ICP Examinations

API is now offering remote proctored exams through Prometric's remote testing platform, ProProctor. Beginning in February 2021, all non-practical API exams will be available through ProProctor in the regularly scheduled exam windows. As of September 2024, API will no longer provide remote testing for our core certification programs: API 510, 570, 653, 1169 and 1184.

ProProctor allows candidates to test from home with the proper internet connection and computer setup. Scheduling for remote proctored exams is the same process as for in-person testing. Candidates can still take these exams in person at Prometric testing centers, but remotely proctored exams offers a virtual option for those interested.

The exams listed below are available to be taken remotely:

Schedule a Remote Proctored Exam

1. After your application is approved, you will receive an Exam Authorization email from API with an Eligibility ID and instructions on how to schedule your exam through Prometric's scheduling website. 
   • The name on your API account MUST match the name on your government issued ID that you will use during the exam. Contact API immediately if the name on your Exam Authorization email does not match your ID. 
2. Once on Prometric's website, select the "Remote Schedule" link on the left side panel and follow the steps to schedule your exam. 
3. You will only be permitted to schedule an exam within the dates of the window you were approved for on your application. 
   • If you encounter any difficulties with the online scheduling system, contact Prometric Customer Service. 
4. If you fail to schedule your exam within your assigned testing window, you will need to submit another application and reschedule for a new testing window. Additional fees apply.

Computer Compatibility 

To use Prometric's ProProctor system, candidates must do the following:

1. Perform a Systems Readiness Check to verify that your laptop or desktop meets the minimum requirements for a remote exam. 
   • ICP recommends you complete this step prior to scheduling your remote exam to verify you are able to successfully test. 
   • Additional fees may apply for any last minute exam cancellations or delays due to computer compatibility issues.
2. Download and install the ProProctor Program Application on the computer you will be using to take the exam. 

Please review the ProProctor User Guide for details about the ProProctor system.

Rescheduling / Canceling a Remote Proctored Exam

Within the parameters listed below, you may reschedule an exam appointment in the same testing window on the Prometric website. Contact API to cancel an exam appointment.

1. You may reschedule your exam within the same testing window, at no cost, 60 days or more before your currently scheduled exam appointment. 
2. Rescheduling within the same window or canceling with Prometric 30 - 60 days before your scheduled exam appointment will incur a $35 fee, payable directly to Prometric. 
3. Rescheduling within the same window or canceling with Prometric between 5 - 29 days before your scheduled exam appointment will incur a $70 fee, payable directly to Prometric.
4. You may not reschedule or cancel your exam less than five (5) days before your scheduled exam appointment.
5. Once your exam is scheduled with Prometric, you may not change your exam to a new testing window. Even if you cancel your exam with Prometric and pay the additional fee of $70, you will still need to submit a reschedule application in the ICP Portal and additional fees apply.

Candidates may cancel an application with API under certain conditions, and may be eligible for a partial refund. Refer to Policies.

What to Expect on Exam Day

1. Watch Prometric's What to Expect video to prepare for exam day.  
2. A virtual proctor will be monitoring candidates throughout the entire exam process.
3. Papers and reference material are not allowed while taking the exam. 
4. You will have access to a digital calculator and digital scratch paper on your computer screen during the exam. 
5. There will be a brief tutorial on your computer before the exam begins. Please note that the certification name and number of questions will reflect your specific exam on exam day. Review the tutorial for your program below:
   • 510/570/653 ProBuilder Exam Tutorial
   • 571/577/580/936/982/1184/TES/SI ProBuilder Exam Tutorial
   • 1169 ProBuilder Exam Tutorial
6. The majority of exam questions will be in the multiple-choice, single-answer format. Alternative Item Types (AITs) will be gradually introduced into all exams. These include Drag and Drop, Ordered Response, Multiple Response and Matching. Please review AIT FAQs for additional information. 
7. Candidates will receive final score reports via email from Prometric within 24 hours of testing. For more information on ICP's move to Instant Scoring, read the full announcement here.  

Final Score Results

ICP provides final score results following all computer-based exams. Candidates will receive final score reports via email from Prometric within 24 hours of testing. Score reports can be viewed online by visiting https://scorereports.prometric.com. Please have your Prometric exam confirmation number ready to access your scores. Final results will be uploaded to the ICP Portal within 3 business days and certifications will be issued for applications without deficiencies.  

For more information about ICP's transition to Instant Scoring, read the full announcement here.

Scaled Scoring

The purpose of scaled scores is to report scores for all candidates on a consistent scale by taking the raw score and calculating it to a common scale. This method ensures that scores can be fairly and accurately compared across various versions of exam forms or tests taken on different dates.  In other words, the total number of correctly answered questions that correspond to the passing scaled score may be slightly different per form. Following the credentialing industry’s best practices, API also utilizes multiple forms during the same exam period. To achieve comparability within these forms, API has implemented scaled score reporting for all exams.

In order to ensure uniformity, the same scale is used across all ICP exams. Prometric uses a scale from 200 to 500 to accommodate all test lengths for ICP certifications. The passing scaled score for all exams is 400, which takes into account previous exam data of raw scores and percentage of correct answers. Scaled scores on different forms will be equivalent and interchangeable. This means that if two candidates taking different forms receive the same scaled score, the two candidates have achieved the same level of performance on the exam. Score reports emailed to candidates will not include number of questions answered correctly but their converted scaled score.

