AMPP QP Programs supporting the maritime industry

AMPP’s QP program certifies coating applicators, inspectors, and contractors who meet rigorous quality and performance standards. Certification ensures that defense personnel and contractors consistently deliver reliable, mission-critical corrosion protection on military assets.

Most used QP certifications in the defense industry:

QP 1 – Field Application of Coatings
Essential for contractors performing surface prep and protective coatings on military ships, tanks, and infrastructure.

QP2 - Field Coating Removal
Critical for safely removing hazardous coatings during maintenance or refurbishment of defense assets.

QP3 - Shop Application of Coatings
Important for off-site coating of prefabricated defense components and equipment in controlled environments.

QP5 - Coating and Lining Inspection Companies
Certifies inspection companies providing quality assurance and control on military coating projects.

QP 9 – Commercial Painting and Coating Contractors
Applicable for contractors handling maintenance and refurbishment of defense facilities and support infrastructure.

AMPP’s standards—including those for surface preparation, cathodic protection, and coatings inspection—are integrated into DoD technical manuals, MIL-SPECs, and Unified Facilities Criteria, guiding the protection of critical assets across military branches.

Coating and surface preparation standards:

Design, Fabrication, and Surface Finish Practices for Tanks and Vessels to Be Lined for Immersion Service

Discontinuity (Holiday) Testing of Protective Coatings

White Metal Blast Cleaning

Near-White Metal Blast Cleaning

Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness with Magnetic Gages

Cathodic protection and corrosion control standards:

Cathodic Protection and Corrosion Control Standards

Corrosion Control of Underground Storage Tank Systems by Cathodic Protection

Pipeline External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) Methodology

Coating and surface preparation standards:

Application Process for Optimum Paint and Coating Systems' Performance for Navy Ships

Performance Requirements for Navy Ships Nonskid Coating Systems

Use and Retention of Pre-Construction Primers on Steel in Shipbuilding

AMPP membership connects you to a global network focused on protecting defense assets through corrosion control and coatings expertise. Members gain:

• Access to the latest DoD-approved standards, training, and certifications—often at discounted rates.
• Access to the latest DoD-approved standards, training, and certifications—often at discounted rates.
• Networking with peers, government officials, and industry leaders driving innovation and readiness.
• Career support through mentorship and workforce pipeline initiatives.
• Opportunities to collaborate in Defense-related Technical Communities of Interest (TCIs), including TCI - Military and Defense, TCI - Defense Corrosion Modeling Working Group, and Marine TCI

AMPP actively engages with policymakers to advocate for funding, standards, and workforce development that protect mission-critical defense infrastructure. The following actions highlight our recent efforts to support national security through corrosion control and coatings expertise.

Recent advocacy actions supporting national defense:

AMPP Applauds Increased Funding for DoD Corrosion Office in FY25 NDAA
Dec. 2024 - Congress approved a significant funding increase for the DoD Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office—from $2.6M to $7.1M—following AMPP’s long-standing advocacy on the issue.

AMPP CEO and Advocacy Team Meet with White House to Support U.S. Shipbuilding
April 2025 - AMPP participated in a National Security Council-led session at the White House to discuss.

AMPP Endorses SHIPS for America Act to Strengthen U.S. Maritime Defense
April 2025 - AMPP formally endorsed legislation focused on revitalizing American shipbuilding, emphasizing the importance of corrosion control and protective coatings in naval sustainment.

AMPP Brings Maritime Crisis and Defense Infrastructure Needs to Capitol Hill
June 2025 - During Advocacy Day 2025, AMPP engaged directly with lawmakers to highlight the $22.5B annual cost of corrosion to the DoD and its impact on national readiness.

Learn more about AMPP’s government engagement at ampp.org/government-affairs.

Books

NACE Corrosion Engineer’s Reference Book (4th Ed., 2016)
A go-to technical reference covering corrosion control methods, cathodic protection, marine environments, coatings, and instrumentation.

Non-Skid Basics: A Contractor’s Guide in Military Application
Focused guidance on non-skid coatings used on naval decks and safety-critical surfaces.

Search all AMPP digital content by keyword in our AMPP Store.

Technical papers & case studies

A Comprehensive Characterization of Environmental Corrosion Factors (2024)
This study provides a comprehensive characterization of environmental corrosion factors, offering valuable insights into corrosion risk assessment for military assets.

Development of Corrosion Severity Assessment Algorithms Using Environmental Monitoring Sensors in Naval Aviation Environments (2024)
This paper discusses the development of algorithms to assess corrosion severity using environmental monitoring sensors in naval aviation environments, contributing to improved corrosion management strategies.

Corrosion-Related Costs for Military Facilities (2025)
This report presents information on the costs of corrosion at fixed military installations, highlighting the financial impact and the importance of effective corrosion management.