200+ Free API 570 Practice Questions

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Question 1

Score: 0/0

A piping circuit measured 0.500 in. at the first inspection and 0.440 in. six years later. What is the average corrosion rate?

0.006 in./yr

0.010 in./yr

0.015 in./yr

0.020 in./yr

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: API 570 Exam

170

Total Questions

140 scored + 30 pretest

110 / 60

Closed / Open Book

API 570 exam page

400 / 500

Scaled Passing Score

API ICP policies

$875 / $1,125

2026 Exam Fee

API schedules & fees

1-5+ years

Experience Pathways

Depends on education

3 years

Certification Term

API recertification cycle

As of March 12, 2026, API's current API 570 cycle uses the February 2026 Body of Knowledge and Publications Effectivity Sheet. The exam remains a 170-question in-person CBT with 110 closed-book questions, 60 open-book questions, and a 400-out-of-500 scaled passing score. API's current schedules-and-fees and policies pages list 2026 pricing at $875 for API members and $1,125 for nonmembers, and API does not publish public percentage-by-domain weights, so the percentages below are practice-weighted estimates aligned to the current BOK.

Sample API 570 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your API 570 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A piping circuit measured 0.500 in. at the first inspection and 0.440 in. six years later. What is the average corrosion rate?

A.0.006 in./yr

B.0.010 in./yr

C.0.015 in./yr

D.0.020 in./yr

Explanation: Average corrosion rate is metal loss divided by elapsed time. The line lost 0.060 in. over 6 years, so the rate is 0.010 in./yr. API 570 questions often test the math first and then ask how that rate affects remaining life or the next interval.

2Current thickness at a condition monitoring location is 0.410 in. The retirement thickness is 0.290 in., and the corrosion rate is 0.015 in./yr. What is the remaining life?

A.6 years

B.8 years

C.10 years

D.12 years

Explanation: Remaining life is the thickness available for corrosion divided by the corrosion rate. Here that is (0.410 - 0.290) / 0.015 = 8 years. The result represents the estimated time until the location reaches retirement thickness if the rate stays representative.

3A company procedure sets a maximum on-stream thickness-inspection interval of 8 years. A line's calculated remaining life is 10 years. Using the usual half-remaining-life approach, what interval should be selected?

A.4 years

B.5 years

C.8 years

D.10 years

Explanation: Half of the 10-year remaining life is 5 years. Because the next interval should not exceed the lesser governing limit, 5 years controls instead of the company's 8-year cap. API 570 interval decisions are always constrained by the more conservative requirement.

4Two CMLs in the same circuit have corrosion rates of 0.004 in./yr and 0.012 in./yr. Which rate should drive the next thickness-inspection schedule for that circuit?

A.The lower rate, because it represents average circuit behavior

B.The higher rate, because it is the controlling deterioration rate

C.The arithmetic mean of both rates

D.Neither rate; only the nominal pipe thickness matters

Explanation: The controlling rate is the higher representative deterioration rate because it governs the most critical remaining-life calculation. Averaging a fast-loss location with a slow-loss location can hide the limiting condition. API 570 expects inspectors to schedule based on the worst representative location, not the most comfortable average.

5A newly assigned inspector has no prior thickness history for a line. What is the best basis for establishing an initial corrosion rate?

A.Assume zero corrosion until enough readings are collected

B.Use a conservative estimate based on service, materials, and similar experience until data is developed

C.Use the nominal wall thickness as the corrosion rate

D.Wait for a leak to confirm active damage

Explanation: When actual loss history is unavailable, the inspector should use a conservative estimate informed by service conditions, material, and comparable circuits. API 570 does not support assuming no deterioration simply because data is missing. The estimate can then be refined once reliable follow-up thickness data is collected.

6A line was corroding rapidly before a process change, but recent thickness data after the change shows a much lower and stable loss rate. Which rate should the inspector normally use for future evaluation?

