Coating Inspector Program – Level 1

CERTIFICATION

Basic Coatings Inspector Certification (CIP Level 1)

Kickstart your coatings inspection career with AMPP’s Basic Coatings Inspector Certification. Learn industry standards, safety practices, and hands-on inspection techniques, and secure your certification exam voucher—all in one program designed to build the skills and confidence needed to advance your coatings inspection career.

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Coating Inspector Program Level 1
Duration

5 or 6 Day Course*

Delivery

In-Person

CEUs/PHDs

5.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Languages

English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, French, Turkish, and Korean*

Certification

Valid for 3 years

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

Overview

The CIP Level 1 course is your first step toward earning the Basic Coatings Inspector Certification. The course combines classroom instruction and hands-on exercises in coating materials, surface preparation, application techniques, and inspection testing.

Your purchase includes registration for the certification exam, which verifies your skills and provides a credential to perform basic coating inspections on steel substrates using nondestructive testing and instrumentation. 

Who it's for

  • Project managers, supervisors/foreman and engineers
  • Maintenance and quality assurance/control (QA/QC) personnel
  • Contractors and specification writers
  • Coating manufacturers and technical sales representatives
  • Fabricators and welders
  • Paint applicators and blasters

Topics covered

  • Roles & Responsibilities of the Inspector
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Dry Film Thickness (DFT) Measurement
  • Documentation & Reporting
  • Surface Preparation Standards
  • Coating Application Basics
  • Holiday/Pinhole Detection
  • Safety & Compliance

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for the CIP Level 1 course. Any additional requirements for taking the certification exam will be provided after you complete your course registration.

Steps to certification

  1. Enroll in the CIP Level 1 course and complete course requirements
  2. Take required certification exams:

    Basic Coating Inspector Practical Exam - Administered in the classroom.

    Basic Coatings Inspector (CIP Level 1) Theory Exam - Scheduled through Pearson VUE.

  3. Agree to AMPP Terms of Service

Looking to renew your certification?

Visit My Certification Portal to log and manage your work experience and Professional Development Hours (PDH's) needed. Your work experience and PDH's will be submitted as part of your renewal application but you can input PDH's at any time.

View Renewal Guide  |  My 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.

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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.

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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

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