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American Petroleum Institute (API) Individual Certification Programs

API 580 Risk Based Inspection Certification

The credential for inspectors and engineers who plan inspection by risk — probability, consequence and what to do about both.

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Inspecting vessels? API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector → · Know your damage mechanisms: API 571 Corrosion and Materials →

Questions90 multiple-choice (80 scored, 10 unscored pretest)
Time3 hours 15 minutes, one section
Open book?No — closed-book, and no references are shown on screen
WhereAt a Prometric test center or by Prometric remote proctoring, inside one of three 3-week windows a year
Fee$380 API members · $440 non-members (2026); $390 · $450 (2027)
Who sits itCurrent API 510, 570 or 653 holders qualify automatically; otherwise a degree or diploma plus 1–5 years of petrochemical industry experience within the last 10 years
PassingScaled score 400 on a 200–500 scale; Prometric emails results within 24 hours

About the exam

API 580 certifies inspectors, engineers and other professionals who understand how a risk-based inspection program is built and run. It shows you can explain how probability and consequence of failure combine into risk and choose between qualitative and quantitative approaches. You can also say what data and damage-mechanism review an RBI study needs, who belongs on the team, and how inspection and other actions manage risk over time.

The whole exam is closed-book and conceptual. API's Body of Knowledge lists ten areas: terms and definitions, risk assessment, the RBI program, roles and qualifications, data collection, damage mechanisms, probability of failure, consequence of failure, risk management and RBI documentation. Expect scenario questions such as what lowers POF and what lowers COF, when an assessment must be redone, and what goes in the record — and simple risk arithmetic with the numbers given.

Our practice follows the single publication in API's Body of Knowledge: API RP 580, Elements of a Risk-Based Inspection Program, 4th edition (August 2023) with Addendum 1 (March 2025). RP 581's detailed calculation methods are not listed, so we use them only as background examples with every value supplied.

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

API 580 Body of Knowledge (API RP 580, 4th edition, August 2023, with Addendum 1, March 2025) for the 2026–2027 exam windows — 90 items (80 scored, 10 pretest), closed-book, across 8 areas built from API's 10 Body of Knowledge categories; weights are QuizMe estimates. Tap a domain to see its topics.

1 RBI terms, definitions and fundamentals about 9% (est.) of the exam
RP 580 terms, definitions and acronymsWhat risk means: probability times consequencePurpose and benefits of risk-based inspectionScope of RBI: loss of containment of pressure equipmentRBI vs time-based inspection and code intervalsLimitations of RBI and what it does not replace

16 practice questions in this domain so far

2 Risk assessment approaches about 13% (est.) of the exam
Qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative RBIChoosing the level of analysis for the objectiveRisk matrices, risk categories and iso-riskRelative vs absolute riskPrecision, accuracy and uncertainty in risk resultsRBI's relationship to PHA, HAZOP and other safety studiesRisk = POF × COF calculations with given values

24 practice questions in this domain so far

3 RBI program planning and scope about 13% (est.) of the exam
Establishing objectives, boundaries and the physical scopeScreening systems, units and equipmentSelecting the RBI method and resourcesOperating windows and future operating scenariosEquipment types and items included in an RBI studyRelationship to jurisdictional and code requirementsEstimating time and resources for the assessment

24 practice questions in this domain so far

4 Roles, responsibilities, training and qualifications about 9% (est.) of the exam
Multidisciplinary RBI team compositionTeam leader and equipment inspector rolesMaterials and corrosion specialist roleProcess, operations and maintenance rolesManagement responsibilities and supportTraining and qualifications for RBI work

16 practice questions in this domain so far

5 Data collection and damage mechanisms about 13% (est.) of the exam
Data needs for qualitative vs quantitative analysisData sources, quality and validationDesign, fabrication, process and inspection recordsDamage mechanism and failure mode identificationDamage rates and susceptibilityUsing corrosion and materials expertise in the reviewCodes and standards as data and assumptions

24 practice questions in this domain so far

6 Probability of failure about 13% (est.) of the exam
Units and categories of probability of failureDamage rates, susceptibility and time in serviceInspection effectiveness and its effect on POFEffect of inspection history and uncertaintyManagement systems and generic failure frequency conceptsDetermining POF by qualitative and quantitative methods

24 practice questions in this domain so far

7 Consequence of failure about 13% (est.) of the exam
Safety and health, environmental and business consequencesRelease fluid properties, phase and inventoryRelease rate, hole size and durationFlammable and toxic consequence conceptsDetection, isolation and mitigation systemsArea-based vs financial consequence measuresConsequence categories and units

24 practice questions in this domain so far

8 Risk management, reassessment and documentation about 16% (est.) of the exam
Risk targets and acceptance criteriaManaging risk with inspection: what, where, how and whenOther mitigation: repair, upgrades, process changes, isolationInspection planning and target datesReassessment triggers and updating the RBI studyRBI and management of change (MOC)RBI documentation and recordkeepingMeasuring RBI program performance

28 practice questions in this domain so far

What you get when you access this exam

Free with your QuizMe account.

