Coating Application Specialist (CAS) Level 2

CERTIFICATION

Coating Application Specialist® (CAS) Level 2 Certification

The Coating Application Specialist® (CAS) Level 2 certification is for experienced applicators who already have significant field experience and are ready to supervise or lead coating application work. This hands‑on, in‑person certification program includes both practical and written exams designed to validate your ability to perform complex abrasive blasting and coating application across industrial and marine structures — positioning you for leadership roles and technical responsibility on critical projects.

Register
Coating Application Specialist (CAS) Level 2
Exam Duration

5 Hour Exam

Exam Delivery

In-person

Languages

English, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish and Polish

Certification

Valid for 4 years

Overview

The Coating Application Specialist® Certification Program is designed to certify those individual applicators who have experience and training in all aspects of hands-on surface preparation and coating application of complex industrial and marine structures, according to the requirements of the Coating Application Specialist (CAS) Program. This certification program also meets the requirements of ISO 17024. Facility owners, contractors, or certifying agencies may use this program for certification of Application Specialists for other substrates or conditions, as considered appropriate.

Your registration includes both the written and practical exams; passing these demonstrates your advanced competency in coatings application and allows you to work independently or oversee CAS Level 1 applicators on complex industrial, marine, drydock, and offshore projects.

Who it's for

  • Facility Owners
  • Coating Applicators
  • Painting Contractors
  • Supervisors / Foreman

Steps to Coating Application Specialist® Certification

Three steps to earn your Coating Application Specialist® Certification — check eligibility, submit the application, prepare, and sit for the exam.
1
Check eligibility

Review the requirements for one of three pathways.

2
Submit any required documents

Submit your application and fill out prerequisite forms.

3
Prepare and take your exam

Review exam prep guides and sit for the written Coating Application Specialist® exam at the location you’ve selected.

STEP 1

Check your eligibility

There are two ways to qualify for the Coating Application Specialist® Certification exam. Choose the path that best matches your education, work history, and training.

PATH
A
Education + training

Best for professionals with both experience and on-the-job training.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 3,000 total hours (equivalent to 3 years) of work experience 

TRAINING

450 hours of accepted, formal training

PREREQUISITE

CAS Level 1 Course – strongly recommended

CAS Prep Course – recommended

PATH
B
Experience

Best for professionals with extensive job experience.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 6,000 total hours (equivalent to 6 years) of work experience 

PREREQUISITE

CAS Level 1 Course – strongly recommended

CAS Prep Course – recommended

Note: If you are already CAS Level 2 Interim Status or hold a C7 or C12 certification you may not need to take the CAS practical exam. Contact AMPP for more details.

STEP 2

Submit your application and fill out prerequisite forms

Download your prerequisite form and submit it ahead of your scheduled exam.

Download Prerequisite Form
STEP 3

Prepare and take your exam

Find information about the certification exam below.

FORMAT

2 Exams | Written (Theory) Exam and Hands-on Practical Exam

LANGUAGES

English, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish and Polish

RE-CERTIFICATION

Every 3 years

Looking to renew your certification? Get started here. 

What the exams cover

Level 2 – Hands-on Exam

The hands-on portion of the testing certifies proficiency in abrasive blasting and coating application using conventional or airless spray. A minimum grade of 90% is required on the hands-on, practical exam in order for a painter to be considered for (CAS) certification.

Level 2 – Written Exam

The SSPC Coating Application Specialist Level 2 certification exam requires passing a closed-book, 100 multiple-choice question, written exam drawn from the core areas of SSPC's Transition Plan. “Body of Knowledge”:

  • Environmental, Safety, and Health
  • Surface Preparation
  • Coating Application
  • Equipment/Troubleshooting

A minimum grade of 70% is required on the written exam for a painter to be considered for (CAS) certification.

Additional information

CAS to C7 / C12 equivalency

Note 1: A craft-worker that is SSPC Coating Application Specialist (CAS Level 2) Certified is considered to have met and exceeded the qualifications of an individual who is SSPC C7 or SSPC C12 Certified or both.

Note 2: Candidates who took their C7 and C12 hands-on exam after January 1, 2012, may substitute their C7 and C12 hands-on exam results for the CAS Level 2 hands-on blaster and sprayer exam if they have achieved a score of 90% of greater on each exam.

Note 3: At this time the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) does not accept CAS as an equivalent to C7 or C12.

Note 4: Candidates who took their C7 and C12 hands-on exams before January 1, 2012, and scored a 90% can still substitute their hands-on exam results for the CAS Hands-on exam. But the candidates would have to retake the CAS hands-on exam at their 3-year recertification date.

Related certifications

Coating Application Specialist (CAS) Level 1

Abrasive Blaster Certification (C7)

Spray Application Certification (C12)

Need help finding something?

Can’t find the course you’re looking for, or have questions, you can connect with our Customer Support team via email or phone to get dedicated help!

Email customer support

Send us an email and one of our friendly Customer Support team members will connect with you soon.

Please note that we have a limited number of Spanish/Chinese-speaking representatives.

Email customer support

Give us a call

We are available Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. US Central Standard Time (CST) and Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. US Central Standard Time (CST).

US: 1-800-797-6223
International: +1-281-228-6200

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