If you are ready to start a unique career as a professional welder, think about getting welding certifications.
Think about this as a way of investing in your future and putting yourself on the right path, ready for opportunities and life in general as a success.
Just as you know, welding is a fabrication process whereby two or more parts are fused together through heat, pressure, or both forming a join as the parts cool.
Welding overtime is used on metals and thermoplastics but can also be used on wood.
So, as long as everyone continues to make things, welders are needed. Hence, this is a grand reason to get yourself to stand out by getting certified.
This article explain the top welding certifications you can get in 2022.
What Are the Welding Certifications?
Welding certifications are a hands-on welder qualification test that is conducted by a welding inspector who determines if you can produce a sound quality weld or a welding procedure that would require of you in your particular field.
Certification as a welder would test you on procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery welding industries.
Why get a Welding Certification?
There are a variety of reasons you should get a welding certification. The six (6) reasons that easily come to mind are-
- Employers prefer applicants with welding training.
- More education could mean more pay.
- Welding school teaches welding fundamentals.
- Opens doors for networking.
- You can take advantage of career services after graduation.
- It prepares you to face life head on as a welder.
How Many Welding Certifications Are There?
There are a lot of welding certifications that you can easily 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.
How Long Are Welding Certifications
The duration would depend on what test you want to take. A #G test for a beginner can take between 6weeks to 3 months of dedication. A 3 and 4G Combo SMAW certification test would take anywhere between 6 to 9 months for a beginner.
If you have had lots of experience and practice being a welder, the certification process would be easier for you, and thus, cut your time down.
The faster you can pass your certification test, the faster you can get to work as a certified welder. The more thoroughly you prepare, the better your chances of passing your test on your first try.
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.
What are the Basics of a Welding Certification?
Unlike many other certifications, most welder certification can be gotten in a month. The tests vary in positions, welding processes, and the type of welding inspection to be used. The very basics of getting a welding certification are-
- It would require you to weld the metals given by the welding inspector in the position the test is designed for by following the instructions given to you by the welder inspector.
- You would be required to cut the metal welded according to the instructions and prepare them for a bend test or some approved form of approved testing which would be provided to you by the welding inspector
- It would require you to test the materials welded according to the procedure.
If you pass these tests, you have would be said to have earned your welding certification. The testing ranges from a bend test to radiographic (X-ray) or even just a visual exam of the quality. Most certifications also test you on positions. Positions like these are tested on:
- Flat position- This position is standing or sitting at a table and welding a joint as you look down on it.
- Horizontal position- This is welding a joint from left to right (or right to left) as you look across from it.
- Vertical position- in this welding position, the weld joint faces you vertically as you look straight at it. In this position, you have the option of welding the joint from the bottom to the top, which is most common, or from the top downward.
- Overhead position- This welding position involves welding as you look up at the workpiece, moving either from left to right or right to left.
Where are Welding Certifications Done?
Welding certifications are usually performed at a workplace or welding school.
It is possible to get them done privately, but this is at your own detriment because they cost a whole lot of money and there is no guarantee that you would pass even after spending that amount of 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?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for certified welders is around $41,000.
However, the government groups all welders together with cutters, solderers and brazers, so that number is somewhat skewed.
Generally, salary data for certified welders cites a slightly higher figure of $45,000 per year. Glassdoor lists a lower median annual salary of $39,000.
What Are the Different Types of Welding Certifications?
- Certified Welder Program
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Resistance Welding Technician
- CWI by IIW Diploma
- Certified Radiographic Interpreter
- Certified Welding Supervisor
- CWI by Reciprocity
- Certified welding Sales Representative
- Certified Welding Engineer
- Plate Welding Certification
- Certified Robotic ARC Welding
- Pipe Welding Certification
- AWS D1.1 3G and 4G SMAW combo
- 3G MIG Welding Certification
- 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 with no prerequisite courses or certifications required. Final certification will provide you with transferrable credentials that you may take with you wherever you go.
The Certified Welder (CW) program tests you on procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery welding industries.
There is a provision to test to a company-supplied or non-code welding specification. Tests for Certified Welder (CW) are performed at AWS Accredited Testing Facilities throughout the world.
2. Certified Associate Welding Inspector
This certification was brought about by professionals whose aim was to enter into the field of inspection.
Becoming a certified associate welding inspector shows your employers that you are very determined and serious about your career. It also goes to show that you are ready to do what you need to do for the jib which lies ahead of you.
As a certified associate welding inspector, you would gain hands-on experience in the field of inspection and also work alongside senior certified welding inspectors and certified welding inspectors.
3. Certified Welding Inspector
The relevance of certified welding inspectors is under-emphasized. A certified welding inspector is integral to the safety and quality of daily life, assuring weld quality in the oil & gas, transportation, aerospace and construction, government contracting, and other industries.
This Certified Welding Inspector program credential is one of the welding’s most respected stamps 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 remedial action.
This certification is both rewarding and lucrative.
4. Senior Certified Welding Inspector
A senior certified welding inspector is very important. In any organization where things are built, it is very important to have one there.
