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What is a Welding Certification?
x

Definition: Welding Certifications are technically a

hands-on welder qualification test that is conducted
by certified welding inspector that will determine if
the person or machine can produce a sound quality
weld up to the code or welding procedure needed for
a Company, job site or a particular industry standard.

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Bottom line, can you produce a sound quality weld by

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Structural Welding Certification Test

Weld Test Coupons Cut and Ready to Bend

Successful Welding Certification Bend Test

The above pictures are a structural welding

certification given by the American Welding Society.
The very basics of a welding welding certification are:

Weld the metals given by the welding inspector in

the position the test is designed for by following
the instructions provided.
Cut the metal welded according to the instructions
and prepare them for a bend test or some approved
 form of quality testing. x

Test the materials welded according to the

procedure. If they pass the test then you just
earned your welding certification. The testing
ranges from a bend test to Radio graphic (x-ray)  or
even just a visual exam of the quality. In most cases
a welding inspector will have a excellent idea if
your welds will pass just by visually inspecting
them.

Welding certifications are designed to ensure the

welders skills are up to the code they will be working
under. Welding certifications are also documented to
prove that the welder is qualified under that code.
Welding codes vary a lot depending on the type of
work being done. There are many organizations that
have different procedures depending on the type of
work they oversee.

In the United States there are quite a few

organizations that have certified welding procedures.
The three largest organizations are:

The American Welding Society / AWS.

www.aws.org They typically deal with structural
 codes mostly involved with buildings and bridges. x

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

/ASME Section IX. www.asme.org They deal with
boiler and pressure vessel codes.
The American Petroleum Institute / API.
www.api.org They oversee pipeline welding codes
for the gas and oil industries.

Welding Certification Positions

The largest organization in America that certifies
welders is the American Welding Society. The
welding certification procedures they have approved
have been tested many time to ensure that if followed
the welder taking the welding certification follows
the rules and has the skills will pass the test.

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Welding certifications come in many positions, metal

thickness, welding processes, and metal types. When
the term “Certified Welder" is used it only means
that welder is certified under the welding procedures
they have tested under. There is not a single welding
certification that covers all types of welding.
 x

3G FCAW Welding certification cap weld cleaned and finished.

Perfect example of a stainless steel TIG weld on thin wall pipe.

All welding certifications come in many positions.

The positions are different depending if the welder
will be welding on plate or pipe. The terms properly
used in the welding field refers to plate as “structural
welding" and pipe and “pipe welding".

Plate Welding Certification

Positions
For welding plate the positions typically come in two
different joint types. Fillet welds and groove welds.
Most plate welding certifications are performed in
groove welds. This is because in most welding codes,
grove welds will also qualify you for fillet welds, but
fillet welds do not cover groove welds. Fillet welds
and groove welds also vary in different positions. The
positions are flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead.
There is also a coding system to identify the welding
position. The coding system for plate and structural
welding is as follows:

1 is for the flat position.

2 is for the horizontal position.
3 is for the vertical position.
4 is for the overhead position.

There are two types of joints used in welding

certification and they are:
 F is for a fillet weld. x

G is for a groove weld.

The way this coding system works is the number

stands for the position and then the letter identifies
the type of weld joint. For example if you take the
number 3 for the vertical position and G is for a
groove weld. Then you put them together like “3G"
then that is the code for a vertical grove weld. In the
case of a fillet weld you would simply replace the G
with an F, then you would get a “3F" weld joint and
that is a vertical fillet weld.

1G Welding Certification Position

The 1G welding certification position is a plate in the
flat position that is beveled. This position is the most
basic and only covers the welder in that position. It’s
the easiest test to pass and the least desired by
employers.

1G (groove weld) Test Position

2G Welding Certification Position

The 2G welding certification position is a plate in the
horizontal position that is beveled. This position is a
little harder than the 1G test but by passing it you do
not need to take the 1G test. This one test covers the
1G and 2G positions.

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2G (groove weld) Test Position.

