American Petroleum Institute (API)

API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector

Credential: API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: American Petroleum Institute (API)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American Petroleum Institute (API), API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector certification is an intermediate-level credential for petrochemical technicians and other professionals. The aim of the API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector certification is to promote safe storage and material handling of petroleum products in a manner that protects employees, the public, and the environment. The program was developed with the participation of storage tank owners and users; it establishes a uniform national program that supports state and local governments regulations of aboveground storage tanks. Candidates are required to be employed by or under contract to an authorized inspection agency or owner/user agency and have a combination of education and work experience that satisfies the equivalent of 5 years of related experience. API does not have a minimum education requirement if the candidate meets the experience criteria; that criteria includes skill and experience in design, construction, operation, or inspection of aboveground storage tank skills. Additionally, candidates must have 1 year of supervisory or inspection experience that satisfies the guidelines set in the API 653 standard. Candidates with a BS in engineering or technology are expected to have one year of experience along with having the skills of supervision or performance of inspection activities of aboveground storage tanks as described in API 653. Candidates must also pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 5 years
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Petroleum Institute (API)

1220 L Street, NW
Washington, DC  20005-4070

Phone: (202) 682-8000

Contact Page

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Option 1:

Candidate must have:

  • A BS (Bachelor of Science) in engineering or technology;
  • One year of experience performing or supervising piping systems inspection as described in API 653.

Option 2:

Candidate must have:

  • A two-year degree or certificate in engineering or technology;
  • Two years of experience designing, constructing, repairing, operating or inspecting piping systems, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 653.

Option 3:

Candidate must have:

  • A High School Diploma or equivalent;
  • Three years of experience designing, constructing, repairing, operating or inspecting piping systems, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 653.

Option 4:

Candidate must have:

  • Five years of experience designing, constructing, repairing, operating or inspecting piping systems, of which one year must be in supervision or performance of inspection activities as described in API 653.

The API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidate must be employed by or under contract to an authorized inspection agency or owner/user organization as defined in API 653 and have a broad knowledge base relating to maintenance, inspection, alteration and repair of in-service metallic piping systems.

Written Exam

  • Calculations & Tabular Evaluations for Evaluating Thickness Measurements, Weld Sizes, and Tank Integrity
  • Welding On Atmospheric Aboveground Storage Tanks
  • Nondestructive Examination
  • Practical Knowledge – General
  • Practical Knowledge – Specific

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by Prometric. The test centers are located in the U.S.

To find out more, use the following links on the Prometric website:

For more information on the American Petroleum Institute (API) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector

Renewal Period: 3 years

The API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector credential has the following recertification information:

  • The certification term for API 653 is three years.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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