A welding certification exam assesses a welder’s ability to make high-quality welds. These welds must adhere to a specific welding procedure set forth by industry norms.
A certified welding inspector conducts the test and must evaluate the welds to determine whether you have earned certification. Testing possibilities include visual inspection, bend testing, and other tests.
A certified welder program is open to everyone. There are no prerequisite courses for a certified welder test, and it is dependent on performance.
What are the various types of welding certifications?
There are a range of welding certification alternatives available depending on the type of job you wish to pursue. If you want to work as a professional welder, you should look at the employment criteria to see whether the type of certification is required.
Because AWS has 240 certification numbers, it’s critical to figure out which one you want. A welder’s ability to work with various metal thicknesses, welding processes, and welding positions is demonstrated by several certificates. Some welders have a range of credentials to prove their abilities.
A variety of companies provide certified welding training. The following are the three most important:
- The American Welding Society
- The American Society of Mechanical Engineer
- The American Petroleum Institute
For example, the American Welding Society (AWS) offers a Certified Welder Program (CWI), a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), a Certified Welding Educator, and a variety of other credentials. A complete set of certifications can be found on the AWS website. The most common type of welding certification is the AWS certified welder program.
Certified Welder Program
As part of the Certified Welder program, welders are assessed on their ability to perform welding techniques commonly used in the welding business. Welders are evaluated on their ability to perform a set of welds that is determined by the type of welding code they are applying for, and the test is based on performance.
1. Steel structural and plate welding certification
In commercial welding, the AWS D1.1 is the most extensively used welding code. Anyone who works with steel structures and welds them together should read this. You can see a complete list of AWS certified welder programs here.
The AWS D1.1 qualification’s level of competency is determined by a mix of letters and numbers. Consider the case below:
- 1 for horizontal placement
- 1 for the horizontal position; 2 for the vertical position; 3 for the vertical position; 4 1 for the horizontal position and 2 for the vertical position.
- 3 for vertical positioning
- You’ll need a total of four for the aforementioned position.
- Use the letter F to make a fillet weld.
- The letter G stands for a groove weld.
Horizontal groove welds with 2G, vertical groove welds with 3G, and so on can all be certified.
If you pass a groove test (the letter G), you’ll be certified for fillet welds right away (the letter F). You will not be certified in 4G welding if you are certified in 4F welding. As a result, it is recommended that the groove welding test be performed.
Similarly, if you’re trained in 4G welding, you’ll be trained in 3G, 2G, and 1G welding as well (and 4F, 3F, 2F, 1F).
If you qualify for 3F welding, you will also qualify for 2F and 1F welding, but not for 4F, 3G, 2G, or 1G welding.
The AWS MIG 3G certification is typically needed of welders in the commercial welding industry as confirmation of proficiency. A 3G or 4G welder may be specified in a job description.
2. Pipe welding certification
If you wish to be certified for pipe welding, you’ll need to follow a specific certification scheme, such as ASME Section IX. Pipe welding is more challenging and necessitates a greater number of numbers and letters to indicate proficiency.
- A pipe in a horizontally fixed place is denoted by the number 5.
- A pipe installed at a 45-degree angle is designated by the number 6.
- Restricted position is represented by the letter R.
Because it certifies that you can forge quality welds all the way around a static pipe, 6G welding is sometimes referred to as the “holy grail” of welding certifications.
How to get a welding certification?
To take the AWS Certified Welder exam, you must make an appointment with an AWS certified testing site.
Contact a testing facility to book a test. Make sure you’re on time and prepared for the exam.
You’ll have the option of paying a nominal fee to be added to the certified welder register after completing the test.
It is not required that you attend welding school to take the test. Welding school, on the other hand, will give you everything you need to pass the test. While learning by doing is less expensive, it takes significantly longer, and you won’t know what you’re doing wrong if you don’t have any assistance.
What does the welding certification exam?
Other welding certificates may involve a written test that includes practical knowledge and safety awareness, but the AWS Certified Welder test is a hands-on practical evaluation.
You’ll be needed to set up the welding equipment, select the materials, and perform the weld to QC7 standards during a hands-on practical exam.
Material type, the thickness of the base metal, welding position, welding process type, and other parameters are all investigated. To fill the joint with thicker base metal, more passes are required, increasing the difficulty. Your testing should be both visually appealing and structurally sound.
During the AWS D1.1 Welder Certification exam, you may be examined on a variety of positions, as seen in the image below.
What is the best way to get a welding certification?
Most of the welding schools we’ve listed offer welding certification. If you’re ready to take your welding certification exam, look for a list of AWS authorized test centers near you and arrange a test there.
What is the importance of welding certification?
Certification is a good approach to demonstrate that you can weld to a high standard right away. Because hardly every welder can pass, a certification is a badge of achievement.
Obtaining a welding certification will expand your job opportunities. You’ll have an immediate advantage over other welders who haven’t completed their certification when you acquire yours. Before you can start working in welding, you’ll need to have current certification or a lot of experience.
How much does it cost to get certified?
Welding certification might cost anywhere from $150 and £300. Certification costs vary based on where you receive your certification and what type of certification you seek. A basic 3G plate welding certification will cost $150, while a 6G pipe welding certification would cost $300. If you apply for a Certified Welding Inspector, it could cost you $1000. (CWI).
It could take anything from six to eighteen months to finish a welding school’s Welding Certification Program. This might cost anything from $3000 to $20,000, depending on the program.
How long will it take you to get certified?
The time it takes to become certified is usually separated into three parts: time spent learning new abilities, time spent taking the test, and time spent waiting for the results.
1. Educate yourself.
It will take far longer to study for a 6G pipe exam if you are a beginner welder than it will for a 3G pipe exam if you are a seasoned welder.
If you want to work as a professional welder, you’ll need to enroll in a welder training program at a vocational school. Training might take anywhere from four months to two years, depending on the subject.
2. Put your theory to the test
The exam will be conducted at a certified testing facility. You must demonstrate that you can deposit a sound weld that will be inspected appropriately. You can reschedule your appointment if you fail your test.
3. Certification
While you can find out if you passed the exam right away, you’ll have to wait for the results of the weld test to be processed before receiving your certificate. AWS can process and send out your certification in as little as six weeks.
Certification Renewal
After a specific amount of time, your welding certification will expire, and you will need to renew it. To take the AWS Certified Welder test, you must pay $10 every six months and submit a maintenance form confirming that you are still an active welder.
You will have to reapply for certification if you do not submit the maintenance form before your term expires. Each certification has its own set of requirements, so double-check that yours isn’t about to expire.
With 8 years of experience a senior welding instructor and safety equipment researcher and writes articles, reviews and guidelines on helmets and other welding and safety gears at Welder Choice, and other written works have been published in various publications.