Welding Test Guide

The Welding Test Summary
What: Welding Certification Tests allow a welding student to become certified as a welder or allow a welder to become certified as a welding inspector.
Who: ASME and AWS administer exams to welding professionals.
Where: Locations are available throughout the US.
When: Exams are offered year-round.
How: The exams are times and cover practical application.
Type: Hands-on or computerized
Why: Having a welding license and welding inspector license give a welder credibility and improves chances for work.
Time: Varies, depending on the test.
Language: English
Preparation: Generally, welders can prepare by reviewing laws and regulations and practicing skills taught in an education program.
Cost: Test fees range from $30 to $1,015.

Welder certifications are tests designed for a welder to prove he or she can practice the welding of metal proficiently. These tests can be administered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or the American Welding Society (AWS), although many companies may require specific welding exams for their employees. Once a welder is certified, he or she receives a written document, known as the welder qualification test record (WQTR), which explains the extent to which the welder can work.

Certified Welding Inspector Exam

The Certified Welding Inspector Exam, administered by the AWS, is a highly esteemed exam in the welding industry. Many welding companies look to certified welding inspectors when seeking the highest quality welding work.

The exam itself is made up of three sections:

Part A- Fundamentals
Part B-Practical
Part C- Code Application

Each section must be completed in two hours. According to the AWS, in the code application section, applicants must answer 46-60 questions which evaluates the welder’s familiarity with one of five codes, selected by the applicant. Most applicants choose to test under D1.1 or AP1 1104. The code application part of the exam is open-book. The fundamentals section is made up of 150 questions based on the fundamentals of welding processes. It is a closed-book exam. Finally, the practical section consists of 46 questions that give the applicant a chance to prove his or her welding knowledge hands-on using visual aids, such as actual tools and plastic replicas of welds and a sample code book.

In order to apply for the exam, applicants must complete a Welding Inspector Exam Application, including any supporting paperwork. This application can be found at http://www.aws.org/w/a/certification/CWI/. There are fees to take the test. The date and time of the CWI exam is dependent upon where the applicant lives.

Certified Welder Exam

The Certified Welder (CW) exam requires no prior licensure or certification in welding. The exam can be taken at any of a list of accredited test facilities, which can be found at http://www.aws.org/certification/docs/#B. After an applicant has filled out an application and paid the registration fee, an appointment will be scheduled at a test facility. Then the applicant must prove his or her skill in welding. According to the AWS, the applicant must deposit a sound weld which is then inspected and judged by a Certified Welding Inspector. If the applicant fails the test, he or she may try again at any time as long as an appointment is scheduled.

If the welding applicant passes the exam, which he or she will know immediately following the exam, he or she will receive a certification card in the mail within four to six weeks after the application and registration fee are processed.

Interested in becoming a welder or a welding inspector? Check out our Welding Test Directory or take our Welding Practice Test.