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Does a Welding Certification Expire?

3/18/2016

25 Comments

 
Welding Fillet Weld
If you are an AWS Certified welder and your test was done through an AWS Accredited Test Facility (ATF) you will need to renew your certification regularly with AWS to keep them current. The back of your AWS card lists the certifications you are qualified in and the expiration date for each. Certifications in accordance with Supplement C or D9.1 for the Sheet Metal Welding Code require maintenance every 12 months. Certifications in accordance with D1.1 and all other codes require maintenance every 6 months.  The cost for renewal is $15.00. You must also keep an auditable record of welding activity within every 6 month period. 
If you are an AWS Certified Welder in need of renewing your certification, download the form below, fill out and send in by the expiration date to properly maintain your certification.
Online QuikCheck is your fastest way to verify current AWS Certification credentials. Enter an individual’s certification information and get immediate results- AWS CERTIFICATION QUIKCHECK

maintenance of welder certification form
If you did not take your test through an ATF center, or elected not to take the ATF upgrade, you will not need to submit maintenance forms. However, you still must keep an auditable record of welding activity within every 6 month period. 

Not sure if you took an ATF test? An easy way to check is if you received a wallet card from AWS . If necessary, call the center that you tested with to verify. 
25 Comments
WEBSITE link
10/31/2017 01:42:47 pm

very informative article

Reply
Wayne Major link
3/12/2021 08:58:04 pm

Hello This is Wayne with CPC I had several of our employee certified through your company. I'm asking for your help. I need certified stainless tig welders for full time employment. We do a lot of stainless steel pipe welding and a lot of steel fabrication. Thanks, For any help you can do for us. Wayne 410-984-9733

Reply
Dustin Brennan
9/5/2018 10:47:44 pm

Is the ATF upgrade an option with the "send in test kits"?

Reply
Allison link
9/6/2018 09:32:24 am

Hey Dustin- excellent question. The ATF option is not available through the send in test kits. ATF tests must be administered with a CWI present.

Reply
Michael Foley link
2/12/2019 09:17:24 pm

Why do I need to get my certification renewed every 6 months?

Reply
Allison link
2/13/2019 09:16:28 am

Hey Michael! If you have a certification through the AWS ATF program, it needs to be renewed every 6 months so that there is an auditable record that you have welded in that particular process/application. AWS charges a fee for this for the maintenance of your record within their system.

Reply
Devin
4/6/2019 08:23:12 pm

Lost my certification and wanted to no how long my certification lasts thank you

Reply
Jeff Shepard
7/3/2019 09:45:30 am

So, you mean that every welder is responsible for keeping their cert. current? I thought that if you stayed actively welding, that it could not expire. Please advise.

Reply
Allison link
7/3/2019 09:56:01 am

Hi Jeff! It depends on the type of test that you took. Please call us to verify if you took the test through our facility.

Reply
Timothy E.
1/6/2020 05:46:49 am

There are some other organizations like the unions who certify through multiple individual contractors with one test for each type of weld, and as long as you have welded on a job or you take an update which is usually a 1F bead on a plate they will update all your certifications for all your contractors you hold a cert for.

Reply
Don link
1/6/2020 02:07:22 pm

Hi Timothy, With regard to multiple contractors with 1 test. I am aware of some unions who keep records in a central location and allow them to be utilized by multiple contractors. Currently the only certifications that are recognized in a national database and truly travel with the welder would be tests taken in accordance with the AWS Accredited Test Facility guidelines. Whether you are in the AWS National database, or take a "standard" Code qualification test, all require welder continuity, which generally states that the welder must utilize the discipline tested every 6 months for a qualification to remain active. In some cases, If a welder exceeds the continuity time period, there are protocols to renew continuity. Depending on the code/test, some type of retest would most likely be required.

Chris link
4/11/2020 05:12:46 pm

I lost my aws welding certificate, how can I renew if I don’t have the certificate number

Reply
Tig Welding Auckland link
10/3/2019 08:07:24 am

Thank you for this article because it’s really informative welding blog/does a welding certification expire.The article is nice and it’s pleasant to read. I have known very important things over here.Thank you so much for this post.

Reply
Billie De La O
10/10/2020 10:13:32 pm

I recieved my cert at a community college. We had a inspector come in from another state to certify us. I still have my original cert with his info. Never recieved a card nor do I have a number on my cert. Does that mean I have to still retest or send in the proper paperwork to stay current?

Reply
Don Hodges link
10/12/2020 09:34:22 am

Hi Billie, It appears as if you did not test at an Accredited Test Facility (ATF). Therefore, you would not receive a card from the AWS and would not be required to submit a continuity form, or fees associated with it.
For clarity, your qualification document is most likely a legitimate AWS document and you still need to maintain welder continuity (weld every 6 months using the process in which you qualified and document it). Hope this helps

Reply
Steven h.
12/13/2020 09:19:18 pm

I have a 6g cert in tig and stick that I got while in school. Would it be important for me to update these certs while working as a full time mig welder? Will these certs be beneficial for a future job?

