American Petroleum Institute - Becoming an API Auditor

[roneljdsilva]

Dear community,

Just need some clarification on what are the pre-requisites / eligibility criteria to become an API Auditor for the Oil and Gas Industry. I tried researching on the topic on API's website but was not able to get any information on this.

Just a background about me. For the last 7 years, I have been working (and currently as well) as a Management Representative taking care of the organizations ISO 9001, 45001 (OHSAS back then), API Monogram, ASME, etc. certifications. I have faced about 7 API audits along with numerous other audits from other licensing bodies (in relation with the certifications mentioned), customers and government organizations.

I am an IRCA certified auditor (ID # 6082763 expires on Feb 2022) and submitted my application for the API Lead Auditor Q1 examination in July 2021 under API's ICP (Individual Certification Programs).

Any help in this regard would be much appreciated!

Also, if any one has a few questions related to the things I've just said, please do ask and I'd be happy to help!

Thanks and Best Regards,

Ronel Dsilva
On the quality trajectory!

 

[Jen Kirley]

Dear community,

Just need some clarification on what are the pre-requisites / eligibility criteria to become an API Auditor for the Oil and Gas Industry. I tried researching on the topic on API's website but was not able to get any information on this.

Just a background about me. For the last 7 years, I have been working (and currently as well) as a Management Representative taking care of the organizations ISO 9001, 45001 (OHSAS back then), API Monogram, ASME, etc. certifications. I have faced about 7 API audits along with numerous other audits from other licensing bodies (in relation with the certifications mentioned), customers and government organizations.

I am an IRCA certified auditor (ID # 6082763 expires on Feb 2022) and submitted my application for the API Lead Auditor Q1 examination in July 2021 under API's ICP (Individual Certification Programs).

Any help in this regard would be much appreciated!

Also, if any one has a few questions related to the things I've just said, please do ask and I'd be happy to help!

Thanks and Best Regards,

Ronel Dsilva
On the quality trajectory!

Hello roneljdsilva,

I can't speak specifically for API, and I noticed API is not advertising for auditors so it is hard to speak on their behalf with any real sense of authority.

However, I can offer that registrars hiring auditors have asked for a degree in the discipline and/or a period of time working in a process other than auditing (I realize you said Management Representative, not internal auditor). I would expect an engineering-type organization like American Petroleum Institute to be interested in experience in engineering processes, in order to understand the technical nature of the organizations being assessed.

The absolute right thing to do, of course would be to initiate the question with them more directly. API's web site does have a "Join the talent community" portal. It seems to me there is nothing to lose there.

I hope this helps.

 

[jmech]

Hi Ronel,

I agree with Jen's suggestion to contact API more directly to get answers to your questions.

I think that all the API auditors that I've encountered have had both quality experience (in manufacturing for the oil & gas industry) and have all had either an engineering technology diploma or an engineering degree.

API is predicting a large increase in the number of audits this year compared to last year, so they may have openings.

 

[roneljdsilva]

Thank you both for the response. I'm sorry I haven't clarified enough. I have a mechanical engineering degree and my primary designation was a Quality Manager and I have worked with developing NDT, welding and other manufacturing procedures in line with ASNT and ASTM codes.

I wouldn't call myself an SME but I'm familiar with the engineering and design process (just for a few monograms). Appreciate your comments, the exam I booked initially for July 2021 got postponed to the end of November as API revised the syllabus.

I will definitely update what happens then if any of you are interested.

Thanks again!

Regards,
Ronel Dsilva