Equating Process

The equating process that API uses for the 510, 570, 653, and 1169 exams has not changed. Equating essentially adjusts the passing scaled score of each exam to compensate for differences in the difficulty level of the different exam forms. Thus, the passing scaled score always represents the minimum knowledge required and the absolute knowledge standard is held constant. Though test forms are designed to be as similar as possible, slight differences do occur. Equating helps to maintain their reliability over time and across test forms. For example, if two examinees achieve the same scaled score on two different test forms, they will have demonstrated the same knowledge. 

Certificate Delivery

Once certified, a hard copy certificate and wallet card will be mailed approximately 2 - 4 weeks after final results have been released. API makes every effort to deliver certificates to candidates in a timely manner. 

• Candidates must provide an accurate and valid address in their account in the ICP Portal, or the certificate with either be undeliverable or delayed. Confirm that all names and and numbers in the address are correct.
  • Ex: street number, street name, city, state/province/territory, postal code, and country
• ICP is not responsible for undelivered certificates due to an incorrect address.
• You can also print copies of your certificates and wallet cards directly from your API account in the ICP Portal in two ways:
  • Select "Account" tab along the top of your account and then click on the red links labeled "Print Certificate" and "Print Wallet Card".
  • Select "Certifications" tab along the top of your account and then click on the red links labeled "Print Certificate" and "Print Wallet Card".

Ultrasonic Testing Exam Information

1. Exams for the Qualification of Ultrasonic Testing Examiners certification programs are administered using the performance demonstration method and are held in five-day testing sessions six times a year.
   • QUTE: Detection
   • QUSE: Sizing
   • QUPA: Phased Array
   • QUSE-PA: Crack Sizing
   • QUTE-TM: Thickness Measurement
   • API LSP: Long Seam Pipeline
2. Special site requests for Ultrasonic Testing require additional steps and time. Please follow the guidelines in the policy document below.
   • Guidelines for Special Site Request for Ultrasonic Testing
3. After your application is approved, API will schedule your exam within the testing session that you have chosen and notify you via email with the exam details.
4. API reserves the right to cancel or reduce the number of days in any testing session based on the number of applications received.
5. Space for performance demonstration exams is limited and is on a first-come-first-served basis, so don’t delay in submitting your application.
6. Test results will be emailed from API approximately 4-6 weeks after your exam date.
   • A paper certificate and wallet card will be mailed out approximately 2-4 weeks after the results have been released.
   • Print copies of your certificates and wallet cards directly from your API account in the ICP Portal. Select “Certifications” tab along the top of your account and then click on the red links labeled: “Print Certificate” and “Print Wallet Card.”

Contact Information

Your principal contact for the Ultrasonic Testing examinations is API. Contact Marian Merewitz, ICP Senior Administrator, with all questions concerning the exam location, dates, and results, as well as any questions/comments about the administration of the exam.

If you have last-minute questions concerning directions to the exam, please contact the following individuals:

• Houston (San Jacinto College): Thomas Stang at 281-542-2042 or John Nyholt at 713-594-1746
• Brazil: Ana Luiza Marson Dutenhefner at +55 11 5586-3179 or +55 11 98644-5777 or ana.dutenhefner@abendi.org.br

Testing Location

Houston (CPET)

SJC Center for Petrochemical, Energy & Technology
C-45 Room 1407
7901 West Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, TX 77505

Brazil

CEQ ABENDI - Centro de Exames de Qualificação ABENDI
Rua Onze de Junho 1317 São Paulo, Brazil

Exam Day Expectations

• Proper attire - Please note that both CPET and the Brazil exam center requires all API exam candidates to wear long pants, shirts with sleeves, and closed toe shoes (steel-toed recommended). Also, remember to bring any PPE that may be required by exam-specific guidelines. 
• Houston: When you arrive at CPET, park in the front in any spot that is not labeled "Visitor" or "Faculty". Enter through the main entrance of the building (look for the flag poles). Once inside, you will be given a parking permit to place on your dashboard for the duration of your visit. 
• Brazil: When you arrive at Bestpark (Avenida Onze de Junho, 1070), request a stamp on receipt at the ABENDI reception to receive a special parking price. 

Special Site Overview

1. API may be able to organize a special site exam if there are a minimum of 50 applicants without a computer testing center located within 200 miles (322 km) of a desired testing location and if other qualifying factors apply. 
2. Candidates will not be certified until final results are released. Candidates will receive score reports via email from Prometric within 24 hours of testing. Final results will be uploaded to the ICP portal within 3 business days and certifications will be issued for applications without deficiencies.
   • A paper certificate and wallet card will be mailed out approximately 2-4 weeks after final results have been released.
   • Print copies of your certificates and wallet cards directly from your API account in the ICP Portal. Select “Certifications” tab along the top of your account and then click on the red links labeled: “Print Certificate” and “Print Wallet Card.”
3. Review the Special Site Request Policy if you are interested in setting up a special site. 

Exam Translations

1. Candidates may request any ICP exam to be administered in a language other than in English. If the exam has not already been translated, API may be able to accommodate. 
2. Translations are already provided for the following exam administrations:
   • Spanish translations for API 510/570/653/936/982 exams
   • Korean translations for API 510/570/936 exams
   • Chinese translations for API 510/570/653/AQ1 exams
3. Review the Language Translation Policy for guidelines and how to request a translation.