No matter how much the world modernizes and new technologies impact our lives, there’s always a place for tried-and-true tools and methods that make these incredible developments possible. And one such technique that won’t be going anywhere in a hurry is welding.
Welding has been an important part of humanity for thousands of years. It is a common fabrication method for joining metals, plastics, and even glass. But what’s really exciting is that as the world keeps moving forward, so does the art of welding. How quickly is it growing? Well, in 2023, the global welding market was worth nearly $25 billion! What’s more, the market has an expected compound annual growth rate of 4.7% for the years to 2030.
As you can see, welding is going to be an important, and even valuable skill to have for many years to come. And with that in mind, a growing number of people are taking the plunge and becoming certified welders. So, if you want to join them, what do you need to know?
Well, that’s where this guide comes in. Over the course of this deep-diving article, we’ll cover all the facts on getting your welder qualification. If you want to learn more about everything from welding procedure specification documents to AWS and ISO standards and codes, then this is the guide for you. And if you’re looking for help with convincing replicas for your current qualifications, we’ll give you some great tips on making the most of our fake high school diploma maker and fake GED diploma maker solutions. These replicas are a great source of motivation to push you through to qualification, or act as a realistic replica to display in your home or office. They’re not to be used as substitutes for a real diploma.
That said, let’s jump right in!
Table of Contents
The Fundamentals of Welder Qualification Courses
If you’re thinking about embarking on a career as a welder, your first port of call is going to be getting all the credentials you’ll need to hone your skills and find work. But a welding qualification is more than just a piece of red tape. After all, we’re talking about a critical skill that plays a vital role in modern construction and manufacturing.
The welder certification you’ll need to achieve depends on the types of welding you want to learn and the industries you want to operate in. But whichever qualification you go for, they’ll all have similar core elements. That’s going to include lessons on controlling welding equipment, safety standards, and precision welding techniques.
To prove your know-how, you’ll go through some pretty rigorous testing, including theoretical exams and practical assessments. Exactly what you’ll need to demonstrate depends on the welding type you’re studying for. What’s more, these courses are constantly updated to stay on point with all the latest trends and developments.
If you’ve just got your college degree and you’re looking at jumping into the world of welding, you might be wondering how long it will take to get your welder qualification certificate. Well, it depends on the course you’re studying for, but “Welding Workforce Data” says the average time to complete a Welding Certificate at a Technical School or Community College is 6-18 months. Needless to say, these are pretty intensive courses, covering a lot of information in a fairly short space of time.
Now, that might sound like a lot of work. But the lessons and assessments you face on the road to achieving welder qualifications will ensure you’re a confident and effective welder. More importantly, it means the work of new welders is safe, secure, and consistent across various industries.
Types of Welding Qualifications
Whichever welder qualification you go for, there will likely be some common ground that you’ll cover. A recent article claimed that the American Welding Society’s D1.1 code is an absolute industry standard, so you’ll cover that no matter what course you take. There’s also a few techniques that are applicable to most different welding procedures, like destructive and non-destructive testing of weld samples. But that might be where the similarities end.
Within the art of welding, there’s several different types that are suitable for different scenarios and environments. Some of the most common include shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). As you’d probably expect, you’ll need to take different courses for each of these different fields. But the choices go much deeper than this.
There’s different courses and welder qualification tests for different weld procedures. So, if you intend to work with MIG or TIG welding, you’ll want a course that focuses on relevant skills, such as welding thin aluminum sheets in multiple positions. These courses will also pay more attention to specific weld testing techniques, like radiographic inspections.
Similarly, you might find courses for welding with different materials, like stainless steel or aluminum. What’s more, there’s even specialist courses for welding in different positions, like overhead welding and pipe welding.
Importance of Welder Qualification Courses
Now, if you already have some hands-on welding experience, especially if you’ve worked in the role previously, you might ask, “Do I really need an up-to-date welder certificate of qualification?” In one word, yes!
You see, weld qualifications aren’t just a piece of paper. They represent hundreds of hours of learning, practice, and assessments, all of which are vital if you’re serious about a career in the industry. But even more than that, having a current welding procedure qualification is more often than not a legal requirement. A number of industry standards, including AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, and ISO 9606, require the work of a qualified welder. Simply put, if you want to work in construction, aerospace, or pressure vessel manufacturing, you’re going to need the right credentials.
Then, of course, there’s the matter of staying current. Times change, and so do equipment, safety procedures, and techniques. But with the right welding certifications, you can make sure you’re well aware of all the current standards – and fill in any skill gaps too.