Reply
Don Hodges link
12/14/2020 10:40:12 am

If possible, I would always try to not let a qualification expire. Updating would require re-testing if you have not maintained your welder continuity. Maintaining welder continuity entails simply using the process that you qualified to at least once every 6 months. With that in mind, I would recommend keeping track of this so your qualifications are always active. It's easy enough to do, and expensive to re-qualify.

Reply
Eiwaa Group link
5/13/2021 03:23:58 am

Thanks for this post.. Our Welder Qualification Tester are aware of what codes or standards are applicable in a certain area and understand the requirements of the relevant document. We can perform various qualification and testing services in order to verify that the welder or welding operator is capable of making welds within the scope of that standard or that the instructions in the welding procedure specifications are accurate. <a href="https://eiwaagroup.com/welder-and-brazing-quality-test-uae/">
Brazing Operator Qualification Test
Welder Qualification Test
Welder Qualification Test</a> <a href="https://eiwaagroup.com/third-party-inspection-company-dubai/"> Zone Certification
Third Party Inspection Companies</a>

Reply
Eiwaa Group link
6/12/2021 09:02:16 am

Thanks for this post… <a href="https://eiwaagroup.com/welder-and-brazing-quality-test-uae/">Welder Qualification Test</a> is Welder should perform the test weld on the similar coupon following all the variables given the approved WPS. Example (position, approved filler metal, approved base metal, allowed Electrical characteristics, allowed Gas flow rate, Pre heat & post weld heating requirements. Perform Visual and NDT tests, Macro tests on the weld coupon and qualify the welder. Welder qualification certificate should be renewed 6 months once, as per code requirement.
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Reply
Chance Cook link
7/28/2021 09:58:46 am

Wow, I had no idea that certifications need to be renewed either every 6 or 12 months. I love this because it shows how these welders truly are certified. They aren't just working but rather they are experts in their craft.

Reply
Sam Seng
2/2/2022 07:34:43 pm

Hi, I would like to ask whether the initial welding test for aluminum tig weld valid as long 6 months continuation records is kept . What about the accredited testing center , do we have to get AWS to qualify?

Thanks
Sam

Reply
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8/3/2022 11:21:10 am

Edirne Viessman servisi için hemen websitemize göz at! https://www.edirneklimaservisi.com/edirne-viessmann-servisi/

Reply
Iris Smith link
9/28/2022 01:03:42 am

Thank you for mentioning that the certifications you are qualified for, along with their expiration dates, are shown on the back of your AWS card. I need welding services for the remodeling of my home. I'll employ welding professionals, and I'll use your information to check them out.

Reply
Travis Hazleton
1/14/2023 04:24:38 pm

If i do not elect to take a test with ATF Upgrade and not have to send in forms every six mouths how do i keep and prove record of my welding every six months?

Reply
Allison link
1/15/2023 01:47:24 pm

You still must keep an auditable record of welding activity within every 6 month period. You can keep this in any format you prefer, but you must document the date, and process used at least every 6 months.

Reply

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  • Products & Services
    • Welding & Cutting Equipment >
      • THEO Laser Welding >
        • Request Your Demo
      • Fronius Welding Products
    • Free Welding Productivity Analysis
    • Welder Rentals & Repairs
    • Weld Engineering
    • Machine Tools
    • Welding & Cutting Automation >
      • CN-Seamless
      • APT MOD-WELD Cobots
  • Gases
    • Free Gas Application Analysis
    • Industrial & Welding Gases
    • Medical Gases
    • Bulk & Microbulk Gas
    • PurityPlus Specialty Gases
    • Cannabis Gases
  • Welder Training
    • Program Overview >
      • Fundamentals of Welding
      • Blueprint
      • Intermediate Welding >
        • Intermediate Stick
        • Intermediate TIG
        • Intermediate MIG
      • Advanced Welding >
        • Advanced Stick
        • Advanced TIG
        • Advanced MIG
      • Welding Basics
      • Custom Classes & Open Practice Time
    • Pricing & Class Schedule
    • How to Register
    • Tour Our Facility
    • Why Earlbeck Technical Center
    • On Site Training
    • Frequently Asked Questions >
      • Are student loans, financial aid, or scholarships available?
      • How long does it take to complete the program?
      • What should I bring for my first day of class?
      • Where can I find information about weather related closures or delays?
      • Do you offer job placement?
      • How Much Money does a Welder Make?
      • What is the Job Outlook for Welders?
    • Eileen Blob Scholarship
  • Weld Testing
    • Welder Certification
    • Schedule Your Test
    • Send In Weld Testing
    • AWS D1.1 Send in Test Kits
    • Frequently Asked Questions >
      • How much does a welding certification cost?
      • How do I become qualified for bridge work?
      • Does a Welding Certification Expire?
      • What is an ATF Test?
      • What Welding Certification Do I Need?
      • Why Should I Become a Certified Welder?
  • Welding 101 Blog
  • Locations & Contacts
    • Baltimore, MD
    • Beltsville, MD
    • York, PA
    • Scranton, PA
    • Southern MD Welding School
    • Scranton PA Welding School
    • Arnold MD Welding School
  • More...
    • Why Earlbeck >
      • Testimonials
      • Fabrication Company Case Study
    • History
    • Photo Gallery
    • Resources
    • Our Policies