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API 653 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector

Overview

API 653 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Course – 4 months online followed by 5 days classroom training

Virtual Classroom Now Available! Please see ‘Virtual Classroom’ dates available in our ‘Upcoming Courses’ tab.

Our API 653 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Course prepares those who wish to achieve API 653 certification. This is a difficult exam and preparation is key. 653 certified Inspectors must have a broad knowledge base relating to tank inspection and repair of aboveground storage tanks and will satisfy the minimum qualifications specified in API Standard 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction.

The API 653 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Course, maximises the chance of passing your certification exam 1st time, and benefits employers and the industry by helping to;

  • Improve management control of repair, reconstruction and maintenance.
  • Reduce the potential for inspection delays.
  • Provide a continued high level of safety using highly specialised and experienced inspectors.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

  • Corrosion rates and inspection intervals
  • Joint efficiencies
  • Static head calculations
  • Establishing weld sizes for shell and roof opening
  • In-service repairs relating to 653
  • Calculate maximum allowable working pressure
  • Pressure testing procedures and calculations
  • Settlement evaluation
  • Welding procedure qualification and procedure review
  • ASME V Non-destructive testing procedures
  • Impact testing requirements
  • Calculation of minimum thickness for internal pressure including bottom plates
  • Damage mechanisms as per API 571 (653 selection only)
  • General rules for welding and examination in an API and ASME context

Learning Objectives

  • Successfully pass the API 653 storage tank Inspector certification exam
  • Effectively use major codes: API 650 and ASME B&PV Sections V & IX
  • Perform all tank calculations needed for API exam
  • Use API’s codes during inspection, repairs, and alterations of tanks
  • Review welding procedures (WPS/PQR) and welder performance qualifications (WPQ)

With an average global 1st-time pass rate of just 60%, can you afford not to train with us? Just look at the statistics! Our courses have 95%+ 1st-time pass rate, save yourself the heartache of doing these difficult exams twice. Do it with us, do it once!

Confusing your storage tanks for pressure vessels? Not to worry, we’ve got that covered too. Our API 510 Pressure Vessel course is just as good!

FAQs

The American Petroleum Institute (API) offers a certification program for individual in-service inspectors handling the in-service inspection of pressure vessels, pipework and storage tanks. API also manages an expansive catalog catalogue of API ‘codes’ which standardize practice. The certifications are a legal requirement for inspectors in many US states. However, the extension of US ownership to include international facilities and onshore plants, along with the lack of a similarly broad scope of recognized standards in other countries, has resulted in the widespread adoption of API practice within international plant industries. Many other countries regulatory authorities also use these codes to assess evidence of inspector competence. The API certification program is broken down into a series of API programs, programmes known as Individual Certification Programmes (ICPs).

Before applying for the API ICP exam candidates must ensure that they meet the minimum requirements defined by API. The table sets out the requirements for API 510/570/653;

 

EducationYears of Industry ExperienceExperience Required
BS or higher in engineering or technology1 yearSupervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 510
2-year Associate’s degree or certificate in engineering or technology2 yearsDesign, fabrication, repair, operation, or inspection of pressure vessels, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 510
High school diploma or equivalent3 yearsDesign, fabrication, repair, operation, or inspection of pressure vessels, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 510
No formal education5 or more yearsDesign, fabrication, repair, operation, or inspection of pressure vessels, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 510

API certificates have become the most regarded, desired, and demanded credentials in the in-service inspection industry, providing a method to improve technical and code knowledge and strengthening the holder’s overall competence and career prospects.

The API examination is held within a Prometric Test Centre. There is a vast range of Prometric Test Centres located worldwide. Please visit the Prometric website to check available Prometric test centre locations near you.

The API exam application is completed online at the API website. You will be asked to provide evidence of previous relevant employment and experience. This experience will be verified by API who will contact the references you provide. At the time of completing your application, you will be asked to pay the relevant API registration fee. This varies depending on the exam you are registering for. Following API’s successful review and approval of your application, you will be provided with an exam eligibility ID number. You will need this number to book your exam with PROMETRIC. You will be provided with a link to PROMETRIC during your
API application. They have a range of locations throughout the world, with the UK sites located in Manchester, London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. For information on further test center locations please visit the PROMETRIC website for further information.

The API exam application deadline is the date in which you must submit your application to API for review for the given exam cycle.

The API examination window is the period in which you can sit your exam. The examination window typically opens the day immediately after our classroom training; however, we do stagger some of our training dates to accommodate individuals who may be on different work rotations and unable to attend specific classroom dates.

Please contact our helpful team at Wilkinson Coutts for advice should your API application be rejected. Thankfully, rejection of exam applications are rare and so please do not worry about this process.

Course Modules

Module 1 - API 650
  • Introduction to API 650
  • Scope & Definitions
  • Shell Design
  • Shell Stresses
  • Examination & Welding
  • Introduction to ASME IX & API 577
  • Scope & Definitions
  • Welding General Requirements
  • Welding Procedure Qualifications
  • Welding Performance Qualifications
  • Welding Data
  • Welding Inspection, Processes & Procedures
  • Metallurgy
  • Introduction to ASME V
  • Radiographic Examination
  • Liquid Penetrant Inspection
  • Magnetic Particle Inspection
  • Ultrasonic Inspection
  • Introduction to API 653 & 575
  • Scope & Definitions
  • Types of Tanks
  • Suitability for Service & Brittle Fracture Considerations
  • Inspection, Inspection Plans, Leak Testing & Materials
  • Methods & Reasons for Inspection
  • Design Considerations for Reconstructed Tanks
  • Repair, Alteration, Dismantling & Reconstruction
  • Welding, Examination & Testing
  • Introduction to API 571
  • Damage Mechanisms
  • Cathodic Protection
  • Tank Bottom Linings
  • Closed Book Mock Exams
  • Open Book Mock Exams

Courses

E-Learning Courses
Engineering Surveyor Inspector API 579 Fitness for Service (FFS) Training Course ASME Wind Turbine Inspector eLearning ASME Plant Inspector Level 1 ASME Plant Inspector Level 2 API 510 ICP (2023) Recertification API 570 ICP (2023) Recertification API 653 ICP (2023) Recertification API 570 ICP (2024) Recertification API 510 ICP (2024) Recertification API 653 ICP (2024) Recertification Pressure Relief Valves Inspection API 577 Welding Inspection & Metallurgy Online API 580 Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Online API 571 Corrosion & Materials Online
Asme Courses
ASME Plant Inspector Level 1 ASME Plant Inspector Level 2 ASME Plant Inspector Level 3 Pressure Relief Valves Inspection
API Courses
API 580 Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Classroom *New* API 571 Corrosion & Materials Classroom *New* API SIRE – Source Inspector Rotating Equipment API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector API 653 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector API 936 Refractory Personnel API 510 ICP (2023) Recertification API 570 ICP (2023) Recertification API 653 ICP (2023) Recertification API 570 ICP (2024) Recertification API 510 ICP (2024) Recertification API 653 ICP (2024) Recertification API 577 Welding Inspection & Metallurgy Online API 580 Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Online API 571 Corrosion & Materials Online API 570 Process Pipework Inspector API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector
Technical Courses
Package Boiler Inspection Report-Writing Masterclass Workshop Preventing Engineering Failures ASME PCC 2 Pressure Equipment Repair API 579 Fitness for Service (FFS) Training Course PCN Inspection Engineer Level 1 PCN Inspection Engineer Level 2 PCN Inspection Engineer Level 3 Pressure Relief Valves Inspection Pressure Testing Training Course