Certified Welders vs Coded Welders
A certified welder can produce credentials. A coded welder has passed practical tests showing their skill.
A coded welder is certified to meet specific codes for welding strength, quality, and appearance.
Welding Certifications Overview
- 1G welding positions pipes horizontally, allowing rotation along the horizontal axis. The welder’s position is stationary.
- 6G pipe welding certification is challenging but considered the pinnacle for welders.
- Major welding certifications are Certified Welder (CW) and Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
What Does It Mean to Be a Certified Welder?
Certified means completing a program and passing an exam per an organization’s standards. Coded means passing practical welding tests to industry specifications like the American Welding Society’s codes.
The Four Main Types of Welding Certifications
- Weld inspectors use coded and certified levels.
- Each shows mastery of variables—process, materials, thicknesses, joints, positions. The welder’s range signals versatility.
- Getting certified takes one to two years.
- Requirements vary by organization, procedures, positions.