Coating Inspector Roles and Responsibilities

CIP Roles

What owners and specifiers need to know about the AMPP Coating Inspector Program

With the launch of the AMPP Coatings Inspector Program, we are bringing together two existing programs under the AMPP brand. The current industry-leading inspection certifications, the NACE CIP and the SSPC PCI programs have been combined to create the AMPP Coating Inspector Program. Since our industry has long recognized the existing NACE and SSPC programs, these credentials will remain active while this transition happens over the next few months. Owners and specifiers are encouraged to reference the new AMPP Coating Inspector Program in place of existing NACE CIP or SSPC PCI specifications.

Our new next generation coatings inspector certification program brings the following benefits:

  • Incorporates the best of the prior NACE and SSPC programs into a single industry-leading certification program
  • Brings certification holders into the new program, based on existing achievements
  • Continues to recognize NACE and SSPC certifications and branding to ensure candidate credentials can be verified against current specifications

While we are in this transitionary period, please see the letters below for more information about our coatings inspector credentials:

English version (pdf 75kb)

Versión en Español (pdf 52kb)

Coating Inspector Program recommended supervision guidelines

To help clarify the intended roles and responsibilities of the different levels of achievement for the Coating Inspector Program, please reference the table below for recommended supervision and role responsibilities for each level of certified professional, along with years of experience on the job. These recommended guidelines should be considered whenever specifying inspection requirements, or when selecting inspectors for specific assignments.

NOTE: For purposes of the Coating Inspector Program, the term “supervision” refers to technical oversight and not general supervision of employment.

Project Type & Importance Basic Inspector (0 to 24 months of inspection experience) Basic Inspector (Over 24 months of inspection experience) Certified Inspector (24 – 48 months of inspection experience) Certified Inspector (Over 48 months of inspection experience) Senior Certified Inspector
Simple/Low Risk
(Repetitive shop application or field application of coatings to metal products where corrosion or a coating failure is unlikely or of limited concern).		 Direct Supervision* Direct or Indirect Supervision** Indirect Supervision** Not required Not Required
Moderate/ Significant Risk
(Typical shop or field coating of structural steel subject to moderate corrosive environments)		 Direct Supervision* Direct or Indirect Supervision** Indirect Supervision** Indirect Supervision** Not Required
Complex/Critical Risk
(Linings, aggressive environments, critical assets with high consequence of failure or exceptionally long-life expectancy.		 Not Recommended for Assignment Direct Supervision*
Limited to projects where multiple inspectors are assigned.		 Direct Supervision*
Should be able to document previous experience /training with work type		 Indirect Supervision**
Should be able to document previous experience/training with work type		 Not Required
Should be able to document previous experience/training with work type
Supervision Authority None None As required by the owner/agency and/or AMPP guidelines for supervision of Basic coating inspectors. As required by the owner/agency and/or AMPP guidelines for supervision of Basic coating inspectors As required by the owner/agency and/or AMPP guidelines for supervision of Basic and Certified coating inspectors
*Direct Supervision

In-person technical supervision during the assignment, with the allowance for supplemental phone or virtual meeting support as needed. This can be accomplished by an AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector or an AMPP Senior Coatings Inspector. In addition to oversight and verification of inspections performed, supervision responsibility will include a review of all contract documents, inspection reports and photos, inspection equipment (including verification of calibration and usage), and safety equipment to ensure that the inspection work is consistent with contract requirements and the coatings specifications.

**Indirect Supervision

Is defined as contact utilizing remote virtual meetings, phone calls, texts, emails, etc. with limited direct supervision when/if needed and periodic field audits to verify inspection results. This can be accomplished by an AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector or an AMPP Senior Coatings Inspector. Indirect supervision shall provide review and feedback for inspection reports and photos, review of inspection equipment (including verification of calibration and usage), and safety equipment as required by AMPP or the Client. The assigned supervisor is responsible for reviewing and becoming familiar with all contract documents and requirements to ensure that the inspection work is consistent with contract requirements and the coatings specifications.