Frequently Asked Questions for Certified Welder Courses and Testing

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1 American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder Testing Thanks to funding from a Department of Labor grant (SEELC), we are pleased to offer AWS Certified Welder Testing through a collaborative effort between the Welding Technology program and the college s Corporate and Continuing Education department. We adhere to all standards laid out by AWS D1.1 codes and standards. The PBSC Welding Technology program is also an AWS SENSE Level II and NCCER Accredited program. We provide training and certifications for students to begin a career in welding and train them for the rigor of today s industrial workforce. AWS Certified Welder testing is offered throughout the semester on a rotating schedule. The testing includes one day of instruction and one day of testing. You can expect on night one to complete paperwork, practice welds with a qualified welding instructor and understand the requirements you will need to test. On the second night of certification, you will be required to come prepared to test. The Certified Welding Inspector will review safety procedures, make sure you understand what you will be required to perform and set any other requirements for your specific test. AWS Welding Certification testing is held at the Lake Worth Campus in our welding lab. For schedules and more information regarding registration, please contact Sandra Barrett at or barretts@palmbeachstate.edu. Register online (Click on the orange box for class listing) for one or more of the following tests: Available in any position: Certification Test Currently Available SMAW E7018 & E7016, 3/8 CS PLATE W/BACKING SMAW E7018 & E6010, 6 SCH. 80 CS PIPE GTAW/SMAW ER70S-2 & E7018, 6 SCH. 80 CS PIPE SMAW w/backing 3/8 CS SMAW 6010 root 7018 fill and cap pipe CS GTAW SMAW combo pipe CS SMAW gauge with or without backing SS GTAW 1/16-1 1/2 plate with or without backing SS GMAW 18 thru 10 gauge with or without backing CS GTAW 18 thru 10 gauge 4043 with or without backing Aluminum GTAW 18 thru 10 gauge with or without backing SS **Additional procedures can be purchased to accommodate your needs**

2 For more information regarding the certification process and examples of tests we suggest you visit Additional Information for Welding Certification Testing: You will have an interview with the Certified Welding Inspector to determine the needs for your weld test. During this meeting, the inspector will ask a series of questions to determine: Job Type, Metal Alloy, Metal Thickness, Metal Type, Joint Type, Position, Qualified Welding Procedure (SWPS), Process (GTAW, SMAW, FCAW, GMAW) Please note the following criteria: Taken from AWS B2.1/B2.1M:2014 Manual 5.5 Examination Procedures and Acceptance Criteria Unless otherwise specified in the Referencing Document, examination procedures and acceptance criteria shall be as specified in the following subclauses Visual Examination. The test weld may be examined visually by the Qualifier at any time, and the test terminated at any stage if the necessary skills are not exhibited. The completed test weld shall be visually examined without magnification Standard Test Weldments. Acceptance criteria for visual examination of standard test weldments shall be as follows: 1. Plate and pipe weldments a. No cracks or incomplete fusion b. No incomplete joint penetration in groove welds, except where partial joint penetration groove welds are specified c. Undercut depth shall not exceed the lesser of 10% of the base metal thickness or 1/32 in [1mm] d. Face reinforcement or root reinforcement shall not exceed 1/8 in [3mm]

3 e. No single pore shall exceed 3/32 in [2mm] diameter f. For fillet weld test, concavity or convexity of the weld face shall not exceed 1/16in [1mm] Taken from AWS B2.1/B2.1M:2014 Manual Test FAQs Q: What is an AWS Certification? 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 (AWS, 2016). Q: What is involved in the test? There are two nights involved with AWS certified welder exam. The first night is optional and you will have the opportunity practice and receive feedback. During the first evening, you will be able to ask questions, receive feedback and make corrections with a qualified welding instructor. You will also have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the equipment and lab space that will be used during testing. On the second evening, testing will take place. The CWI will review AWS and College paperwork, discuss testing expectations, review SWPS, welding machine set within parameters and safety procedures. Q: What can I expect during the certification testing process? During testing, you will be asked to set up the pipe or plate in a fixed position and the CWI will verify. A root pass needs inspection prior to proceeding. If fit up and root openings are sound, the CWI will verify and ask you to proceed. There will be 2 hold points to verify if weld is within parameters and standards outlined in SWPS. Upon completion of weld, a visual exam is performed and coupons are created for bend test. Once bend test is passed, you have passed the test and are certified per AWS. Please note: Test can be terminated at any point based on CWI discretion due to failure to complete any portion of weld. Q: Who conducts the certification?

4 The exam is administered by a Certified Welding Inspector to ensure proper procedures are being followed to American Welding Society Standards. Q: What does my certification mean? You are registered with American Welding Society and are able to perform the weld to AWS standards and code. Please note: This will not exempt you from pre-employment testing when required by an employer. Q: How much does the PBSC AWS Certification cost? This course includes four hours of practice time with an instructor and four hours for testing. Students will safely perform the identified welding techniques using the necessary tools, equipment and personal protective equipment. Demonstrate your required welding skills and knowledge per AWS requirements to get AWS certification. For a limited time, these course are offered at a reduced price through the SEELC grant for $ Q: What type of test should I take? Palm Beach State offers SMAW, GTAW on demand. Other processes can be requested. Q: What does the testing inspector do? The inspector verifies that the welder can produce code quality weldments. Q: What should I bring to my certification test? Government issued ID Hood Personal Protection Equipment PPE Gloves Long shirt Work boots Grinder Grinding stone 80 grit flapper wheel Q: I have taken the certification test and passed. When can I expect to receive my certification?

5 The CWI will submit paperwork to AWS and you will receive a certificate from AWS after 30 business days. Q: How long is my AWS Certification valid? Indefinitely, as long as it is renewed every 6 months. A certification renewal form will need to be filled out and returned to AWS for processing. Q; Does PBSC offer Company and/or group training? Yes, you will have to contact Sandra Barrett for more information. Q: How often does PBSC off the AWS Certification Test? Please refer to continuing education webpage for scheduling. Q: Where is the PBSC testing site? The Accredited Testing Facility is located in the Education and Training complex on the Lake Worth campus. Certified Welder Program. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2016, from