Finally, it’s worth considering finances. It won’t be surprising to learn, but a “Welding Workforce Data” report recently indicated that the national median salary can significantly vary for various welding careers. With that in mind, isn’t it worth making sure you have all the qualifications you’ll need to apply for higher-paying roles?
Key Components of Welder Qualifications
If you’re fresh out of college, you might be expecting your welding education to also be entirely classroom-based. In truth, practical learning is at least as important as theory work. As such, you can expect your welder qualification tests to include plenty of hands-on action, assessing your ability to produce sound welds in different circumstances.
In fact, your welding qualification likely won’t all come down to one single exam. At the end of your course, you’ll be looking at a welder qualification test record that contains a healthy mix of practical tests, theoretical exams, and safety courses. Let’s take a quick look at the core elements you’re likely to encounter:
Component
Description
Evaluation Method
Practical Test
Hands-on welding of test specimens
Visual inspection, destructive testing
Theoretical Exam
Assessment of welding knowledge
Written or oral examination
Safety Awareness
Understanding of welding safety protocols
Observation during practical test, safety quiz
Documentation Review
Verification of training and experience
Review of certificates and work history
Practical Welding Tests
As you work toward securing your welder test certificate, you’ll cover off a few practical examinations along the way. In these assessments, you’ll need to produce a number of welds using specific materials and processes, and even in different positions.
To pass your welder qualification test, your handiwork will need to stand up to some pretty significant scrutiny. Using visual inspection, non-destructive, and even destructive testing, your examiner will be looking for evidence of consistent weld quality across multiple specimens. They’ll also check that your work meets strict quality requirements.
If, for instance, you’re completing a typical ASME Section IX qualification test, you might be asked to produce a 6G position pipe weld using the SMAW process. Your examiner will then cast a keen eye over your completed weld, including a visual inspection, radiographic testing, and bend tests to check its integrity.
Theoretical Knowledge Assessment
With the weld procedures out of the way, there’s the small matter of theoretical exams to tackle. At this stage, you’ll need to show off all your understanding of welding principles, safety procedures, and the relevant codes and industry standards.
The theory portion of your welding procedure qualification could include a mix of written and oral testing. As such, it won’t be enough to simply memorize and recite facts. You’ll need to be able to prove that you fully understand the material.
Speaking of material, what exactly can you expect to encounter here? Again, it largely depends on the course you’re completing. That said, you’re likely to cover topics like welding metallurgy, joint design, welding symbol interpretation, and welding parameters and their effect on weld quality.
Welder Qualification Standards and Codes
As you work through your training course, you’ll soon realize that it’s not all just about perfecting welding procedures. It might not be as exciting as getting to try out different techniques for yourself, but learning all the critical standards and codes really is every bit as important. It doesn’t matter which welding certifications you’re studying for. All courses will spend a decent amount of time covering these topics.
Remember when we said welding is a multi-billion dollar industry? That’s exactly why there’s so many codes and standards to follow – and exactly why they’re so important. With such a large number of projects taking place across different industries and locations, consistency is super important. And a solid set of governing rules makes it that little bit easier to ensure all budding welders are taught to the same standard in different industries, cities, and even countries. But what are these standards, and which organizations set them? Let’s take a closer look.
Standard
Focus Area
Key Features
AWS D1.1
Structural Steel
Prequalified WPS, Visual Inspection Requirements
ASME Section IX
Pressure Vessels and Piping
Performance Qualification Tests, Continuity Requirements
ISO 9606
Fusion Welding
Material-specific Parts, International Recognition
API 1104
Pipeline Welding
Specialized Tests for Pipeline Applications
AWS Standards
If you’re working towards attaining your weld certification in the USA or Canada, the standards set by the American Welding Society (AWS) are going to be your biggest focus. The AWS is the hallmark of North American welding qualification procedures. Covering everything from documentation to the specifics of welding tests, they play a huge role in developing and updating course materials and qualification standards.
Whichever certification of welder’s procedures you hope to attain, the AWS standards will form a key part of your studies. No matter if you’re hoping for a career in aerospace or construction, or even if you plan to work with specific materials or processes, there’s a set of AWS standards that will apply to your work. Take structural steel welding, for example. If you want to make roads in this industry, AWS D1.1 is going to be the standard that determines your study load. So, you can expect to tackle things like demonstrating proficiency in FCAW-G welding of one-inch-thick steel plates in multiple positions. Then, of course, there will be the expected visual inspections and bend tests to sign off on your handiwork.
