AMPP CCI-2 study plan
AMPP CCI-2 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Coating Inspection Fundamentals and Surface Preparation
Define surface preparation standards terminology (SSPC/NACE/ISO surface cleanliness grades) in your own words without notes
List the steps of solvent cleaning, hand/power tool cleaning, and abrasive blast cleaning in correct sequence
Identify at least 8 common surface contaminants and the test method used to detect each
Explain how anchor profile is created and measured (comparator, replica tape, stylus)
Your checkpoint
One-page reference sheet mapping each surface preparation grade to its standard designation, visual description, and typical profile range
Coating Inspection Fundamentals and Surface Preparation & Coating Application and Inspection Techniques
Explain environmental conditions (dew point, relative humidity, steel temperature) and calculate dew point margin for 5 practice scenarios
Describe the inspection points during surface prep: pre-clean, post-blast, and pre-coat hold points
Identify the causes and visual signatures of flash rust, mill scale, and blast damage
Sequence the inspection hold points across a full coating job from arrival to final acceptance
Your checkpoint
Completed worksheet of 5 dew point calculations with pass/fail determinations and written justification for each
Coating Application and Inspection Techniques
Describe correct application methods (brush, roller, conventional air spray, airless spray) and when each is appropriate
Calculate wet film thickness from dry film thickness and volume solids for 6 practice problems
Identify application defects (sags, runs, orange peel, dry spray, holidays, pinholes) and their root causes
Explain stripe coating, pot life, induction time, and recoat window requirements
Your checkpoint
Defect identification table listing 10 application defects with cause, prevention, and corrective action
Coating Application and Inspection Techniques & Coating Types, Selection, and Specification
Explain DFT measurement instruments (magnetic, eddy current, ultrasonic) and their proper use and calibration checks
Apply the 80/20 rule and spot-check frequency concepts when reading DFT measurement results
Describe holiday/pinhole detection methods (low and high voltage) and when each applies
Match coating generic types (epoxy, polyurethane, zinc-rich, alkyd, polysiloxane) to their service environments
Your checkpoint
Mock DFT inspection data set analyzed into a pass/fail report with measurement locations, readings, and statistical summary
Coating Types, Selection, and Specification
Explain the function of each layer in a coating system (primer, intermediate, topcoat) and intercoat compatibility
Interpret a coating specification: identify required surface prep, DFT ranges, environmental limits, and acceptance criteria
Compare service environment categories (atmospheric, immersion, buried, high temperature) and the coating properties each demands
Explain volume solids, VOC, and theoretical vs practical coverage and how each affects specification decisions
Your checkpoint
Written specification review of a supplied coating spec identifying at least 6 inspection-relevant requirements and 2 ambiguities
Coating Types, Selection, and Specification & Inspection Reporting, Standards, and Ethics
Describe how standards bodies (SSPC, NACE/AMPP, ISO, ASTM) relate to inspection and how to cite the correct standard for a given check
Explain the purpose and required contents of daily inspection reports and nonconformance reports
Draft a nonconformance report for a scenario where DFT is below specification
Outline the ethical responsibilities of an inspector regarding conflicts of interest, data integrity, and reporting pressure
Your checkpoint
Completed daily inspection report and one nonconformance report for a realistic scenario, formatted to include all required fields
Inspection Reporting, Standards, and Ethics & Coating Inspection Fundamentals and Surface Preparation
Explain the inspector's authority, communication chain, and documentation trail from pre-job meeting to closeout
Review surface preparation and environmental records for completeness and traceability
Identify ethical dilemmas in inspection scenarios and state the correct course of action with justification
Explain how to handle disputed inspection results and the escalation path
Your checkpoint
Three written ethics scenario responses, each with the decision, the governing principle, and the documentation step required
Coating Inspection Fundamentals and Surface Preparation & Coating Application and Inspection Techniques & Coating Types, Selection, and Specification & Inspection Reporting, Standards, and Ethics
Complete a timed 60-question mixed-domain practice set and score at least 80%
Review every missed question and write a one-line correction note for each
Re-derive the 5 weakest concepts from memory without references
Build a final one-page formula and standards quick-reference for exam day
Your checkpoint
Practice exam score record with a written error log and a finalized one-page quick-reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain all surface preparation grades and compute dew point margin correctly for any given conditions without notes
Week 4: Can calculate WFT/DFT conversions and interpret DFT measurement data against the 80/20 rule with at least 90% accuracy on practice problems
Week 6: Can read a coating specification and produce a complete inspection report and nonconformance report with all required fields
Week 8: Scores 80% or higher on the timed 60-question mixed-domain practice set and has a completed error log