Frequently Asked Questions

If the review/survey was successful, the certificate(s) will be issued after the report submitted by the team leader has been approved.

Send an email to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org or call them at 1-212-591-7575. Please provide the company ID number in your correspondence.

The Policy on the Use of Certification Mark in Advertising and the Society Policy 14.6 provide the requirements on the usage of the Certification Mark and ASME Logo.

Yes, the latest edition/addenda becomes mandatory six months after publication.

No

Visit the ASME Certificate Holder Search which will provide a list of ASME certified companies. If you know of a company who falsely claims to be an ASME certified company provide the name of the company and to the extent possible, its address, telephone number, and email address. Objective evidence is to be provided which allegedly misrepresents their ASME certification status. Send information by email to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org or call them at 1-212-591-7575.

A complaint submitted on an item bearing the ASME Certification Mark, or furnished with certified documents identifying the ASME Certificate number, which allegedly does not meet the requirements of the governing Code/Standard under which it was supplied will be reviewed. The decision whether or not to conduct a formal investigation will be based upon the objective evidence provided with the allegation. At a minimum, the complainants will be required to:

ASME reviews/surveys are generally scheduled four months after receipt of the completed application forms and fees. ASME will make every effort to schedule it for the earliest possible date.

In order for multiple facilities to be scheduled together, you will need to submit the appropriate fees and completed application for each facility. Once this is done, please send your request for coordinated review dates to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org. ASME will make every effort to schedule them concurrently.

The review for certificate(s) from The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors may be conducted in conjunction with your scheduled ASME review provided the assigned ASME Team Leader is also authorized to conduct reviews for The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. If you want to have reviews for your National Board and ASME certificate(s) at the same time, please contact The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors Accreditation Department at 1-614-888-8320 or visit their website www.nationalboard.org.

The proposed review/survey dates must be accepted on CA Connect within seven business days after you receive our email notification. If we do not receive a response within the seven days deadline, the scheduled review/survey will be cancelled. Please refer to the steps described in your scheduling email notification to accept the proposed dates.

Your company will be notified to login to CA Connect to obtain the specific review/survey details four to six weeks prior to the scheduled review/survey.

Sleeping room reservations are only needed for the ASME review/survey team identified in CA Connect. Your Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) will contact you if they need you to reserve sleeping room reservations for their representatives.

Yes, ASME prefers that the quality manual review portion of the review/survey be conducted at a location separate from your facility.

No, only the ASME review/survey team and your AIA representative (if applicable), are permitted to attend the meeting at the hotel.

No. CA Connect will indicate the number of quality manuals and completed forms that should be forwarded to the attention of the ASME Team Leader at the hotel prior to his/her arrival. The required forms can be found in the Downloadable Resources.

ASME will provide their flight schedule to you if the ASME review/survey team need to be picked up from the airport.

Significant fees apply to a cancellation and/or extension. If a review/survey needs to be rescheduled, please contact the ASME Conformity Assessment Department immediately at ca@asme.org and provide the reason for cancellation, plus your preferred dates for rescheduling the review/survey. Please refer to the scheduling email notification for more information about the consequences and fees associated with a cancellation.

The old review/survey dates will be replaced when the new review/survey dates have been assigned.

ASME does not charge a separate application fee. However, fees for the certificate(s) and/or a deposit to cover the cost of the review/survey/audit are required to be submitted at the same time as the application. These fees and deposits are shown for each program in our Price Guide.

ASME accepts payments by wire transfer, check or credit card.

ASME's banking information can be found on the invoice. Please email ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org, if you have any questions.

Note: All payment methods should contain Account Number, Application Number and Invoice Number to ensure prompt processing of payment.
 

• By Wire Transfer: Please use the information on the invoice to submit payment via bank wire transfer.
   
• By Check: Please make checks payable to ASME and forward the check to ASME Accounts Receivable/Conformity Assessment, 150 Clove Road, Little Falls, NJ 07424-2100.
   
• By Credit Card: Please download the ASME Credit Card Form. Please upload the credit card form to ASME secure site Account Receivable. For additional information, send an email to ca@asme.org.

