Exam Information
The comprehensive certification examination and calculation questions consists of multiple choice, matching, essay, and material estimating questions. These questions are chosen primarily from the material covered in the and courses and from the Some of the questions can be answered from knowledge acquired by working in the coatings industry. Many of the questions require knowledge of several different subject areas:
Corrosion and Corrosion Control
Mechanisms of metal corrosion; common types of corrosion; methods of corrosion control.
Coating Types and Their Mechanisms of Protection
Mechanisms of corrosion control by coatings; desired film properties; coating components and their functions; mechanisms of coating film formation; comparison of generic coating types; selection of coating systems.
Surface Preparation for Painting
Preparing surfaces before cleaning; surface contaminants causing early coating deterioration; surface preparation methods; recommended removal methods for different contaminants; standards for cleaned steel surfaces; visual aids to surface cleanliness; level of cleanliness required for different coatings; air abrasive blasting equipment; centrifugal blasting equipment; surface profile and blasting abrasives; and blast cleaning procedures.
Application of Coatings
Brush, roller, and spray application; application of coatings that cure by fusion; handling of paints; application temperatures and humidities; achieving desired film thickness; recommended spraying procedures; coating application defects.
Coatings for Industrial Steel Structures
Selecting surface preparation for steel; coating systems appropriate for steel; selection of coating systems by environmental zone; coatings for atmospheric zones; coatings for immersion and marine service; coatings for buried steel; coatings for high-temperature surfaces.
Coating of Concrete Surfaces
Components of concrete; similar features of all cementitious surfaces; placement of concrete; reasons for coating concrete; pre-coating materials applied to cementitious surfaces; coatings for cementitious surfaces; surface preparation for coating; inspection of coating application.
Inspection and Quality Control
The specification and its contents; responsibilities of the inspector; monitoring the ambient conditions; pre-surface preparation inspection; post-surface preparation inspection; pre-painting inspection; inspection of paint application.
Management of Coatings Projects
The corporate coatings program; planning for programmed painting; contracting for coatings work; specifying and testing coating materials; project roles and responsibilities; quality assurance: formal systems; quality control and coating inspection.
Standards and Specifications for Coatings Projects
Engineering standards for protective coatings; specifications for coatings systems; preparing a coatings specification.
Achieving Economic Protection by Coatings
Corrosion and its prevention; selection of construction materials; alternate construction materials; coatings and linings; economic considerations in coatings system selection.
New Construction and Planned Maintenance Painting
Coordinating and scheduling new construction projects; coating systems selection; shop and field painting; maintenance painting; facility condition survey and analysis; selecting coating systems for maintenance; implementation of the maintenance plan.
Contracts and Documentation for Coatings Projects
Contractor qualification; competitive bidding; project management and inspection.
Coating Failures
Causes of coating failures; consequences of coating failure; investigating the cause of failure; laboratory analysis of coating failures; responsibility for failure and repairs.
Regulations and Safety for Coatings Projects
Environmental regulations affecting the coatings industry; regulating hazardous materials; worker safety and health; OSHA general and construction industry standards; specifying and complying with regulation; hazard communication; hazards from toxic materials and operations; surface preparation hazards and safety requirements; paint application hazards and safety requirements; hazards in high, confined, and remote places; personal protective equipment; other safety issues.
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