An experienced welder who takes the necessary steps to become certified can earn a variety of welding qualifications, including sheet metal, pipeline, and structural steel. There are welding qualifications for nearly every aspect of welding, from a basic welder to a certified welding educator. Most welding qualifications require both a written test and a live welding demonstration, which is usually administered by a recognized authority in the field of welding.
Welding examinations are usually supervised by a recognized welding authority, such as the American Welding Society (AWS) in the United States. To become a certified welder, the welder must typically pass both a written test and a series of welding exercises to demonstrate his or her actual welding ability. Many welding qualification tests are timed to make them more difficult for the welder. X-ray, measured force required to break the weld, or pressure testing may be used to inspect the weld, depending on the type of weld.
Some welding credentials, such as that of a welder/fabricator, are primarily used by businesses that not only design but also weld products together. Customers can be confident that the product they’re buying is made by a reputable company that employs a high-quality production system. Qualifications for pipeline welding are usually based on the ability to weld a petroleum pipeline so that it will not burst under pressure or break due to bending or vibration. An X-ray of the weld is often included in this welding test to ensure that there are no gaps, hollow spots, or other flaws in the weld. There are also welding skills that are specific to stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron welding.
For the more experienced welders, qualifications in vertical welding, upside down welding, and even underwater welding are available. Certified welding engineers have undergone extensive training to ensure that the correct welding technique or weldment is used on any given application. This decision is frequently based on contract requirements, local or other types of codes, and other industry standards. A certified welding supervisor is another of the many welding credentials. This certification enables a welder to assess a company’s welding production and recommend ways to increase production while maintaining the quality and integrity of the welds.