Proforma invoices are provided upon request. Please email the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org and reference your application number on the request.

If payment has been made, the following status levels apply on CA Connect:

Payment Due: Payment is currently being processed. Please allow five to seven business days for funds to appear on the account. No further action is required at this time.

Review Onsite: Payment has been processed and your application is at the review/survey stage. No further financial action is required at this time.

To ensure proper credit, please reference your invoice number, application number and account number on your payment. Application Number can be found within your account profile on CA Connect.

If your Signed Agreement and Inspection Service Agreement with your Authorized Inspection Agency (if applicable) is received, your application status will change to "Review Scheduling" and will proceed to the review/survey/audit stage of the process. You will be notified by either ASME, The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, or your Jurisdictional Authority of your review/survey/audit dates. Please allow three to four months for communication of these dates.

Send your request with details on each location to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org and reference your application number on the request.

The cost, which is reflected in the final invoice, will be determined by the auditor'/s time and expenses; it is not possible to predict what the final cost will be. A final invoice will be provided for each application submitted.

Whichever method is most convenient for you.

Yes, fees and expenses will be included on the final invoice unless you have made prior arrangements with a hotel or other establishment.

After the completion of the review/survey/audit, a final invoice will be sent to you indicating review/survey expenses.

Please provide the following information:

• Name of Bank
• Beneficiary Name
• Account Number / IBAN
• SWIFT (BIC) Code
• ABA Routing Number (if applicable)

Certificate(s) and Stamp(s) cannot be issued until the balance is paid.

Yes. There is a fee associated with Certification Mark Stamp and postage, per stamp.

The old Code Symbol Stamps for ASME BPVC Sections I, IV, VIII, X, and XII (U, S, PP, etc.) were discontinued on January 31, 2013. The N-type Code Symbol Stamps (N, NA, NPT, etc.) may be used until December 31, 2016.

They are available in ½ inch and ¾ inch sizes. When requesting a Certification Mark Stamp, you should specify the size.

Yes. The Code Symbol Stamps are the property of ASME and must be returned once you discontinue use of them.

Yes.

No. The Certification Designator must appear directly below the Certification Mark, however it may be printed rather than stamped. See the applicable code rules for further information.

Yes. There will no change to this practice.

Yes, additional Certification Mark Stamps may be purchased.

N-type Certificate Holders will receive the Certification Mark Stamp when they renew. Other companies may request the Certification Mark Stamp by sending an email to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org.

Effective January 1, 2017 the Certification Mark with the appropriate Designator shall be used. Either marking will be acceptable prior to January 1, 2017.

Yes.

An ASME Joint Review may be replaced by an audit conducted by the Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) of Record when the following conditions are met:

No change in jurisdiction or AIA of Record

No change in upper management or quality control (QC) personnel affecting the company'/s quality control program

The distance involved is small enough (~100 miles)

Certificate Holders who are relocating within the same jurisdiction should contact the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org if they wish to have an AIA audit conducted in place of an ASME Joint Review.

For companies holding an ASME V, HV, UV, UV3, TV, UD, and/or TD Certificate of Authorization, ASME will require the ASME designated organization to conduct an audit of the Certificate Holder and provide written verification of the following:

1. The address of the new location, and distance from the previous shop location
2. There are no changes in upper management or QC personnel affecting the company'/s quality control program
3. There has been no change in the scope of manufacturing activities as currently listed in the scope on the ASME Certificate of Authorization
4. That there is no major equipment change
5. A summary of the audit conducted by the ASME designated organization at the new shop location to ensure that the Certificate Holder is implementing their quality control system as previously accepted at the last ASME review
6. That the ASME designated organization has tested two pressure relief devices per test medium manufactured/assembled at the new shop location and the tested pressure relief devices have met the applicable requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

The Certificate Holder will have the option of having either an audit conducted for a revision of their existing certificate(s), or a review for early renewal of their existing certificate(s).

Note: For H (cast iron or cast aluminum) an ASME renewal review is required.

