- API 936 accepts applicants with any experience level; certification requires a passing exam result.
- Review your application, study references, and exam arrangements before choosing a training option.
- Use the current official publications and prepare for the closed-book examination.
- Use API 936 training to strengthen the refractory topics you or your employees need to develop.
- Plan training, exam fees, and renewal dates whether you apply independently or through your employer.
API 936 is open to applicants with industry experience and those seeking to gain it. Under API’s qualification requirements, you must pass the exam to become certified. Your first decision is therefore not whether you hold a particular job title, but what you need to prepare before applying.
This guide covers eligibility, application readiness, exam conditions and renewal. It is for professionals exploring certification as well as HR, managers and companies supporting employees. Use it to separate official requirements from training choices and plan the route that fits your needs.
What Are the API 936 Certification Requirements?
To obtain API 936 certification, you must pass the API 936 exam and complete the applicable certification process. API’s qualification page does not specify a minimum employment duration, a particular degree, or prior API 510, API 570, or API 653 certification.
A training provider may set its own course-entry criteria; these are distinct from API’s certification requirements.
Training is a preparation choice, not an API exam prerequisite. Under API’s policies, candidates must resolve application deficiencies before certification. A training attendance certificate is not the professional credential awarded through API’s Individual Certification Programs.
Before committing to an exam, consider your familiarity with refractory installation, inspection, testing and repair. Eligibility alone does not establish readiness.
What Should You Check Before Applying?
Before applying, check your application details, study references and exam arrangements against API’s application guidance. Use the checklist to separate official conditions from practical preparation.
|
Check |
API Requirement or Scope |
What to Prepare |
|
Eligibility |
Open to applicants at any experience level |
Review your experience and learning needs |
|
Application |
Individual ICP application; resolve outstanding requirements |
Confirm your details and application responsibilities |
|
Publications |
Current Body of Knowledge and Effectivity Sheet |
Match learning materials to the exam window |
|
Exam arrangements |
API authorization, matching ID and approved window |
Confirm your appointment and time away from work |
|
Workplace readiness |
Separate from formal exam-entry eligibility |
Identify knowledge gaps, with your manager if relevant |
Use this checklist to decide what support you need. You may be confident with installation work but need more practice interpreting test records or inspection documentation. Start with the areas most relevant to your refractory quality control responsibilities.
For company-sponsored candidates, HR can coordinate payment and time away from work, while a technical manager helps identify learning priorities.
Read Also: Top 7 Skills Every API 936 Inspector Should Possess
What Knowledge and Exam Conditions Apply?
Start with the official reference set, then confirm the exam format and test-day conditions. These checks help you choose relevant study materials and understand what you need to demonstrate independently in the examination.
API 936 Exam at a Glance
|
API 936 Exam Details |
Specification |
|
Exam type |
Closed-book |
|
Duration |
3 hours 15 minutes |
|
Total questions |
85 multiple-choice |
|
Scored questions |
75 |
|
Pretest questions |
10 |
|
Score scale |
200–500 |
|
Passing scaled score |
400 |
Sources: API 936 Body of Knowledge; API Examinations and Scaled Scoring.
1. Referenced Publications
The Body of Knowledge identifies the topics, while the Publications Effectivity Sheet identifies the applicable editions. The April 2025–December 2026 list specifies API 936, fifth edition (March 2024).
It also includes API 975, first edition (November 2021), and API 976, first edition (March 2018). For ASTM C113, C133, C181 and C704, use the editions shown on that sheet.
Check the editions against your intended exam window, including when you select a training course. Older handouts may not match the references that govern your examination.
2. Exam Format and Passing Requirement
This closed-book format calls for understanding and recall rather than access to a reference book. The ten pretest questions do not .
The passing scaled score for all exams is 400
Source: API — Examinations and Scaled Scoring.
API reports results on a 200–500 scale. A scaled score is. Use practice results to identify topics for review rather than assuming that “70% correct” is the official passing requirement.