Usually, they find that as their careers progress, their roles expand to include managerial and mentorship responsibilities, not to mention but a few.
If you are very dedicated to your job, sooner than later, you could start your own inspection business.
The Senior Certified Welder Inspector certification program is designed for welders who have experienced what it is like to go into welding inspection, and have acquired a deeper, more detailed understanding of advanced NDE, quality systems, and procedure qualifications.
5. Certified Resistance Welding Technician
This is a very competitive, high-production program that requires the expertise of well-trained technicians to keep a cautious eye out for the daily happenings today.
Resistance welding technicians are highly skilled, operating and maintaining costly and valuable equipment.
The Certified Resistance Welding Technician program was co-developed by the American Welding Society (AWS) and the Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance (RWMA).
It basically sets a new standard for the qualification of resistance welding personnel and separates the qualified from the untested.
This certification may be obtained after some education and training in the welding field, by the AWS.
6. Certified Radiographic Interpreter
A Certified Radiographic Interpreter is given the responsibility of reading and interpreting welding-related indications produced on radiographic film and related media.
As a Radiographic Interpreter you must be very familiar with the welding and casting process.
This would enable you to view and evaluate weld radiographs, then translate the results against a project’s applicable standards, codes, specifications, or procedures in the long run.
7. Certified Welding Supervisor
Generally, in the field of welding, a Certified Welding Supervisor is the eyes, ears and conscience of any welding operation. He pays attention to detail and is aware of every single in and out in the area where he works.
To succeed in this field after being certified, you need to have and use a wide range of knowledge, including welding safety, supervision, planning, fabrication, inspection, documentation, and economics.
Certified Welding Supervisors know what factors influence quality and performance, and how monitoring welders can lead to increased productivity and improved weld quality with lower materials waste, while ensuring safety and maintaining acceptable levels of risk.
Their job is of utmost importance.
8. Certified Welding Sales Representative
In getting a certification in welding as a sales representative, you have to be ready for the challenges which come with this certification.
Basically, as a Welding Sales Representative, you would be the middle-man between manufacturers and distributors and the customers.
Welding Sales Representatives are relationship-builders and nurturers, connecting and networking with others, being there as a resource for their clients.
They relay information concerning new technologies that can improve the productivity, reliability, and quality of welding processes.
This certification may also be obtained after some education and training in the welding field, by the AWS.
9. Certified Welding Engineer
By acquiring an AWS Certified Welding Engineer certification alone, you would be deemed to have demonstrated their skills for preparing or reviewing written instructions for the production of welded joints.
You would be drilled to be very familiar with various codes, specifications, standards, and other aspects of fabrication and assembly.
You would also be prepared to produce reports, which accurately reflect the professional judgment and is able to work with management representatives, inspection personnel, welders, and support crafts, understanding the integrated role of each in the development of weldments.
10. Certified Robotic ARC Welding
This AWS Certification Program for Robotic Arc Welding – Operators and Technicians allows many welding personnel employed in various welding sectors to measure themselves against standards for their occupation.
It also signifies that the Certified Robotic Arc Welding Operator has demonstrated the capability of working with various codes, standards, and specifications.
Since proof of active practice or re-examination is required every three years, certification also signifies that the CRAW Operator or Technician is current with the welding industry.
A Step-by-Step Guide On How to Get a Welding Certification
- Make sure you are fit to be a welder- Regardless of your experience, ensure that you want to take a step further in this career path. You must be physically fit in other to have the strength and stamina needed to carry out these duties. You must have work skills too.
- Meet the requirements- To comfortably get a welding certification, you must have prior experience in the field of welding.
- Apply for a welding certification- There are a lot of welding certifications out there. Look through them and pick the one that appeals to you the most. Have your own reasons for picking anyone you pick. Each welding certification has its own purpose.
- Prepare yourself for the welding certification- It would really hurt for you to go for the certification and not pass. This certification would open a lot of new doors for you. Ensure you do everything you can towards preparation so that you would pass.
- Start your career as a certified welder- Once you have gotten the certification, you can now start your career as a certified welder.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Yes. Earning a welding certification can be a great reward to you in the long run including higher salary potential, stronger employment demand, and better job stability.
Welding certifications are designed to ensure the welders skills are up to the code they will be working under.
The American Welding Society, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and The American Petroleum Institute.
A welding certification can cost you anywhere between $142 and $500. Depending on the certification you want to get.
The most and accepted welding certifications are from the American Welding Society.
No. A high school diploma is a minimum requirement for welders.
Conclusion
Working with metal is both exciting and empowering. As the sparks fly and the heat turns up, welders are able to transform some of the world’s strongest materials into the shapes and products they envision.
This skill requires work and practice to acquire, and it’s best learned with the help and guidance of industry professionals.
With plenty of experience in these welding techniques, graduates can see many avenues open to them when they begin to look for employment.
Welders often seek jobs in manufacturing, commercial construction, mining, agriculture, wholesale trade, artistic railings, and equipment repair & maintenance. The variety in application of this skill leads to excellent employment opportunities.