Please review the information contained in the Policy on Request for Extension of expiration dates for certificate(s).

The Certificate Holder needs to inform the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org of the address change due to postal re-designation including any changes to the building number, street name, zip code, etc. ASME will issue a revised ASME Certificate of Authorization provided the Certificate Holder'/s Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) of record provides documentation to ASME to support the Certificate Holder'/s request. Where there is no AIA involved in the Certificate Holder'/s code activities, documentation from the postal authority and/or the jurisdictional authorities where the shop is located will be needed to support the request. There is no charge to revise ASME Certificates of Authorization due to postal re-designation.

It is the Certificate Holder'/s responsibility to immediately inform the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org as soon as they make a change in the AIA of Record. Failure to provide ASME with the name of your current AIA of record may result in the new AIA not receiving notification of important information, or even loss of certification.

See the Process to Request Name Change on Certificate(s).

A full ASME Joint Review is not required for: A holder of an ASME S Certificate who applies for an additional A or PP Certificate(s) of Authorization. A holder of an ASME U or S Certificate who applies for an additional UM Certificate(s) of Authorization.

ASME will require written verification from both the ASME Team Leader who conducted the latest Joint Review, and the Certificate Holder'/s Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA), that the Certificate Holder'/s Quality Control (QC) manual and QC system have been revised to include all of the additional code requirements required to fabricate components for the requested Certificate(s) of Authorization. Upon receipt of a favorable recommendation from both the ASME Team Leader and the AIA as well as the receipt of applicable fees, ASME will issue the requested certificate(s).

The addition of any ASME Certificate of Authorization would require another ASME Joint Review with the exception of an S Stamp Holder applying for an A or PP certificate, or a U or S Stamp Holder applying for an ASME UM Certificate of Authorization. The conditions for those applicants are described elsewhere in other FAQs. Requests for additional Certificates, without a full ASME Joint Review, made within three months following the date that a full ASME Joint Review was conducted can be submitted to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org for approval by the Committee on BPV Conformity Assessment.

A Certificate Holder can apply for a "Work-In-Progress Extension." To do so the Certificate Holder will need to send a letter to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org requesting an extension of the appropriate Certificate to complete an ongoing job. This letter must be received by ASME at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on the ASME Certificate of Authorization.

The request from the Certificate Holder should include any applicable fees as shown in the renewal application package and be accompanied by: A description of the work to be completed, including the work/job number The number and type of code components involved (S, PP, H, U, etc.) The expected completion date for the work.

ASME will then contact the Certificate Holder'/s Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) or ASME designee, as appropriate, and request:

1. Written verification of the information provided by the Certificate Holder
2. Verification that an audit of the Certificate Holder'/s shop facility has recently been performed and the AIA/designee is satisfied that: the Certificate Holder'/s quality control program is still in place, and they can fabricate code components in compliance with the applicable requirements in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

Upon receipt of a satisfactory report from the AIA/ASME designee and payment of the applicable fees, ASME will issue a "Work-In-Progress Extension" for a period of time up to six months, or until completion of the specified job (whichever occurs first). No further extensions will be granted and no additional work can be started after the original expiration date shown on the ASME Certificate(s) of Authorization.

It is ASME'/s policy to assign a new certificate number(s) under the following situations:

• on the issuance of an ASME Certificate of Authorization for the first time
• when a current Certificate Holder'/s ASME Certificate of Authorization has expired prior to the date the renewal review was held, and no extension was granted by ASME due to the failure of the Certificate Holder to submit the renewal application and fees to ASME at least 3 months prior to the expiration date on the Certificate(s).

However, the Certificate Holder may submit a written request to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org stating the reason they wish to have their expired certificate number(s) reinstated, and the reason for the late submittal of their renewal application.

ASME may grant the request provided:

1. The lapse in time from the expiration date on the old ASME Certificate of Authorization to the date of issuance or the new ASME Certificate of Authorization has not exceeded three months
2. The review was conducted within the three-month period, but ASME was unable to process the review team recommendation within those three months.

