CPD Hours: Complete Guide to Requirements, Examples, Rules, and Online Training (API ICP)

Everything API 510, 570, and 653 inspectors need to know for recertification in 2025 and beyond.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours are now a required part of the API Inspector Certification Program (ICP). Whether you hold API 510, 570, or 653, earning and documenting your CPD hours is essential to maintaining your certification.

This guide explains exactly what CPD hours are, what activities count, how many you need, how to document them, and the easiest ways to earn CPD hours online.

Before continuing, you may want to see:

👉 Earn API CPD Hours Online
👉 Your Complete Guide to CPD Hours for API Recertification — 2025 Update

This hub page ties all CPD information together into one authoritative resource.

1. What Are CPD Hours?

CPD hours represent structured, industry-related learning activities that help inspectors maintain competence in mechanical integrity, inspection practices, NDT, process safety, and API codes.

API requires CPD hours to ensure that inspectors stay aligned with:

  • Industry changes
  • New code revisions
  • Evolving inspection methodologies
  • Current best practices

CPD hours can be earned through online training, instructor-led courses, self-study, technical writing, webinars, and more.

2. Who Needs CPD Hours? (API 510, 570, 653)

All API inspectors seeking recertification in:

  • API 510 – Pressure Vessel Inspector
  • API 570 – Piping Inspector
  • API 653 – Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector

must now earn CPD hours to recertify.

This applies to:

  • First-time renewals
  • Second-cycle renewals
  • Every renewal after that

3. API ICP CPD Requirements (2025 Rules)

API requires:

✔ 24 CPD hours every 3 years

✔ At least 8 CPD hours must be earned each calendar year

CPD hours must be:

  • Industry-related
  • Documented
  • Verifiable
  • Completed within your active certification cycle

Full details are covered in your blog post:
👉 Your Complete Guide to Earning CPD Hours for API Recertification — 2025 Update

4. What Counts as CPD Hours?

Understand which activities API accepts toward CPD hours, including online training, self-study, webinars, technical writing, and structured work-based learning. This guide also explains what does not count and how to document CPD hours correctly.
👉 Your Guide to What Counts as CPD Hours

✔ Online Training Courses (Most Common)

This includes:

  • Self-paced online modules
  • Video-based training
  • Technical inspector-focused lessons
  • Courses on damage mechanisms, welding, MI, NDT, etc.

Each hour of instruction = 1 CPD hour.

See accepted online courses here:
👉 Earn API CPD Hours Online

✔ Instructor-Led Training

Examples:

  • Classroom courses
  • Live virtual training
  • Webinars with attendance verification
  • Company-run technical sessions

Must include:

  • Certificate
  • Training provider name
  • Hours earned

✔ Self-Study (Accepted With Documentation)

Examples:

  • Reviewing API codes
  • Reading technical papers
  • Doing practice problems
  • Studying NDT techniques

Documentation must include:

  • Study log
  • Materials used
  • Time spent

✔ Technical Writing & Professional Activities

Examples:

  • Writing inspection-related articles
  • Presenting at a conference
  • Teaching classes
  • Serving on committees

✔ Work-Based Learning (Structured Activities)

Accepted when the activity involves guided or documented learning.
Routine job tasks do not count.

Full breakdown here:
👉 What Counts as CPD Hours? Examples, Rules, and Documentation (insert your new post)

5. How to Earn CPD Hours Online (Fastest Method)

Online training is the easiest and most reliable way to collect CPD hours because:

  • It’s available 24/7
  • It’s self-paced
  • Certificates are automatically generated
  • All documentation meets API ICP requirements
  • It’s cost-effective

Explore approved online CPD courses:

👉 Earn API CPD hours online

6. Documentation Requirements

API requires proof of each CPD activity.

Acceptable documentation includes:

  • Certificate of completion
  • Attendance log
  • Course syllabus
  • Study logs (self-study)
  • Proof of authorship (technical writing)

Every certificate from Integrity Inspector Academy (API-CPD.org) includes:

  • Student name
  • Course name
  • CPD hours
  • Date completed
  • Instructor/provider name
  • Verification number

7. CPD Hours FAQ

How many CPD hours do I need for API recertification?

API requires 24 hours every 3 years, with at least 8 hours per year.

Do online courses count toward CPD?

Yes — as long as they are industry-related and provide documentation.

Does self-study count?

Yes, but you must document time spent and materials used.

What happens if I do not meet the 8-hour minimum?

You may be disqualified from recertification for that calendar year.

What is the easiest way to earn CPD hours?

Online training courses with certificates.

8. Earn Your CPD Hours Online Today

All courses at Integrity Inspector Academy (API-CPD.org) are:

  • Self-paced
  • 100% online
  • Developed by qualified instructors
  • API ICP documentation compliant
  • Designed specifically for inspectors

👉 Start earning your CPD hours now
Integrity Inspector Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

What are CPD hours for API inspectors?

CPD hours are Continuing Professional Development hours required by API to maintain your 510, 570, or 653 certification. They must come from structured learning activities that improve your technical knowledge and inspection competency.

How many CPD hours do I need for API recertification?

Starting in 2025, all API inspectors must earn 24 CPD hours every three years, with a minimum of 8 hours per calendar year. Full details here:
👉 API CPD Requirement Guide

What types of activities count as CPD hours?

Acceptable CPD hours include:

  • Online training
  • Instructor-led courses
  • Webinars
  • Structured self-study
  • Technical writing or teaching
  • Work-based learning programs

Full breakdown here:
👉 What Counts as CPD Hours

Does self-study count as CPD hours for API ICP?

Yes. Self-study counts if it is structured, relevant to inspection or mechanical integrity, and properly documented with a study log.

Do online courses count as CPD hours?

Absolutely. Online courses are accepted by API ICP as long as they include proper documentation such as a certificate of completion. You can earn CPD hours online here:
👉Integrity Inspector Academy

What documentation do I need to submit CPD hours to API?

Acceptable documentation includes certificates, attendance logs, webinar confirmations, study logs, and training outlines. Documentation must show your name, date, provider, activity title, and total CPD hours completed.

Will API reject CPD hours?

Yes — API may reject hours if they are:

  • Not relevant
  • Not documented
  • Routine job duties
  • Generic HR or soft-skills training
  • Unverifiable
  • Missing required information

What is the easiest way to earn CPD hours before my deadline?

Self-paced online courses are the fastest and most convenient option. You can complete them anytime and receive immediate documentation.
👉 Integrity Inspector Academy