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Free API 1169 Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Pipeline Construction Inspector (API 1169) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free API 1169 practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

During radiographic interpretation of a girth weld, an inspector identifies a shallow crater crack measuring approximately 1/8 in (3 mm) in length at the termination of a weld pass. Per API 1104 acceptance criteria, the correct disposition is:

  1. Reject - all cracks of any size or location are defects
  2. Accept - shallow crater cracks of this size are within acceptable limits
  3. Reject - repair is permitted only when the crack length is less than 8% of the weld length
  4. Accept only if the crack is located on the cover pass
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Accept - shallow crater cracks of this size are within acceptable limits

Question 2

A hazardous liquid pipeline with an MOP of 1,200 psig is undergoing a hydrostatic test. The pipeline is buried and is NOT visually inspected during the test. Per 49 CFR 195.304, what is the MINIMUM total test duration and pressure profile required?

  1. 4 hours at 1,500 psig
  2. 8 hours at 1,500 psig
  3. 4 hours at 1,500 psig followed by an additional 4 hours at 1,320 psig
  4. 8 hours at 1,320 psig
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 4 hours at 1,500 psig followed by an additional 4 hours at 1,320 psig

Question 3

An excavation in Type A soil will remain open for approximately 36 hours and reaches a maximum depth of 10 ft. The competent person proposes to slope the excavation walls at 1/2H:1V (63°) per the Type A short-term option in 1926 Subpart P Appendix B. Is this configuration permitted?

  1. Yes - Type A soil permits a 1/2:1 maximum slope
  2. Yes - the depth is below the 12-foot threshold
  3. No - the 1/2:1 slope is permitted only when BOTH depth ≤ 12 ft AND open duration ≤ 24 hours
  4. No - Type A soil maximum slope is 1:1 regardless of depth or duration
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - No - the 1/2:1 slope is permitted only when BOTH depth ≤ 12 ft AND open duration ≤ 24 hours

Question 4

A new hazardous liquid transmission pipeline crosses an inland body of water 150 ft wide. The crossing area consists of normal soil with no consolidated rock. Per 49 CFR 195.248, what is the MINIMUM cover required over the top of the pipe?

  1. 30 inches
  2. 36 inches
  3. 48 inches
  4. 60 inches
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 48 inches

Question 5

An inspector takes pipe-to-soil potential readings on a buried steel pipeline using a Cu/CuSO₄ reference electrode. With cathodic protection applied, the reading is −875 mV. Immediately after the rectifier is interrupted (instant-off), the reading shifts to −780 mV. Per the −850 mV polarized criterion of NACE SP0169 (now AMPP SP21169), is the pipeline adequately protected?

  1. Yes - the applied potential of −875 mV is more negative than −850 mV
  2. Yes - the 95 mV shift between on and off readings demonstrates polarization
  3. No - the polarized (instant-off) potential of −780 mV is less negative than −850 mV
  4. Cannot be determined without a depolarized native potential reading
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - No - the polarized (instant-off) potential of −780 mV is less negative than −850 mV

Question 6

A welder qualified per API 1104 last performed production welds with the qualified process on January 15. To remain continuously qualified per BOTH API 1104 §6.5 AND 49 CFR 192.229, by what date must the welder either perform a production weld with that process or be requalified?

  1. Before April 15 (3 months later)
  2. Before July 15 (6 months later)
  3. Before August 30 (7-1/2 months later)
  4. Before January 15 of the following year (12 months later)
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Before July 15 (6 months later)

Question 7

On a single 24-inch length of girth weld, an inspector identifies the following Inadequate Penetration without High-Low (IP) indications on the radiograph: 0.4 in, 0.5 in, and 0.3 in. There are no other indications. Per API 1104 §9.3.2, what is the correct disposition?

  1. Accept - no individual indication exceeds the 1 in maximum
  2. Accept - total aggregate length of 1.2 in does not exceed 8% of weld length
  3. Reject - the aggregate length exceeds 1 in within a 12-in window
  4. Reject - any IP indication on a transmission girth weld is a defect
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Reject - the aggregate length exceeds 1 in within a 12-in window

Question 8

An inspector reviewing pipe Mill Test Reports (MTRs) for a new 30-in transmission gas pipeline notes that the pipe is API 5L X70 PSL 2. The mill records show that a seam weld repair was performed and accepted on one joint following a hydrostatic mill test. Per API 5L, what action is required?

  1. No action - seam weld repairs are permitted on PSL 2 if approved by the manufacturer's quality program
  2. Accept the joint if the post-repair hydrostatic mill test passed
  3. Reject the joint - seam weld repair is not permitted on PSL 2 line pipe
  4. Accept only if the repair length is less than 8% of the seam length
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Reject the joint - seam weld repair is not permitted on PSL 2 line pipe

Question 9

A new gas transmission pipeline operating at 60% SMYS in a Class 1 location requires a tie-in to an existing line. The contractor has been performing radiographic NDE at the 10% Class 1 minimum on standard girth welds. For the TIE-IN welds specifically, what is the MINIMUM NDE percentage required per 49 CFR 192.243?

  1. 10% - the Class 1 location minimum applies to all welds in the segment
  2. 15% - Class 2 requirements apply to tie-in welds
  3. 90% - the impracticability provision applies to short tie-in segments
  4. 100% - tie-in welds require complete NDE regardless of class location
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - 100% - tie-in welds require complete NDE regardless of class location

Question 10

During pipeline construction, the contractor's superintendent informs the inspector that, due to schedule pressure, the welding crew will reduce the preheat temperature by 50°F below the value specified in the qualified WPS for the next 20 welds, and asks the inspector to 'just sign off - we'll fix it later if anything fails NDE.' Per API RP 1169 and API Q1, the inspector's correct response is to:

  1. Allow the deviation if the contractor agrees in writing to repair any rejected welds
  2. Decline approval and require formal Management of Change (MOC) before any deviation from the qualified WPS is implemented
  3. Permit the change if subsequent NDE confirms the welds meet API 1104 §9 acceptance criteria
  4. Allow the change since preheat is a recommended practice rather than a code-controlled WPS variable
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Decline approval and require formal Management of Change (MOC) before any deviation from the qualified WPS is implemented

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