Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
This question is about welder certifications.
How long does a welding certification last?
How long a welding certification lasts depends on the specific certification and the industry standards in the area in which the welding is being done. Generally, a welding certification can last anywhere from six months to five years.
You may be asked to earn an employee certification if you are new to welding. Certifications test the job applicant on the specific welding process they'll be using in that line of work.
Once a welder has proven their ability in a certain welding process, metal, position, and thickness range, they are considered qualified for the job. If the welder's test results are documented, they are certified to work in that welding process for six months.
The American Welding Society (AWS) offers eight certifications for welders. One of the tests is for the Certified Welder. This certification could prove helpful to welders working in the chemical refinery, structural steel, sheet metal, and petroleum pipeline welding industries.
Every six months after you receive this certification, you must submit a maintenance form to AWS verifying that you're still performing the same welding you were initially tested on.
The most common types of welding certifications include:
American Welding Society (AWS) Certification - 6 months
American Petroleum Institute (API) Welding Certification - 5 years
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Certification - 1 year
National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) Certification - 3 years
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certification - 5 years
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Certification - 3 years
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Certification - no expiration
Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Certification - 5 years
European Welding Federation (EWF) Certification - 5 years
International Institute of Welding (IIW) Certification - no expiration
Choose from 10+ customizable resume templates
Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
