EXAMINATION SYLLABUS for:

CPAC Level 3 :
Pipeline Construction Technician

To achieve this Certificate of Qualification, applicants are required to pass a written examination. The examination is intended to verify the applicant’s knowledge, understanding and ability to apply appropriate codes, standards, and regulations in the construction and testing of oil and gas pipeline systems. In addition to the knowledge requirements identified for the Level 2 Pipeline Construction Concepts qualification applicants will be tested on:

Canadian Examination Requirements

  • Z662 Table of Contents
  • Scope and Application of Pipeline Construction
  • Z662 section 6, 7, 8 and 9
  • Z662 sections 10 and 16 as applicable to Pipeline Construction
  • Annex O as applicable to Pipeline Construction
  • Z662 Terminology
  • Z662 Reference Documents
  • Z662 section 3 Management, Document Control and Evidentiary Requirements
  • Z662 Annex A – Core Processes – Construction
  • The Roles and Responsibilities of Pipeline Constructors

U.S. Examination Requirements

  • ASME B31.4 & B31.8 Table of Contents
  • Scope and Application of the B31.4 & B31.8
  • ASME B31.4 chapter V
  • ASME B31.8 chapter IV and IX
  • API 1177 Steel Pipeline Construction QMS
  • 49 CFR 192, Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards:
  • 49 CFR 193, Liquified Natural Gas Facilities
  • 49 CFR 195, Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline
  • 29 CFR 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
  • 29 CFR 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction:
  • B31.4 & B31.8 Terminology
  • B31.4 & B31.8 Reference Documents

Applicants will be provided copies of the applicable regulations, codes and standards for use during the examination. Use of electronic devices or personal materials for reference purposes is not permitted.

The examinations consist of between 50 to 75 weighted multiple-choice questions totaling 100 points. Applicants are permitted 2.5 hours to complete the examination.

Note: Separate examinations are administered for Canadian and US Jurisdictions. Candidates wishing to achieve qualification for both countries may write the API 1169 exam version of their choice and then write a separate code endorsement exam for the alternate country. While many requirements are similar in the US and Canada, both countries have several unique elements requiring a dedicated understanding of content and function of the regulatory system.

Prerequisites and Equivalencies:

There is no prerequisite required to write the examination.

Issuance of the Certificate of Qualification for this CPAC Level 3 credential requires a review of education and experience. Applicants will be requested to submit a resume detailing formal education and experience. A minimum 2 years of pipeline construction experience will be verified. Suitability of training and experience remains the sole decision of the Company based on the roles being assigned, however issuance of this credential mandates a basis verification. Applicants found to have no construction training or experience will be provided examination results with details of the training or experience that must be achieved to attain issuance of the Certificate of Qualification. A Level 2 certificate may be issued with suitable results.

Applicants are further advised to have had training on the application and interpretation of codes and standards prior to writing the examination. Training from in-house programs, industry publications, code information sessions, online training courses, and lecture series may also be suitable.

There are no recognized equivalencies to this credential.