Explore ATF Advantages for Your Facility

AWS Accredited Test Facilities play an integral part in the operation of the AWS Certified Welding program and have proven that they have the necessary resources to test welders for this nationally recognized and accepted program.

Accredited Test Facilities receive valuable recognition: they are listed on the AWS website for those who need to certify welders and are also advertised in the award-winning Welding Journal magazine.

Trusting the Experts

The growing choice for many contractors and fabricators:

Entrusting welder certification to ATF specialists makes good business sense for contractors and fabricators. Companies are increasingly realizing the shortcomings of self-qualification and switching to AWS Accredited Test Facilities to test and qualify their welders. ATFs help them to save money, improve productivity, and reduce liability by entrusting their welder certification to the experts.

Professional Welder Working on Welding Process to the Ceiling Metal

Worker With Protective Mask Welding Metal

Program Description

The Certified Welder program is a performance-based program with no prerequisite courses or certifications required. Final certification will provide "transferrable" credentials that you may take with you wherever you go.

The Certified Welder (CW) program tests welders to 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 located throughout the world.

Welders that want to attain AWS Certified Welder certification must make an appointment with one of several AWS-Accredited Testing Facilities. These testing facilities adhere to strict standards for welder testing and can test welders to AWS Standard Welding Procedures (SWPSs), industry-standard specifications, and company-supplied or non-code welding specifications.

How to Become an AWS Certified Welder Through This New Program

The following Certified Welder instructions outline the requirements of the program:

Read the QC7 Standard and its supplements
Contact Jon Dennis with Dennis Inspection, Inc., your Accredited Test Facility representative, to register for the test ( +1 (540) 535-5170)
Take your QC7 Standard with you at the time of the test
Once you have passed the test, the Accredited Test Facility will forward your application, qualifications test record, and payment to the American Welding Society

The AWS Certification Department will process your application and will mail you your AWS Certified Welder Wallet Card along with renewal information
AWS will receive your application, test results, and the registration fee up to two weeks after your skill demonstration. (This varies; check with your selected AWS Accredited Test Facility)
You should receive your welder certification card and maintenance form from the AWS Certification Department two to three weeks from the date your application is received

Certified Welder Requirements

The following requirements must be met in order to participate in this program:

Test in accordance with one of the QC7 standards below (whichever is applicable):

1 QC7, Standard for AWS Certified Welders
2 QC7, Supplement C, Welder Performance Qualification Sheet Metal Test Requirements
3 QC7, Supplement F, Chemical Plant, and Petroleum Refinery Piping
4 QC7, Supplement G, AWS Performance Qualification Test (generic supplement)

Complete a welder performance qualification test at an AWS Accredited Test Facility for AWS Certified Welder Certification (domestic or international)
Submit a completed Certified Welder Application for certification.
Submit Maintenance of Welder Certification prior to expiration, which verifies that the welding process was used.

Exam Overview

Welder testing must be scheduled with an AWS Accredited Testing Facility (ATF). During a scheduled appointment at an AWS ATF, the Welder will deposit a sound weld that is inspected by an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). The Welder's ability to properly adhere to the Welding Procedure Specification, selected from available QC7 Supplements, includes fit-up, assembly, and positioning.

If a welder fails any test, he can retest at any time. It is best to discuss retesting with the AWS Accredited Test Facility representative, who will be able to assist in scheduling a new test date.

Contact Jon Dennis with Dennis Inspection, Inc., your Accredited Test Facility (ATF), at +1 (540) 535-5170 or [email protected].