API 577 Exam: Format, Fees and 2027 Dates
The API 577 exam in brief: 110 closed-book questions in 3.25 hours, the exam fee, 2027 windows and deadlines, and how recertification works.
Written by Deepak RawtalReviewed by Nilanjan Sen
Published 21 Oct 2026Reviewed 16 Oct 20262 min read
API 577 is a shorter, closed-book exam than API 510, 570 or 653, and it costs less. Here is the format, the fee and the 2027 dates, from API's own pages, checked against API's own pages on 16 October 2026.
Short answer: 110 multiple-choice questions (100 scored) in 3 hours 15 minutes, closed-book. US$380 for API members and US$440 for non-members, rising to US$390 and US$450 in 2027. The next windows are April, August and December 2027.
The format
- 110 questions, of which 100 are scored. The other 10 are unscored pretest items, mixed in with the rest.
- 3 hours 15 minutes: about 1 minute 45 seconds a question.
- Closed-book. No codes, papers or notes. Everything is recall and applied judgement.
- Based on API RP 577 and ASME Section IX (Part QW), as listed on the effectivity sheet for your window.
- Taken at a Prometric test centre. The certificate is valid for 3 years.
Closed-book changes how you prepare. There is no time to look anything up, so the welding processes, the WPS, PQR and WPQ variables, and the metallurgy have to be in your head.
The fee
| API member | Non-member | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (2026) | US$380 | US$440 |
| Exam fee (2027) | US$390 | US$450 |
| Reschedule | US$200 | US$200 |
| Late application | US$200 | US$200 |
The fee covers the exam only. RP 577 and Section IX are bought separately.
For the full cost, including recertification fees, codes and preparation, read what an API certification really costs.
Exam windows and deadlines
| Exam window | Apply by |
|---|---|
| 4 to 25 December 2026 | 2 October 2026 (closed) |
| 9 to 30 April 2027 | 4 February 2027 |
| 6 to 27 August 2027 | 4 June 2027 |
| 3 to 24 December 2027 | 30 September 2027 |
Recertification
You can apply to recertify up to 90 days before the certificate expires, with a 90-day grace period after. API does not currently ask for employment verification to recertify API 577, unlike the first application.
Next step
Check whether you qualify in who can sit API 577, then plan your weeks with the API 577 study plan. Exam details and sample questions are in our API 577 certification guide.
