A welder can become “certified” by passing a practical test of their welding ability. A test for certification is specific to a given structural or manufacturing code, the type of material, its thickness, the electrode, the process, the type of joint and the position of the work. There is no such thing as a welder who is certified to work on any kind of material or thickness; passing the test only says that the welder is certified to work within specific parameters similar to the test. In addition, the certification expires after six months unless the welder has a supervisor sign off that they have been performing similar work. On the plus side, not all jobs require that the welder be certified, and some will help you certify on the job. At Laney, more advanced students have the option of training to certify to the American Welding Society D1.1 code for structural steel.
The Certificate of Achievement is awarded once a student completes a specific list of 24 units in the Welding Department. This experience covers a multitude of welding processes and theory, and confers that an individual has an above average level of understanding and performance of welding in general. They can be expected to think critically and knowledgeably about issues on the job, and ought to require less supervision and training than those without a similar award.
