Requirements for Certification
In general, in-service pressure equipment inspectors require:
- The certification requirements are detailed in ABSA document AB-526 “In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certification Requirements”.
- a thorough understanding of the Safety Codes Act, Regulations and CSA B51 applicable to pressure equipment in Alberta
- a thorough understanding of all appropriate forms
Candidates for certification as in-service pressure equipment inspectors are required to satisfy certain requirements:
- high school diploma or equivalent(GED)
- post-secondary education/training
- pressure equipment experience satisfactory to ABSA
- documented evidence of having passed the National Board In-Service Commission exam or API 510 authorized pressure vessel inspector certification examination, OR API 570 authorizing piping inspector certification examination.
- documented evidence of successful completion of the In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certification Exam.
The certification requirements are:
- Apply for certification
- Pay application and examination fee
- Satisfy certification prerequisites as per AB-526.
In order to qualify as an in-service pressure equipment inspector, a candidate must have a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) equivalent. A candidate must also have one of the following combinations of education and experience:
|
Accepted Post Secondary Education/Training |
Minimum Experience Required |
Acceptable Pressure Equipment Experience |
| Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Metallurgical, Mechanical, or Welding), an associated degree in a comparable subject, or a First Class Power Engineer’s Certificate of Competency |
2 years |
Must include a minimum of one year in-service pressure equipment inspection experience. Additional experience may include design, manufacture, repair, maintenance, operation, and/or non-destructive examination of pressure equipment |
| Diploma or certificate in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Material Science Technology, Welding Engineering Technology, an associated degree in a comparable subject, or a Second Class Power Engineer’s Certificate of Competency |
3 years |
Must include a minimum of one year pressure equipment in-service inspection experience. Additional experience may include design, manufacture, repair, maintenance, operation, and/or non-destructive examination of pressure equipment |
| High School diploma or GED certificate plus technical training in boiler and pressure vessel inspection (including continuing education, correspondence, or code course(s) in the “acceptable pressure equipment experience”) |
4 years |
Must include a minimum of one year in-service pressure equipment inspection experience. Additional experience may include design, manufacture, repair, maintenance, operation, and/or non-destructive examination of pressure equipment |
A. In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate of Competency (Pressure Piping)(ISI-PP)
To be eligible for certification, a candidate must:
- Hold an API 570 authorized piping inspector certification or
- Provide evidence of successful challenge of the API 570 authorized piping inspector certification examination within the previous five years.
B. In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate of Competency (Pressure Vessels and Pressure Piping) (ISI-PVPP)
To be eligible for certification, a candidate must:
- Hold an API 510 authorized pressure vessel inspector certification, or
- Provide evidence of successful challenge of the API 510 authorized pressure vessel inspector certification examination within the previous five years.
C. In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate of Competency (ISI-BPVPP)
To be eligible for certification, a candidate must:
- Hold a National Board In-Service Commission or a National Board
In-service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate or - Provide evidence of successful challenge of National Board In-Service Commission Examination within the previous five years.
The examination is an open book examination and consists of 100 multiple choice questions. The time allowed for examination is 3 hours. The candidate must obtain 70% of the marks to pass the examination. The questions are broken down and graded in the 15 areas identified in the syllabus.
Refer to the Initial Certification Examination Body of Knowledge in the (AB-526) to look at the information on examination syllabus, reference materials, recommended literature and examination areas.
Application Form AB-88 (pdf)
Published legislation, codes and standards referenced in the syllabus are permitted for the examination. Reference materials used during the examination are to be authorized “hard copy” paper versions as published. All reference materials must be free of any insert pages, notations, answers or crib sheets. Sharing of reference materials with other candidates is not permitted. Candidates are permitted to bring printed dictionaries. Candidates are not permitted to bring in scratch paper, computers or other electronic data storage devices or communication devices into the examination room.
If the examination invigilator determines that a candidate has cheated, the candidate will be subject to a variety of penalties including, but not limited to, immediate disqualification from the examination and suspension from future examination for up to one year.
A candidate who is not eligible to write the examination will be advised in writing stating the reason(s). The application fee is non-refundable, but the examination fee will be refunded.
A candidate who is eligible to write the examination will receive an examination notice which states the scheduled examination date, time and location.
If a candidate cancels the examination at least 5 business days before the examination, the examination fee will be retained by ABSA for one year. The candidate can apply to write the examination, without paying an additional examination fee, within one year from the cancelled examination date.
If a candidate fails to show up for the examination or cancels the examination less than 5 business days before the examination, the application fee will not be refunded and the examination fee will be forfeited. The candidate can later apply to write the examination but will be required to pay an additional examination fee.
If a candidate fails the examination (either online examination or the written examination),the candidate can later apply to write the examination and will be required to pay an additional examination fee. If a candidate fails the examination three times in any 12 month period, the candidate will be disqualified from challenging the examination for 12 months.
Last Modified: 11/10/2022 1:45:18 PM