Welder

Certification
This presentation was developed by the
Collaboration for Nondestructive Testing
Education to address one of the most
misunderstood subjects in
the field of welding:

Welder Certification
The following questions and others will
be addressed in this presentation.
• What is certification?
• Why is certification important?
• How does a welder get certified?
• How do codes relate to certification?
• When and where can a person get certified?
• When is recertification required?
• What can be welded after certification?
 What is Certification?
• Certification is a process of
providing written testimony
that an individual is qualified
to do certain work. In other
words, “Certification” is the
actual paperwork stating the
details of the qualification.

• The qualifications of an individual are based

on education, level of training, work
experience and a demonstration of welding
skills.
 Why Is Certification Needed?
• Welder certification is important
because welding personnel and their
employers must have a great deal of
confidence in the results of their work
since it often has safety and/or
significant financial consequences.
• The performance of bridges, buildings, pressure
vessels, aerospace components, etc. relying on sound
weld metal being deposited.

• Using certified welders should produce more consistent

quality welds. This along with nondestructive testing
and destructive testing help assure engineers that the
weld will perform as designed.
 Who Determines Whether
Certification is Required?
• A welding job must usually be performed in
accordance with a welding specification, code
or procedure. These documents specify what
certification is required.

• The employer is
responsible for
having welders
with the proper
certification
perform the work.
Welding Specifications, Codes and
Procedures
• Weld specifications, codes, and
procedures are documents that give
the parameters for a welding job.
• They address topics such as base
material, filler material, preheat, post heat,
interpass temperature, welding process,
position, joint detail, and post weld heat treat.
• Certification testing is performed in accordance
with a welding procedure so that there are
guidelines to follow.
 What Are Some Common
Welding Codes?
Some common welding codes that
welders can be certified to are:
– American Welding Society (AWS)
used for bridges and buildings.
– American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) used for high
pressure piping.
– American Petroleum Institute (API)
piping used for petroleum transmission
lines.
– Military Standards (Mil Std) used for
producing products for the military.
 How Do I Get Certified?
• Welding certification involves
providing proof of qualification.
This usually requires completing
a hands-on performance test
and sometimes a written test.

• The welder performance

qualification test determines a
person’s ability to deposit sound
weld metal with a certain process,
material, and technique.
 When and Where
Can I get Certified?
• Qualification tests can be taken
at independent test labs or at
the employer's facility.
• The test will be for a specific
application of the employer.
• The tests are usually taken when the welder
feels they are skilled enough to pass the test.
• The level of skill required to pass a qualification
test varies with the process.
 Is There More Than One Type
of Certification?
• There are many types of
certification to cover the
numerous materials, processes,
positions, filler materials, and
codes.
• There is not a single
qualification test a welder can
take that will qualify him/her for
every situation encountered.
 What Are Some of the
Variables Involved in Certification?
• The metal being welded may be mild steel,
stainless steel, copper, aluminum or other metal.
• The product form may be sheet, plate, pipe,
castings, etc.
• The metal may be welded in
the flat, horizontal, vertical or
overhead position.
• It may be welded with one of
many different processes.
 More on Variables
• If changing one of the variables requires
recertification, then it is known as an essential
variable.
• If there are several types of joints, positions
processes, and materials in a weldment, the welder
must qualify for each combination.
• A person is generally qualified only for one set of
variables at a time except that more difficult positions
also qualify for less difficult positions, and thicker
plates qualify for thinner plates.
• Examples:
– Qualification in the vertical and overhead positions
qualifies a welder for all other positions.
– Qualification for groove welds in one position qualifies
a welder for fillet welds in the same position.
 Joint Types
• There are many types of weld joints used, but
certification tests are usually done on one of a
few standard fillet or groove welds.
• The single vee groove is a very common joint.
If a certification test is taken on this type, it
usually qualifies the welder for all fillet welds.

