API 653 / API 650 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Exam Mastery Guide – Open Book
Certification Prep: NDE (RT UT MT PT), API 579 Fitness-for-Service, Risk-Based Inspection
(RBI), Annex M Elevated Temperature Service, Annex U Ultrasonic Substitution, Annex G MFL
Guidance, Shell-to-Bottom Weld Integrity, Annular Plate Evaluation, Bottom Plate Corrosion &
Remaining Thickness Assessment, Critical Zone Repair Rules, Hydrostatic Testing
Requirements, Settlement Survey Calculations, Cathodic Protection Systems, Thin-Film &
Lining Inspection, Release Prevention Barrier Design, Welding Procedure Qualification
(WPS/WPQ), ASNT SNT-TC-1A Level II Requirements, Radiographic Testing Acceptance Criteria,
Ultrasonic Lamination Detection, Magnetic Particle Inspection Standards, Liquid Penetrant
Examination, Vacuum Box Leak Testing, Air Leak Testing Procedures, Hot Tap Installation
Standards, Nozzle Reinforcement Calculations, Weld Repair Acceptance Criteria, Stress
Corrosion Cracking Prevention, Frangible Roof Design Criteria, Floating Roof Inspection & Leak
Testing, Shell Plate Replacement Rules, Radiographic Film Interpretation, Engineering
Evaluation for Major Repairs, API 650 Section 8 Construction Requirements Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026
API 653 exam prep - Open Book ONLY
*When using the preheat alternative weld method, the temperature shall be checked ___ to
assure the minimum temperature is maintained during welding.
A) one inch or two times the material thickness whichever is greater, on each side of the groove.
B) two inches or two times the material thickness, whichever is great, on each side of the
groove
C) Three inches or three times the material thickness, whichever is greater, in each side of the
groove
D) Four inches or four times the material thickness whichever is greater on each side of the
groove
D
*For a roof to be considered as frangible:
,A) the top angle shall be larger than 2 X 2 3/16 in
B) the top angle attachments weld shall me a minimum of 3/16"
C) The roof support members shall not be attached tot he roof plate
D) the roof support members shall be attached to the roof plate
C
*What are the examiner qualification for visual examination for tank inspection?
A) Shall comply with ASME Sect V, article 9
B) Shall have visual capable of reading a standard Jaeger J-1 chart
C) Shall have biennial visual examination by a license optometrist
D) There are no requirements
D
*Sulfuric acid corrosion can be inspected and monitored with:
A) Shear wave ultrasonic testing
B) Visual Inspection
C) Coupons and ER probes
D) Wet fluorescent magnetic particle testing
C
*What is the maximum interpass temperature permitted, in API 653, when using the preheat
alternative to PWHT welding method?
A) 600°F
,B) 450°F
C) 300°F
D) 800°F
A
*Radiographic examinations are required for all of the following except:
A) New and replaced shell insert plate and door sheet welds
B) All repairs to butt-welds that are examined ultrasonically
C) New annular plate joints
D) Shell Butt-welds on reconstructed tanks
B
*For tanks constructed of material having a yield strength equal to or less than _____, it may
not be necessary to raise all nozzles, when installing a new bottom in an existing tank, if certain
conditions are met.
A) 70000 psi
B) 60000 psi
C) 50000 psi
D) 40000 psi
C
*A tank, built to the ninth edition of API 650, is to have a new bottom installed. The installation
will be performed by slotting the shell and inserting the new bottom. The shell plate material is
A-516 Gr. 60 and the new shell to bottom weld will be made using low-hydrogen electrodes. An
existing NP2 12 reinforced shell penetration does not meet the minimum weld spacing
, requirements of the current API 650 edition. There is 5-1/2 inches between the toe of the shell
to bottom weld and the toe of reinforcing plate fillet weld. The inspector should:
A) Order the penetration raised to comply with the current API 650 weld spacing requirements
B) Order the penetration raised to obtain a minimum of 6 inches between the toe of the shell to
bottom weld and the toe of reinforcing plate fillet weld.
C) Accept the penetration provided the penetration weld and the shell to bottom weld are
blend ground and examined by the appropriate nondestructive examination method
D) Order the penetration raised because the incorrect electrodes were on the shell to bottom
weld
C
*Permanent attachment welds, made on A-516 Gr. 60 plate shall be examined by which of the
following methods?
A) Magnetic particle
B) Liquid Penetrant
C) Either Magnetic particle or liquid penetrant
D) Visual
D
*During an inspection, an inspector finds lap-welded patch on a tank shell. Some patches are
thinner than 0.500" and others are thicker than 0.500". No patch plate is thinner that 0.1875".
What should the inspector do?