A.Always the highest historical rate, regardless of service change

B.A representative rate based on the current service conditions and credible recent data

C.Zero, because the process has improved

D.Only the original design corrosion allowance

Explanation: Corrosion-rate evaluation should reflect representative current service, not an outdated condition that no longer exists. If the inspector has credible recent data showing the present rate is lower and stable, that current rate is the better basis. The decision still has to be technically justified and documented.

7Current thickness is 0.375 in., and the corrosion rate is 0.005 in./yr. If the line operates six more years at the same rate, what thickness is expected?

A.0.345 in.

B.0.355 in.

C.0.365 in.

D.0.405 in.

Explanation: Expected future thickness is current thickness minus projected metal loss. Six years at 0.005 in./yr equals 0.030 in. of loss, so 0.375 - 0.030 = 0.345 in. This type of projection is commonly used before comparing the future thickness to required or retirement thickness.

8A pipe measured 0.480 in. and then 0.420 in. five years later. What average corrosion rate should be entered if both readings are considered reliable?

A.0.008 in./yr

B.0.010 in./yr

C.0.012 in./yr

D.0.015 in./yr

Explanation: The pipe lost 0.060 in. over 5 years. Dividing 0.060 by 5 gives 0.012 in./yr. The calculation is simple, but API 570 expects inspectors to confirm that the readings and service period are actually comparable before relying on the number.

9A location has current thickness 0.315 in., retirement thickness 0.300 in., and corrosion rate 0.003 in./yr. What is the estimated remaining life?

A.2 years

B.3 years

C.5 years

D.8 years

Explanation: Remaining life is (0.315 - 0.300) / 0.003. That equals 0.015 / 0.003, or 5 years. A small thickness margin combined with even a modest corrosion rate can quickly shorten the allowable interval.

10Why are corrosion loops or deadlegs often assigned their own condition monitoring locations instead of being judged only by nearby straight-run readings?

A.Because straight runs are always thicker than fittings

B.Because localized geometry and flow conditions can make their corrosion behavior significantly different

C.Because deadlegs are exempt from retirement-thickness rules

D.Because API 570 prohibits thickness measurements on straight pipe

Explanation: Deadlegs, injection points, and other special geometries can corrode very differently from adjacent straight pipe. A nearby average reading may miss the actual limiting condition. API 570 expects CML placement to reflect damage susceptibility, not just convenience.

About the API 570 Exam

API 570 is API's in-service metallic piping inspection certification for owner-user mechanical-integrity programs in refining, petrochemical, and related process facilities. The exam tests inspection planning, damage-mechanism recognition, corrosion-rate and remaining-life calculations, piping component knowledge, welding and NDE fundamentals, repairs, alterations, rerating, and reference-driven code judgment using API 570, API RP 574, API RP 576, API RP 577, API RP 578, ASME B31.3, ASME Section V, ASME Section IX, and ASME PCC-2.

Assessment

170 multiple-choice questions: 110 closed-book + 60 open-book (140 scored + 30 pretest)

Time Limit

7.5-hour exam day (2.75 hours closed-book, 45-minute lunch, 3.75 hours open-book)

Passing Score

400 scaled score out of 500

Exam Fee

$875 API member / $1,125 nonmember (American Petroleum Institute (API) / Prometric)

API 570 Exam Content Outline

25% practice weight

Calculations, Intervals, and Integrity Evaluation

Corrosion rates, remaining life, thickness assessment, interval logic, flange and rating checks, flexibility and loading concerns, and the calculations or decisions used to keep piping fit for service.

10% practice weight

Welding Procedure and Qualification Evaluation

WPS/PQR/WPQ distinctions, essential-variable control, filler-metal compatibility, preheat and PWHT execution, and practical welding-quality decisions tied to ASME Section IX and API RP 577 concepts.

15% practice weight

Nondestructive Examination

Selecting and interpreting VT, PT, MT, RT, and UT; method strengths and limitations; basic Section V workflow; examiner qualification; and documenting coverage and acceptance basis.