3. Test-Day Readiness
You need API’s exam authorization and Eligibility ID before booking within your approved window. The name on your account must match the government-issued ID used for testing. Confirm your appointment before arranging travel or time off, because API does not guarantee a particular location or day.
Review your appointment confirmation, identification and exam instructions together. For a company-sponsored exam, confirm work coverage and payment arrangements with your employer.
Read Also: An Introduction to Monolithic Refractories
How Does PetroSync Support API 936 Exam Preparation?
PetroSync’s API 936 training helps you connect technical learning with the refractory knowledge needed for exam preparation.
1. Structured Technical Preparation
The course covers refractory design, application, installation, inspection, repair and quality control. This gives you a structured way to address gaps in technical understanding before the exam. Compare the syllabus with the topics you need to strengthen.
2. Practical Case Studies
Practical exercises and course case studies, including brick failures and cracking in monolithic refractories, connect the material with technical situations. Compare those topics with the refractory work you do or want to understand better.
3. Exam Preparation Support
PetroSync offers instructor-led API preparation and an optional training-plus-exam package with exam-registration assistance. Discuss which support is included in your chosen package so that technical preparation and exam arrangements are clear before you book.
PetroSync reports an exam pass rate of around 90% following its API preparation training. This is a company-reported result for API training generally and should not be interpreted as an API 936-specific pass rate.
Source: PetroSync — Official FAQ.
4. Training Options
Individual participants can review public course options. Company groups can discuss an in-house program around employee roles and learning priorities, with HR or a technical manager helping assess the proposed syllabus and delivery arrangements.
Read Also: Best API 936 Course for Refractory Inspection Professionals
How Should You Plan Certification and Renewal?
Plan the training budget, exam arrangements and renewal dates as separate decisions. This applies whether you pay for your own certification or receive support from a company.
1. Budget and Exam Arrangements
Budget for certification separately from training and any travel or time away from work. API’s published fee schedule lists initial API 936 fees of USD 450 for the member category and USD 625 for non-members. Confirm the applicable category and current amount before payment.
Confirm your selected package’s scope, fee breakdown and application deadline before booking. In-house delivery for company groups requires a custom quotation.
2. Certificate Validity and Renewal
API 936 certification has a three-year term. Under the program’s recertification rules, renewal applications can begin 90 days before expiry, and employment verification is currently not required. An online, open-book quiz is required every six years; candidates should check their account to see when it is due.
Record your certificate’s expiry date and set a renewal reminder; the course date is not your certification expiry date. Share renewal dates with your employer when it maintains team records.
Explore training options for individual participants or an in-house program for your employees.
Discuss API 936 Training for Yourself or Your Team
Ready to plan your API 936 training? Tell PetroSync about your experience, learning priorities and preferred timing so you can review relevant course options and clarify optional exam support.
For company groups, share the participant count, roles and work scope when requesting in-house training. Your HR team or manager can discuss the syllabus, delivery arrangements, participant and custom quotation with PetroSync.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No minimum employment duration is specified in API’s API 936 qualification requirements. The program is open to applicants with petroleum or petrochemical industry experience and those seeking to gain it. Assess your knowledge of the required refractory topics separately from eligibility.
No. API’s published API 936 qualification requirements do not list API 510, API 570 or API 653 as prerequisites. Check the API 936 program’s own requirements rather than applying entry conditions from another certification or a training provider’s course policy.
How demanding the exam feels depends on your familiarity with refractory topics and the referenced publications. Review the official Body of Knowledge, confirm the applicable editions and understand the closed-book exam format. Use preparation to identify knowledge gaps rather than assume the exam is inherently easy or hard.
Yes, API 936 is available through remote proctoring on Prometric’s ProProctor platform, subject to the applicable testing requirements. Check your computer and testing environment before booking, and involve your IT team when using a company device. A remote option does not mean that any computer, connection or workplace room will qualify.
Yes, API’s payment and refund policies recognize third-party payments, but the certification application remains yours. Refund requests must come from the applicant, even when your employer pays. Agree the invoicing and receipt arrangements with your company before payment, and check the applicable conditions for any refund request.
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