08 Sep API 510 Certification | Training, Course Fee, Exam and Renewal Details

API 510 is an inspection code developed by American Petroleum Institute, the largest and globally accepted trade association for oil and natural gas industry. API 510 certification is done to evaluate your knowledge base related to inspection, maintenance, repair and alteration of pressure vessels. API 510 certification is also called pressure vessel inspector certification as it covers the in-service inspection, repair, alteration, and relating activities for pressure vessels and the pressure-relieving devices protecting these vessels.

Scope of Career as an API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector

API 510 applies to most refining and chemical processing vessels that have been placed into service. However, API 510 can also be applied in other industries where pressure vessels are used at the discretion of the operator. As API 510 inspection is mandatory to all operating refineries and chemical plants, certified API pressure vessel inspectors have a huge demand and an expected salary of 3-5 lakhs per month on average.

About API 510 courses in India

The API 510 course will cover vessels which are constructed in accordance with construction codes, like ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. It also covers vessels that have not been constructed in accordance with a construction code or were constructed in accordance with a code that has not been recognized. These are often referred to as non code vessels. Additionally, vessels that were constructed in accordance with a recognized construction code but have lost their nameplate or stamping are also covered under API 510. The code does not cover vessels that have been decommissioned or those that are excluded

Qualification for API 510 Certification Exam

In order to sit for the exam, applicants must meet minimum education and experience requirements. Applicants with no formal education can apply to sit for the exam after acquiring 5 years of relevant industry experience. An applicant with a high school diploma or equivalent can apply after acquiring 3 years of relevant industry experience. Applicants with 2 year degrees or certificates in engineering or technology require 2 years of relevant experience. Those holding a Bachelor of Science or higher degree must have 1 year of experience. All applicants must have at least 1 year of experience supervising or performing inspection activities described in API 510. In order to maintain certification, pressure vessel inspectors must apply for re-certification every 3 years.

About API 510 Exam

As you know the certification body for API 510 is the American Petroleum Institute. Applicants have to pay $900 as API certification examination fee to appear for the exam.

Before you attend the exam, it is always suggested to attend a preparatory class for API 510. If you wail, you have to wait again and pay the exam fee.

The API 510 exam is divided into two parts, one closed book and one open book examination.

During the open book exam, only specific section which are mentioned in activity  sheet will be available to you for reference.

The total duration of API 510 exam is 7 hours and 30 minutes. Closed book examination for API 510 is 2 hours 45 minutes long and open-book examination is 3 hours and 45 minutes long. You will get a 45 minute lunch break in-between the open-book and closed-book exam.

Your score results will be available within 24 hours of the exam. ICP releases preliminary scores after computer based exams, which will be made available to candidates via email. 

This result will be of two types, 

Preliminary pass: scores of candidates wit tis results falls under the passing range. The exact score won’t be made available online.

Preliminary not pass: Tis result implies that additional analysis is needed to confirm and finalize your score and determine whether you passed or not. In this situation, you don’t have to re-register for exams until the final results are released.

After taking the exam, your score results will be available in www.scorereports.promteric.com . 

You will need your prometric exam confirmation number to access your result.

API 510 Certification Renewal / Recertification

An API 510 certificate is only valid up to 3 years. You must apply for re-certification every 3 years. But you don’t have to undergo the hardships you might face during the initial certification, when you renew API 510 certification. The renewal process for API 510 is very easy and is inexpensive. 

You can apply only for the API certification renewal in the ICP portal.

You can get in touch with Gamma NDT Academy for regular renewals of your API certification. It is an effortless process and we will remind you and take care of the renewal process whenever a renewal is due. 

There is a 90 day grace period if you fail to renew the API 510 certification. 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 re-certified.