A) All patches thicker than 0.50" must be removed and repairs made in accordance with API 653
B) Consult with engineer experienced in tank design
C) all existing welded on patch plates are acceptable provided they meet the size and location
requirements of API 653
Certification Prep: NDE (RT UT MT PT), API 579 Fitness-for-Service, Risk-Based Inspection
(RBI), Annex M Elevated Temperature Service, Annex U Ultrasonic Substitution, Annex G MFL
Guidance, Shell-to-Bottom Weld Integrity, Annular Plate Evaluation, Bottom Plate Corrosion &
Remaining Thickness Assessment, Critical Zone Repair Rules, Hydrostatic Testing
Requirements, Settlement Survey Calculations, Cathodic Protection Systems, Thin-Film &
Lining Inspection, Release Prevention Barrier Design, Welding Procedure Qualification
(WPS/WPQ), ASNT SNT-TC-1A Level II Requirements, Radiographic Testing Acceptance Criteria,
Ultrasonic Lamination Detection, Magnetic Particle Inspection Standards, Liquid Penetrant
Examination, Vacuum Box Leak Testing, Air Leak Testing Procedures, Hot Tap Installation
Standards, Nozzle Reinforcement Calculations, Weld Repair Acceptance Criteria, Stress
Corrosion Cracking Prevention, Frangible Roof Design Criteria, Floating Roof Inspection & Leak
Testing, Shell Plate Replacement Rules, Radiographic Film Interpretation, Engineering
Evaluation for Major Repairs, API 650 Section 8 Construction Requirements Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026
API 653 exam prep - Open Book ONLY
*When using the preheat alternative weld method, the temperature shall be checked ___ to
assure the minimum temperature is maintained during welding.
A) one inch or two times the material thickness whichever is greater, on each side of the groove.
B) two inches or two times the material thickness, whichever is great, on each side of the
groove
C) Three inches or three times the material thickness, whichever is greater, in each side of the
groove
D) Four inches or four times the material thickness whichever is greater on each side of the
groove
D
*For a roof to be considered as frangible:
,A) the top angle shall be larger than 2 X 2 3/16 in
B) the top angle attachments weld shall me a minimum of 3/16"
C) The roof support members shall not be attached tot he roof plate
D) the roof support members shall be attached to the roof plate
C
*What are the examiner qualification for visual examination for tank inspection?
A) Shall comply with ASME Sect V, article 9
B) Shall have visual capable of reading a standard Jaeger J-1 chart
C) Shall have biennial visual examination by a license optometrist
D) There are no requirements
D
*Sulfuric acid corrosion can be inspected and monitored with:
A) Shear wave ultrasonic testing
B) Visual Inspection
C) Coupons and ER probes
D) Wet fluorescent magnetic particle testing
C
*What is the maximum interpass temperature permitted, in API 653, when using the preheat
alternative to PWHT welding method?
A) 600°F
,B) 450°F
C) 300°F
D) 800°F
A
*Radiographic examinations are required for all of the following except:
A) New and replaced shell insert plate and door sheet welds
B) All repairs to butt-welds that are examined ultrasonically
C) New annular plate joints
D) Shell Butt-welds on reconstructed tanks
B
*For tanks constructed of material having a yield strength equal to or less than _____, it may
not be necessary to raise all nozzles, when installing a new bottom in an existing tank, if certain
conditions are met.
A) 70000 psi
B) 60000 psi
C) 50000 psi
D) 40000 psi
C
*A tank, built to the ninth edition of API 650, is to have a new bottom installed. The installation
will be performed by slotting the shell and inserting the new bottom. The shell plate material is
A-516 Gr. 60 and the new shell to bottom weld will be made using low-hydrogen electrodes. An
existing NP2 12 reinforced shell penetration does not meet the minimum weld spacing
, requirements of the current API 650 edition. There is 5-1/2 inches between the toe of the shell
to bottom weld and the toe of reinforcing plate fillet weld. The inspector should:
A) Order the penetration raised to comply with the current API 650 weld spacing requirements
B) Order the penetration raised to obtain a minimum of 6 inches between the toe of the shell to
bottom weld and the toe of reinforcing plate fillet weld.
C) Accept the penetration provided the penetration weld and the shell to bottom weld are
blend ground and examined by the appropriate nondestructive examination method
D) Order the penetration raised because the incorrect electrodes were on the shell to bottom
weld
C
*Permanent attachment welds, made on A-516 Gr. 60 plate shall be examined by which of the
following methods?
A) Magnetic particle
B) Liquid Penetrant
C) Either Magnetic particle or liquid penetrant
D) Visual
D
*During an inspection, an inspector finds lap-welded patch on a tank shell. Some patches are
thinner than 0.500" and others are thicker than 0.500". No patch plate is thinner that 0.1875".
What should the inspector do?
A) All patches thicker than 0.50" must be removed and repairs made in accordance with API 653
B) Consult with engineer experienced in tank design
C) all existing welded on patch plates are acceptable provided they meet the size and location
requirements of API 653