ISO Standards
In addition to the North American governing body, there’s another organization that looks at welding from a global perspective – the Internal Organization for Standardization (ISO). Setting welding qualification standards around the world, the ISO provides vital consistency between countries. Their standards are roughly in line with those set by the AWS. But if you expect your welding work to take you beyond North American borders, you’ll need to take the time to learn the specifics of the ISO standards. It’s especially important to check out any standards that could apply to you if you want to dedicate yourself to a specific qualified welding procedure. The ISO 9606 series, for instance, is especially important for those looking to get into fusion welding.
Just like the AWS, the ISO prioritizes the importance of correct documentation and maintaining welder qualifications over time. Given their stringent, multi-industry basis, these standards are the gold standard in many countries.
Industry-Specific Standards
A lot of the material in your welding qualification will fall under the remit of either the AWS or the ISO. But there are exceptions. In most cases, that will be if you’re aiming to work in a highly specialized industry with its own set of unique demands and challenges. And if that’s the case, you’ll need to spend extra time learning all about the standards that apply to your chosen profession.
Where might this be the case? Well, try to think about any industry that has to contend with difficult engineering challenges, high safety standards, or difficult environments. Aerospace welders often need to work with exotic materials and precision welding. Similarly, if you want to work in the nuclear industry, you can expect to face particularly strict weld testing to make sure your work meets the super high safety standards.
And how about the oil industry? Welding in offshore locations, and even underwater, can present a real challenge, and one that demands a different approach to more standard welding jobs.
The Welder Qualification Process
We’ve covered the fundamentals of what your welding qualification will involve. But what’s the process of actually studying – and, more importantly, passing – your course? Like any other form of education, preparation is key.
There’s multiple stages that you’ll need to work through during your studies. So, you’ll need to brush up on practical skills, boost your theoretical knowledge, and ace a few exams along the way. But at the end of it all, the reward for all your hard work will be a welder qualification that serves as a gateway to employment in a challenging but exciting industry.
Preparing for Your Welder Qualification Course
You wouldn’t walk into a university final exam without having done some serious studying and prep work, and your welding procedure qualification is no different. Any comprehensive training program is going to include all manner of practical tests and a large amount of theoretical exams covering things like codes and standards.
Now, you don’t need to go into your studies completely blindfolded. Resources like the CWB Groups’ CSA W47.1 S Classification Handbook and the American Welding Society’s service of Welding Handbooks offer valuable resources to help welding students prepare for their qualification. But other than that, you can boost your chances of success by employing the same learning aids used by students of all kinds of courses:
Training and Practice
Look for additional training programs that will allow you to get more hands-on welding experience. But whichever course you’re studying for, try to get in as much practice as you can.
If you’re preparing for an AWS D1.1 qualification, don’t just try the same old welds on one-inch-thick steel plates. Try welding in both 3G and 4G positions. Focus on things like travel speed, electrode angle, and perfecting the consistency of your bead. After all, the more comfortable you are performing different welding procedure techniques, the better you’ll perform when you’re under the spotlight during your practical welder qualification test.
Familiarization with Relevant Standards
As we’ve already mentioned, a large part of modern welding qualifications involves brushing up on all the relevant codes and standards. It might not be anywhere near as fun as actually welding. But if you can’t demonstrate knowledge of all the rules and regulations, you won’t be able to pass your course.
The subject matter might be a little different from what you’ve studied previously, but we’ve all crammed facts and figures at some point. Just remember the training aids you used to obtain your GED certificate and try to apply those same tools here.
Mock Tests and Assessments
Exam anxiety is a real thing. You can know the material like the back of your hand, but come the big day, nerves can easily get the better of you. Now, it’s hard to replicate the real thing. But with mock tests and assessments, you can put yourself through a pretty realistic recreation of your upcoming exams.
A mock test can help to simulate things like time constraints, giving you invaluable experience of what’s to come. What’s more, the feedback you get from your instructors during your mock tests can be super useful to help pick up on any gaps in your knowledge or practical weaknesses. And if you can see signs of improvement in follow-up mocks, it can be a huge confidence booster, helping to dispel some of those jitters before you tackle the real thing.
The Welder Qualification Test
Once you’ve worked through the course material and prepped yourself, it’s time to wrap things up with your welder qualification test. Unlike weld procedure qualifications, which scrutinize your actual work, this test is all about you and everything you’ve learned so far.
There’s no denying it: you’ll face some pretty big challenges. Of course, you’ll need to best the customary theoretical exam, which will typically be a classroom-based test that proves your knowledge of metallurgy, the mechanics of welding procedures, safety procedures, and all the relevant codes and standards.
