Experience
- Non-Inspection Pipeline Experience
- Non-Inspection General Oil & Gas Industry Experience
- Other Heavy Industry Experience
Determine which category applies to you and then provide the information that is required.
- The minimum amount of experience/education needed to qualify MUST be documented on your application and will be verified after your application has been submitted.
- If you are using education or certification to help you qualify, then official documentation (in the English language) will need to be uploaded into your application.
INSPECTION EXPERIENCE
| Experience Required | Years of Experience | Plus Education |
|---|---|---|
|
PIPELINE INSPECTION Experience acquired in areas such as Utility Inspection, Pressure/Leak Testing, Welding Inspection, Coating Inspection, Safety Inspection, Offshore Pipeline Inspection |
3 years | Any or no education |
| 2 years | BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR 2 years of military service in a technical role |
|
|
GENERAL OIL & GAS INSPECTION Experience acquired in areas such as: Equipment Inspection, NDT, In-service Inspection, Visual Inspection, Welding Inspection, Pressure/Leak Testing, Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks, Piping or Pressure Vessels, Manufacturing/Source Inspection |
3 years | BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR 2 years of military service in a technical role |
| 4 years | High School, GED or no education |
NON-INSPECTION PIPELINE EXPERIENCE
| Experience Required | Years of Experience | Plus Education |
|---|---|---|
|
Experience acquired in areas such as: Pipeline Construction, Pipeline Surveyor, Pipeline Operation, Offshore Pipeline, Welding, Fitting, Coating, Operation of Heavy Equipment, Pipeline Safety Supervisor |
4 years | BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology
OR 2 years of military service in a technical role |
| 5 years | High School, GED or no education |
GENERAL OIL & GAS INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
| Experience Required | Years of Experience | Plus Education | Plus Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Experience acquired at any petrochemical facility, such as refinery or petrochemical plants. Experience may relate to: Operation, Construction and repair of petrochemical equipment. |
Total of 4 years which includes at least 1 year of Pipeline Specific experience | Any or no education | Any certification from the following:
|
| 6 years | Any or no education | Any certification from the following:
|
OTHER HEAVY INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
| Experience Required | Years of Experience | Plus Education | Plus Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Experience acquired in industries or areas such as: Road Building, Civil-Construction, Mining, Logging, Heavy Equipment Operating, Blasting, Power (ex: nuclear, gas-fired, etc.), Shipbuilding, Construction related activities such as welding, coating, material handling, excavation, etc. |
5 years | BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline, engineering or technology OR 2 years of military service in a technical role |
Any certification from the following:
|
| 8 years | Any or no education | Any certification from the following:
|
- API 1169 certification holders need to apply for recertification every three (3) years. Apply online in the ICP Portal.
- You may apply for recertification 90 days prior to the certification expiration date, and for a 90-day grace period after. Late fees apply after the expiration date.
- If an application is not submitted by the end of the 90-day grace period, the certification will expire. A new application and fees must be submitted, and you will need to pass a full examination in order to be recertified.
- Circumstances such as heavy work schedule or work in other countries or remote areas do not relieve applicants of the responsibility to file a timely renewal application.
- API 1169 certification holders need to demonstrate that a minimum of 20% of time over the most recent three-year certification period was spent performing pipeline-related activities as described under the Pipeline Inspection and Non-Inspection Pipeline experience as found on the API 1169 Qualifications page.
API 1169 Recertification Web Quiz
API 1169 Recertification Publications Effectivity Sheet (Valid beginning 2023)
- API 1169 inspectors are required to take an online, open-book quiz every 6 years in order to recertify.
- This quiz is available 90 days prior to your expiration date and for a grace period of 90 days after your expiration date. The quiz will not be available beyond this grace period or when your certification expires.
- You may take the quiz either before or after submitting your recertification application.
- To take the recertification quiz or to determine if a quiz is needed for your current certification, log into your account in the ICP Portal. If a quiz is due, there will be a notification at the top of your 1169 certification page with a link. You may also log in directly to the Web Quiz section in the MyAPI Portal.
- The Web Quiz login is the same username and password as your account in the ICP Portal.
- Each quiz has 25 questions and addresses any changes in the relevant API documents over the past 6 years.
- You have a total of 4 hours to complete the quiz. The quiz may be paused or interrupted up to 3 times.
- If you fail the quiz once, you will be able to take it again. If you fail twice, you will not be able to recertify. You will need to submit a new application and take a full version of the exam to certify again.
