API 570
by American Petroleum Institute
The global certification standard for in-service piping inspectors.
What is API 570?
API 570 is the American Petroleum Institute's inspection code and certification program for in-service piping in petroleum and chemical plants. It defines the inspection, repair, alteration, and rerating requirements for metallic piping systems that have been placed in service, complementing the construction code ASME B31.3. The matching individual certification — Certified API 570 Piping Inspector — is one of the most recognised credentials in plant-integrity work worldwide.
Unlike design-side skills such as CAESAR II or SmartPlant, API 570 is an operations and asset-integrity discipline. Inspectors apply the code during turnarounds, shutdowns, and on-stream inspections to decide whether a line is fit for continued service, needs repair, or must be replaced. That decision can defer millions of dollars in capital spend or prevent a loss-of-containment incident, which is why refinery operators and inspection contractors (DEKRA, Applus+, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS) maintain large populations of certified inspectors.
Getting certified involves a prerequisite mix of education and inspection experience, followed by a closed-book exam on the API 570 code body of knowledge and an open-book exam on referenced standards (API 574, 578, 577, 571, ASME B31.3, ASME V). The credential must be renewed every three years via CPD or re-exam. Inspectors who hold API 570 alongside API 510 (pressure vessels) and API 653 (storage tanks) become highly mobile across every downstream asset on earth.
Why engineers learn API 570
- One of the most internationally portable engineering certifications — valid from Alberta to Jubail.
- Refineries budget for certified inspectors as a mandatory headcount; demand is steady even through oil-price cycles.
- Pairs naturally with NDT Level II (UT, RT, MT, PT) for a double-credentialed profile that commands premiums.
- Opens the door to third-party inspection (TPI) contract work — often paid on day-rates well above full-time equivalents.
- Strong Gulf demand: Aramco, ADNOC, QatarEnergy, KNPC explicitly require API 570 on many piping inspection roles.
Core capabilities
- Piping circuit identification and CML (condition monitoring location) placement
- Inspection interval setting based on remaining life calculations
- Interpreting UT thickness surveys, radiographs, and hardness testing results
- Corrosion-under-insulation (CUI) and injection-point inspection planning
- Fitness-for-service evaluation (API 579-1/ASME FFS-1) at a basic level
- Repair, rerate, and alteration procedures per API 570
- Pressure testing and leak testing governance
Typical workflow
- Review the piping circuit list, P&IDs, isometrics, and historical corrosion data.
- Define inspection scope, techniques, CMLs, and intervals for the turnaround plan.
- Witness UT / RT / VT inspections during shutdown; review NDT contractor reports.
- Calculate remaining wall thickness, corrosion rate (short-term + long-term), and next inspection date.
- Issue inspection reports, recommend repairs or replacements, update Mechanical Integrity records.
- Participate in Management of Change (MOC) reviews for alterations and rerates.
Where it is used
Industries
- Refineries
- Petrochemicals
- Oil & Gas Upstream
- Chemical Plants
- LNG Terminals
Typical job titles
- Piping Inspector
- Mechanical Integrity Engineer
- Fixed Equipment Inspector
- Integrity Consultant
- Inspection Lead
Career progression
A realistic trajectory for an engineer who makes API 570 a core part of their skillset.
- Junior Inspector / NDT Technician0–3 years
Perform NDT, assist certified inspectors, learn plant layouts and IDMS.
- Certified API 570 Inspector3–7 years
Independently plan and execute piping inspections, issue reports, run small turnaround scopes.
- Senior Inspector / Integrity Engineer7–12 years
Own asset-level integrity programs, perform FFS Level 2, lead turnaround inspection strategy.
- Integrity Manager / TPI Team Lead12+ years
Govern multi-site mechanical integrity, audit contractors, report to plant leadership.
Salary expectations
Indicative 2025 full-time base salary ranges for engineers using API 570 as a core skill.
Day-rates for third-party certified inspectors on Gulf turnarounds regularly reach USD 600–1,000/day with per-diems on top.
Learning path
- 1
Piping fundamentals
Materials, components, fabrication per ASME B31.3.
- 2
NDT basics
Level I or II in UT, RT, MT, PT per ASNT or ISO 9712.
- 3
API 571 damage mechanisms
Know the top 20 refinery damage mechanisms cold.
- 4
API 570 code reading
Part-by-part study; memorise critical intervals, thresholds, and definitions.
- 5
Reference docs
API 574, 577, 578; ASME B31.3 fabrication and inspection clauses.
- 6
Mock exams
At least two full-length timed mock papers before booking the real exam.
- 7
Exam + on-the-job consolidation
Sit the API exam; log inspection hours for recertification.
Certifications worth having
- API 570 Piping Inspector (core certification)
- API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector (natural pairing)
- API 653 Storage Tank Inspector (completes the fixed-equipment trio)
- ASNT NDT Level II (UT, RT)
Frequently asked questions
Can freshers sit the API 570 exam?
No. API 570 has experience prerequisites: typically 5 years' piping experience with a high-school diploma, scaling down to 1 year with a relevant engineering degree. Freshers should target NDT Level II first and accumulate inspection hours.
How often is recertification required?
Every three years. You can recertify by CPD credits, a short knowledge-update module, or re-exam, depending on your cycle and activity.
Is API 570 recognised outside the US?
Yes. It is de-facto global in oil & gas and petrochemicals. The Gulf and South-East Asia treat it as a mandatory hiring filter for many roles.
How hard is the exam?
First-attempt pass rate sits around 50–60%. The open-book references are large and cross-indexed; candidates who underestimate document navigation tend to run out of time.
Real questions, real answers
Less polished, more honest — the kind of questions engineers actually ask over coffee.
I keep failing the exam. Am I just not cut out for this?
Almost certainly not the issue. The number-one reason people fail isn't intelligence — it's underestimating how brutal the open-book section is when you can't navigate the references fast. Tab them, sticky-note them, drill them. Most repeat candidates pass on attempt two once they fix that one thing.
Is API 570 still worth it if I'm planning to leave inspection eventually?
Yes — the certification follows you. Operations managers, integrity leads, and asset managers all benefit from having API 570 on the wall, even when they're not running inspections personally. It's a credibility marker for any technical conversation about fixed equipment.
My company won't pay for the exam. Should I pay out of pocket?
If you're under 30 and serious about a refining or petrochem career, yes. The fee pays back inside the first overseas assignment or third-party gig. Most consultants who paid their own way will tell you it was the highest-ROI cheque they ever wrote.
I'm an NDT tech with 8 years of UT. Do I qualify?
Probably yes — read the eligibility matrix on the API site carefully, but eight years of relevant inspection experience usually clears the threshold even without an engineering degree. Get your supervisor's signature ready for the experience verification.
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Find API 570 courses →Eligibility and exam structure from api.org/certifications (2025). Salary ranges from Hays, NES Fircroft, and Naukri listings (2024–2025).