Exam Practice Questions And Correct

Certified Pipeline Inspector Certification Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a pipeline integrity management

program?

• To reduce pipeline diameter
• To increase flow rate
• To ensure safe and reliable pipeline operation
• To reduce inspection frequency

Rationale: The main goal of a pipeline integrity management program is to

identify and mitigate risks to ensure the pipeline operates safely and reliably. 1 / 4

• Which type of corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are

electrically connected in the presence of an electrolyte?

• Uniform corrosion
• Pitting corrosion
• Galvanic corrosion
• Crevice corrosion

Rationale: Galvanic corrosion happens when dissimilar metals are in

electrical contact in a corrosive environment, causing one metal to corrode faster.

• What is the most common method for detecting pipeline leaks in

liquid pipelines?

• Radiographic testing
• Hydrostatic testing
• Ultrasonic testing
• Magnetic particle testing

Rationale: Hydrostatic testing is widely used to detect leaks by pressurizing

the pipeline with water or another liquid and checking for pressure drops or visible leaks.

• What is the primary function of cathodic protection in pipelines?
• To increase flow capacity
• To prevent external corrosion
• To strengthen pipeline joints
• To measure pipeline thickness 2 / 4

Rationale: Cathodic protection reduces external corrosion by making the

pipeline the cathode of an electrochemical cell.

• Which inspection technique is best suited for detecting internal

corrosion in a pipeline?

• Visual inspection
• In-line inspection (ILI) using smart pigs
• Hydrostatic testing
• Magnetic particle inspection

Rationale: Smart pigs equipped with sensors detect internal corrosion, wall

loss, and anomalies inside pipelines.

• A defect that penetrates the full wall thickness of a pipe is classified

as:

• Surface defect
• Pitting defect
• Through-wall defect
• Subsurface defect

Rationale: Through-wall defects fully penetrate the pipe wall and are

critical for assessing pipeline integrity.

• What is the recommended minimum wall thickness for a steel pipeline

to operate safely under design pressure?

• Determined by ASME B31.8 formula
• 1 mm for all pipelines 3 / 4

• 5 mm for natural gas pipelines only
• 10 mm for liquid pipelines

Rationale: ASME B31.8 provides formulas for calculating minimum wall

thickness based on design pressure, pipe diameter, and material strength.

• Which type of pipeline coating is commonly used for external

corrosion protection?

• Paint
• Galvanization
• Fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) coating
• None

Rationale: Fusion-bonded epoxy coatings are widely used due to their

adhesion, corrosion resistance, and durability.

• What does a pipeline hydrostatic test involve?
• Applying electric current to the pipeline
• Filling the pipeline with water and pressurizing it above design

pressure

• Sending ultrasonic waves through the pipeline
• Measuring wall thickness with a gauge

Rationale: Hydrostatic testing identifies leaks and verifies strength by

pressurizing the pipeline above its design pressure using water.

• What is the primary hazard associated with natural gas

pipelines?

• / 4