3G Welding Certification Position

The 3G welding certification position is a plate in the

vertical position that is beveled. This position varies
depending on the travel direction. The vertical
welding certification can be taken traveling vertical
up. Meaning you start on the bottom of the plate
welding upward to the top. Sometimes welding
vertical down meaning welding from the top down.
The 3G test position covers the 1G, 2G, and 3G
positions. Typically this test is done in the vertical up
progress.

3G (groove) Test Position

4G Welding Certification Position

The 4G welding certification position is a plate in the
overhead position that is beveled. This position is
considered the hardest for welding plate but in
reality it’s not much harder then welding flat. The 4G
welding test covers the 1G, 2G, and 4G positions, but
does not cover the 3G position.

4G (groove) Test Position

3G and 4G Combo Welding Certification Test

Positions
When getting certified for structural welding it’s x

very common to take the 3G and 4G welding

certification together. These two tests usually cover
all the positions and most codes allow fillet welds on
pipes that are a minimum diameter of 24″.

3G (groove) Test Position

4G (groove) Test Position

Pipe Welding Certification

Positions
When it comes to welding pipe there are four main
positions and again they are typically groove welds.
There is also a coding system to identify the positions
and joint types.They are as follows:

1 is for a pipe in the horizontal position that is

rolled.
2 is for a pipe in the fixed vertical position.
5 is for a pipe in the fixed horizontal position.
6 is for a pipe in a 45 degree fixed position.
R is for the restricted position.

Just like structural welding positions pipe welding

certifications come in two joint types:

F is for a fillet weld.

G is for a groove weld.

1G Pipe Welding Certification Position

The 1G pipe welding certification position is a pipe in x

the horizontal position and the pipe is rolled when

welding. This is basically welding in the flat position.
The 1G pipe welding certification is rarely used.

1G pipe welding test position

2G Pipe Welding Certification Position

The 2G pipe welding certification position is a pipe
that is standing in the vertical position. The weld
being done is a horizontal weld and the pipe cannot
be rotated. It is in a fixed position.

2G Pipe Test Position

5G Pipe Welding Certification Position

The 5G pipe welding certification position is a pipe
welding in the horizontal position that is fixed and
cannot be moved. The welding done is overhead,
vertical, and flat with a full transition of all of those
positions. This position comes in two travel
directions. The first is a vertical up travel and that is
the most commonly used progression. The second is
vertical down progression and this is commonly used
for pipeline welder qualification.

5G Pipe Welding Position

6G Pipe Welding Certification Position

Then there is the 6G pipe welding certification. This x

is a pipe that is in standing on a

http://gowelding.org/welding-certification/smaw-6g-
pipe/45 degree angle and cannot be moved. This test
incorporates all of the positions. What makes this
position so hard is there is an easy side and a hard
side. This all depends if you are right handed or left
handed and the welding processes being used. This
one test will qualify the welder to weld pipe and plate
in all positions. This is the hardest of all welding
positions and the test typically given for the higher
paying jobs. If you need to get one welding
certification this is the position to go for!

6G Pipe Test Position

Restricted Pipe Welding Certifications and Test

Positions
Restricted pipe welding positions are the most
difficult type of welder qualification or welding
certifications a welder can pass. These welding
certifications and test positions are designed to test
your ability to weld in tight and confined spaces.
Access to the weld joint is limited in three ways:

1. Forcing the welder to find unusual stances and

body position.
2. Other pipes, a ceiling or walls, and restrictive rings
are some of the various obstacles used to block
access to the weld joint.
3. Blocking visual access of the welding area by
forcing the welder to use a mirror to see the weld
joint.

Many times it is a combination of the obstacles and

visual restriction that the test will incorporate.
Restricted tests come in the 2G, 5G, and 6G positions
but most of the time it will be a 6GR or 6G restricted x

test positions.

6GR Restricting Ring Pipe Welding Certification

Position
The 6G restrictive ring test position is typically an
18″ restrictive ring placed 1/2″ above the weld joint. I
have seen this illustrated in welding books and the
AWS code. The picture is of a practice test I took
and was going to get this welding certification.
Unfortunately when looking for a welding procedure
this test is not available. It was shown but not tested.
Other codes may use it and have a procedure that is
tested.

