Basic Coatings Inspector

Theory Exam
Exam Preparation Guide

BasicCoatingsIn Exam Preparation Guide—March 2022 | 1

Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Requirements .......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Exam Blueprint .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Types of Questions........................................................................................................................................................ 7

Description of Questions..................................................................................................................................... 7

Sample Questions .................................................................................................................................................. 7

Answer Key ............................................................................................................................................................... 8

Preparation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Training ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Reference Material ................................................................................................................................................. 8

Books .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Standards .................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Calculators ................................................................................................................................................................ 9

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Introduction
The Basic Coatings Inspector Theory Exam is designed to assess whether a candidate has the requisite
knowledge and skills that a minimally qualified Basic Coatings Inspector (Level 1) must possess. The
120 multiple-choice questions are based on the Coating Inspector body of knowledge. A candidate
should have entry-level knowledge of all corrosion, surface preparation, cleanliness, environmental
conditions, test instruments, coating mixtures, safety, and be able to perform basic and non-
destructive inspections of liquid coatings applied by brush, roller, or spray to steel surfaces under the
supervision of a Certified Coatings Inspector (Level 2) or Senior Certified Coatings Inspector (Level 3)
when working in a shop setting, or a Senior Certified Coatings Inspector (Level 3) when working in a
field setting.
Test Name Basic Coatings Inspector Theory Exam
Test Code BasicCoatingsIn
Total Seat Time+ 3 Hours (180 minutes)
Number of Questions 120*
Format Computer-Based Testing (CBT)

NOTE: A Pass/Fail result is provided at the end of the exam.

+Total Seat Time includes 10 minutes for a Tutorial & Non-Disclosure Agreement and 170 minutes for
the Exam.

*20 out of the 120 randomized questions are experimental and will not count towards a candidate's
score.

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Requirements
Requirements for Basic Coatings Inspector (Level 1)
n Course Prerequisites
n 2 Core Certification Exams
n Application

Course Requirements
Successfully complete the following courses:
CIP Level 1 Course
Ethics for the Corrosion Professional Course or an equivalent training
Core Certification Exam Requirements
Practical Exam - CIP Level 1 Practical

Theory Exam - Basic Coatings Inspector (CIP Level 1 Written)

Application Requirements

Complete the Professional Code of Conduct (in My Certification Portal)

Certification renewal requirements

n Recertification application* required every 3 years
n 1.5 years of Corrosion work experience in Coating Inspections

Upon successful completion of requirements, the candidate will be awarded an

AMPP Basic Coatings Inspector Certification.

*Approval required

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Exam Blueprint
NOTE: At the end of the CBT exam the candidate will receive a bar chart of strengths and
weaknesses that correspond to these Domains.

Domain 1- Safety - 2.5%

§ AMPP general safety statement for Basic § Explanation of Job and equipment specific safety
Coatings Inspectors. and security.
§ SDS overview. § Personal responsibility.
§ Introduction to Hazcomm.
§ Explanation of confined space safety.

Domain 2- Inspection Process - 15%

§ AMPP view of role of Basic Coatings Inspector - § Discussion of Pre-Job Conference – role in the
including restrictions at each level. inspection process.
§ Purpose of Inspection – including cost justification. § Discussion of Visual Inspection – overall impor-
§ Discussion of Specification – role in the inspection tance in the inspection process.
process. § Discussion of Verification vs. Hold Point Inspections.
§ Discussion of Product Data Sheets – role in the § Discussion of Non-Destructive Instrument Inspec-
inspection process. tion on steel substrates – hands on use of instru-
§ Discussion of Standards – role in the inspection ments and the role in the inspection process.
process. § Discussion of Documentation – role in the inspec-
§ Discussion of Codes – role in the inspection process. tion process, types of reports and basic reporting
§ Discussion of Inspection and Test Plans – role in the principles.
inspection process.

Domain 3- Corrosion - 5%
§ Definition of corrosion. § Introduction to the basic types of corrosion –
§ General explanation of a corrosion cell. general, localized.
§ Corrosion on steel structures. § Effects of corrosion – safety, cost, appearance.
§ Explanation of Galvanic Corrosion and the basic § Corrosion control - types and methods, including
galvanic series. the role of protective coating systems, and intro-
§ Common service environments. duction to corrosion control programs.
§ Introduction to the factors influencing corrosion
rates.

