National Board Authorized Inspector
(AI) Exam With Actual Questions &
Verified Answers, Plus Explained
Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
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1. Which code does the National Board primarily reference for
pressure vessel inspections?
a) ASME B31.3
b) ASME Section VIII
c) ASME Section I
d) API 510
b) ASME Section VIII
Rationale: The National Board references ASME Section VIII for the
construction and inspection of pressure vessels.
2. What is the primary purpose of the National Board Inspection
Code (NBIC)?
a) To set safety rules for piping systems
b) To provide rules for the installation, inspection, and repair of
boilers and pressure vessels
c) To regulate welding procedures
d) To certify welding inspectors
,b) To provide rules for the installation, inspection, and repair of
boilers and pressure vessels
Rationale: NBIC establishes the standards for inspection, installation,
and repair to ensure safety and compliance.
3. What document is required before performing repairs on a
pressure-retaining item?
a) Inspection report
b) Welding procedure specification (WPS)
c) National Board Repair Authorization (NB-RA)
d) ASME Certificate of Authorization
c) National Board Repair Authorization (NB-RA)
Rationale: NB-RA ensures that all repairs meet code requirements and
are properly documented.
4. Which type of inspection is performed during fabrication of a
pressure vessel?
a) In-service inspection
b) Pre-service inspection
c) Periodic inspection
d) Internal inspection
b) Pre-service inspection
Rationale: Pre-service inspections verify that a pressure vessel has
been constructed according to code before it is placed in service.
5. Which of the following is considered a pressure-retaining item?
a) Steam trap
b) Pipe support
c) Pressure vessel
d) Expansion joint
,c) Pressure vessel
Rationale: Pressure-retaining items are designed to hold internal
pressure, such as boilers and pressure vessels.
6. How often must a National Board Authorized Inspector (AI)
inspect a boiler in service?
a) Once every 10 years
b) According to the jurisdiction’s regulations
c) Only during installation
d) Monthly
b) According to the jurisdiction’s regulations
Rationale: Inspection intervals are set by the jurisdiction and may vary
depending on type and service conditions.
7. Which inspection method uses electromagnetic waves to detect
surface and near-surface defects?
a) Ultrasonic testing
b) Radiographic testing
c) Magnetic particle testing
d) Liquid penetrant testing
c) Magnetic particle testing
Rationale: Magnetic particle testing detects surface and slightly
subsurface defects in ferromagnetic materials using magnetic fields.
8. What type of defect is most likely to be found with liquid
penetrant testing?
a) Volumetric defects
b) Surface-breaking cracks
c) Lamination
d) Corrosion under insulation
, b) Surface-breaking cracks
Rationale: Liquid penetrant testing highlights surface-breaking defects
that are open to the surface.
9. What is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of a
pressure vessel?
a) The pressure at which the vessel will fail
b) The pressure at which the vessel is designed to operate safely
c) Twice the design pressure
d) Atmospheric pressure
b) The pressure at which the vessel is designed to operate safely
Rationale: MAWP is the maximum pressure a vessel can handle safely
under design conditions.
10. Which National Board form is used to register a new
pressure-retaining item?
a) Form NB-1
b) Form NB-5
c) Form R-1
d) Form W-1
a) Form NB-1
Rationale: Form NB-1 is used for the registration of boilers and
pressure vessels with the National Board.
11. When performing an internal inspection, which of the
following is critical?
a) Atmospheric conditions
b) Operator certification
c) Cleaning the interior surface
d) Pressure gauge calibration
(AI) Exam With Actual Questions &
Verified Answers, Plus Explained
Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Updated/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which code does the National Board primarily reference for
pressure vessel inspections?
a) ASME B31.3
b) ASME Section VIII
c) ASME Section I
d) API 510
b) ASME Section VIII
Rationale: The National Board references ASME Section VIII for the
construction and inspection of pressure vessels.
2. What is the primary purpose of the National Board Inspection
Code (NBIC)?
a) To set safety rules for piping systems
b) To provide rules for the installation, inspection, and repair of
boilers and pressure vessels
c) To regulate welding procedures
d) To certify welding inspectors
,b) To provide rules for the installation, inspection, and repair of
boilers and pressure vessels
Rationale: NBIC establishes the standards for inspection, installation,
and repair to ensure safety and compliance.
3. What document is required before performing repairs on a
pressure-retaining item?
a) Inspection report
b) Welding procedure specification (WPS)
c) National Board Repair Authorization (NB-RA)
d) ASME Certificate of Authorization
c) National Board Repair Authorization (NB-RA)
Rationale: NB-RA ensures that all repairs meet code requirements and
are properly documented.
4. Which type of inspection is performed during fabrication of a
pressure vessel?
a) In-service inspection
b) Pre-service inspection
c) Periodic inspection
d) Internal inspection
b) Pre-service inspection
Rationale: Pre-service inspections verify that a pressure vessel has
been constructed according to code before it is placed in service.
5. Which of the following is considered a pressure-retaining item?
a) Steam trap
b) Pipe support
c) Pressure vessel
d) Expansion joint
,c) Pressure vessel
Rationale: Pressure-retaining items are designed to hold internal
pressure, such as boilers and pressure vessels.
6. How often must a National Board Authorized Inspector (AI)
inspect a boiler in service?
a) Once every 10 years
b) According to the jurisdiction’s regulations
c) Only during installation
d) Monthly
b) According to the jurisdiction’s regulations
Rationale: Inspection intervals are set by the jurisdiction and may vary
depending on type and service conditions.
7. Which inspection method uses electromagnetic waves to detect
surface and near-surface defects?
a) Ultrasonic testing
b) Radiographic testing
c) Magnetic particle testing
d) Liquid penetrant testing
c) Magnetic particle testing
Rationale: Magnetic particle testing detects surface and slightly
subsurface defects in ferromagnetic materials using magnetic fields.
8. What type of defect is most likely to be found with liquid
penetrant testing?
a) Volumetric defects
b) Surface-breaking cracks
c) Lamination
d) Corrosion under insulation
, b) Surface-breaking cracks
Rationale: Liquid penetrant testing highlights surface-breaking defects
that are open to the surface.
9. What is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of a
pressure vessel?
a) The pressure at which the vessel will fail
b) The pressure at which the vessel is designed to operate safely
c) Twice the design pressure
d) Atmospheric pressure
b) The pressure at which the vessel is designed to operate safely
Rationale: MAWP is the maximum pressure a vessel can handle safely
under design conditions.
10. Which National Board form is used to register a new
pressure-retaining item?
a) Form NB-1
b) Form NB-5
c) Form R-1
d) Form W-1
a) Form NB-1
Rationale: Form NB-1 is used for the registration of boilers and
pressure vessels with the National Board.
11. When performing an internal inspection, which of the
following is critical?
a) Atmospheric conditions
b) Operator certification
c) Cleaning the interior surface
d) Pressure gauge calibration
