1.3 Publications Effectivity Sheet & On-Screen References

Publications Effectivity Sheet & On-Screen References

Quick Answer: The API 1169 Publications Effectivity Sheet for the December 2025-August 2026 cycle lists every testable reference by edition and scope. Core documents include API RP 1169 (2nd Ed, Mar 2020, entire), API RP 1110 (7th Ed, Dec 2022, entire except appendices), API Spec Q1 (10th Ed, Sep 2023, Sections 3-5 only), CGA Best Practices (entire), INGAA CS-S-9 (entire), and API 1104 (22nd Ed, Sections 3-11) or CSA Z662:23 (Chapters 1,2,4,6-10). On-screen references include US CFRs and Canadian regulations, but not the core API standards you must study in advance.

The Publications Effectivity Sheet is the single source of truth for what document editions the exam tests. API republishes it for each cycle. The current cycle runs December 2025 through August 2026. If you sit the exam during this window, these are the editions that govern scoring — not the newer editions that may have released since.

Core Testable References

Critical scope notes

• API RP 1169 is the primary document. It is testable in its entirety and is the backbone of the exam. Every other reference supports topics that RP 1169 points to.
• API RP 1110 excludes appendices. Do not spend exam prep time memorizing appendix content — it will not be tested.
• API Spec Q1 is limited to Sections 3-5. Sections 1, 2, and 6 onward are out of scope. Focus your Q1 study on definitions (Section 3), quality management system requirements (Section 4), and product realization (Section 5).
• API 1104 is testable only through Sections 3-11. Section 12 and beyond are out of scope for API 1169.
• API 1104 OR CSA Z662:23. The exam accepts either the US welding standard (API 1104) or the Canadian pipeline standard (CSA Z662:23) for the welding/pipeline-systems content. Choose the version that matches your work region; where they overlap technically, either is valid.

On-Screen US References

These are provided on-screen during the exam and do not need to be memorized in full — but you must know how to navigate them:

• 29 CFR 1910 — OSHA General Industry
• 29 CFR 1926 — OSHA Construction
• 49 CFR 192 — Federal Pipeline Safety Standards: Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline
• 49 CFR 195 — Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline
• 50 CFR 21 — Migratory Bird Permits
• FERC Wetland & Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures (May 2013)

On-Screen Canadian References

• SOR/86-304 — Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• Migratory Bird Convention Act 1994

US/Canadian Overlap Model

Since March 2016, the API 1169 exam covers Canadian governing documents alongside US ones. The model is:

• Design standards: ASME B31.4 (liquid pipelines) and ASME B31.8 (gas pipelines) are the US pipeline design standards. CSA Z662:23 is the Canadian equivalent and is testable per the effectivity sheet.
• Welding: API 1104 (22nd Ed, Sections 3-11) or CSA Z662:23 (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 6-10). Study whichever applies to your jurisdiction; where they overlap technically, both are acceptable.
• Safety and environmental: US candidates see 29 CFR 1910/1926, 49 CFR 192/195, 50 CFR 21, and the FERC procedures. Canadian candidates see SOR/86-304 and the Migratory Bird Convention Act 1994.

What Is NOT On-Screen

The core study documents — API RP 1169, API RP 1110, API Spec Q1, CGA Best Practices, INGAA CS-S-9, API 1104, and CSA Z662:23 — are not provided on-screen. You are expected to know their content from your pre-exam study. The on-screen references supplement them with regulatory and safety text.

This distinction drives your study plan: master the core documents before test day, and practice navigating the on-screen CFRs and Canadian regulations by table of contents (Ctrl+F is disabled).

Common Reference Traps

• Wrong edition. A newer edition of a standard may have released after the effectivity sheet was published. The exam tests the edition listed on the effectivity sheet, not the newest. Always confirm the edition year.
• Over-studying appendices and out-of-scope sections. API RP 1110 appendices, API Spec Q1 Sections 1-2 and 6+, and API 1104 Section 12+ are not tested. Spending time there steals hours from testable content.
• Assuming ASME B31.4/B31.8 are on-screen. They are not. They are US design standards you study in advance. The on-screen US references are the CFRs and FERC procedures listed above.
• Ignoring Canadian references. Even US-only candidates should understand the Canadian overlap model because the exam can present either version where they converge technically.

Official Resources

• API 1169 Certification Page — Links to the current Publications Effectivity Sheet.
• API ICP Portal — Where the effectivity sheet and application materials are hosted.