25% practice weight

Practical Knowledge - General

Inspection planning, owner-user responsibilities, circuitization, CML strategy, temporary repairs, rerating logic, documentation, and identifying high-risk locations from process conditions and service history.

25% practice weight

Practical Knowledge - Specific

Piping components and joints from API RP 574, PRD system considerations from API RP 576, PMI controls from API RP 578, damage-mechanism recognition from API RP 571, and PCC-2 style repair-method judgment.

How to Pass the API 570 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 400 scaled score out of 500
Assessment: 170 multiple-choice questions: 110 closed-book + 60 open-book (140 scored + 30 pretest)
Time limit: 7.5-hour exam day (2.75 hours closed-book, 45-minute lunch, 3.75 hours open-book)
Exam fee: $875 API member / $1,125 nonmember

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

API 570 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize corrosion-rate, remaining-life, thickness, and interval logic well enough to work it closed-book under time pressure.

2Study the current effectivity sheet beside the BOK so you know exactly which references and editions are fair game in the open-book section.

3Build a clear mental map of what lives in API 570 versus API RP 574, API RP 576, API RP 577, API RP 578, ASME B31.3, Section V, Section IX, and PCC-2.

4Practice identifying likely damage mechanisms from service conditions and geometry, especially deadlegs, injection points, elbows, supports, soil-to-air interfaces, and CUI-prone locations.

5Get fast at classifying field scenarios as repair, alteration, rerating, temporary repair, or engineered repair because many judgment questions hinge on that first decision.

6Treat open-book time as reference-navigation time, not reading time. You need to know where the rule is before exam day.

7Drill welding and NDE concepts at the inspector level: what the method or document proves, what it does not prove, and what conditions make the result trustworthy.

8Finish with mixed sets so you can switch quickly between calculations, mechanism recognition, piping-component details, PRD logic, and documentation decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the API 570 exam?

API states that the API 570 exam contains 170 multiple-choice questions, with 140 scored items and 30 pretest items. The exam is split into 110 closed-book questions followed by 60 open-book questions.

How long is the API 570 exam?

The official API 570 exam day is 7.5 hours long. API breaks that into a short tutorial, 2.75 hours for the closed-book portion, a 45-minute lunch break, and 3.75 hours for the open-book portion.

What score do I need to pass API 570?

API's current policies page states that all ICP exams use a 200 to 500 scaled-score model and that the passing scaled score is 400. Because the score is scaled, you should not treat it as a simple raw-percent cutoff.

What references are current for API 570 in 2026?

As of March 12, 2026, the current API 570 cycle uses the February 2026 Body of Knowledge and Publications Effectivity Sheet. Core references include API 570 5th Edition, API RP 574 5th Edition with Addendum 1, API RP 576 5th Edition, API RP 577 3rd Edition, API RP 578 4th Edition, ASME B31.3 2024, ASME B16.5 2020, ASME Section V 2023, ASME Section IX 2023, and ASME PCC-2 2022 in the sections listed on the official effectivity sheet.

Does API publish official domain percentages for API 570?

Not publicly. API publishes the official Body of Knowledge sections and the 110 closed-book / 60 open-book split, but it does not publish public percentage weights by domain. For study planning, use the BOK sections and the listed references; the percentages on this page are practice-weighted estimates aligned to the current BOK.

Is remote testing available for API 570 in 2026?

No. API's program-updates page says remote testing for core programs including API 570 was discontinued in September 2024, and the current API 570 exam page describes testing in Prometric computer testing centers.

What experience do I need to sit for API 570?

API uses education-and-experience pathways. Candidates with a BS or higher in engineering or technology, or 3+ years of military technical service, need 1 year of qualifying piping-inspection experience. Associate-degree or certificate pathways require 2 years, high school requires 3 years, and candidates with no formal education need 5 or more years, with at least 1 year involving supervision or performance of API 570-type inspection activities.