API launches new certification program for quality systems auditors

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Jan 15, 2016, 11:49 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Petroleum Institute's Global Industry Services department (API Global) has established a new and comprehensive Auditor Certification Program, which is the first to be developed by industry experts.

"API is committed to safety as a core value, and we are pleased to offer this new auditor certification program to help improve the safety and performance of oil and natural gas operations worldwide," said Lisa Salley, vice president of API Global. "API standards and certifications are the industry gold standard. The program is designed specifically for and by oil and natural gas quality management professionals and draws upon API's deep industry knowledge and expertise."

Company personnel and self-employed individuals can register to be trained, tested, and certified to audit various quality management programs according to API's globally-recognized standards. The certification of credentialed auditing professionals will play a key role in advancing quality programs, efficiency, and safety within the industry.

Certification candidates are required to provide proof of appropriate education, qualifications, training, and audit logs as part of the application and pre-qualification process. They must also sit for and pass a 150-question exam, administered worldwide at Prometric computer testing centers. The first exams will be offered March 1-15, 2016, and the registration deadline is February 5. API plans to hold three auditor certification exam periods per year.

Each of the three levels of certification can be obtained with a focus on either API Spec Q1 (Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations) or API Spec Q2 (Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Service Supply Organizations).

For more information about the Auditor Certification Program, please visit www.api.org/ICP.

API Global is responsible for certification, standards, statistics, training, events, and safety programs for the international oil and natural gas industry.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API's 650 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation's energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.

SOURCE American Petroleum Institute