If you are in the welding business and working from engineering drawings, you need to be familiar with the American Welding Society Code books.

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Why? Because the AWS is the only game in town when it comes to welding codes and specifications. And if you complete a job and some third party welding inspector asks to review your welder's certs, you are kind of screwed. Its kind of hard to convince an inspector to overlook something like that. You are not going to find a welding test inspector willing to back date welding certifications either. Just like ole Jerry said "the mule has done got out of the barn"

"But my welders don't need to be certified" you say. Really? Read your drawings carefully. If you see something to the effect of "Welding to be performed in accordance with AWS D1.1" that means your welders do need to be certified in order to comply with the drawing requirements.

You may have been getting away with no certification for years. But eventually, it could cost you big time.

There are too many AWS codes to list but I will list the most widely used codes for your benefit and if you are in an industry where these codes are referenced on drawings, you might want to purchase the books and bone up a bit.

And then get aws training london your welders certified to the right code soon... so that just in case you are called to task one of these days , and a blood sucking lawyer asks you questions about due diligence and welding certification, you will have a ready answer.

Structural welding certification tests are usually either 3/8" thick or 1" thick. Both thicknesses use a 1/4" thick backing strip and a 1/4" gap.

Unless you are lucky enough to be tested for a Fab shop, you will probably be required to weld 2 certification test plates, one in the vertical position (also known as the 3G position) and one in the overhead position (4G). When both vertical 3G and overhead 4G welding tests are passed, the welder is qualified for all positions.

The 1" thick test qualifies for unlimited thickness and the 3/8" thick welding certification plate test has a thickness limitation. Most people think the 3/8" is a bit easier.

Either way, there are a few things you can do that will improve your odds:

Ask the test shop supervisor what kind of things will fail you before the welding certification test begins. For example, how much grinding is allowed? What size rod is permitted on the root pass? Does he want to see the fit-up? It goes without saying that you need to have practiced before you even showed up. If it is allowed, get a piece of scrap metal and weld a little while to shake off the rust. Not off the metal, but off of you.

Try not to be nervous and focus.

Good luck Welder.