The American Welding Society (AWS) has developed a program for certifying welders to national standards that are recognized by many industries. A welding certification lets employers know that you have successfully completed a practical test of your ability to perform one type of weld in accordance with industry standards.
The certification process was developed to determine the ability of welders to deposit sound welds in accordance with standardized requirements and to impose sufficient controls on the documentation of maintenance of certification to allow transfer between employers.
There is no single universal test to certify welders to all welding conditions. Welders may have to be certified in each process used (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, etc) and for each group of metals (mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc). Some tests restrict the thickness of metals that can be welded, as well as the welding position, and direction of travel. Tests can be done with or without backing, and with various joint designs.
Consult your company’s welding engineer, quality control engineer, or quality assurance manager for the proper test. If you are self-employed, please conduct research to ensure the certification matches the work you will be performing. Also consider other qualifications that may cover the positions you will be welding.
You may submit written acceptance criteria to the Facility Manager for use in evaluating your employee’s qualification test results. This must be submitted and approved before testing. The acceptance criteria will become a part of the Welder Test Record and will be submitted to the AWS.
The Qualifier will notify you immediately of your test results.
Welding Certification credentials are managed by the AWS via WeldCert Pro. Upon certification, a welder can access their certification credential via the WeldCert Pro portal by going to cw.aws.org.
Retesting rules follow D1.1, which states that a retest will be allowed if evidence is provided showing that the welder has had additional training or practice after the failed test. No immediate retests will be allowed.
Your certification period begins on the date of completion of the examination results and remains valid for a period of six months unless you submit a Maintenance Certification form. This can be done via WeldcerPro, at cw.aws.org
When a welder’s certification has expired, renewal of certification for each welding or joining process shall meet the requirements for a new applicant. (See AWS QC47)
The college offers a Welding Technology program.
- Nick Price - CWI, CWE,Davis Tech Lead Welding Instructor and Facility Manager
- Phone: 801-593-2435
- Email: Nick.Price@davistech.edu
- Oriahna Stockham, CWI, Quality Manager, DTC Welding Instructor
- Phone: 801-593-2286
- Email: Oriahna.Stockham@davistech.edu