Once you’re through with that, there’s going to be a practical assessment that’s set up to simulate a real-world scenario as closely as possible. So, let’s spend some time exploring exactly what you should expect here.
Test Setup and Materials
On arrival for your practical assessment, you’ll find a carefully created scenario designed by your examiner to test your knowledge of welding procedures and standards. This scenario will mimic a real-life environment, so be prepared for anything! Your examiner will provide all the materials and equipment you’ll need to get the job done, but bear in mind you might need to bring your own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
You’ll typically work with a standardized material, so expect to be handling something like steel, aluminum, or another metal. However, that, of course, depends on the qualification you’re working towards. What’s more, your examiner might set up your test to tackle a variety of joint configurations and welding positions, assessing your abilities and versatility.
Welding Performance Test
Once your test begins, you’ll need to perform various weld procedures within a set time limit. The welds and time limit you’ll face depend on which welder procedure qualification you’re trying to attain. If you’re working toward an AWS D1.1 qualification, for instance, you might need to complete a 3G (vertical) and 4G (overhead) test on one-inch-thick steel plates within three hours.
Your examiner will cast their eyes over your finished work after completing your assessment, but that isn’t the only thing they’ll be looking out for. While you work, they’ll be checking out your technique, safety procedures, and adherence to standards. Finally, if they’re satisfied with your work so far, they’ll move on to the final step before awarding your welder certificate of qualification.
Weld Specimen Evaluation
After completing your welds, it’s time for the final inspection. Your examiner will put your work under some heavy scrutiny, including visual inspection, non-destructive testing, and maybe even destructive testing. The ultimate goal is to prove your work meets all the required standards.
The testing process can be quite time-consuming, but it’s no less than is needed to prove your work is safe and sound. Starting with visual tests, your examiner will check things like weld bead appearance and size, scanning for any visible defects. Moving on to non-destructive testing, they might employ measures such as radiographic and ultrasonic testing to evaluate the internal quality of your weld. Finally, if destructive testing is called for, your examiner might use bend tests or tensile tests to prove the mechanical strength and integrity of your welds.
Evaluation Method
Purpose
Typical Criteria
Visual Inspection
Surface quality assessment
Bead appearance, size, visible defects
Radiographic Testing
Internal defect detection
Porosity, inclusions, lack of fusion
Bend Test
Ductility and soundness
No open discontinuities exceeding 1/8 inch
Tensile Test
Strength evaluation
Meet or exceed base metal strength
Post-Test Procedures and Certification
With the hard work out of the way, it’s time for your examiner to wrap everything up. They’ll take time to properly evaluate your test results against the governing body’s acceptance criteria. Then, they’ll need to document the results before issuing your paperwork.
Before issuing your welder certificate, your examiner’s first step will be to fully analyze your work. So, they’ll check over the quality of your welding procedure and mark your theory exams to get a complete picture of your performance.
Next up, documentation. Whether your welder certification falls under the remit of the AWS or the ISO, examiners must carefully document all tests. Naturally, that includes information like your identity, the test date, the welding procedure you performed, and your results, but it goes deeper than that. They might also need to provide details such as photos and sketches of your welds, along with any relevant non-destructive testing reports.
If your work is of acceptable quality and up to code, then congratulations are in order – you’ll now receive your welder qualification certificate! This certificate is your proof of being a qualified welder. As such, it’ll lay out exactly what work you’re qualified to perform, and the materials you can use and the positions you can weld in. As you can see, these certificates are highly personalized according to your research. A welder who has completed an AWS D1.1 qualification might receive a certificate that states something like: “Qualified for FCAW-G, 1” steel plate, all positions (1G, 2G, 3G, 4G), with a validity period of two years subject to continuity requirements.”
Remember, this paperwork is your key to unlocking jobs in the welding industry. So, take steps to preserve and manage your certificate!
Maintaining and Updating Welder Qualifications
Once you’ve got your welder qualification, that’s the end of your learning, right? Well, not quite. The industry doesn’t stand still, with new developments and techniques coming out all the time. And given the important safety considerations that your work could often involve, welders need to regularly update their welding certifications to stay qualified.
So, what do you need to know about maintaining and updating your qualifications? Let’s take a quick look.
Continuity Requirements
In many cases, welders will need to prove their continued skills and adherence to proper standards and codes. To do so, they might need to regularly perform and document qualifying welds at regular intervals. These can then be examined and signed off on by a supervisor or quality control personnel, who will confirm their continued qualification as a welder.
