If you are ready to embark on a one-of-a-kind career as a professional welder, you should consider obtaining welding certifications.
Consider this as a way of investing in your future and positioning yourself to be ready for opportunities and life in general as a success. Welders will always be needed as long as we continue to make things.
Basically, welding is a fabrication process in which two or more parts are fused together using heat, pressure, or both, resulting in a join as the parts cool. Welding is typically performed on metals and thermoplastics, but it can also be performed on wood.
The finished welded joint is known as a weldment. Some materials necessitate the application of specific processes and techniques. Several are deemed ‘unwieldable,’ a term not commonly found in dictionaries but useful and descriptive in engineering.
Parent material is a material that holds the parts together. Filler or consumable refers to the material used to help form the join. These materials may be referred to as parent plate or pipe, filler wire, consumable electrode, and so on depending on their form. To stand out in this career field, the best step to take is to get a welding certification.
Table of contents
- What Are Welding Certifications?
- Why get a Welding Certification?
- How Many Welding Certifications Are There?
- How Long Are Welding Certifications?
- Can You Get Multiple Welding Certifications?
- What are the Basics of a Welding Certification?
- Where are Welding Certifications Done?
- What Skills are needed for a Welding Certification?
- How Much Does A Certified Welder Make?
- What Are the Different Types of Welding Certifications?
- Top 10 Welding Certifications in the World
- 1. Certified Welder Program
- 2. Certified Associate Welding Inspector
- 3. Certified Welding Inspector
- 4. Senior Certified Welding Inspector
- 5. Certified Resistance Welding Technician
- 6. Certified Radiographic Interpreter
- 7. Certified Welding Supervisor
- 8. Certified welding Sales Representative
- 9. Certified Welding Engineer
- 10. Certified Robotic ARC Welding
- A Step by Step Guide On How to Get a Welding Certification
- FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Conclusion
- References
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What Are Welding Certifications?
Welding certifications are a hands-on welder qualification test administered by a welding inspector to determine if you are capable of producing a high-quality weld or a welding procedure that is required of you in your specific field.
A welder certification would put you to the test on welding procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery industries.
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Why get a Welding Certification?
There are a variety of reasons why you should get a welding certification. The six (6) reasons that easily come to mind are-
- Employers prefer applicants who have prior welding experience.
- More education may result in higher pay.
- Welding school teaches the fundamentals of welding.
- It creates opportunities for networking.
- After graduation, you can take advantage of career services.
- It prepares you to face life as a welder head on.
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How Many Welding Certifications Are There?
There are a lot of welding certifications that you can choose from. There are eighteen (18) popular welding certifications, with a few more on the sideline.
This just gives you a whole lot of options to choose from.
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How Long Are Welding Certifications?
The duration would be determined by the type of test you wish to take. A beginner’s #G test can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months to complete.
A 3 and 4G Combo SMAW certification test, on the other hand, would take a beginner anywhere from 6 to 9 months.
If you have a lot of experience and practice as a welder, the certification process will be easier for you, which will save you time.
The sooner you pass your certification exam, the sooner you can start working as a certified welder. The more thoroughly you prepare, the more likely you are to pass your test on the first try.
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Can You Get Multiple Welding Certifications?
Absolutely. So far you have the zeal and dedication to keep pushing, you can get as many welding certifications as can be.
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What are the Basics of a Welding Certification?
In contrast to many other certifications, most welder certifications can be obtained in less than a month.
The tests differ in terms of position, welding process, and type of welding inspection to be used. The fundamentals of obtaining a welding certification are as follows:
- be required to weld the metals provided by the welding inspector in the position specified in the test by following the welder inspector’s instructions.
- You would be required to cut the welded metal according to the instructions and prepare it for a bend test or some other form of approved testing that the welding inspector would provide you with.
- You would be required to test the materials that had been welded in accordance with the procedure.
Passing the Test
If you pass these tests, you will be considered to have obtained your welding certification. The testing can range from a bend test to a radiographic (X-ray) examination to a simple visual inspection of the quality. Most certifications also include a position test. Positions like these are evaluated on-the-job.
- Flat position- This is where you stand or sit at a table and weld a joint while looking down on it.
