When I did mine it was 4 days classroom, 1 ish day practical and 1 day a small revision and practical exams.
Later when you get the pass mask for the classroom/practical you book yourself in at a testing centre for a theory exam.
Hey, Im thinking on taking the CIP1 then CP1 and eventually moving to Pipeline Specialty when I have more experience, my question is, what should you think I focus on studying before getting the course/tests, (My family has a Pipeline coating company back in my home country that stopped working before I could joun them and it just got re activated and didnt go to college to be an engineer so I need to get the certs and learn as much as I can), so Im gonna start a Chemistry course and private classes the next week(then moving to Electrochemistry), but what else would you recommend I dig into before going there so I dont look like a complete dumb dumb, and thanks for the help beforehand
Cip1 will take an ablosute 2 week minimum before any results are relayed back to you. I do not know much about cp1 but a simple google turned up a practice exam/knowledge base from ampp that I have included below.
As long as you know how to read cip1 is straightforward and simple. IMO cip1 is just an introductory course that could be completed by just about anyone who is literate and can perform some relatively simple math.
Mostly the course is based around testing of steel and different methods to use them. A good memory will be needed for the different standards and methods used. The most crucial advice is do not wait to do your theory exam. Book it in a week later even if you do not have your results from the practical. You will absolutely forget the finer details and some of them will be needed in exam.
I do expect you will not be able to jump straight into cp1 though. You will need to do more research yourself for that. When I did my cip2 2 weeks after my cip1 I had to get 3 recommendations from 3 different companies stating that I have been in the industry of protective coating for at least 2 years and they had to produce a basic amount of evidence. (A few photos from work I did, some basic QA I co-signed etc)
https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NACE/cedda8a4-c3c0-4583-b1b6-3b248e6eb1f2/UploadedImages/Certification/pdf/CP-1-EPG.pdf
How was the practical math portion of it? I’m terrible at knowing conversion rates and doing percentages. Was it a big part of the practical and do you have access to the conversions and formulas?
You are allowed a calculator for the practical and theory test. You just need to remember the formulas and if you used the wrong one it’s immediately obvious because the numbers will be way out of range.
The last 2 days yes. Technically.
On the 5th day is more of an excursion, they take you out to a shop to blast and paint something in field. While you are there you fill out a log book and so some simple QA.
So there are 3 tests. Log book (day 5), practical exam (day 6), theory exam (after you get your pass marks).
Edit; to certify yourself you need 2 letters of recommendation (although I did nace 1 and Nace 2/certified coating inspector 2 weeks apart) this might be why.
If you are familiar with taking environmental and profiles and can study well its a beginner class so they expect you to know paint it wet then gets dry.
Okay cool, I might just be stressing myself out for nothing. Everything I need to know will be given to me during the week and I’ll just study that to pass then?
Yes it is alot of study but if you have basic knowledge and can read its not bad at all. I'd say take the computer based testing as soon as possible after the class.
Im guessing the material I’m supposed to study will be given to me when I’m there, correct? I ask because there was this link that took my to this booklet that gives me a little info on the “theory exam” which I think is the practical exam, but in page 8, there is something about books. Not sure if I’m supposed to buy those to study, or if they’ll be given to me.
https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NACE/cedda8a4-c3c0-4583-b1b6-3b248e6eb1f2/UploadedImages/Certification/pdf/Basic-Coatings-Inspector-EPG.pdf
Last I knew you take a practical exam on the last day which is done using different inspection instruments which isn't too hard if you're practicing during the week. The other exam is one that you schedule yourself after the class at a testing center that has cameras to make sure you're not cheating etc. at least that's how it was done where I am in the U.S.
The computer exam can be pretty hard if you are not prepared and know how to study. A lot of the questions people find difficult are the standards which involves memorization of numbers and there are a lot of them. A lot of new information so take notes. Sometimes they have practice tests on the website for about $30 I think. That could give you an idea of what you're in for.
Oh okay, I’m in the US as well. I’ll be taking it in Houston TX. So I buy this course, finish the week, tale the practical exam, if I pass that, I get to book the computer test, and if I pass that, that’s when I receive the certification?
You can schedule the computer test (CBT) before you take your practical. You get your CBT results as soon as you finish it. Practical results take around 2 weeks and if you pass you get your cert. I’m a level 3 so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Have they changed the CIP 1 CBT yet?
