Answers to Common Questions About API and CSTRA Exams
How do I register with API?
When Do I Need to Register?
Who Administers the Exam?
What Are the IQCIA Final Exams Like?
What Are the Exams Like?
What is the pass rate for people that have taken your course?
What Should I Study?
Where Can I Get the Codes and Standards Required for a Specific Examination?
Where Can I Get the Codes and Standards Required for a Specific CSTRA TES Examination?
What are the Minimum Qualification Requirements for Applicants?
How do I register with API?
The API certifications that are available include API 510 Pressure Vessels, API 653 Aboveground Storage Tanks, API 570 Process Piping and TES. You can also visit www.api.org/icp for more information on API Inspector Certification Exams.
When Do I Need to Register?
Who Administers the Exam?
The API TES exams are administered by a subcontractor to API. There is no difference in the registration process with API either way. However; if the exam is administered by one of the states or provinces there is often an additional fee that must be paid to that organization. The subcontractor will send you a letter about three to four weeks in advance of the exam which will give you the exact site where the exam will be administered. The IQCIA TES Final Exam is administered by the instructor.API does not know until you do exactly where the exam will be given. OSHA Plans and the IQCIA will provide a map and directions for course locations once we know the exact hotel and course location. Transportation, meals and hotel costs for while attending the course is your responsibility.
What Are the IQCIA TES Final Exams Like?
The IQC TES Certification Final exams are all 8 hours with a lunch break. The final exam includes 125 questions. The "Open Book", Grade and Review portion will be administered in the morning session. The "Closed Book" is approximately 1/3 of the exam (45 to 50 questions) and the "Open Book" morning session, is about 2/3 of the exam (85 to 115 questions). The passing score for the course is a mandatory 85%. The passing score will calculated based on all section test results, Safe work and execution plan, Final Exam, and (understanding / application)demonstrated during class participation of the required knowledge. It takes about six to eight days for you to get your final grade. Your certificate and wallet card will be sent to you by IQCIA shortly after the grades are sent out.
What Are the API Exams Like?
The exams are all 4 hours. All exams include 120 questions. "Closed Book" The passing score is 82% and will be pass/fail given to you when you get your final grade. It takes about six to eight weeks for you to get your grade. Your certificate and wallet card will be sent to you by API shortly after the grades are sent out.
What is the pass rate for people that have taken your course?
In a total of twelve years of teaching, over 500 students that have taken the CSTRA Tank Entry Supervisor course, we have had only three people that did not pass the CSTRA TES course and subsequently did not pass the API TES Exam.
What Should I Study?
Where Can I Get the Codes and Standards Required for a Specific API TES Examination?
Techstreet: API and partial ASME publications. Call toll free 800-699-9277, or visit their web site at www.techstreet.com
The Codes and Standards required for the exams are listed in general terms in several places. However; there is an "Effectivity Sheet" for each exam in the application booklet sent out by API. This sheet lists the exact Edition, Addenda, or Supplement required for each exam. This is the list you should go by when ordering the books you will need to study.
Where Can I Get the Codes and Standards Required for a Specific CSTRA TES Examination?
Call 281-549-6658 or visit our web sites at www.oshaplans.com or www.iqcia.org
What are the Minimum Qualification Requirements for Applicants
BS degree in engineering or technology 2 years Supervisory experience in confined space (AST) related activities including: permit issuance, tank entry, atmospheric testing, tank cleaning, tank repair and maintenance as described in API 2015 and 2016.
2-year degree or certificate in engineering or technology 3 years Experience in confined space (AST) related activities including: permit issuance, tank entry, atmospheric testing, tank cleaning, tank repair and maintenance as described in API 2015 and 2016, of which 1 year must be in Supervisor's capacity.
High school diploma or equivalent 6 years Experience in confined space (AST) related activities including: permit issuance, tank entry, atmospheric testing, tank cleaning, tank repair and maintenance as described in API 2015 and 2016, of which 2 years must be in Supervisor's capacity simple functions);