- Horizontal welding- Welding a joint from left to right (or right to left) as you look across from it.
- The weld joint faces you vertically as you look straight at it in this welding position. In this position, you can weld the joint from the bottom to the top, which is the most common, or from the top downward.
- Overhead welding position- This welding position entails welding while looking up at the work piece, moving from left to right or right to left.
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Where are Welding Certifications Done?
Welding certifications are typically obtained in the workplace or at a welding school. It is possible to have them done privately, but this is to your disadvantage because they are very expensive and there is no guarantee that you will pass even after spending that much money.
What Skills are needed for a Welding Certification?
- Math skills
- Physical strength
- Stamina
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork skills
- Adaptability
- Commitment to safety
- Reliability
- Commitment to learning.
- Determination.
How Much Does A Certified Welder Make?
The median annual salary for certified welders is around $41,000, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, because the government lumps all welders in with cutters, solderers, and brazers, that figure is somewhat skewed.
Salary data for certified welders generally shows a slightly higher figure of $45,000 per year. According to Glassdoor, the median annual salary is $39,000.
What Are the Different Types of Welding Certifications?
- Certified Welder Program
- Pipe Welding Certification
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Resistance Welding Technician
- Certified Radiographic Interpreter
- 3G MIG Welding Certification
- Certified welding Sales Representative
- Certified Welding Engineer
- CWI by IIW Diploma
- CWI by Reciprocity
- Certified Robotic ARC Welding
- Plate Welding Certification
- Certified Welding Supervisor
- AWS D1.1 3G and 4G SMAW combo
- Certification in Welding Technology
- Certified Welding Educator
Top 10 Welding Certifications in the World
1. Certified Welder Program
The Certified Welder program is a performance-based program that does not require any prerequisite courses or certifications. Final certification will provide you with transferrable credentials that you can use anywhere.
The Certified Welder (CW) program assesses your knowledge of welding procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery industries. There is an option to test according to a company-supplied or non-code welding specification.
Certified Welder (CW) tests are administered at AWS Accredited Testing Facilities around the world.
2. Certified Associate Welding Inspector
This certification was created by professionals who wanted to work in the field of inspection.
Becoming a certified associate welding inspector demonstrates to potential employers that you are dedicated and serious about your career. It also demonstrates that you are prepared to do whatever is required for the upcoming jib.
As a certified associate welding inspector, you will gain hands-on inspection experience while working alongside senior certified welding inspectors and certified welding inspectors.
3. Certified Welding Inspector
The importance of certified welding inspectors cannot be overstated. A certified welding inspector ensures weld quality in the oil and gas, transportation, aerospace and construction, government contracting, and other industries, which is critical to the safety and quality of daily life.
This Certified Welding Inspector program credential is one of the welding industry’s most respected seals of approval, and those who pass the test are highly regarded and sought-after throughout the welding industry for their demonstrated knowledge, skill, and ability in examining weldments, problem solving, and determining corrective action.
This certification is both rewarding and financially rewarding.
4. Senior Certified Welding Inspector
A senior certified welding inspector is essential. It is critical to have one in any organization where things are built.
Typically, as their careers progress, their roles expand to include managerial and mentorship responsibilities, to name a few.
If you are very dedicated to your job, you may be able to start your own inspection business sooner rather than later.
The Senior Certified Welder Inspector certification program is intended for welders who have had prior experience with welding inspection and have gained a deeper, more detailed understanding of advanced NDE, quality systems, and procedure qualifications.
5. Certified Resistance Welding Technician
This is a highly competitive, high-production program that necessitates the expertise of well-trained technicians to keep a close eye on current events.
Resistance welding technicians must be highly skilled in order to operate and maintain expensive and valuable equipment.
The American Welding Society (AWS) and the Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance (RWMA) collaborated on the Certified Resistance Welding Technician program, which essentially establishes a new standard for the qualification of resistance welding personnel and distinguishes the qualified from the untested.
The AWS offers this certification after some education and training in the welding field.
6. Certified Radiographic Interpreter
A Certified Radiographic Interpreter is in charge of reading and interpreting welding-related indications on radiographic film and related media. You must be very familiar with the welding and casting processes as a Radiographic Interpreter.
