Cathodic Protection Technologist (CP3) Certification

Cathodic Protection Technologist (CP3) Certification

The Cathodic Protection Technologist certification indicates knowledge of theoretical concepts and practical application of cathodic protection with a strong focus on interpretation of cathodic protection data, and cathodic protection troubleshooting. This certification is designed for individuals with a heavy engineering/scientific background and extensive working knowledge of cathodic protection, or who have extensive years of field experience with some technical background.

Who should pursue and apply?

This program is intended for persons with extensive field experience and a strong CP technical knowledge who need an understanding of CP design procedures based on an improved knowledge of CP concepts.

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Course description  |  Certification information

CP3 Cathodic Protection Technologist course

The Cathodic Protection Technologist course builds on the technology presented in the Cathodic Protection Technician course with a strong focus on interpretation of CP data, trouble shooting and migration of problems that arise in both galvanic and impressed current systems, including design calculations for these systems. Classroom instruction is comprised of lectures and hands-on training, including using equipment and instruments for CP testing.

Course learning objectives

  • Define activation, concentration, and resistance polarization, and the mathematical expressions of these concepts
  • Recall the factors that affect polarization (area, temperature, relative movement, ion concentration, oxygen concentration)
  • Apply the NACE criteria for CP and make necessary adjustments
  • Identify errors in data collection/CP measurements including contact resistance errors, voltage drop errors, and reference electrode errors where the technologist is employed
  • Determine ideal current distribution for a CP system based on different the affecting factors
  • Apply advanced cathodic protection testing using correct measurement techniques to monitor CP system performance, accurately interpret the data collected to ensure optimum CP system performance
  • Determine corrective action to the CP system if necessary
  • Conduct and document interference tests to determine if DC or AC interference exists, identify the source and implement a method of control to mitigate the effects of stray current
  • Design and install simplistic forms of galvanic and impressed current cathodic protection facilities and perform the necessary mathematical calculations

Course completion

Successful completion of the course is required to earn a certificate of course completion. Requirements are specific to each course and may include a combination of attendance, daily assessments, activities, quizzes, or knowledge checks.

Take the Course

Prerequisites

Required

A strong algebra and geometry background, with thorough understanding of unit conversions and scientific notation, is required as a minimum mathematics prerequisite.

A knowledge and understanding of the following material is needed for this course:

  • Electricity: DC electrical laws, series and parallel circuits, and rectifier circuits;
  • Electrochemistry: theory including electrochemical and galvanic series, polarization, Faraday's Law;
  • Corrosion theory including polarization under different conditions;
  • Cathodic protection: fundamentals, criteria, sacrificial and impressed current equipment including diodes, and different types of power supplies and anodes;
  • Stray current interference;
  • Testing equipment including voltmeters, ammeters, shunts (and calculations), ohmmeters, reference electrodes (and conversions), CP coupons, isolation and soil resistivity equipment.
  • Field tests such as interrupted structure-to-electrolyte potentials, close interval potential surveys, isolation tests, road casing isolation tests, layer soil resistivity, troubleshooting and coating tests
Prerequisites

Required (see list)

Strongly Recommended

Applicants not having the above knowledge and training are encouraged to attend the applicable course(s) before registering for this course.


How to achieve the Cathodic Protection Technologist (CP3) certification

  1. Fulfill work experience and education requirements

    Bachelor's degree in physical sciences or engineering

    3 years of verifiable cathodic protection work experience

    Successful completion of all CP Technician requirements (including certification) or equivalent training – Strongly Recommended

  2. Meet course requirements

    CP 3-Cathodic Protection Technologist Course - Strongly Recommended

    Successful completion of the Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course or an equivalent training

  3. Take required exams

    Certification Exam – CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Case-Based Exam
    Case-Based Exam Preparation Guide

    Certification Exam – CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Theory Exam
    Theory Exam Theory Exam Preparation Guide

    Note: These exams will be available in English at select Pearson VUE testing centers globally. The upcoming available times are:

    February 5-19, 2024

    July 29 to August 12, 2024

  4. Complete application requirements

    Approved CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Application

Start Your Journey

Certification candidates have four (4) years to complete all requirements, including successful completion of the exam, and an approved application with the required work experience and education requirements.

To take the exam-only option, access My Certification Portal and select Schedule/Manage Exams to add both exams to your cart and purchase. Get more details in the Scheduling Your Pearson VUE Exam document.

  1. Fulfill work experience and education requirements

    8 years of verifiable cathodic protection work experience

    Successful completion of all CP Technician requirements (including certification) or equivalent training – Strongly Recommended

  2. Meet course requirements

    CP 3-Cathodic Protection Technologist Course - Strongly Recommended

    Successful completion of the Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course or an equivalent training

  3. Take required exams

    Certification Exam – CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Case-Based Exam
    Case-Based Exam Preparation Guide

    Certification Exam – CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Theory Exam
    Theory Exam Theory Exam Preparation Guide

    Note: These exams will be available in English at select Pearson VUE testing centers globally. The upcoming available times are:

    February 6-20, 2023

    July 31 to August 14, 2023

    February 5-19, 2024

    July 29 to August 12, 2024

  4. Complete application requirements

    Approved CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Application

Apply for Certification
  1. Fulfill work experience and education requirements

    2 years post high school training from math or science technical/trade school

    6 years of verifiable cathodic protection work experience

    Successful completion of all CP Technician requirements (including certification) or equivalent training – Strongly Recommended

  2. Meet course requirements

    Cathodic Protection Technician Maritime - Strongly Recommended

    Successful completion of the Ethics for the Corrosion Professional course or an equivalent training

  3. Take required exams

    Certification Exam – CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Case-Based Exam
    Case-Based Exam Preparation Guide

    Certification Exam – CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Theory Exam
    Theory Exam Theory Exam Preparation Guide

    Note: These exams will be available in English at select Pearson VUE testing centers globally. The upcoming available times are:

    February 6-20, 2023

    July 31 to August 14, 2023

    February 5-19, 2024

    July 29 to August 12, 2024

  4. Complete application requirements

    Approved CP3 - Cathodic Protection Technologist Application

Apply for Certification

Certification exams

Certification requirements include case-based and theory exams delivered via computer-based testing (CBT).

The multiple-choice CBT exam is scheduled separately from the course and delivered via Pearson VUE. The initial CBT exam is included with the course registration. Any Exam retake will incur additional cost to the applicant.

To take the exam-only option, access My Certification Portal and select Schedule/Manage Exams to add both exams to your cart and purchase. Get more details in the Scheduling Your Pearson VUE Exam document.

Renewal requirements

An approved recertification application is required every 3 years. The work experience requirement for renewals for all certifications is one and half (1.5) years for the most recent three (3) year period. Additionally, some certifications have other requirements related to responsibility in charge.

As you prepare for renewal, please visit My Certification Portal to log and manage your work experience and Professional Development Hours (PDH's) needed. Your work experience and PDH's will be submitted as part of your renewal application but you can input PDH's at any time. See the certification renewal guide for PDH's requirements, our sample training PDH guide, and our PDH how-to videos.

Certification holders are required to pay a non-refundable processing fee for renewal.

NOTE: AMPP reserves the right to return any incomplete applications or those that do not meet the requirements. All application fees are non-refundable. To avoid processing delays or forfeiture of fees, please ensure that the application is complete, meets all the requirements and payment has been received.