Most AIAs operate worldwide. Please see the List of Authorized Inspection Agencies for more information. Some AIAs have listed a website where you can find the locations of their local offices. Otherwise a phone number, fax number, and email address is provided for you to contact the AIA directly.

A demonstration of implementation of the Quality Control (QC) System must include the administrative functions to support the QC System and the manufacturing, fabrication, and testing of the product necessary to indicate knowledge and ability to produce the items covered by the scope of the system.

For assessment of the QC System, the applicant must demonstrate sufficient administrative and fabrication functions to show that they have the knowledge and ability to produce the code items for the type of certification for which they have applied. Fabrication functions may be demonstrated using current work, a mock-up produced to current code rules, or a combination of the two. All elements of the QC System must be demonstrated.

ASME does not provide consulting services to develop a Quality Control System that will meet the requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. ASME can provide support through the application process for obtaining a Certificate of Authorization.

The ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org must receive the following information to support the request:

1. Submittal of the revised quality system manual, which should reflect the new name of the company, to ASME for acceptance.
2. Confirmation that there have been no changes in key personnel within the organization that could affect the implementation of the quality system program as accepted by ASME.
3. This name change does not alter the quality system program as previously accepted by ASME.
4. Verification that the newly named entity is the same corporate entity as currently certified by ASME with the assurance that the company accepts responsibility for all ASME code activities previously performed with the Quality System Certificate number(s).

Upon favorable assessment of the documentation submitted, ASME will issue a revised certificate(s). If an unfavorable assessment is made, an announced audit shall be conducted by ASME at the expense of the company. The QSC Holder shall be given the option of early renewal with a regular survey.

It is mandatory that an audit to be conducted at the new location. Therefore, the options are either:

1. Arranging for an audit to revise the QSC to reflect the new location'/s address. The audit team will consist of an ASME Team Leader; or
2. Arranging for a survey to be conducted for early renew the QSC to reflect the new location. The survey team size will be determined upon receipt of completed application forms.

Please be reminded that Quality System Certificates are valid only for the location shown on the certificate(s).

ASME must receive the following information from the company to support a revision of the QSC:

1. The necessary changes have been made to the quality system manual to reflect the address change and a copy submitted to ASME for acceptance.
2. Verification that there have been no changes in key personnel within your organization that could affect the implementation of your quality system program as accepted by ASME.
3. Verification that the address change does not alter your quality system program as previously accepted by ASME.

The report, which should be in letter form on the company'/s letterhead, shall be transmitted to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org. ASME will inform the company when the quality system manual has been accepted or if there is additional information required.

The typical survey team will consist of two ASME Desginees experienced in the field of quality assurance in nuclear systems, components and materials.

Yes, at this moment the ASME BPE Certification Program is limited to tubing and fittings.

No.

Yes.

Yes, as described in paragraph CR-3.3.1 of the ASME BPE standard, "Bioprocessing Equipment" all changes shall be submitted to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org for acceptance.

The Certificate Holder must notify the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org that their facility is being relocated or that an additional facility is being requested. ASME will determine whether an Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) audit or an ASME audit will be performed.

If an AIA audit is required, then ASME must receive a report from the Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor (ANIS) which documents the following information to support the requested change:

1. Summary of the review conducted by the ANIS, including how the Certificate Holder'/s quality assurance manual has been revised to reflect the relocation or new location and that the ANIS has reviewed and accepted the revisions.
2. Verification that the relocation or the addition of the new location does not alter the quality assurance program as previously accepted by ASME.
3. Verification that there have been no changes to key personnel within the Certificate Holder'/s organization that could affect the implementation of the quality assurance program as accepted by ASME.
4. A recommendation covering judgment by the ANIS whether a need exists for an ASME audit.

The report should be submitted on the AIA'/s company letterhead and sent to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org. If the AIA chooses not to conduct the required audit or does not respond within thirty days of the request for audit, then an ASME Designee will be assigned to carry out the audit at the Certificate Holder'/s expense.

