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AMPP (Association for Materials Protection and Performance)

AMPP Cathodic Protection Tester (CP1) and Technician (CP2) Certification

The field credential for people who test, adjust and troubleshoot the cathodic protection that keeps buried and submerged steel from corroding.

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Coatings too? AMPP Coating Inspector (CIP Level 1 & 2) → · Inspecting piping? API 570 Piping Inspector → · Tank bottoms and CP? API 653 Storage Tank Inspector →

LevelsCP1 Tester · CP2 Technician · CP3 Technologist · CP4 Specialist
QuestionsCP1 theory: 100 (81 scored, 19 unscored) · CP2 theory: 110 (89 scored, 21 unscored)
Time3 hours of seat time for each theory exam, including about 10 minutes for the agreement and tutorial
WhereTheory on computer at a Pearson VUE test center; practical on the last day of the 5-day AMPP course
Open book?No — the course manual isn't allowed, but an on-screen reference PDF gives equations and conversion charts
Who sits itCP1: course and 6 months of CP work strongly recommended · CP2: degree + 1 year, 3 years of CP work, or 2 years + 2 years of technical training · both need AMPP's Ethics course
PassingPass/fail shown at the end of the exam; AMPP publishes no percent cut score

About the exam

AMPP's Cathodic Protection Program — the former NACE CP program, carried over after NACE and SSPC merged into AMPP — still has four levels: CP1 Cathodic Protection Tester, CP2 Cathodic Protection Technician, CP3 Cathodic Protection Technologist and CP4 Cathodic Protection Specialist. This page covers what CP1 and CP2 test: the electrical and electrochemical basics, potential and current measurements, reference electrodes and criteria, rectifiers and anodes, soil resistivity, interference and field safety. CP3 (interpretation, troubleshooting and design calculations) and CP4 (CP design) build on this.

CP1 and CP2 each have two parts: a closed-book theory exam on computer at a Pearson VUE test center, and a hands-on practical exam given on the last day of AMPP's 5-day course. Because the practical is part of the course, the course is the normal route to certification. AMPP lists the CP1 course as 'strongly recommended' and CP2 has experience requirements. The theory exam supplies a reference sheet of equations and conversions, so expect to do Ohm's law, Faraday's law, Wenner resistivity and reference-electrode conversion arithmetic.

Our practice supplements AMPP's course. It does not replace it. Items are original field scenarios written to the domains in AMPP's CP1 and CP2 exam preparation guides, using criteria and formulas that are public and widely published. They are not recalled exam questions or course-manual text.

How we track your progress

Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:

  1. Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
  2. Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
  3. DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
  4. ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
  5. Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.

The exam blueprint

AMPP CP1 Theory Exam Preparation Guide (100-item exam effective November 21, 2025) and CP2 Theory Exam Preparation Guide (110-item exam effective December 16, 2025) — 100 items modeled on the CP1 theory exam (81 scored + 19 pretest) across 8 areas covering CP1 and CP2 knowledge; weights are QuizMe estimates. Tap a domain to see its topics.

1 Electrical fundamentals and circuits about 14% (est.) of the exam
Voltage, current and resistance — Ohm's lawSeries and parallel circuitsPower and energy calculationsResistivity and Pouillet's law (R = ρL/A)AC versus DC and rectification basicsShunts and current from millivolt dropMeter input resistance and measurement error

28 practice questions in this domain so far

2 Corrosion and cathodic protection theory about 18% (est.) of the exam
The corrosion cell: anode, cathode, electrolyte, metallic pathOxidation and reduction reactionsGalvanic series and dissimilar-metal corrosionFaraday's law and metal consumptionPolarization and how CP stops corrosionGalvanic (sacrificial) versus impressed current CPInfluencing factors: oxygen, pH, temperature, bacteriaCoatings and CP working togetherDifferential aeration and new-versus-old pipe cells

36 practice questions in this domain so far

3 Potentials, reference electrodes and criteria about 14% (est.) of the exam
Structure-to-electrolyte potential measurementCopper/copper sulfate electrode care and placementAg/AgCl, SCE and zinc reference electrodesConverting potentials between reference electrodesThe −850 mV CSE criterion: on versus instant-offIR drop and current interruptionThe 100 mV polarization criterion: formation and decayNative (static) potential

28 practice questions in this domain so far

4 Field measurements and surveys about 16% (est.) of the exam
Soil resistivity: Wenner four-pin method (ρ = 2πaR)Soil box and single-rod resistivityLine current and IR-drop test spansContinuity and isolation (insulating joint) testingClose-interval potential surveysCoating defect surveys (DCVG, ACVG concepts)Coupons and their usepH and other electrolyte measurements

32 practice questions in this domain so far

5 CP systems, rectifiers and installation about 14% (est.) of the exam
Galvanic anodes: magnesium, zinc and aluminumImpressed current anodes and groundbedsRectifier components and readings (volts, amps, taps)Rectifier efficiency and troubleshootingTest stations and lead wire connectionsAnode output and circuit resistanceCurrent requirement and current distributionSolar and other alternative power sources

28 practice questions in this domain so far

6 Interference, troubleshooting and data interpretation about 8% (est.) of the exam
Stray current and DC interferenceForeign-line crossings and bondsAC interference and AC corrosion conceptsCasings: shorted versus isolatedInterpreting survey data and trendsDiagnosing low potentials and shorts

