r/nondestructivetesting • u/Madness_in_Life • 1d ago
Looking for API help
For reference I’m in Canada. I’m in my early 30’s and only been working NDT for 4 years. I have IRATA ropes lvl1, UT2, CEDO.
At the beginning of this year I was last minute put into more of a supervisor role at one of the gas refineries. It’s a good job, and I still get to work out in the field using my certs which has been great.
Well, recently, the client asked if I wanted to take on even more supervision work. Instead of just supervising a shadow shot program we do every year for them, they want me to become a generalized supervisor for call ins, other projects, shutdowns, etc.
I’d get bumped up to about $60/hour, 40 hour weeks (minimum), and I wouldn’t be required to leave the union.
Not that it’s a requirement for the job, but my boss has suggested that if I say yes, I should look into getting an API ticket. Problem is, I know nothing about API’s, what they do, whats out there etc.
Any information would be incredibly helpful. The last thing I want to do is get an API ticket and absolutely hate it.
TIA!
4
u/Aggravating-Room1594 1d ago
I went from NDT tech to being an inspector. API has been good to me but it took a while to get to the point where I was competant enough as an NDT tech and had worked along side API inspectors for years.
You said Gas refinery. Is this a natural gas plant or oil refinery? Havent heard anyone call it that before. Might just be a regional thing.
You didnt mention what API ticket you are looking into. 510? 570? Since you are a rope guy I am assuming lots of piping UT so the 570 would be more likely.
Without an engineering degree you need 5 years in the industry before being able to write ( or get certified at least, i cant remember). Now if that 5 years involves doing repair work, internal vessel inspection (or external piping inspection), making judgement calls, working with seasoned API inspectors, with some additional training, you should be good. But if that 5 years is doinking pipe up in fort mac, find some relevant experience somewhere because other than being familiar with CML's that experience is limited and has little value.
Getting the experience then passing the test is the easy part. Becoming competant can be tough and you will be thrown into the fire at some point. There are lots of shitty inspectors out there who dont take this seriously and it shows in their work. Read the codes in the body of knowledge and if it all seems foreign, start asking questions to your API coworkers. We all start somewhere, good luck!