A 3/8 thick single

vee groove test
plate with backing
bar commonly used
for AWS certification
tests.
Position and Weld Joint Notation
1 = Flat 2 = Horizontal
3 = Vertical 4 = Overhead
F = Fillet G = Groove

Examples:
2G = Groove weld in the
horizontal position
4F = Fillet weld in the
overhead position
 Pipe Positions
1G = pipe’s axis is
horizontal, pipe can be
rolled.
2G = pipe’s axis is
vertical, pipe is in a
fixed position.
5G = pipe’s axis
horizontal, pipe is in a
fixed position.
6G = pipe’s axis is at 45°
from vertical, pipe is in
a fixed position.
 What thickness
must be welded?
• The thickness of
material that must
be welded during
qualification
depends on the
governing code.

• An example from the AWS code is as follows:

– If the test plate is 3/8 inch thick, the range
qualified for is 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch.
 Electrodes
With manual shielded-arc
welding, qualification with
one electrode will also
qualify a welder to use
electrodes having the same
or lower group designation.

F1 F2 F3 F4 For example, if a welder

qualifies with an E6011
E6020 E6012 E6010 E7015
electrode, he/she would
E7024 E6013 E6011 E7016 also be qualified to use any
E7027 E7014 E7018 of the other F3, F2, or F1
E7028
electrodes listed.
 How are the
Weld Specimens Tested?
Some methods of testing weld qualification
specimens include: guided bend testing,
fillet weld break testing, macro etching and
radiographic testing.

NOTE: Additional testing requirements may apply.

 Guided Bend Test
• The guided bend test is used with the AWS,
ASME, and API codes. It can involve face
bends, side bends and root bends. It is a
destructive method of testing welds.
• Example Pass/Fail Criteria
The convex surface of the bend specimen
shall be visually examined and shall have no
discontinuity that exceeds 1/8 inch measured
in any direction on the surface.
This image shows 2 guided bend test
specimens that are acceptable.
This image shows a guided
bend test specimen that failed.
 The Fillet Weld Break Test
• The fillet weld break test is a destructive test
method where the specimen is bent over on
itself.
• Example Pass/Fail Criteria
The specimen shall pass the fillet weld break
test if it bends flat upon itself. If the fillet weld
fractures, the fractured surface shall show
complete fusion to the root of the joints. It
shall exhibit no inclusions or porosity larger
than 3/32 inch.
The Fillet Weld Break Test (cont.)

These images show a fillet weld that passed

the break test.
The Fillet Weld Break Test (cont.)

These images show a fillet weld that failed the

break test.
 Macro Etch Examination
• Macro etching
involves cutting the
sample through the
weld, polishing the
surface, and using an
etchant to examine
the penetration profile
and fusion of a weld.
 Radiographic Testing
• Radiographic (x-ray) testing is
a nondestructive testing
method. It uses penetrating
radiation to form a radiographic
image similar to dental and
medical x-rays.
• Example Pass/Fail Criteria
Welds shall have no cracks
and no fusion type discontinuity
that exceeds 1/8 inch for
material up to 3/8 inch thick.
 Radiographic Testing (cont.)
• For progressively thicker material the size of
discontinuity allowed generally gets
progressively larger.
• There are limitations on how close the
discontinuities can be to each other.

NOTE: Radiography cannot be used for examining

joints welded by the short circuit transfer mode in gas
metal arc welding. This lower amperage metal transfer
mode may have lack of fusion that radiography may
not show.
 How Long Is a
Certification Good For?
• The length of certification
varies with the code.
• The AWS code requires
requalification if a welder
doesn’t work with a process
for a period exceeding six
months. This requalification
requires welding a 3/8 inch
thick plate.
• Requalification is also
required if there is a specific
reason to question a welders
ability.
 What If a Welder Fails
the Test?
• The AWS code allows an
immediate retest that consists
of two test welds of each type
that were failed and all the
specimens must pass.
• Another option is to have the
welder complete more training
or practice. This option
requires a complete retest.
• Retesting requirements vary
with the code.
 Summary
• Certification is a process of providing written
testimony that an individual is qualified to do certain
work.
• Welder certification is an important part of the overall
quality process.
• Certification requirements are specified by the
standard, code or specification being used.
• The certification process usually requires completing
a hands-on qualification test and sometimes a written
test.
• Certification is specific to a particular set of variables
and often welders are require to have multiple
certifications.