Welding Certification is the procedure that a welder must comply in order to create a welded joint with a good quality according to the established guidelines. Certificate is the practical welding tests, are supervised by a trained person and approved by an organization which have written procedures and issued welder certificate. Tests or certificates only confirm each process and welding positions. Without any certificate confirm that welder achieve adequate standards for all welding processes, metals or any position.
Welding Code:
In fact, there are hundreds of welding codes. Welding codes mentioned related categories and organizations monitoring welding processes. In the US there are three major organizations:
AWS – American Welding Society
ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
API- American Petroleum Institute
Besides, there are many other organizations such as:
• MIL – STD – Military Standards
• ABS – American Bureau of Shipping
• The Canadian Welding Bureau
• D.O.T. – Department of Transportation
• State and Local Welding Certifications Codes
Most code standards confirm a conventional length or a period. In most cases, welders must have a confirmed tracking to show that he has welded with the process and in that position every six months. The reason for this action is that most welders lost their skills after a period of two weeks without practice or working. Even after every weekend, most welders noticed their quality were declined. Welding practices makes eyes and hands coordination always in the highest quality at all times.
Certificates of process weld:
Four types of the most common welding processes are used for welder’s certificate:
SMAW / Shielded Metal Arc Welding
GMAW / Gas Metal Arc Welding
FCAW / Flux Cored Arc Welding
GTAW / Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
There are many other welding processes which welder or welding machine can be certified. For example:
Resistance Welding
Brazing
Soldering
Plasma Welding
Laser Welding
Stud Welding
Submerged Arc Welding
Certificates of position weld:
Welding certificate for welding positions depends on the type of welded structures. In most of the cases are divided into structural welding and pipe welding. The structural position is for welding plate and easily implemented. The good location for welded plates and welded pipes depends on what certificate code allows. Certificate of pipe welding is more difficult because the position is always changed and never a simple straight weld.
Structural positions go with a coding system to identify the location and type of joints. Coding system as follows:
1 stands for straight welding position
2 stands for horizontal welding position
3 stands for vertical welding position
4 stands for bare welding position
F stands for fillet weld
G stands for groove weld
The way in which this system shows: the first figure is the position of welding, letter on the right is the type of welding. Here are a few examples:

1F is straight welding position for fillet weld
2F is horizontal welding position for fillet weld
3F is vertical welding position for fillet weld.
4F is bare welding position for fillet weld
1G is straight welding position for groove weld.
2G is horizontal welding position for groove weld.
3G is vertical welding position for groove weld.
4G is bare welding position for groove weld.
When referring to structural certification in particular, groove weld is eligible enough for welders to perform fillet weld. However, fillet weld isn’t qualified enough for welders to perform groove weld. Most of the code allows welders combine 2 positions: 3 and 4G, and these welders are qualified for all structural welding positions, pipe welding positions with a minimum diameter of 600mm.
Certification of pipe welding is also including coding system to identify the location and type of weld joint. They are similar to structural weld but much more difficult to implement. Welding positions are indicated as follows
1 stands for the case in which position of pipe is horizontal and implement straight weld
2 stands for the case in which position of pipe is vertical and implement horizontal weld.
5 is the case in which the position of pipe is horizontal and implement bare weld, horizontal weld and straight weld.
6 is the case in which the position of pipe is 45 ° and implement straight weld, horizontal weld, vertical weld and bare weld.
F stands for fillet weld.
G stands for groove weld.
R stands for limited position.
the position of pipe weld get the same encryption system as the structural position with one major exception. It is “R” letter or limited position. Limited position is used for pipe welders who perform the most difficult tests, at the same time providing similar types of challenges that welders will encounter in this field. Like the structural welding position, simply confirm position and number, then type of welding joint, letter and finally if there are obstacles, adding R. For example, 6GR will be the pipe in 45° position with the limited groove weld.
The pipe welding certificate is not currently popular, but there is still one kind of combination used. 2G and 5G combination certificate is also considered as 6G certificate. With most of pipe welders, they will get a 6G certificate and this certificate confirm for all pipe welding position and structural welding position. For most welders, welded metal which they take to be certified as carbon steel or steel A36. With other metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, they must use personal certificates and in most cases their employers will pay for these certificates.

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