NACE Qualifications

NACE International (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) is probably the world’s largest and most competent organisation based specifically around corrosion control. They are based in Houston USA

They are a major player in all sectors of the integrity industry, not just oil & gas. Under the US way of doing things they issue Personnel ‘Certifications’ through an independent affiliate NACE Institute www.naceinstitute.org  . There are more than 20 types of certification and 30,000 certifications holders around the world, so this is a substantial activity in the industry. NACE certifications are renewable at regular intervals.

What are the certification types?

There are 6-7 different ‘programmes’; involving combinations of training courses, exams and certifications :see  www.nace.org/Training-and-Education/Courses-by-Program/ .There are multiple (6-8) courses in each programme meaning that it would be impractical to ever do them all. There are overlaps between some of them also, so as a candidate you need to select carefully the ones you want. Here they are;

General Corrosion Programme

These courses range from 3-6 days on general corrosion aspects of pipelines, concrete structures, corrosion control etc.

Coating Inspector Program (CIP)

There are 2 levels to this: CIP Level 1 and CIP Level 2, each with 6-day training courses and exam.

Cathodic Protection Program

This one has 4 levels:

CP-1: CP Tester 5 days

CP-2: CP Technician 5 days

CP-3: CP Technologist 5-6 days

CP-4: Specialist 5-6 days

Industrial Coating Application (ICA)

Mainly e-courses on a variety of (6-8) subjects

Protective Coatings Specialist (PCS)

PCS-1: Basic principles:3 days

PCS-2: Advanced:3 days

PCS-3: Management: 5 days

Pipeline Industry Program

Specifically, about setting up an internal corrosion control programme for pipelines. Course lasts up to 5 days

Refining Industry Program

Single 5-day course on Corrosion Control in The Refining Industry

Online Training

Variety of subscription-based shorter online training courses. These act mainly as introductions to subjects of general interest.

How useful are NACE courses and certifications?

They are high quality, specialised courses, many with stringent certification exams at the end. You need to be involved with corrosion control to get full benefit from them

Are NACE certificates more use than API inspection qualifications?

They are a different thing. API inspector certificates provide general coverage of the inspection of vessels, pipework, pipelines and storage tanks including the corrosion mechanisms in API RP 571.NACE concentrates solely on corrosion control subjects.

See the NACE website for details of their training courses and certifications www.nace.org/Training-and-Education/Courses-by-Program

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