RBI scenarios aligned to the Body of Knowledge

Every question is tagged to one of the 8 API 580 areas and its topics. They cover risk approaches, POF and COF drivers, inspection effectiveness, team roles, reassessment triggers and documentation.

Exam-critical hints

Reveal the concept that unlocks the question: what moves POF, what moves COF, what triggers a reassessment. Every answer comes with a full rationale and, where there's arithmetic, the 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 — 90 questions in 3 hours 15 minutes — with a live pacing indicator and a full review.

Flashcards, case simulations and guides

100 flashcards for RBI terms, POF and COF factors and risk-matrix logic, and 6 RBI cases where a unit's data, risk ranking and inspection plan unfold step by step. Interactive illustrated guides let you explore the RBI process 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 through API's ICP portal by the deadline for your chosen window. Once approved, you get an authorization to schedule your API 580 exam with Prometric on any open day inside that window — at a test center or by remote proctoring. The application deadline for the December 4–25, 2026 window (October 2, 2026) has passed; the next windows are April 9–30, 2027 (apply by February 4, 2027), August 6–27, 2027 (apply by June 4, 2027) and December 3–24, 2027 (apply by September 30, 2027).

At a Prometric test center

  • API 580 is a single closed-book section — no code books, papers or notes in the room, and nothing is shown on screen.
  • Bring government-issued photo ID; the name must match your API account exactly.
  • A calculator and scratch paper are available at the center.
  • Phones, watches, bags and notes go in a locker.

Remote proctoring from home or office

  • API 580 is one of the ICP exams API offers by Prometric remote proctoring (510, 570 and 653 are not).
  • Run Prometric's system check on the computer you'll use well before exam day, and test your webcam, microphone and connection.
  • Plan a quiet, private room with a clear desk — the proctor checks the room and watches the whole session.
  • Your application is valid for 12 months from the first window you request; moving to a different window means a new application and fees.

Exam-day game plan

How to walk in ready — and how to pace 90 questions in 3.25 hours.

Pacing checkpoints

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

23questions0:50
45questions1:38
68questions2:27
90questions3:15

The week before

  • Take one full-length timed practice exam 3–5 days out, then rest.
  • Spend your last sessions on POF, COF and risk management — the heart of RP 580 — plus anything still below Proficient.
  • Sort mitigation actions into two lists: what lowers probability and what lowers consequence.
  • Rehearse the RBI cycle from memory: plan, collect data, identify damage, assess POF and COF, rank risk, manage, document, reassess.
  • If you're testing remotely, run Prometric's system check again and set up your room.

Exam morning

  • Eat a real breakfast; the exam is 3 hours 15 minutes in one sitting.
  • At a test center, arrive 30 minutes early with ID that matches your API account; remotely, log in early for the check-in.
  • Use the restroom right before you start.

During the exam

  • There are no references, so answer from the RP 580 concepts — read every stem for what it changes: probability, consequence or both.
  • Remember that inspection reduces uncertainty and probability; it doesn't change what happens if the equipment fails.
  • Watch for MOST, LEAST, BEST and NOT — and for answers that are true but don't answer the question asked.
  • Keep to roughly 23 questions every 50 minutes and flag anything slow to come back to.
  • Answer every question — there's no penalty for guessing.
  • 10 questions are unscored pretest items you can't identify.

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 API 580 certification

  • Certification lasts 3 years.
  • Recertify by applying through the ICP portal — no exam, quiz or CPD hours are required, and API says employment verification is not required at this time.
  • Apply from 90 days before your expiration date; recertification fees are $265 for members and $320 for non-members in 2026 ($270 and $330 in 2027).
  • A 90-day grace period after expiry carries late fees.
  • Miss the grace period and the certification lapses — you need a new application and must pass the full exam again.

Official sources and further reading

Ready to start?

180 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.

Enroll free

API 571 and API 580 are certification programs of the American Petroleum Institute. QuizMe and thinQtank Learning are not affiliated with or endorsed by API or Prometric. API recommended practices are copyrighted — candidates need their own copies of the edition named in API's Body of Knowledge, and our practice items are original, not recalled exam questions. Exam details are summarized from API's published Body of Knowledge, program pages and schedules; fees, dates and editions change — always confirm at api.org before you apply. Our domain weights are estimates; API publishes no percentages.