6gr restricted pipe test position

6GR Restricted Boiler Tubing Test Position

The 6GR boiler tubing test is restricted by placing a
boiler tube on each side of the coupon to be welded.
You have exactly 1 inch of clearance to weld on the
side of the tube. This is probably the most difficult
tests to pass. Boiler tubing tests are typically TIG
welded and must be free-handed at all times. You are
also required to weld half of the tube right handed
and the other half left handed. Walking the cup is not
allowed and will cause an instant failure of the weld
test!

6GR Restricted Boiler Tubing Test Sch 80 Tube.

 x

6GR Boiler Tubing Weld Clearance.

Another type of boiler tubing test I took had only has

1/2 of an inch of clearance and all I could say is “Wow
that was tight" but after welding for a while it’s no
big deal.

6G Restricted Boiler Tubing Test Bottom

6GR Boiler Tubing Weld Test Position Top

6GR Box Type Restriction Pipe Welding

Certification Position
Shipyards typically test pipe welders using a box type
restricted position. There restricted 6G test does not
use a ring or other pipes to block access. Instead it’s
more realistic for the type of work being done in a
shipyard. The pipe is put into the 6G position inside
of a welding booth that has a steel grading ceiling.
The pipe is placed on the right side of the booth (if
you are right handed) 12″ from the right wall. Then
12″ from the ceiling and 12″ from the back wall. If you
are looking at the pipe straight on, the right side of
the pipe from the 3 to 12 o’clock positions is almost
inaccessible. 12 inches of clearance sounds like a lot,
but that is 12 inches to the center of the weld joint. So
a 6″ pipe has only 9″ of clearance. The restricted area
is too tight to put your head in there or too see
anything.
I recently passed this type of test for my current job x

using a TIG root and hot pass with the rest Stick

welded out. The hardest part of this test is the TIG
welding part. To pass you need to weld the first
quarter of the pipe right handed, the second quarter
left handed, then the third quarter right handed using
a mirror, and finally the last quarter left handed
using a mirror. Finally the weld had to pass an x-ray
test. Unfortunately I could not get permission to take
any pictures.

Welder Certification Backing Bar vs. Open Root

Weld

As with all welding certifications many offer two

types of root openings. The first is typical of plate or
structural welding certifications and that a backing
bar is used. The second is an open root type of
weld that is commonly used on pipe welding
certifications. These two types of roots both have
advantages depending on the type of work being
done.

Root with a Backing Bar

Structural welding is typically done using a backing
bar so in this situation a backing bar is appropriate.
With a backing bar in place it makes the root of the
weld easier to do. At the same time this is the way
most structural welding jobs will test their welders.

Test coupons with mill scale ground back a minimum of 1 inch or 25.6mm.
 x
Checking root opening against backing bar with two 1/8 inch electrodes to
make sure it is 1/4 of a inch.

The profile of the finished cap weld.

Open Root Weld

When it comes to pipe welding certifications even

though they offer a backing bar, it is not very
common in the field. In some rare cases they may use
a chill ring or backing ring. With pipe it’s always best
to go with the open root. As with all open root welds
the inside or back of the weld must have full
penetration as if it were welded from the back side or
inside of the pipe. In the field most welds done on
pipe are open root groove welds. Open root welds are
harder to do! If you are certifying with SMAW most
likely it will be an E6010 root and an E7018 fill and
cap. This will typically qualify you for more welding
electrodes then say a backing bar using a E7018
electrode alone .Another common combination for a
open root pipe welding test is a GTAW root and hot
pass with a SMAW fill and cap. This is considered a
combo type of test because it certifies you in two
welding processes.

Pipe Welding Open Root Tack Key Hole

 x

Perfect Example of a Open Root Pipe Weld I did using a E6010 Electrode, 1/8
electrode and Gap and 1/8 Landing.

TIG Weld Open Root with Perfect Penetration Done by Austin Childers World’s
Best Welder Title holder.

