Cathodic Protection Technologist (CP3) Certification

COURSE + CERTIFICATION

Cathodic Protection Technologist Certification (CP3)

This advanced program builds on foundational CP knowledge to deepen your ability to interpret field data, troubleshoot complex CP issues, and apply design calculations for both galvanic and impressed current systems — all with training and exam access included to prepare you for certification and advance your professional capability.

RegisterView Exam Prep Guides
Cathodic Protection Technologist Certification (CP3)
Duration

5 Day Course*

Course Delivery

In-Person

CEUs/PDHs

4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Languages

English, Spanish, and Chinese*

Certification

Valid for 3 years

*Please note that the language and length of the course may vary based on geographic location.

Overview

This advanced program builds on foundational CP knowledge to deepen your ability to interpret field data, troubleshoot complex CP issues, and apply design calculations for both galvanic and impressed current systems — all with training and exam access included to prepare you for certification and advance your professional capability.

Who it's for

  • CP Consultants
  • CP Maintenance / Inspection Personnel
  • CP Technicians
  • Corrosion Engineer

Skills you'll gain

  • Communication
  • Data Management
  • Field Measurement
  • Inspection & Evaluation

What you should know

Foundational knowledge you're expected to have before day one.

Heads up: These are knowledge expectations, not certification requirements. You won't be asked to prove them for enrollment — but the course moves fast and assumes you have them.

A strong algebra and geometry background, with thorough understanding of unit conversions and scientific notation, is required as a minimum mathematics prerequisite.

A knowledge and understanding of the following material is needed for this course:

  • Electricity: DC electrical laws, series and parallel circuits, and rectifier circuits;
  • Electrochemistry: theory including electrochemical and galvanic series, polarization, Faraday's Law;
  • Corrosion theory including polarization under different conditions;
  • Cathodic protection: fundamentals, criteria, sacrificial and impressed current equipment including diodes, and different types of power supplies and anodes;
  • Stray current interference;
  • Testing equipment including voltmeters, ammeters, shunts (and calculations), ohmmeters, reference electrodes (and conversions), CP coupons, isolation and soil resistivity equipment.
  • Field tests such as interrupted structure-to-electrolyte potentials, close interval potential surveys, isolation tests, road casing isolation tests, layer soil resistivity, troubleshooting and coating tests.

Steps to Cathodic Protection Technologist (CP3) certification

Four steps to earn your CP3 credential — check eligibility, attend a course, prepare, and sit for the exam.
1
Check eligibility

Review the requirements for one of three pathways.

2
Register for the course

Browse our course schedule page to find an offering in your area to purchase.

3
Schedule and prepare for your exam

Submit any required documents and review exam prep guides to prepare for your exam.

4
Take the certification exam

Sit for the written and applied CP3 exam at the location you’ve selected.

STEP 1

Check your eligibility

There are three ways to qualify for the CP3 certification exam. Choose the path that best matches your education, work history, and training.

PATH
A
Education + experience

Best for technicians with a relevant degree.


EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences or engineering

EXPERIENCE

3 years of cathodic protection work experience.

TRAINING

Cathodic Protection Technology (CP3) Course - strongly recommended 

PREREQUISITE

Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course or an equivalent training.

Cathodic Protection Technician (CP2) Course and Certification - strongly recommended 

PATH
B
Work experience

Best for experienced field technicians without a degree.


EXPERIENCE

8 years of cathodic protection work experience.

TRAINING

Cathodic Protection Technology (CP3) Course - strongly recommended 

PREREQUISITE

Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course or an equivalent training.

Cathodic Protection Technician (CP2) Course and Certification - strongly recommended

PATH
C
Extended experience

Best for technical school students without a degree.


EXPERIENCE

6 years of verifiable cathodic protection work experience.

2 years of post-high school training from approved math or science technical/trade school.

TRAINING

Cathodic Protection Technologist (CP3) Course - strongly recommended 

PREREQUISITE

Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course or an equivalent training.

Cathodic Protection Technician (CP2) Course and Certification - strongly recommended

STEP 2

Register for the course

Go to our course schedule page to find a location and date to take the CP3 course. 

Register
STEP 3

Schedule and prepare for your exam

Find information about the certification exam as well as helpful study guides and resources to excel on your certification exam. You will also need to submit your Cathodic Protection Technologist Certification Application.

FORMAT

1 Exam | Theory (Written) and Applied Combination Exam 

Upcoming exam windows:

  • August 3-16, 2026
  • February 1-14, 2027
  • August 2-15, 2027
LANGUAGE

English

RE-CERTIFICATION

Every 3 years

Looking to renew your certification? Get started here

Certification candidates have four (4) years to complete all requirements, including a successful completion of the exam, and an approved application with the required work experience and education requirements.

Schedule Exam In Certification Portal

Guides and resources

Looking for Exam Preparation Guides?

To help you prepare for your exam, we have a library of Exam Preparation Guides to support your specific exam.

View Exam Prep Guides


Frequently asked questions

Each AMPP course includes expert-led instruction, course materials, and, when applicable, access to the related certification exam. Specific inclusions are listed on each course’s registration page.

Any prerequisites for a course or certification exam will be outlined on the course page or during registration. Some programs may require relevant work experience or prior coursework. All requirements will be clearly stated before you register.

Payment can be made online by credit card at checkout, by wire transfer, or through an invoice request for company or group payments.

Please ensure all required details are included with wire transfers; incomplete submissions may result in a refund if the payment cannot be properly applied. Full payment is required before the course begins.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled course, contact AMPP Customer Support as soon as possible. You may be eligible to transfer to another course date or location, depending on availability and AMPP’s cancellation policy.

For full details, view our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.

Yes. Upon successful completion of your course, AMPP provides a Certificate of Course Completion.

If your course is part of a certification program, you must also meet all certification requirements outlined for that program. Your registration confirmation email will include details on scheduling exams and completing any additional steps needed for certification.

Course materials are provided at the start of your training to ensure you receive the most current content. Some programs may include optional pre-reading materials after registration—check your confirmation email for details.

If you wish to purchase additional study resources before your course begins, please contact Customer Support for pricing and availability.

You may be eligible for a complimentary one-year AMPP membership depending on the course purchased. Eligibility varies by course tier and delivery partner. Most courses offered through an AMPP Licensee or partner include this benefit; some restrictions may apply.

Yes. AMPP certifications are globally recognized and respected across industries such as oil and gas, infrastructure, coatings, corrosion control, and defense.

See what others are saying

Need help finding something?

Can’t find the course you’re looking for, or have questions, you can connect with our Customer Support team via email or phone to get dedicated help!

Email customer support

Send us an email and one of our friendly Customer Support team members will connect with you soon.

Please note that we have a limited number of Spanish/Chinese-speaking representatives.

Email customer support

Give us a call

We are available Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. US Central Standard Time (CST) and Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. US Central Standard Time (CST).

US: 1-800-797-6223
International: +1-281-228-6200

Looking for something specific, please visit the AMPP Knowledge Base.