1 GENERAL

1.1 Scope

This guideline outlines the qualification requirements of third party inspection agency
personnel working under inspection services contracts administered by Aramco Overseas
Company conducting inspection activities on behalf of Saudi Aramco or its
Contractors/Subcontractors.

1.2 Definitions:

BOK Body of Knowledge (Documentation allowed to be used during the Open Book Exams).
IA Inspection Agency
RIO Responsible Inspection Office

2 INSPECTOR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

2.1 General Requirements For Inspection Personnel

2.1.1 All inspectors should have a minimum of 6 years inspection experience in

manufacturing facilities, including 2 years inspection experience in the specific
commodity being proposed/inspected. They should be High School graduate, or
equivalent; and possess a working knowledge of applicable Industry Standards and
Specifications. They should be able to read, write and speak English language; and
should be able to perform inspection functions with minimal supervision. In addition,
the inspector shall have the below noted certifications and/or qualifications when the
listed commodity, process, examination, test, etc. is involved in the fabrication process.

2.1.2 Exceptional cases in which the candidates that do not fully comply with the basic
requirements as per the guidelines, can only be considered for qualification if the IAs
can provide a comprehensive justification / explanation of the candidate’s
competency. It is the RIO responsibility to validate justification / explanation of the
candidate’s competency.

2.1.3 All inspectors must be fluent to read; write and speak English. Exceptions should be
evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering the following conditions:
 Qualifying Inspector who can read and write English but has limited speaking
abilities is considered only in the case of encountering shortage of inspectors and
the inspector must have a strong inspection background
 Inspection activities features can be considered (e.g. candidate inspector planned
to work with a group under a qualified supervisor)
 The candidate inspector qualification in these cases can deviate from existing
qualification guidelines; a written exam and an interview through translator can be
performed in lieu of the standard qualification guidelines.
 Accepted inspectors need to be monitored by senior inspector from Agency
 Accepted inspectors under this condition should be approved on a one time basis
(per PO)

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  Accepted inspectors under this condition should not be utilized for monitoring
inspection activities
 None-English speaking (can’t write, read, and speak) inspector shall not be
qualified in any case

2.2 Certification

RIO will assess the certification equivalency on case by case basis should a certificate be
submitted and claimed as an acceptable equivalent to one of the certificates mentioned
in Table (1). Furthermore, for the commodities listed in Table (1), that do not currently
have an industry recognized certification or qualification standard, inspectors should
pass a written exam to verify their expertise and knowledge of specific equipment or
materials. Also, for inspectors who want to be Aramco approved and do not hold the
required certification, they must pass a written exam.

2.2.1 Welding Inspector: Certified Welding Inspector by the American Welding Society (AWS-
CWI) or Certification Scheme for Welding Inspection Personnel (CSWIP 3.1) or
approved equivalent. Written exam (QM03) shall be conducted in absence of required
certification.

2.2.2 Nondestructive Testing (NDT) Personnel: When the Inspector is required to review NDE
procedures, witness tests, review radiographic films, and/or sign results, he should
have been previously qualified and certified to a minimum Level II in the applicable
method(s) in accordance with the requirements of ASNT CP-189, ASNT SNT-TC-1A, or
Aramco approved equivalent. Written exam (QM04) shall be conducted in absence of
required certification.

2.2.3 Coating Inspector: (any epoxy, Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE), baked coating system or
any other coating system for immersion service): Has a current NACE CIP Level 2
certification or Aramco approved equivalent. Written exam (QM11) shall be conducted
in absence of required certification.

2.2.4 Electrical Inspector: The candidate shall have a technical diploma or degree in the
electrical discipline. His thorough working knowledge of applicable codes such as The
National Electric Code/NFPA 70 should be assessed through written exam(QM01).

2.2.5 Instrumentation Inspector: The candidate should satisfy the requirements of a fully
qualified Instrument Technician/Engineer meeting the requirements laid out by the
Instrument Society of America or the Institute of Measurement & Control, with a
minimum of a diploma in Technology or Aramco approved equivalent. Candidate
inspector shall also attend and pass written exam(QM02).