Domain 4- Environmental Controls and Inspection - 5%

§ Explanation of effect of Air, and Surface § Explanation, demonstration and use of Sling
Temperature, Relative Humidity and Dew Physchrometers and Surface Temperature Ther-
Point, and wind speed on surface preparation mometers.
and coating operations. § Explanation, demonstration and use of
§ Discussion of ASTM 337. Electronic Hygrometers.
§ Environmental testing – practice lab.

Domain 5- Surface Preparation and Inspection - 20%

 Explanation of design and fabrication defects and § Explanation of solvent/hand/power tool cleaning
their role in corrosion and coating defects. abrasive blasting of steel surfaces.
 Demonstration and use of the weld replica § Explanation of the types of abrasives and test
associated with NACE SP 0178. methods for measuring size (ASTM C136).
§ Explanation of visual contaminants, removal and
test methods.

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 § Explanation of residual soluble salts, removal and  Explanation, demonstration and use of dust and
test methods. debris test, and replica Tape, Digital Surface Profile
§ Explanation of all relevant NACE, SSPC, ASTM and Gauge, ISO Comparators (ASTM D4417).
ISO standards relating to solvent/hand/power tool
cleaning, abrasive blasting and of steel and tests
for residual soluble salts.

Domain 6- Coatings and Inspection - 20%

§ Explanation of Coating Fundamentals includ-ing § Explanation and demonstration of Coating
basic constituents and modes of protec-tion. Specifications.
§ Explanation of broad classifications i.e., Organ-ic § Explanation, demonstration and use of mag-netic
vs. Inorganic, Thermoset vs. Thermoplastic, DFT gauges, i.e., pull off and constant pressure
Convertible vs. Non-Convertible. probe gauges.
§ Explanation of polymerization and curing § Explanation and use of SSPC PA-2.
mechanisms, and generic coating types. § Explanation and use of holiday detection test
§ Explanation of the use of a wet film thickness instruments.
gauge and how to calculate the resulting dry film § Explanation of the different types of coating
thickness. defects.

Domain 7- Coating Application - 7.5%

§ Explanation of brush, mitt, roller, conventional air § Explanation of the importance of surface pre-
spray, airless and air assisted airless applica-tion cleaning, surface preparation and envi-
methods. ronmental conditions on the quality of coat-ing
§ Demonstration and use of brush, convention-al application.
and airless spray including basic trouble-shooting. § Explanation of the importance of mixing,
§ Explanation of the need and the use of stripe induction time, pot life and overcoat window.
coats.

Domain 8 - Documentation - 10%

§ Explanation of importance of reporting and  Explanation of material inventory, weekly
documentation to the inspection process. and non-conformance reports.
§ Explanation, demonstration and use of a log  Explanation, demonstration and use of
book, daily inspection reports. prod-uct and material safety data sheets.
§ Explanation, demonstration and use of a coating
specification.

Domain 9 - Standards - 10%

 Review, interpretation and use of all relevant standards referenced in Level 1.

Domain 10 - Teamwork - 2.5%

 Basic understanding of team work.

Domain 11 - Ethics - 2.5%

 Basic understanding of ethics required of a AMPP Certified Inspector (as per attestation).

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Types of Questions
Description of Questions
The questions on this exam are multiple-choice where there may be more than one correct answer.
The questions are based on the knowledge and skills required in the coating inspector industry.
While the AMPP training course is an excellent method of preparation it is not the only reference
used in the development of the questions.

Sample Questions
The sample questions are included to illustrate the formats and types of questions that will be on
the exam. Your performance on the sample questions should not be viewed as a predictor of your
perfor-mance on the actual test.
1. The temperature at which moisture begins to form on a steel surface is called:
A. relative humidity.
B. dew point.
C. maximum surface temperature.
D. minimum surface temperature.

2. The contractor should not use air to blow off the surface of a coating if:
A. iron is present in the coating waste or blast debris.
B. lead is present in the coating waste or blast debris.
C. biological residue is present in the coating waste.
D. soluble salts are present in the coating waste.

