The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) have joined forces to create the . The PTAP consists of a Pipeline Curriculum and Skills Assessments to qualify pipeline personnel under the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) new regulation for Pipeline Operator Qualification (OQ). The Pipeline Skills Assessments link to NCCER”S standardized Pipeline Curriculum and will be significant method to help determine operator qualifications on selected Cover Tasks as identified by API and the Pipeline Industry. Pipeline Skills Assessments are available now. For more information contract Tommy Caldwell, Carolinas AGC at 704-372-1450 ext. 5223.

Covered Tasks are operations or maintenance tasks performed in a gas or liquid pipeline facility that can affect the operation or integrity of the pipeline and that are specifically required of DOT regulations 49 CFR Part 195 (liquid pipeline) and 49 CFR Part 192 (gas pipeline). They were developed to assist pipeline companies in developing their own OQ programs. The API/NCCER Skills Assessments and the supporting standardized Pipeline Curriculum link to these Covered Tasks and to their Sub-Tasks. For a copy of the most current Covered Task List, please visit www.nccer.org and select “Pipeline Training and Assessment Program,” or contact Tommy Caldwell at 704-372-1450 ext. 5223.

Please note that each Level One curriculum begins with two “core” Modules: Introduction to the Pipeline Industry and General Pipeline Abnormal Operating Conditions. Also note tht the Module titles are aligned with their coinciding Covered Tasks (CT) where applicable.