SHIPPING HELP
Skip to main content

AWS Certification

Browse AWS Certification
  • Student Carmen, Amy Peddie, from Linwood, N.C.
  • Amy Peddie, a student Carmen from Linwood, N.C., is welding a horizontal test plate using the shielded metal arc welding procedure.
  • Eddie Layaog, a student Carmen from Norfolk, Va, is welding a T-fillet test plate in the overhead position using the shielded metal arc welding procedure.
  • Students from Rhea County High School traveled down from Tennessee to take an American Welding Society (AWS) test. This test is given to an individual who would like to be recognized through the national standard. Once the test is passed they will get a certification card that can help them further their career.
  • Eddie Layaog, showing the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Student Carmen, Ken Thomas, from Atlanta, Ga, preparing to weld in the overhead position using the shielded metal arc welding procedure.
  • Ken Thomas, a student Carmen from Atlanta, Ga, is welding in the overhead position using the shielded metal arc welding procedure.
  • Lee Sanchez, a student Carmen from Bellevue, Ohio, is preparing to weld a T- Fillet in the overhead position using the shielded metal arc welding procedure.
  • Lee Sanchez, a student Carmen from Bellevue, Ohio, is welding a T- Fillet in the overhead position using the shielded metal arc welding procedure.
  • Josh Reynolds, a student Carmen from Macon, Ga, is welding a vertical T-Fillet using the flux cored arc welding procedure.
  • Student Carmen, Josh Reynolds, from Macon, Ga.
  • Carmen class 1402, from various areas in the Eastern US, are taking a four week course on shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and flux cored arc welding (FCAW).
  • The welding lab facility at McDonough, Ga, has the capabilities of testing 32 individuals. All of the booths are identical with brand new Lincoln machines and ventilation system.

The Norfolk Southern Training Center is an Accredited Testing Facility (ATF) for the American Welding Society (AWS).  As an ATF, we administer testing programs for procedure qualification and maintenance renewal for any welding code.

Our Training Center’s testing facility is available to public and private sector groups and individuals seeking to establish or maintain procedure qualifications as established by the AWS welding code.

The purpose of this site is to inform prospective test candidates and their employers about AWS requirements and to provide important details regarding the test registration process.

If you would like information on Registration, Pricing, the Request Form or to view frequently asked questions, please click the appropriate link in the right column.

Program Information

AWS approved welding certification indicates that a welder has completed a nationally recognized test which demonstrates his/her ability to perform a sound weld for a specific process in accordance with industry standards.

There is no universal test to certify welders as there are many different codes, standards and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) that regulate welding.  Instead, welders must complete individual tests for each standard and process for which they require certification. Depending on the processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW), the metals (steel, stainless, aluminum, etc) and the variables (thickness, direction, position, joint design, etc), a welder may need to take several tests, in various processes and positions in order to satisfy employer and industry requirements.

An AWS test is a practicum exam, meaning the welder must successfully perform a hands-on demonstration of the weld process being tested in accordance with the AWS welding standards.   In addition to passing the AWS acceptance criteria of a visual inspection conducted by an AWS Certified Welding Inspector, this weld may undergo mechanical testing and/or radiographic examination (destructive and/or nondestructive testing) in accordance with the qualification test procedure.    

To learn more about AWS codes, standards and specifications, welders should refer to the relevant AWS publications available at http://pubs.aws.org/.