Certification website: Certified Welder Program : Certification : American Welding Society (aws.org)
More information can be found here.
AWS Certified Welder
Credential Summary:
The Certified Welder program is performance-based, with no prerequisite courses or certifications required, that tests welders to procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery welding industries.
Overview:
• Related Instructional Hours: 80
• Exam details: Certified Welder exam
• Third party testing provider: American Welding Society (AWS)
• Exam cost: $500
• Renewal details: Certification good for 3 years
o Renewal by submitting Certified Welder Application and Maintenance of Welder Certification applications
o Renewal fee is $75
o Every 9 years must recertify by examination, approved endorsements, recertification course, or 80 hours of continuing education
Job Opportunities:
• Relevant SOC codes
o Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 51-4121
o Welding, Soldering, and Brazing machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 51-4122
o Structural Iron and Steel Workers 47-2221
• Demand information
o Average flame ranking = 3.49/5
• Average Wages
o Range from $43,870 (21.09 per hour) to $62,510 (4430.05 per hour)
(Average wage pulled as of October 2023)
Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies:
• AWS courses offer immersive experiences that encourage learners to actively think, question and draw conclusions.
• Procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery welding industries.
• Provision to test to a company-supplied or non-code welding specification.Post Secondary Relevance
• Credit for prior learning
o Ivy Tech gives credit
• Next level programs of study
o Welding Technology
o Gas Welding processes
o Shield Metal Arc Welding
o Principles of Welding Technology