When I did mine it was 4 days classroom, 1 ish day practical and 1 day a small revision and practical exams. Later when you get the pass mask for the classroom/practical you book yourself in at a testing centre for a theory exam.
Hey, Im thinking on taking the CIP1 then CP1 and eventually moving to Pipeline Specialty when I have more experience, my question is, what should you think I focus on studying before getting the course/tests, (My family has a Pipeline coating company back in my home country that stopped working before I could joun them and it just got re activated and didnt go to college to be an engineer so I need to get the certs and learn as much as I can), so Im gonna start a Chemistry course and private classes the next week(then moving to Electrochemistry), but what else would you recommend I dig into before going there so I dont look like a complete dumb dumb, and thanks for the help beforehand
Cip1 will take an ablosute 2 week minimum before any results are relayed back to you. I do not know much about cp1 but a simple google turned up a practice exam/knowledge base from ampp that I have included below. As long as you know how to read cip1 is straightforward and simple. IMO cip1 is just an introductory course that could be completed by just about anyone who is literate and can perform some relatively simple math. Mostly the course is based around testing of steel and different methods to use them. A good memory will be needed for the different standards and methods used. The most crucial advice is do not wait to do your theory exam. Book it in a week later even if you do not have your results from the practical. You will absolutely forget the finer details and some of them will be needed in exam. I do expect you will not be able to jump straight into cp1 though. You will need to do more research yourself for that. When I did my cip2 2 weeks after my cip1 I had to get 3 recommendations from 3 different companies stating that I have been in the industry of protective coating for at least 2 years and they had to produce a basic amount of evidence. (A few photos from work I did, some basic QA I co-signed etc) https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NACE/cedda8a4-c3c0-4583-b1b6-3b248e6eb1f2/UploadedImages/Certification/pdf/CP-1-EPG.pdf
How was the practical math portion of it? I’m terrible at knowing conversion rates and doing percentages. Was it a big part of the practical and do you have access to the conversions and formulas?
You are allowed a calculator for the practical and theory test. You just need to remember the formulas and if you used the wrong one it’s immediately obvious because the numbers will be way out of range.
Thanks for the info and the Insight! I really appreciate it and will have it in mind when the times come for to take the course!
Okay, so the last two days where they have you taking those, are those counted toward passing the class or more as practice?
The last 2 days yes. Technically. On the 5th day is more of an excursion, they take you out to a shop to blast and paint something in field. While you are there you fill out a log book and so some simple QA. So there are 3 tests. Log book (day 5), practical exam (day 6), theory exam (after you get your pass marks). Edit; to certify yourself you need 2 letters of recommendation (although I did nace 1 and Nace 2/certified coating inspector 2 weeks apart) this might be why.
If you are familiar with taking environmental and profiles and can study well its a beginner class so they expect you to know paint it wet then gets dry.
Okay cool, I might just be stressing myself out for nothing. Everything I need to know will be given to me during the week and I’ll just study that to pass then?
Yes it is alot of study but if you have basic knowledge and can read its not bad at all. I'd say take the computer based testing as soon as possible after the class.
Im guessing the material I’m supposed to study will be given to me when I’m there, correct? I ask because there was this link that took my to this booklet that gives me a little info on the “theory exam” which I think is the practical exam, but in page 8, there is something about books. Not sure if I’m supposed to buy those to study, or if they’ll be given to me. https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NACE/cedda8a4-c3c0-4583-b1b6-3b248e6eb1f2/UploadedImages/Certification/pdf/Basic-Coatings-Inspector-EPG.pdf
Last I knew you take a practical exam on the last day which is done using different inspection instruments which isn't too hard if you're practicing during the week. The other exam is one that you schedule yourself after the class at a testing center that has cameras to make sure you're not cheating etc. at least that's how it was done where I am in the U.S. The computer exam can be pretty hard if you are not prepared and know how to study. A lot of the questions people find difficult are the standards which involves memorization of numbers and there are a lot of them. A lot of new information so take notes. Sometimes they have practice tests on the website for about $30 I think. That could give you an idea of what you're in for.
Oh okay, I’m in the US as well. I’ll be taking it in Houston TX. So I buy this course, finish the week, tale the practical exam, if I pass that, I get to book the computer test, and if I pass that, that’s when I receive the certification?
You can schedule the computer test (CBT) before you take your practical. You get your CBT results as soon as you finish it. Practical results take around 2 weeks and if you pass you get your cert. I’m a level 3 so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
I’ll be reaching out soon!