How often welders need to perform and document qualifying welds depends on their specific certification and governing welding code. But typically, it could be as frequently as every six months. If they don’t do so, their welding qualification might expire. And that means they’ll need to retake a training course to requalify.
To avoid that happening, it can be helpful to implement a Continuity Maintenance Checklist like this:
[ ] Check your qualification certificate for continuity requirements
[ ] Schedule and perform qualified welds at the required intervals
[ ] Document all continuity welds, noting the date, process, and materials used
[ ] Have a supervisor or quality control personnel verify and sign off on continuity welds
[ ] Keep organized records of all continuity activities
[ ] Set reminders for upcoming continuity deadlines
Requalification Procedures
Unfortunately, there might be times when you need to take another welder qualification test to requalify as a certified welder. It could be because you haven’t kept up with your continuity welds, or maybe you’re going to start using new welding procedures or materials, maybe in a new job role. It might even be that you’re expanding your horizons, gaining new skills and qualifications to open up new opportunities. Whatever the case, you’ll find that requalifying requirements are similar to your initial qualification, if not a little streamlined.
Again, the requirements of your requalification will depend entirely on the procedures and materials you use and the industry you work in. But once you’ve successfully requalified, you’ll be issued a new or updated weld certification that’ll allow you to continue your work.
Welding Procedure Qualification
Aside from keeping up to date with your qualifying welds, there’s plenty of paperwork that qualified welders will need to pay attention to in every job they undertake. At the start of every project, welders will need to use a welding procedure qualification. Essentially, this certifies that the weld procedure they’re going to use is suitable for the task at hand, demonstrating weld quality, consistency, and safety.
But there’s more to this paperwork than simply stating that they’re using a qualified welding procedure. Sticking to qualified procedures could be a contractual or regulatory requirement – and failure to follow professional standards and documentation might leave a welder needing to requalify. So let’s look at some steps welders must take.
Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
Welders can’t simply state which procedure they’re going to use. They need to provide evidence to show why that particular procedure is right for the job. To do so, they’ll need to complete a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS). The WPS includes all the details on what goes into a particular procedure. That could include things like base materials used, filler metal, the welding process, preheat and interpass temperatures, and much more. With this data, welders can prove that the welding procedure they’re going to perform meets the required standards, is at minimal risk of defects, and complies with industry standards.
Experienced welding engineers or other qualified personnel normally complete WPS documents. But before anything goes ahead, they’ll need to perform a test using the parameters they’ve laid out in the WPS. That means creating a welding coupon – a small sample piece of metal, usually a pipe or plate, where the weld procedure can be performed and subjected to destructive testing.
As you might expect, a WPS is a highly detailed document, typically including the following data:
- WPS Number
- Welding Process
- Base Material
- Filler Metal
- Joint Design
- Position
- Preheat Temperature
- Interpass Temperature
- Electrical Characteristics
- Technique
- Post-Weld Heat Treatment
- Shielding Gas
Alongside the Welding Procedure Specification, there’s the Procedure Qualification Record (PCR). This document records the actual testing that a welding engineer carried out on their welding coupon, along with all the results. The ultimate goal is to provide evidence that the welding procedure outlined in the WPS is the right choice for the situation at hand.
A PQR’s test results can be fairly detailed. It will include the data from all testing performed by the welding engineers, which could include any number of visual, non-destructive, and destructive tests of weld procedures. However, one PQR can support multiple WPSs – so long as the key variables are all within any specified ranges.
Final Thoughts
If a welding career sounds like an exciting prospect that you’d like to explore, then you certainly have a lot ahead of you. But despite all the theoretical know-how, hands-on experience, and qualification maintenance that you’ll need to achieve, you’ll be rewarded with an incredibly rewarding yet challenging career. What’s more, with the right welding qualification, you’ll unlock a whole world of opportunities in multiple industries.
As in most modern industries and professions, continuous development is key. So, remember to make the most of training opportunities and additional qualifications to seek out the very best (and highest-paid) roles. But what if you’ve secured a valuable qualification and misplaced your diploma or transcript along the way? That’s where ValidGrad comes in.
We’re here to help you obtain realistic replica documents that work great for display purposes or for keeping in your personal records. That way, you can keep your valuable certificates safely stored and away from harm.
But remember, a replica certificate from ValidGrad shouldn’t be a substitute for an official qualification. Credentials are super important, but for a prosperous welding career, you’ll definitely need the skills and knowledge that you can only get from a comprehensive welding qualification.