If ASME determines that an ASME audit is required, then the Certificate Holder has the option of either:

1. Arranging for an audit to revise the certificate(s) to reflect the new location'/s address. The audit team will consist of an ASME Team Leader and the AIA representative; or
2. Arranging for a survey to be conducted for an early renewal of the certificate(s) to reflect the new location.

Please note that an ASME Certificate of Authorization is valid only for the location shown on the certificate(s). For more information on submitting payments or remittances, see the Finance Frequently Asked Questions.

ASME must receive a report from the Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor (ANIS), which documents the following information to support the requested change:

1. Summary of the review conducted by ANIS including documentation as to how the Certificate Holder'/s quality assurance manual has been revised to reflect the storage of code material at the new facility and that the ANIS has reviewed and accepted the revisions to the manual.
2. Verification that the new facility is for the storage of material only where fabrication, assembly, or construction activities are prohibited; that proper controls have been implemented to identify code material vs. non-code material and if applicable, for which the shipment of material as a material organization is prohibited.
3. Verification that the additional location for the storage of code material does not alter the quality assurance program as previously accepted by ASME.
4. Verification that there have been no changes to key personnel within the Certificate Holder'/s organization which could affect implementation of the quality assurance program as accepted by ASME.

The report, which should be in letter form on the Authorized Inspection Agency'/s company letterhead, shall be transmitted to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org.

ASME must receive a report from the Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) of record which documents the following information to support the requested change:

1. Summary of the review conducted by the Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor (ANIS) including documentation as to how the Certificate Holder'/s quality assurance manual had been revised to reflect the expansion of Class 1 Authorization and that the ANIS has reviewed and accepted the revisions.
2. Verification that the measures described in (a) above have been implemented.
3. Concurrence by the AIA that the need exists for the requested change in scope of work, and a supporting recommendation for the scope revision.

The report, which should be in letter form on the AIA'/s company letterhead, shall be transmitted to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org.

ASME must receive a report from the Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) that documents the following information to support the request for a name change on the ASME Certificate(s) of Authorization:

1. Verification that the AIA has an agreement with this company under their new name.
2. Summary of the review conducted by the Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor (ANIS) including documentation as to how the Certificate Holder'/s quality assurance manual has been revised to reflect the name change and that the ANIS has reviewed and accepted the revisions.
3. Verification that this name change does not alter that quality assurance program as previously accepted by ASME.
4. Verification that there have been no changes to key personnel within the Certificate Holder'/s organization that could affect the implementation of the quality assurance program as accepted by ASME
5. A recommendation covering judgment by the AIA as to whether a need exists for an ASME audit.
6. Verification that the newly named corporate entity is the same entity that is currently accredited by ASME.

The report, which should be in letter form on the AIA'/s letterhead, shall be transmitted to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org.

ASME also requires a statement from the company that they accept responsibility for all ASME code activities previously performed with these certificate numbers.

The Certificate Holder must notify the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org that their office is being relocated. ASME will then request that the Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) perform an audit to support the revision to the ASME Certificate of Authorization to reflect the new address. The audit report shall document the following:

1. Verification that the AIA has an agreement with this company at the new address.
2. Summary of the review conducted by the Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor (ANIS) including documentation as to how the Certificate Holder'/s quality assurance manual had been revised to reflect the address change and that the ANIS has reviewed and accepted the revisions.
3. Verification that the address change does not alter the company'/s quality assurance program as previously accepted by ASME.
4. Verification that there have been no changes to key personnel within the Certificate Holder'/s organization that could affect the implementation of the quality assurance program as accepted by ASME.
5. A recommendation covering judgment by the AIA whether a need exists for an ASME audit at the new location.

The report, which should be in letter form on the AIA'/s company letterhead, shall be transmitted to the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org.

Yes.

Yes.

Applicants have the option of maintaining their QA program to the 2008 edition or later editions/addenda of NQA-1.

Yes, interim audits are performed twice during the three year period of a valid certificate.

No.

Yes.

No, when an AIA is expanding their scope within the same Part of ASME QAI-1 an audit does not have to be performed.

Yes.