FROSIO vs AMPP (NACE) coating inspector: what is the difference?
Two certification schemes for coating inspectors, often named side by side in specifications. What each one is, how the levels compare, and which to ask for. By Alin Barbu, FROSIO Level III inspector.
The short answer
Both certify people who inspect protective coatings. FROSIO is a Norwegian scheme run by an accredited certification body. AMPP is the association formed when NACE International and SSPC merged, and it runs the former NACE Coating Inspector Program (CIP). Which one you need depends on your coating specification and your end client, not on which is “better”.
Some specifications accept either. NORSOK M-501 (6th edition), for example, accepts FROSIO Level III, NACE Coating Inspector Level III or ICorr Inspector Level III for personnel carrying out inspection.
Side by side
| FROSIO | AMPP (NACE) CIP | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | FROSIO, Norway (accredited by Norsk Akkreditering) | AMPP (formerly NACE International and SSPC) |
| Levels | Level I, II, III | Basic, Certified, Senior Certified Coatings Inspector (formerly CIP Level 1, 2, 3) |
| How the level is set | By documented experience: Level II needs 2 years, Level III needs 5 years including 2 years of inspection | By training and exams per level, plus required work experience |
| Training | 80-hour course at a FROSIO approved training body | Course for each level |
| Exams | Theory and practical | Theory and practical |
| Validity | 5 years; renew within 6 months of expiry or re-sit the exam | 3 years; renewal with work experience and professional development |
| Also covers | Separate FROSIO scheme for insulation inspectors | Other AMPP certifications (for example cathodic protection) |
Program details change; check the current requirements on frosio.no and ampp.org before relying on them for a specification or audit.
When you will see FROSIO
- Specifications written to NORSOK M-501 and other Norwegian or North Sea practice
- European fabrication shops and shipyards working for Scandinavian clients
- Inspection agencies that staff European projects
When you will see AMPP (NACE)
- Specifications that name NACE or AMPP coating inspector levels
- Many international oil and gas operators and EPC contractors
- Projects that also need other AMPP certifications, such as cathodic protection
What matters more than the logo
Whichever scheme the certificate comes from, the inspection itself is the same work: surface preparation, climate, film thickness, adhesion, holiday detection, cure and documentation, measured against your specification.
- Check the level, certificate number and expiry date, and verify them with the issuing body
- Ask for calibrated instruments and their certificates
- Ask for a sample report, so you know what you will receive
- Check other qualifications your scope needs, such as welding inspection or NDT
More in how to hire a FROSIO inspector and on the coating inspection page.
Questions people ask
Is FROSIO Level III equivalent to NACE (AMPP) Level 3?
They are different schemes, but some specifications treat them as alternatives. NORSOK M-501 (6th edition) accepts FROSIO Level III, NACE Coating Inspector Level III or ICorr Inspector Level III for inspection personnel. Always check the specification for your project.
What happened to NACE coating inspector certification?
NACE International and SSPC merged to form AMPP. The NACE Coating Inspector Program (CIP) continues under AMPP, with the levels renamed Basic, Certified and Senior Certified Coatings Inspector.
How long are the certificates valid?
A FROSIO certificate is valid for five years and must be renewed within six months of expiry. AMPP certifications are renewed every three years, with requirements for work experience and professional development.
Which one should I ask for when hiring an inspector?
Ask for what your coating specification or end client names. If it says FROSIO or AMPP/NACE “or equivalent”, either can be acceptable, but confirm with the client before the inspection starts.
About the author
Alin Barbu is a FROSIO Level III surface treatment inspector (certificate no. 13584) and IWI-S International Welding Inspector, with NDT Level 2 in VT, PT, MT and UT. He holds FROSIO, not AMPP, certification, and works for inspection agencies, EPC contractors and manufacturers across Romania and abroad.
Need an inspector on site?
Send the location, dates and inspection scope, and I will confirm availability.
Or email barbu.constantin.alin@gmail.com