Welding Certification Processes

All welding certifications come in different process
and procedures. The most widely used welding
processes are:

Stick welding properly known as Shielded Metal

Arc Welding or “SMAW“
TIG welding properly knows as Gas Tungsten Arc
Welding or “GTAW“
MIG Welding properly knows as Gas Metal Arc
Welding or “GMAW“.
Flux Core Arc Welding or Wire Wheel Welding

TIG Welding Stainless Steel Pipe

Stick Welding Stainless Steel

 x

Fluxed Cored Arc Welding

These are the most common but there are many

other types of welding processes that you can get
certified in. The only catch with the other types of
processes is that they are so specialized that getting a
job might not be easy to do. If you don’t weld using
the process you are certified in they usually expire
worthless after six months. Making the time and
money spent wasted.

For someone new to the welding field the three best

welding certifications to get that will pay off the
fastest are an AWS D1.1 3G and 4G SMAW
combo done on carbon steel and a 3G MIG Welding
Certification. Most employers will be more than
happy with someone who has passed these
qualification tests. These certifications open the door
for shop work and field work.

Destructive Testing vs. Non Destructive Testing

When it comes to welding certifications and job site

testing there are two methods for testing the quality
of the weld. Destructive Testing or “DT" and Non
Destructive Testing or “NDT". Both methods have
their advantages and disadvantages!

Destructive Testing or “DT"

For most welding certifications given at a welding

school the method used is typically destructive
testing. This is a low cost and accurate way to find
out if the welding student is making good quality
welds. The most common is a coupon bend test. This
is done by taking the weld test and cutting it up into
strips, then bending them to see if the weld holds up.
There are many rules concerning the amount the
weld coupon can open up or even break. The ideal
bent test coupon should show no signs of defects or x

opening up. There are many other destructive testing

methods but the bend test is the most widely used!

6G Pipe Weld

6G Pipe Weld Destructive Test

Destructive Bend Test

6G PIpe Test Destructive Bend Test

3G Structural Face Bend Failure

Successful Welding Certification Bend Test

Non Destructive Testing or “NDT"

When it comes to job site testing many welding shops x

use different methods depending on the type of work

done. When it comes to Non Destructive Testing or
“NDT" there are many ways to test the quality of the
weld. The three most common methods are:

Visual weld inspection.

Liquid dye penetrant testing.
Radiographic testing or x-ray.

Visual weld inspection is the most cost efficient of

the NDT methods but at the same time it relies on
the sole discretion of the inspector. This method is
mostly used for non critical welding inspection and
cannot detect internal weld defects.

This is a welding inspection camera used to find

visual defects that are difficult to get too.

Weld Inspection Camera

Visual weld inspection is the most cost efficient of

the NDT methods but at the same time it relies on
the sole discretion of the inspector. This method is
mostly used for non critical welding inspection and
cannot detect internal weld defects.

Liquid dye penetrant testing involves the cost of the

dye but it is excellent at detecting surface defects. All
this method does is high light any surface defects.

When it comes to Radiographic testing or x-ray weld

inspection the cost is much higher and there are also
associated risks with this type of weld inspection.
This type of weld inspection will show any type of
weld defect and is the most accurate way of
inspecting weld quality. The down side is x-ray weld
inspection is it uses radioactive materials. Do Not
Enter an Area that is labeled X-Ray or Radiographic x

Testing! Just the slightest bit of exposure to gamma-

rays and or x-rays will cause death in the near future!
This type of weld inspection is only used when the
safety of the public is at risk and the people
conducting it are extremely qualified to do this type
of work!

Common Welder Qualification Test for Jobs

When it comes to job site testing there are a few
common combinations of tests. The tests vary in
positions, welding processes, and the type of welding
inspection to be used. Some job sites may only do a
visual inspection, others might conduct a bend test,
and for most pipe welding jobs it is likely your weld
will be x-rayed. Do not get the impression that a
welder qualification test is easier than a welding
certification. In many cases the welder qualification
test is harder than passing a welding certification. On
top of that even if you are certified in a processes and
position you will still need to retest to the company’s
standards!

