A Summary of ASME Section VIII, Division 1 Appendix 47
Previous editions (2021 and 2023) of Section VIII, Division 1 of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code provided detailed requirements for pressure vessel designers in Mandatory Appendix 47. These included requirements pertaining to education, experience, and licensure for those performing various design tasks. However, with the 2025 Edition of the ASME Code, specific requirements for pressure vessel designers have been removed from Appendix 47. Instead, the ASME Code has stated that all design work shall be in accordance with the Manufacturer’s Quality Control System, and that requirements and qualifications are outside the scope of Appendix 47.
Appendix 47 in Section VIII, Division1 of the 2025 Edition of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Code requires that the minimum qualifications (and evidence of meeting the qualifications) for persons performing design work should be specified in the Manufacturer’s Quality Control System documents. The minimum qualifications for performing design work are left up to the Manufacturer’s discretion.
While specific requirements are no longer provided in Appendix 47, Section VIII, Division 2, Part 2 is referenced as an alternative to Appendix 47. Section VIII, Division 2, Part 2 specifies detailed qualification requirements for pressure vessel designers working on pressure vessels designed to Section VIII, Division 2.