3. Which of the following is SSPC-SP 3 a standard for?

A. White metal blast cleaning
B. Pickling
C. Power tool cleaning
D. Hand tool cleaning

4. When inspecting a silicone coating, it is very important to:

A. observe application and ensure the film is applied at the correct DFT.
B. pay close attention to the mix ratio and heating of the material.
C. ensure that the necessary time frames for overcoating or in-service exposure are adhered
to.
D. ensure the proper materials.

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Answer Key
1. B
Reference: AMPP CIP Level 1 Course materials.

2. B
Reference: AMPP CIP Level 1 Course materials.

3. C
Reference: AMPP CIP Level 1 Course materials.

4. A
Reference: AMPP CIP Level 1 Course materials.

Preparation
Training
 AMPP CIP Level 1 Course
Reference Material

 AMPP CIP Level 1 Course materials

Books
§ Corrosion prevention by protective coatings by Charles Munger and revised by Lou Vincent et. al.
§ Practical Math for the Protective Coatings Industry by Raymond Weaver
§ Users Guide to Hot Dip Galvanizing by American Galvanizers Association
§ AMPP SSPC Painting Manual Volume 1- Good Painting Practices
§ AMPP SSPC Painting Manual Volume 2- Systems and Specifications

Standards

§ ASTM Volume 06.01 Paint- Tests for Chemical, Physical, and Optical Properties; Appearance
§ ASTM Volume 06.02 Paint- Products and Applications; Protective Coatings; Pipeline Coatings

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Calculators
Students will have access to either a TI Standard or TI Scientific calculator for use during the CBT
Exam.
Standard Calculator Standard Mode Functions
Add +
Subtract -
Multiply x
Divide ÷
Negative (-)
Percentage %
Square Root √ Example: 4 √
Reciprocal (Inverse) x Example: 1 ÷ 2 =
Store value to variable M+ Example: 3 * 5 = M+
Access variable MRC Example: 7 + MRC =
Clear variable M- MRC

Scientific Calculator Scientific Mode Functions

Add +
Subtract -
Multiply x
Divide ÷
Negative (-)
Percentage 2nd [%]
Square Root √ Example: 2nd √ 4 enter
Reciprocal (Inverse) X-1 Example: 2 X-1 enter
Store value to variable sto Xyzt Example: 3 * 5 enter sto Xyzt enter
s

Access variable Xyzt or Example: 7 + 2nd [recall] enter enter

2nd [recall]

Numeric Notation
Standard (Floating Decimal) mode menu options
Notation (digits to the left and right of decimal NORM SCI ENG e.g. 123456.78
FLOAT 0 1 2 3 4 5 … e.g. 123456.7800
Scientific Notation mode menu options
(1 digit to the left of decimal and appropriate NORM SCI ENG e.g. 1.2345678*105
power of 10)
Engineering Notation
mode menu options
(numer from 1 to 999 times 10 to an integer
NORM SCI ENG e.g. 123.45678*103
power that is a multiple of 3)

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Fractions
Simple fractions n/d
Mixed numbers 2nd [Un/d]
Conversion b/w simple fraction and mixed number 2nd [n/d Un/d]

s s
Conversion b/w fraction and decimal
2nd [f d]

s s
Powers, roots, and inverses
Square a value x2
Cube a value

<
Example (24)
Raise value to specified power

<
2 4

<
Example (√16):
Square root 2nd [√]
2nd [√] 16

Example (nth root):

Reciprocal x -1
5th root of 8:
5 2nd [x√] 8

Pi
PI (π) π

Toggle
The scientific calculator might show the results of certain calculations as a fraction - possibly
involving pi or a square root. To convert this kind of result to a single number with a decimal point,
you will need to use the “toggle answer” button circled in the picture below. Pressing this button will
change the display from a fractional to a decimal format.
Answer Toggle

If you find this on-screen calculator difficult to use, raise your hand and ask the Test Administrator
to provide you with a hand-held scientific calculator. If available, you will be provided with a
scientific or non-scientific calculator. Candidates are not permitted to bring their own calculator
into the testing room.
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