16 practice questions in this domain so far

7 Instruments and equipment management about 8% (est.) of the exam
Digital multimeters and their settingsCurrent interrupters and GPS synchronizationData loggersInstrument calibration and verificationReference electrode verificationChoosing the right instrument for the test

16 practice questions in this domain so far

8 Safety, standards and documentation about 8% (est.) of the exam
Electrical safety around rectifiers and AC linesExcavation, traffic and confined-space hazardsPPE and site-specific safety plansIndustry standards (SP0169, SP0176, SP0177, SP0200)Pipeline regulations and record keepingRoles and responsibilities: tester, technician, technologist

16 practice questions in this domain so far

What you get when you access this exam

Free with your QuizMe account.

Field scenarios aligned to AMPP's exam guides

Every question is tagged to one of the 8 areas and its topics — electrical basics, CP theory, potentials and criteria, field measurements, rectifiers, interference and safety.

Exam-critical hints

Reveal the concept that unlocks the question — the formula, the criterion, the standard that applies. Every answer comes with the full rationale and worked solution.

Adaptive testing

Questions steer toward your weakest areas, weighted by our estimate of how much each counts on the real exam, and get harder as you get stronger.

Timed practice exams

Full-length exams at the real pace — 100 questions in 2 h 50 min — with a live pacing indicator and a full review.

Flashcards, case simulations and guides

100 flashcards for criteria, reference electrodes, formulas and field terms, 6 cases where a pipeline's survey data, rectifier readings and interference problems unfold step by step, and interactive illustrated guides you explore hotspot by hotspot.

Progress for every blueprint area

Each area moves from Not started to Getting started, Developing, Proficient and Exam ready — so you know exactly what to study next.

Test at home or at a center

Apply in AMPP's Certification Portal, take the CP1 or CP2 course and its practical on the final day, then schedule the theory exam with Pearson VUE. You have four years from applying to complete every requirement, including passing the exam.

At a Pearson VUE test center

  • The theory exam is computer-based at a Pearson VUE center.
  • Bring government-issued photo ID that matches your AMPP profile.
  • No course manual or notes. An on-screen reference PDF gives the equations, conversion charts and tables.
  • Results are pass/fail at the end, with a strengths-and-weaknesses breakdown by domain.

Before you book

  • Finish AMPP's Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course (or an equivalent); every level requires it.
  • The practical exam is part of the 5-day course, so plan the course first.
  • CP2 needs documented CP work experience; get your references ready before you apply.
  • Try AMPP's official practice exam (50–55 questions) to get used to the item style.

Exam-day game plan

How to walk in ready — and how to pace 100 questions in 2 h 50 min.

Pacing checkpoints

Hit these and you finish with time to revisit your flagged questions. Our timed practice exams run at this same pace.

25questions0:43
50questions1:25
75questions2:08
100questions2:50

The week before

  • Take one full-length timed practice exam 3–5 days out, then rest.
  • Spend your last sessions on the heaviest areas — field measurements and corrosion/CP theory — plus anything still below Proficient.
  • Rework every calculation type from a blank page: Ohm's law, series/parallel, shunt current, Wenner resistivity and reference-electrode conversion.
  • Explain out loud why an instant-off reading removes IR drop and when the 100 mV criterion helps.

Exam morning

  • Eat a real breakfast; seat time is 3 hours.
  • Arrive 30 minutes early at the Pearson VUE center with matching photo ID.
  • Use the restroom right before you start.

During the exam

  • Open the on-screen reference PDF only when you need a formula or conversion; don't reread it question by question.
  • Watch the sign and the reference electrode in every potential — '−0.85 V CSE' isn't the same number on Ag/AgCl or zinc.
  • Check whether a reading is 'on' or 'instant-off' before you apply a criterion.
  • Answer every question — some items need more than one choice or a match.
  • Some questions are unscored and you can't tell which ones, so give every item your best.

Keep your head

  • A few nerves sharpen focus. If you freeze, take three slow breaths and reread the stem.
  • You're measured against a fixed standard, not other test-takers.
  • Change an answer only when you find a real reason in the stem.

Keeping your AMPP CP certification

  • Each CP level is valid for 3 years.
  • To renew, submit Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and work history covering at least 18 months of the last 3 years, and pay the renewal fee.
  • The Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course is required if you haven't already completed it.
  • Renew in AMPP's Certification Portal. Check AMPP's renewal guide for the current PDH total and fees.

Official sources and further reading

Ready to start?

200 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.

Enroll free

CP1, CP2, CP3 and CP4 are certifications of AMPP (Association for Materials Protection and Performance), formed from NACE International and SSPC. QuizMe and thinQtank Learning are not affiliated with or endorsed by AMPP, NACE, SSPC or Pearson VUE. AMPP standards and course materials are copyrighted. Our practice items are original, not recalled exam questions or course-manual content. Exam details are summarized from AMPP's published program pages and exam preparation guides. Formats, fees and requirements change — always confirm at ampp.org before you apply. Our domain weights are estimates built from AMPP's CP1 ranges; AMPP publishes no CP2 percentages.