Welder Qualification Testing

In Canada, people performing welding on certain products, buildings, and bridge structures, and their miscellaneous components, must be qualified by the CWB and working for a certified company under the CSA standards W47.1, W47.2, W55.3 and W186.

A CWB welding personnel qualification is the only nationally recognized welding credential within Canada.

CWB qualifications can be obtained by completing practical qualification tests:

  • When employed by a CWB Certified company,
  • Through CWB Accredited Test Centres, or
  • As a member with a CWB Accredited Union Hall.

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Welder Qualification Testing

Welder qualification testing is available at the CWB test centre in Nisku, Alberta (Canada) or at a CWB Accredited Test Centre. These facilities provide welders with the opportunity to practice and take a CSA welder qualification test. Applicable test plates are prepared by the company, or previously purchased from the CWB, for use during the witnessing and evaluation of the welder test by the CWB Service Representative.

The test ensures that the welder is competent to weld in the given process and position that is tested.

Qualification to Alternate Standards

As part of its regular CSA welder qualification program the CWB Group can also provide welder qualification/ certification for a range of other common welding codes and standards.

Qualification classifications

The common standard CWB transferable qualification classifications include:

  • "FW" - Ability to deposit fillet welds and tack welds
  • "S" - Ability to weld the full thickness of material when welding from both sides with or without back gouging, or when welding from one side with backing
    • "S" also qualifies for "FW"
  • "T" - Ability to weld the full thickness of material from one side without backing.
    • "T" also qualifies for "S" and "FW"

These classifications remain in effect for two years and are only valid when employed with a certified company.

The CWB makes periodic inspections of certified companies to ensure that they continue to comply with the requirements of these standards.

Welder Qualification FAQs

To be certified by the CWB, a company needs to meet requirements for welding personnel, with the specified welding experience, to be approved to control the company's welding operations. All welders working for a certified company must be qualified by the CWB Group and, for most qualifications, retested every two years. This is a practical test administered by a CWB representative at a CWB Accredited Test Centre.

In most cases, welders are tested and qualified on welding procedure specifications (WPS) and welding procedure data sheets (WPDS) the CWB Certified/applicant company has approved for fabrication. Some common qualification processes are:

  • shielded metal arc welding (SMAW);
  • flux cored arc welding (FCAW) and metal cored arc welding (MCAW);
  • gas metal arc welding (GMAW);
  • submerged arc welding (SAW);
  • gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW); and
  • electroslag welding (ESW) and electrogas welding (EGW)

If you're a welder employed by a CWB Certified/applicant company, welder qualification testing can be done in house. Testing can also be completed at a CWB Accredited Test Centre, if the company wishes. Welder qualification obtained at a Test Centre is only valid if you're a welder working for a CWB Certified/applicant company.

Each Test Centre handles their own scheduling and determines their own fees. Once you've located the Accredited Testing Centre of your choice, contact them directly.

 

If you fail your qualification test the first time, you can complete a retest within 90 days.

Most welder qualifications are valid for two years, provided you are continuously employed by a CWB Certified/applicant company. Certain qualifications may be shorter, and some may be non-expiring. Your qualification documents will contain this information.

A welder qualification expires on the expiry date. However, you have 90 days prior to and 90 days after the expiration date to check test your qualification. If you go beyond 90 days after the expiry date, a full qualification test is required.

At the request of the CWB Certified/applicant company, CWB will reissue the welder qualification card to authorized personnel within the company (Certification Contact or Welding Supervisor) to give to you.

At this time, all qualification tests must be completed in person at an Accredited Test Centre (or at the place of employment). If there is no Test Centre near you, you are responsible for any travel to and from any other Test Centre to complete testing.

A welder's qualification remains the property of CWB and may be revoked if:

  • The welder is not engaged in a given process for a period of three months or more.
  • A welder having a transferable identification card leaves the employment of the company and is not reemployed by a certified company for a period longer than three months.
  • A welder having a nontransferable identification card leaves the employment of the company with whom such qualification has been obtained.
  • There's modification/fraudulent use of qualifications.

Prepare for a CSA W47.1 Qualification Test

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