The process for getting welding certification depends in large part on where you are, since local authorities are usually the ones setting the standards and making the rules. In most cases, though, getting certified requires a combination of education, whether formal or informal, and on-the-job experience. A test or exam might also be required; this can be written or performance-based, which means that you may have to actually demonstrate your skills to one or more experts in order to pass. Certification rarely guarantees a job, but it can help you stand out when applying for a job or looking to advance your career.
Research Local Rules
The very first thing you should do is look into what types of certification are available in your jurisdiction and what the requirements are for each. Welders can often get different credentials for different materials and can sometimes certify at different safety levels, too. Your local welder’s or trade association should be able to give you more specific information about what’s available where you live or where you want to work.
Training and Education
Even though there are no hard-and-fast universal requirements, education — which is to say, experience using the tools, handling the equipment, and getting results — is a good place to start. The best place to learn is often by working alongside of someone more experienced, which is called “apprenticing.” If you don’t know any welders willing to take on informal students, it may be worth it to ask around; many professionals will help you, or may at least be able to direct you to someone who will.
More formal training can also be helpful. Short programs in welding are often available from community and vocational colleges at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. A lot depends on the school, but these types of courses tend to be between eight and 12 weeks in length. They usually deliver a combination of theoretical training and hands-on practice with welding equipment. Successful students are typically awarded a diploma spelling out the skills they have demonstrated and mastered.
Even if a diploma or other “official” training course isn’t required to get certification, it can be a good way to network with other professionals and make connections in the field, both of which are useful when you’re just getting started. Taking formal courses might also be smart if you plan to move at some point into a jurisdiction that does require a diploma.
Testing
Testing is a big part of almost every type of welding certification. The exact process varies, but candidates usually have to demonstrate their skills in front of a board of examiners at an official testing location, usually a government or locality-owned metal shop. Applicants are generally tested on any equipment or materials for which they seek certification, and welds are evaluated for such things as fit-up, assembly, and position, as well as overall integrity and workmanship. In some places, this “practical” exam is paired with a written test covering safety procedures and general information on tools and materials. In most cases you will have to pay a fee to be tested, and may owe fees for credentialing paperwork, too, if you pass.
Reporting Requirements
Certified welders may also have to file paperwork somewhat regularly in order to maintain their credentials. Maintenance forms are among the most common. These forms must be submitted to the credentialing agency at intervals ranging from every six months to every other year. They confirm that the person holding the certificate is performing only the welds for which he or she is certified, and usually have to be signed by an employer. If you let this certification lapse you may have to repeat the whole examination process.
Certification in Context
It’s important to note that you don’t usually have to be certified in order to find work, though there are usually more opportunities for people who have gone through the process. The purpose of welding certification is to validate that workers have a specific level of skill and training. Some local governments and project managers may require certification for certain jobs or projects, and many of the best paying jobs require certifications for multiple procedures and materials. Not having these credentials doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get a job, but it may make your options more limited.