05 Oct API 653 Certification | Training, course fee, examination and Renewal details

API 653 is an international standard regulation for aboveground storage tank systems. It was initiated by the American Petroleum Institute. 

The popularity of welded storage tanks was widely spread during the 1960’s to the 1990’s. During this time, a lot of existing tanks were put down and reconstructed as welded tanks. But these reconstructed tanks began to fail by 1986, which resulted in the formation of regulation to ensure safe relocation and reconstruction of storage tanks. API 653 was published in 1991 and it mainly addressed guidelines to reconstruct and ensure the safety of aboveground storage tanks.

About API 653 courses in India

The purpose of API 653 certification program is to ensure that the aboveground storage tank inspector has a broad understanding related to tank inspection and repair of aboveground storage tanks. 

API 653 not only addresses the inspection requirements but also addresses the repair, alteration, relocation, and reconstruction of existing aboveground storage tanks which was built based on previous API standards like API 650 and API 12C.

API courses will benefit to graduates, diploma holders, supervisors and managers in the following disciplines.

 – Mechanical 

 – Inspection

 – Maintenance & Operations

 – Technical

 – QA / QC

Applicants must have a minimum 1 year of experience supervising or performing inspections which are  mentioned in API 653. But this experience can be obtained with the help of a qualified API training institute that offers entry level placements after completing the certification. 

If you are a graduate with no prior experience in API or piping inspection related industry, you can take the help of API training institutes like Gamma NDT Academy, in Kerala, India, to get the preparatory classes for API 653 exam and an entry level placement in oil and gas industry to secure that 1 years of experience. This will be the perfect path to a successful career as API inspector.

Qualification for Taking the API 653 Exam

The qualification for attending the API 653 certification exam is based on a combination of education and experience of the candidate which is relevant to aboveground storage systems

Please use the table below to understand if you are qualified to take the API 653 exam. Your experience in aboveground storage systems must be documented on your application, which will be later verified once you submit the application

About API 653 Exam

As you know the certification body for API 653 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 653. If you wail, you have to wait again and pay the exam fee.

The API 653 exam is divided into two parts, one closed book and one open book examination.

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

The total duration of the API 653 exam is 7 hours and 30 minutes. Closed book examination for API 653 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 with these results fall under the passing range. The exact score won’t be made available online.

Preliminary not pass: This 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 on www.scorereports.promteric.com . 

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

API 653 Certification Renewal / Recertification

An API 653 certificate is only valid for up to 3 years. You must apply for recertification every 3 years. But you don’t have to undergo the hardships you might face during the initial certification when you renew API 653 certification. The renewal process for API 653 is very easy and is inexpensive.