scope:

General 

This standard provides guidelines specific to the rail industry for the in-house training and employer-administered qualification of one level of coating inspection qualification. An employee who has passed this level of qualification is called an Employer- Qualified Coating Inspector (EQCI). Included are criteria for employers that recognize this qualification and a list of suggested training topics and references to publications that may be of use in an in-house training program. 

One basic level of qualification is defined in this standard: the EQCI qualification. Other levels and classes may be added to a training curriculum as needed in accordance with the employer's written practice.(2) 

The qualifying official of the training and qualification program shall be responsible for ensuring the EQCI is trained according to the employer's training program. 

Although an employer may elect to incorporate CIP as part of its coating inspector qualification program, examination and certification by NACE is not a requirement for EQCI qualification. 1.5 Although EQCI qualification is an established credential, employer qualification alone may not legally qualify an inspector to provide inspection services to the public. Contract documents, codes, and standards may require that inspections are performed under the direction of personnel with qualifications such as a NACE CIP certification or a professional engineer's license.