Welding certfifications are hands-on tests to make sure welders are qualified to perform certain tasks. To be more specific, these tasks help certified welding inspectors figure out if either a machine or person can produce a weld that’s up the company’s code or an industry standard.
What are the benefits of earning a welding certification?
Earning a welding certification does yield a few benefits. Below is a list of benefits commonly associated with earning a welding certification.
Benefit #1 – You earn more
Data from the BLS or Bureau of Labor Statistics the lowest 10 percent of welders recieve $24,490 while the highest 10 percent of welders (with certifications) recieve a median pay of $55,240. Smack dab in the middle of that is the 50th percentile who earns $35,920 (this data is from May 2010). Since welders with certifications have demonstrated that they’ve attained a level of proficiency welding employers are more willing to pay them higher salaries.
Pay will also vary by the industry a welder is in. For example, pay is higher for welders who work in the spectator sports industry (the average earnings for welders in this industry $67,040). It’s also more competitive to work in these industries, with only .07 percent of welders being able to find jobs in these sectors. The industry with the most welders is the structural and architectural metals industry which has an average pay of $34,960.
Benefit #2 – You have access to more jobs
There is more opportunity to earn for welders who remain knowledgeable about new events in the welding industry as well as are certified. Aside from that, it’s pretty simple to transfer knowledge from one employer / state to another.
Benefit #3 – It doesn’t take an incredibly long time to earn a welding certification
It doesn’t take 4 years to get certified for welding. In fact, while you earn your certification (or work to earn your certification) you can learn on the job and earn money.
Benefit #4 – There is often work for welders with certifications
Earning a welding certification can boost your career and open you up to the possibility to earning more, leadership positions, as well as more advanced challenges. These are a commonly mentioned benefits of earning a welding certification. In fact, there are welding programs that offer 7-month long welding certification programs. It does however, vary with the type of welding certification test you’re taking. If you’re taking a 3G test it can take 6 weeks to 3 months to get your certification. If you’re taking a 3G/4G combo Shielded Metal Arc Welding test it will take 6 to 9 months for beginners. If you’re taking a 6G pipe test it will take anywhere from a year to a year and a half to learn how to weld.
Do you need a welding certification?
You do not necessarily need a welding certification as the only pre-requisites for welding jobs are that you have a GED and on-the-job training. You will need to have a welding certification to perform some jobs. You will also need to have an up-to-date welding certification from a certified welding school or organization.
While you can learn welding on the job (and many do) a welding certification simply acts as a tradesman verification that states that welders can perform the tasks necessary for a job.
Video credits to KingMetalsInc. Andy answers the question of whether it’s necessary to earn a welding certification or not.
How do you get a welding certification?
Earning your welding certification isn’t as challenging as you’d think. In fact, it can be broken down into 5 basic steps.
- Complete a welders training program at a local community college or vocational school.
- Obtain a copy of the procedures for your desired certification test.
- Practice for both your certification’s hands-on and written tests: It is not uncommon for your employer to require you to pass your written welding test (the same was driving tests are taken) before taking a hands-on welding test. Written examinations cover workmanship standards, safety protocols, as well as definitions.
Employers also require welders to complete hands-on tests to show their understanding of welding or show up-to-date welding certifications.
- Schedule your test.
- Take the test and get your certification on the spot: A welding test will typically look something like this.
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- You will be asked to weld metals given to you by the inspector in the desired welding position.
- Cut the metal according to the given instructions and prep them for some form of approved testing (a few types of testing are Bend test, Radio Graphic, or a visual exam of weld quality).
- Test the weld according to some given procedure. If they pass, you pass.
Video credits to Brent Harkness. It goes over how bend tests are analyzed and performed.
What welding certifications are offered by the AWS?
There are a number of welding certifications available through the American Welders Association. To be certified is to tell others that your skills have been approved by a major corporation or society – such as AWS. Listed below are 8 certifications offered by the AWS.
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Welding Educator
- Certified Radiographic Interpreter
- Certified Welding Supervisor
- Certified Welding Sales Representative
- Certified Welding Engineer
- Certified Welder
- Certified Robotic Arc Welder
How are welding certifications classified?
Welding certifications are classified by the process used, the position used to weld in, and the actual type of welding.
The welding process used
You can get a certification in a number of welding processes including, SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW. The AWS uses additional classification for other welding processes such as short-circuit GMAW, FCAW, SAW, and Brazing.
Position and Type
Other types of classification used to when welders earn classifications are the position and type. Position describes the placement of the pipe or metal plate the welder works on and includes vertical, horizontal, and overhead (for plate welds). For pipes, welders weld vertically, restricted, and 45-degree vertical. 2 of the most common types of welding used are fillet weld and groove weld. A combination of numbers and letters are used to describe the type of welding certifications.
Consumables (Filler Metal and Gasses) and Base Metal
Several different types of gasses are used by welders and each of these require the welder to recieve a different certification. A few examples of gasses that require certification are Argon/Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide. There are also certification classifications for filler metals and base metals used by welders. Base metals get classified according to the type of metal being welded, the yield strength, and the metal’s tensile strength.
What types of welding certification positions are there?
| Serial No. | Welding Certification Positions |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2G / 5G Combination Pipe Welding Certification |
| 2 | 6 GR Box-type Restriction Pipe Welding Certification |
| 3 | 6 GR Restricted Boiler Tubing Certification Position |
| 4 | 6 GR Restricting Ring-pipe Welding Certification |
| 5 | Pipe Welding Certification |
| 6 | Plate Welding Certification |
| 7 | Restricted Pipe Welding Certification |
Here’s a legend for the letters used in the table.
F: Fillet Weld
G: Groove Weld
Plate Welding Certification Positions Legend
1 means flat position
2 means horizontal position
3 means vertical position
4 means overhead position
Plate Welding Certification Positions Legend
1 means a pipe in the horizontal position that is also rolled
2 stands for a pipe in a fixed vertical position
5 stands for a pipe in the fixed horizontal position
6 stands for a pipe in the 45 degree fixed position
R stands for the restricted position