This would allow you to view and evaluate weld radiographs, then translate the results against the applicable standards, codes, specifications, or procedures for a project in the long run.
7. Certified Welding Supervisor
In general, a Certified Welding Supervisor is the eyes, ears, and conscience of any welding operation. He is meticulous in his attention to detail and is well-versed in the ins and outs of the environment in which he works.
After becoming certified, you must have and apply a broad range of knowledge, including welding safety, supervision, planning, fabrication, inspection, documentation, and economics.
Certified Welding Supervisors understand the factors that influence quality and performance, as well as how monitoring welders can cause increased productivity and improved weld quality with less material waste, all while ensuring safety and maintaining acceptable levels of risk. Their position is critical.
8. Certified welding Sales Representative
They must prepare you for the challenges that come with obtaining a welding certification as a sales representative. As a welding sales representative, you would act as a liaison between manufacturers, distributors, and customers.
Welding Sales Representatives are relationship builders and nurturers who connect and network with others while serving as a resource for their clients.
They disseminate information about new technologies that can boost the productivity, dependability, and quality of welding processes.
The AWS also offers this certification after some education and training in the welding field.
9. Certified Welding Engineer
They would consider you to have shown your skills for preparing or reviewing written instructions for the production of welded joints if you only got an AWS Certified Welding Engineer certification.
They would train you to be well-versed in a variety of codes, specifications, standards, and other aspects of fabrication and assembly.
You could also work with management representatives, inspection personnel, welders, and support crafts, understand the integrated role of each in the development of weldments, and be prepared to produce reports that accurately reflect professional judgment.
10. Certified Robotic ARC Welding
This AWS Certification Program for Robotic Arc Welding – Operators and Technicians enables many welding personnel working in various welding sectors to assess themselves against occupational standards.
It also indicates that the Certified Robotic Arc Welding Operator has proven his or her ability to work with a variety of codes, standards, and specifications.
Because proof of active practice or re-examination is required every three years, certification also indicates that the CRAW Operator or Technician is up to date on welding industry trends.
A Step by Step Guide On How to Get a Welding Certification
- Make sure you’re ready to be a welder—regardless of your experience—make sure you want to take the next step in your career. You must be physically fit in order to perform these duties with the necessary strength and stamina. You must also have work experience.
- Meet the requirements- In order to obtain a welding certification without difficulty, you must have prior experience in the field of welding.
- Apply for a welding certification- There are many different welding certifications available. Look through them and choose the one that most appeals to you. Have your own reasons for selecting whoever you do. Each welding certification serves a distinct purpose.
- Prepare for the welding certification- It would be disastrous if you went for the certification and failed. This certification will open up a plethora of new opportunities for you. Make sure you do everything you can to prepare so that you can pass.
- Begin your career as a certified welder- Now that you have the certification, you can begin your career as a certified welder.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The highest level of certification available to welding professionals is the Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS). CWS certification is recommended for those in managerial positions in the field.
Overall, four main welding certifications are based on the welding process, eight different welding certifications are based on welding positions, and at least nine different welding certifications are based on experience and training. Certifications, on the other hand, can be developed for specific situations and businesses.
Rig welders are among the highest-paid welders, earning an average of $77,000 per year, but they frequently work long hours in difficult conditions.
Because welding certifications expire every six months for most codes and three months for others, timely submission of maintenance forms and continuity records is critical to avoid costly re-testing for certification.
Attending a technical school and earning a welding certificate is the quickest way to become a welder. This program is designed to teach you everything you need to know to start a career in welding in a year or less.
Conclusion
Working with metal is a thrilling and empowering experience. Welders are able to transform some of the world’s strongest materials into the shapes and products they envision as the sparks fly and the heat rises. This skill takes time and practice to master, and it is best learned with the help and guidance of industry professionals.
With a wealth of experience in these welding techniques, graduates will have a plethora of options when it comes to finding work. Welders frequently seek employment in the manufacturing, commercial construction, mining, agriculture, wholesale trade, artistic railings, and equipment repair and maintenance industries. The versatility of this skill lends itself to a wide range of employment opportunities.
References
- aws.org– professional certifications
- gowelding.org– welding certifications
- tws.edu– Is welding school worth it
- weldguru.com– welding certification
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