3G (groove) Test Position

4G (groove) Test Position

For most construction jobs you will most likely

encounter a 3 and 4G combo welding test. Most of
the time the test will be either Stick or Flux Cored
Arc Welding test or both at the same time. In some
cases you might be asked to do a 3 and 4G combo
MIG welding test.
Structural Welder Qualification Tests for x
Shipyards
Shipyards jobs typically test Stick welders in the 3
and 4G combo welding positions and do not allow
weave beads. The tests are usually done with a
backing bar. When it comes to Flux Cored Arc
Welding the tests are a combination of 2G, 3G, and
4G positions, but it is almost always assumed it will
be a open root weld using ceramic backing tape. If
you have never used ceramic backing tape to weld
then get some and practice before testing!

Ceramic Backing Tape

Pipe Welder Qualification Tests for Power Plant

Construction

One of the typically welding test for pipe welders in a

power plant construction is a pipe in the 6G position
using a TIG root and hot pass with the remainder of
the pipe Stick welded out with either a E7018 or a
E8018″. The most common test is a 6″ heavy wall
schedule 80 in the 6G position with a TIG root and
hot pass then the rest is Stick welded with a E8018.
Typically this test will be x-rayed and no grinding is
allowed but you can use a wire wheel to clean the
slag! Any porosity, rough restarts, or trouble spots
cannot be fixed when taking this test! If your weld
cap is more then 1/8 of an inch high then you have
failed based on the visual and weld reinforcement
criteria! The pictures below are of a practice test I
did and it took me about 4 hours to weld this pipe
out. That is 4 hours if you rush the test. The pipe got
so hot I needed to use a vice grip to lean on it.
 x

Double Heavy Wall Power Plant 6G Pipe Test using a TIG Root and Hot pass

Double Heavy Wall Power Plant Pipe Test using a E8018 Fill Pass

Double Heavy Wall Power Plant 6G Pipe Test Completed

When it comes to nuclear and coal fired power plant

construction there are commonly three welding tests
you must pass for the job. The first test is a 2″ double
heavy wall schedule 160 carbon steel pipe in the 6G
position with a TIG root and hot pass then the rest
is Stick welded with an E8018“. The second test given
is also a 2″ double heavy wall schedule 160 carbon
steel pipe in the 6G position but it is TIG welded all
the way out. Finally, a 4″ thin wall schedule 5 or
10 stainless steel pipe TIG welded all the way out.

2″ Double Heavy Wall Power Plant TIG Pipe Test

Thin Wall Power Plant TIG Pipe Test

Frequently Asked Questions
x

How Long Does It Take to Get Certified?

It depends on what test you want to take. A 3G test

for a beginner can take anywhere from 6 week to 3
months. A 3 and 4G Combo SMAW test will take 6 to
9 months for a beginner. Finally a 6G pipe test will
take between 12 to 18 months for a beginner. If you
have lots of welding experience that will cut your
time down.

Mow Much Does a Welding Certification Cost?

That all depends where you get certified. I contacted
the welding school I was trained at for some basic
prices. These prices are from an AWS accredited
testing facility. The school is the Welder and
Training Testing Institute in Allentown, PA their
website is www.welderinstitute.com. For a plate test
the cost is $143.00 and for a 6G pipe welding
certification it is $299.00 plus if you need to practice
the booth rental is about $23 an hour.

If you go through the American Welding Society a

6G pipe test runs about $1,300.00. The AWS is
extremely expensive and no place for students to get
certified. They charge around $500.00 for a welding
certification code book that covers what this web
page covers without pictures.

The cost of taking a welding certification at a

vocational school vary. Most vocational schools
require signing up for a class that is about $175.00,
test plates run about $20.00 and pipe coupons are
around $30.00. The prices do go up much higher
depending on the type of metal. The upside to a
vocational school is that most will allow you to take
as many welding certifications as you want during the
class duration. The only extra cost is the price of the
testing coupons.

Where to Get a Welding Certification?

 Before you decide to become a certified welder you x

should think about the type of work you want to do

and what you were trained to do. In the United States
the most common and accepted welding
certifications are from the American Welding
Society.

Most welding schools listed on this site offer welding

certifications or you can contact either a Certified
Testing facility like the school I went to. If you are a
business and need to certify more then one welder
then hiring a Certified Welding Inspector to come to
your job site is another option.

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