Your Path to API Q1/Q2 Certification Excellence in Oil and Gas

Q: How long does it take to achieve certification?

Certification timelines vary depending on readiness, structure, and scope of operations. Most organizations complete the process within 4 to 9 months.

Q: Does Kerndell issue certification?

No. Certification is issued by API. Kerndell prepares companies to meet requirements and succeed in the audit.

Certification-readiness tailored to companies that strengthens the QMS, reduces risk, and ensures a smoother path to compliance.

Build a Stronger Future with API Q1

Supply chain integrity, safety, and reliability are under intense examination in the oil and gas industry. This scrutiny ensures that service providers and manufacturers maintain operational efficiency and adhere to the highest industry standards for quality control. API Q1 and Q2 certification provides that assurance.

At Kerndell, we specialise in helping companies prepare for API Q1/Q2 certification. Our readiness programs eliminate the guesswork, guiding you in building a compliant quality management system (QMS) tailored to your operations, while positioning your business for future growth.

What is API Q1?

API Q1 is the leading quality management standard for the oil and gas industry, developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). It builds upon ISO 9001, introducing more stringent requirements for risk management, supplier control, and ensuring safety and product reliability.

By achieving API Q1 certification, a manufacturer or supplier actively demonstrates its commitment to the highest quality and compliance standards in the oil and gas sector. Companies use this certification as a powerful tool to secure contracts with major operators.

What is API Q2?

API Q2 is a quality management standard developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), similar to API Q1, but specifically designed for service providers in the oil and gas industry. It builds the foundation of ISO 9001 and API Q1, incorporating additional requirements focused on risk management, service quality, and operational consistency during critical activities such as drilling, production, and maintenance.

API Q2 certification shows that a company can plan, control, and execute services safely and reliably, even in high-risk or remote environments. For oilfield service companies, it serves as a mark of operational excellence and trust, often making a significant difference when qualifying for projects with major operators and EPCs.

Why API Q1 Matters in Oil and Gas

For stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, such as service providers, equipment manufacturers, and contractors, API Q1/Q2 is more than a certificate. It is a license that tells the industry that a business is ready to compete.

Without it, a business faces limited opportunities, especially with larger operators and government contracts.

Here’s why API Q1/Q2 is essential for growing businesses;

Trusted by the industry: API Q1/Q2 is a globally recognised certification as the quality benchmark for oil and gas suppliers.
Demonstrates reliability: A business with this certification demonstrates its ability to deliver safe, consistent, and high-quality products or services.
Builds client confidence: Customers and partners are more receptive to companies with this certificate. They see API Q1/Q2 as proof that the company’s operations are mature.
Reduces risks: By obtaining an API Q1/Q2 certificate, companies follow standard processes that reduce the risk of errors, rework, and costly downtime.
Unlocks contracts: Many operators and OEMs require API Q1/Q2 as a condition for doing business. This unlocks contracts for smaller companies.
Strengthens competitiveness: Smaller companies can stand shoulder to shoulder with larger players.

Kerndell’s Approach to API Certification Readiness

Kerndell, we aim to simplify the path to API certification. With hands-on expertise in oil and gas operations, our specialists ensure your company is audit-ready and positioned for success.

Here’s how Kerndell prepares your business:

Our approach to QMS development and certification readiness is practical, collaborative and outcome-driven. We aim to ensure your team isn't overwhelmed by the process, creating systems that are not only compliant but also usable by your employees.

Assess and Plan: We start by conducting gap analyses and maturity assessments to understand your business's current state. From there, we develop a tailored roadmap to guide efficient QMS implementation or certification readiness.
QMS Development: Working closely with your team, we define key quality KPIs and tracking systems. We then create quality manuals, procedures, and process maps, while setting up document control and record-keeping systems.
Implement and Test: We put the roadmap into action by creating and documenting processes, training employees and ensuring operations are aligned with ISO/API standards. Internal audits, mock assessments, and corrective action verification are also part of this phase.
Certification Readiness: We facilitate mock audits and support corrective/preventive action (CAPA) management to close any remaining gaps. Our ongoing improvement support ensures your company continues to move forward.

Benefits of Partnering with Kerndell

Choosing Kerndell means partnering with a team deeply familiar with API Q1/Q2 and the oil and gas industry. We deliver practical, cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

Key benefits include:

Industry Expertise: We tailor your daily operations to meet the specific needs of the oil and gas sector.
Tailored Solutions: Our services are crafted to support companies aiming for practical, cost-effective API Q1 or Q2 certification.
Risk Reduction: By integrating compliance into your workflows, we help minimise the risk of incidents, penalties and downtime.
Competitive Advantage: Certification enhances your credibility with regulators, partners, and clients in an industry that values trust.
Efficiency Gains: We streamline your processes to eliminate waste and reduce costly delays, ensuring greater efficiency.
Future-Ready Operations: Our approach ensures your QMS is adaptable, supporting growth, new contracts and long-term success.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is API Q1?

API Q1 is the American Petroleum Institute’s standard for quality management systems in oil and gas equipment manufacturing.

2. What is API Q2?

API Q2 is the American Petroleum Institute’s standard for quality management systems for service providers in in oil and gas industry.

3. Who needs API certification?

While API certification is not mandatory, it is often a contractual or prequalification requirement from major oil and gas operators. Achieving certification demonstrates that your organization follows industry-recognized practices for quality, reliability, and risk control, giving you a competitive edge in global markets.

4. How long does it take to achieve certification?

Certification timelines vary depending on your company’s readiness, structure, and scope of operations. Most organizations complete the process within 4 to 9 months, moving through stages like gap analysis, implementation, internal audit, and final certification. Kerndell’s guided process and digital tools help many clients streamline certification and reduce overall time to completion.

5. Does Kerndell issue certification?

No. Certification is issued by API. At Kerndell, our team prepares your company to meet all requirements and succeed in the audit.

6. What size companies does Kerndell support?

Kerndell works with oil and gas companies of every size—from small service providers to large global operators. Our flexible, scalable solutions adapt to your organization’s needs, whether you’re establishing your first quality system or strengthening a mature compliance program.

7. Is API Q1 and Q2 different from ISO 9001?

Yes. While ISO 9001 is a general quality management standard, API Q1 adds oil and gas–specific requirements such as risk assessment, contingency planning, and service quality. Where Q2 takes it even further and adds requirements that focus on risk management, service quality, and operational consistency