2.2.6 Quality System Auditor (Assessor): the candidate shall have 5 years Quality System
experience in auditing activities. Auditors shall be qualified as stated in ISO-19011,
technically competent, and familiar with Quality System standards. Auditors must be

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 able to communicate clearly in writing and orally. Auditors shall have satisfactorily
completed a training course and passed the Lead Auditor examination. Auditors shall
have participated in actual audit activities and audit reporting during the past three
years.

3 QUALIFICATION PROCESS

For Aramco procured material or equipment, agency inspectors are selected and approved by
the Responsible Inspection Offices (RIO) at their geographical area.

On a regular basis the RIO will provide all IAs the specific commodities and areas identified
where there is a need for Aramco Qualified inspectors.

3.1 Inspectors Pre-Qualifications

3.1.1 The agency request RIO the qualification of inspectors and submit a matrix of
categories that the inspectors wish to be approved for. Prior to submitting resumes to
the RIOs, Agencies should verify the validity of the candidate’s certifications and
resumes information. Also, the Agencies should assess candidate inspector and
provide them with required training as required. The results of the IA assessment on
each candidate shall be attached to the exam request. RIO will review candidate’s
résumé to ensure that the proposed inspector has the experience, qualification and/or
certification required by this guideline for the commodity(ies) he is going to inspect.

3.1.2 If this initial review verifies compliance to this guideline and a written exam is NOT
required, the inspector is considered acceptable after passing a general interview.

3.1.3 Candidates may be exempted from certain examinations providing that the
requirements of clause 3.1.1 are fulfilled and the candidate holds a recognized
certificate as detailed in Table 3.4. All candidates applying for qualification based on
certification will be subjected to an interview. ASME Authorized Inspectors and
Inspectors Certified through API 510 which qualify after successful interview for
commodities as indicated in table 3.4, are also automatically qualified for “General
Mechanical” and NDT.

3.2 Inspectors Examinations

3.2.1 If the résumé review is acceptable and further written exam is required, the Agency
will be notified and a written exam will be scheduled. The RIO at their discretion, and
depending on the extent of inspection coverage needed may notify all Agencies
contracted in the RIO’s geographical coverage of the exam date and location.

3.2.2 When qualification or certification is not sufficient per this guideline, the proposed
inspector must take a written examination to ensure that he has adequate inspection

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 and technical knowledge of the proposed commodities. This exam should be per the
latest revision of the applicable inspector qualification test.

3.2.3 If the number of inspectors is less than four (4), then the Agency will arrange for them
to travel to one of the RIO offices for examination. At the discretion of the RIO, the
RIO examiner can elect to travel to agency inspectors’ location when the number of
candidates applying for written examination exceeds four (4).

3.2.4 RIOs grants each applicant 1 attempt each calendar month to take and pass the test.
If he/she fails the examination on first attempt, he may retake it the month after. If
he/she fails to appear for the test, it will still count as an official attempt.

3.2.5 Each exam consists of 30 (multiple choice or open) questions both with open book
exams as well as closed book exams.

3.2.6 The minimum passing score is 70% and an interview will be conducted. Results are
usually communicated to Agencies within one week. If there is a trend of inspector
weak point, it will be communicated to the Agency. It shall be clearly stated that the
approval is conditional and based on inspector’s satisfactory performance during
inspection activities.

3.2.7 Total length of examination is 1 hours. For non native English speaker candidate, the
exam period will be extended 20% of the main exam duration (12 minutes) and the
use of English dictionary will also be allowed.

3.2.8 All the written Exams shall be controlled only by Responsible Inspection Offices.

3.2.9 The contents of the exams are confidential.

3.2.10 Material Needed in the Exam:

 A non-programmable calculator (a calculator with only simple functions)
 A picture ID (i.e. driver’s license or Passport)
 For Open Book Exams Only: The latest revisions of the applicable International
codes (i.e. API, NACE, ASME ...etc). Highlighting, underlining, page taps, and
notes written in margins of the code books are acceptable. Loose Pages
inserted in the code books are not acceptable. The list of standards of the
Body of Knowledge (BOK) for open book exams is listed in Table 2.

3.3 Inspectors Approval

3.3.1 Inspectors that were previously approved via other methods are not required to re-
qualify under this guideline, provided they continue to perform satisfactorily.

