API Certification

You must implement a quality manual and quality management system that are compliant with API Spec Q1, and you must have the capability – processes, equipment, and personnel – to manufacture products that meet the technical requirements of the applicable API product specification(s).

You must also perform and document an internal audit and management review in accordance with API Spec Q1. After your quality management system has been operational for at least four months, you may then complete the application documents and send them to API along with a copy of your quality manual and the application fee directly to API

You must implement a quality manual and quality management system that are compliant with the applicable standard: API Spec Q1, ISO/TS 29001 and/or ISO 9001. You must also perform and document an internal audit and management review in accordance with the applicable standard(s). After your quality management system has been operational for at least four months, you may then complete the application documents and send them to API along with a copy of your quality manual and the application fee, directly to API

Approximately three to six months depending on several factors. The length of time it takes API to accept your quality manual is one of these factors. We strongly suggest you complete the quality manual checklist provided in the application package to improve the chances of early acceptance. Other factors include auditor availability and the additional time necessary to correct non-conformances, if any, identified during the audit.

For a quotation, please contact Chip Evans at evanst@api.org or go to the Get A Quote section of this site. API will prepare a quotation and send it with an application package and a copy of the applicable API product specification(s). You may also contact your local API Certification Programs marketing representative for an application package.

Please visit the Marketing Representatives section of this site to review a list of API marketing representatives and contact information. You may also e-mail Chip Evans at evanst@api.org.

API will use local auditors whenever possible. At present, API auditors are based in more than 30 countries. Please note that factors such as auditor availability, conflict of interest concerns, and API’s policy that an organization should not be audited more then twice consecutively by the same auditor may direct API to use non-local auditors.

Please visit the Marketing Representatives section of this site to review a list of API marketing representatives and contact information. You may also e-mail Chip Evans at evanst@api.org.

The application and the quality manual must be provided in English. Procedures and any other documents that make up your quality management system may be in the language of your choice. In most cases, the audit will be performed in the local language.

Yes, you may apply, but you must still address how you will receive, review, identify, and transfer key aspects of the design package into shop routers/checklists, prepare for the possibility of design changes, and finally ensure the design resulted in a product compliant with the applicable API product specification. API will review these control features that ultimately make up the design package.

In some cases, due to the nature of the products and specifications, API allows an applicant to exclude design and development activities in its quality management system. Casing, tubing, pipe and plate manufacturers, threaders, drilling mud producers, testing agencies, and gage manufacturers that follow the API specification with no deviation, may apply to exclude design development and control. Applicants manufacturing products to one of the other API specifications must be prepared to show the API auditor their design documents.

No. Although registration to these quality management system standards brings you closer to meeting the API Monogram's quality management system requirements, registration is not required. API Monogram Licensees must have a quality management system that is compliant with API Spec Q1, but API Spec Q1 Registration is not required.