Welder Certification—
Why is it important? How
do I get it?
Q:
Does WTTI offer "the
test" to become certified?
A: Often WTTI will
receive a call from an individual
or a company requesting
information about taking
"the test" to
become certified. Actually,
there is no such thing as
a single welder qualification
test to receive certification
for every job.
Instead, there are many
different codes and standards
that regulate welding. Each
one of these codes or standards
dictates the parameters
for depositing sound welds
using a specific metal,
technique and position;
each usually requires a
separate qualification test
and its own certification.
WTTI offers welder qualification
testing in accordance with
many of these codes and
standards.
Q:
How and when can I qualify
myself with a welder certification?
A: To receive certification
in one of these codes or
standards, a welder is required
to "qualify" their
work through a hands-on
demonstration of his/her
ability by actually performing
a weld according to the
specific parameters, and
then submitting the weld
to an Accredited Test Facility
(ATF). The ATF tests the
weld to determine whether
it meets the requirements
of that particular code
or standard. If the weld
passes, then the welder
receives written testimony,
called "certification,"
from the ATF to prove to
an employer that he/she
is "qualified"
to do certain jobs.
To be specific, the "certification"
is the actual paperwork
that states the details
of the welder's qualifications.
The certification is typically
presented to, and signed
by, an employer.
The level of skill required
to pass a qualification
test varies with the process.
If you are presently attending
our welding school, we offer
you the opportunity to perform
qualification testing for
a certification at the end
of your training program.
Ask you Instructor, or the
School Director, for more
information.
Q:
Where would I locate an
Accredited Test Facility
(ATF) to take a welder qualification
test?
A: WTTI is accredited
by the American Welding
Society (AWS) as a certified
ATF . This means our staff
and our lab operate in accordance
with the AWS QC4-89, Standard
for Accreditation of Test
Facilities for the AWS Certified
Welder Program. We offer
qualification testing to
individual welders and companies
through our Industrial Services
Division.
Q:
Why is welder certification
important?
A: When you receive
your certification(s), you
become a valuable asset
to your employer.
Certification is important
to employers, who must have
a great deal of confidence
in the welder's work since
it has significant safety
and financial consequences
for their company.
Customer's job requirements
usually indicate that work
must be done according to
a specification, code or
procedure. Employers are
responsible for having only
welders with the proper
certification(s) perform
on those jobs, otherwise
they would face greater
liability if something goes
wrong.