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3.3.2 For Aramco procured material or equipment, each approved inspector will be
physically monitored at least once to maintain their qualification. The inspection
agency will be required to have their own plan in place to monitor the performance of
the (Aramco approved) inspectors and submit the results to AOC.

3.3.3 Any approved inspector should be monitored by the inspection agency within 30 days
when it is discovered and verified that Saudi Aramco received substandard materials
or equipment that clearly violated the purchase order requirements that they
inspected and released.

3.3.4 Inspector approval is registered and maintained in SAP.

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 3.4 Table (1)

COMMODITY QUALIFICATION/ ALTERNATIVE

Coatings; any epoxy, Fusion
Bonded Epoxy (FBE), baked
coating system or any other
coating system for immersion
service
Electrical including Cable, MCC’s,
Switchgear, Motors, and
Transformers,
Pressure Vessels, and Boilers
Tanks
Heat Exchangers,
Instrumentation
Line Pipe
Fabricated Piping
CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS
Coating Inspector as per
Paragraph 2.2.3
Electrical Inspector as per
Paragraph 2.2.4
(Closed Book)
ASME Authorized Inspector
or
API-510 Certificate
API-563 Certificate
ASME Authorized Inspector
or
API-510 Certificate
Instrumentation Inspector as
per Paragraph 2.2.5
(Closed Book)
API 570 Certificate
API 570 Certificate
QUALIFICATION/
CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS
Pass Aramco commodity
written exam (Closed Book)
Welding Inspector(2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing
(2.2.2)and pass Aramco
commodity written exam
(Closed Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing
(2.2.2) and pass Aramco
commodity written exam
(Closed Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing
(2.2.2) and pass Aramco
commodity written exam
(Open Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing
(2.2.2) and pass Aramco
commodity written exam
(Open Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing
(2.2.2) and pass Aramco
commodity written exam
(Closed Book)

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COMMODITY
OCTG
Marine Hoses
Rotating Equipment including
Gears, Hoists, Turbines and their
associated components, I.E.
motors, engines, control and
vibration systems, etc.
Compressors, Pumps
Structural Steel
Valves, Fittings and Flanges
Wellhead Equipment
Distribution & Other
Computerized or Specialized
Control or Communication
Systems
Quality System Auditor (Assessor)
Continue Table 1
QUALIFICATION/ ALTERNATIVE
CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATION/
REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing (2.2.2)
and pass Aramco commodity
written exam (Closed Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing (2.2.2)
and pass Aramco commodity
written exam (Open Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing (2.2.2)
and Pass Aramco commodity
written exam (Closed Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing (2.2.2)
and Pass Aramco commodity
written exam (Open Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1) and pass Aramco General
Nondestructive Testing (2.2.2). Mechanical written exam
(Closed Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing (2.2.2)
and pass Aramco commodity
written exam (Closed Book)
Welding Inspector (2.2.1),
Nondestructive Testing (2.2.2)
and pass Aramco commodity
written exam (Closed Book)
Instrumentation Inspector as
per Paragraph 2.2.5 and Pass
Aramco commodity written
exam (Closed Book)
Quality System Auditor/Lead
Auditor; Certified and
registered by IRCA or RAB.
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 3.5 Table (2)

COMMODITY BOK
Heat Exchangers API 660 7th Ed. Feb. 2003.
API 661 5th Ed. Mar. 2002.
TEMA 8th Ed. 1999.

Line Pipe API 5L 43rd Edition, 2004

Marine Hoses API 17 B 3RD Ed. March 2002

Compressors API-672 Packaged, Integrally Geared Centrifugal Air

Compressors:

 API-672 Packaged, Integrally Geared Centrifugal Air

Compressors for Petroleum, Chemical and Gas
Industry Service
 API-614 Lubrication Systems. (Referenced by API-
672 and critical to the system)

API-617 Axial, Centrifugal Compressors, and Expander

compressors for Petro-Chem and Gas Industries Services:

 API-617 Gas Compressors

 API-614 Lube oil systems (Typically General purpose)
 ASME PTC-10 Performance Test Code
 ISO-15156 Materials Resistant to Sulfide Stress
Corrosion Cracking

Pumps ANSI/API Standard 610 10th Edition, October 2004