Welder Certification
Welder Certification
The welder certification is that document that qualifies a professional’s technical skills in performing welded joints that meet safety and quality standards. It is an essential qualification in industries where welding has an impact on the reliability of structures, such as construction, oil & gas, aerospace, automotive, and metal carpentry.
Colloquially we refer to the welder certification to mean the welder’s qualification, a technical designation defined by the international standard UNI EN ISO 9606. This standard establishes the criteria by which to certify the welder’s ability to properly perform a joint and has European validity. By following this harmonized standard, one thus obtains the European welder certification.
Is there a unique welder certification?
There is no single welder certification that is valid for every situation. The welder’s qualification is always linked to specific parameters, which define the areas of validity of the certification. The scope of validity of the welder’s license depends on the welding process, the material to be welded, the thickness and diameter of the joint, the welding position, and the type of joint.
This means that a welder qualified for a particular process, material, or type of joint is not automatically qualified in every condition.
The welder certification is therefore a very specific qualification, which aims to certify a very specific skill of the welder, ensuring that the joints made are safe and conform to the specifications required by the customer and regulations. Different from the welder’s license is the welding operator ‘s qualification in accordance with ISO 14732, which certifies the welder in the automatic field.
It is important to note that the soldering qualification does not also cover the brazing process, so a specific license is required
When a welder's certificate is mandatory
Welder’s license, when is it mandatory?
The welder certification becomes mandatory when required by product standards (e.g., EN 1090 or PED directive), system standards (ISO 3834, ISO 9001), and when the customer commissioning the welding requires that the welded joints be performed by qualified personnel. In particular, technical and legislative standards require certification of the welder when the safety and reliability of structures depend on the quality of the welds.
The welding certification is mandatory in several areas, including:
- Metal construction and structural carpentry – UNI EN 1090 and Eurocodes standards require qualified welders for steel and aluminum load-bearing works.
- Pressure systems and pipelines – According to PED Directive 2014/68/EU, operators must be qualified to weld vessels, boilers and pipelines subject to pressure.
- Oil & Gas, Energy and Chemical – Technical specifications and international standards (ASME, API, ISO) mandate the use of certified welders.
- Rail, marine and aerospace sector-The qualification is essential to ensure safety and compliance with industry-specific regulations.
Outside of mandatory cases, many companies still require a welder’s license as a requirement for bidding for contracts or to demonstrate the quality of their qualified personnel.
Standards and official references
The qualification of welder is regulated by nationally and internationally recognized technical standards, which precisely define the criteria for obtaining the license.
The reference standard for qualification of welders is UNI EN ISO 9606. Depending on the material to qualify for, different parts of the standard are followed:
- ISO 9606-1: Steels
- ISO 9606-2: aluminum and its alloys.
- ISO 9606-3: copper and its alloys.
- ISO 9606-4: nickel and its alloys.
- ISO 9606-5: titanium and its alloys, zirconium and its alloys
UNI EN ISO 14732 regulates the qualification of automatic welding operators and setters of automatic or robotic systems; while UNI EN 1090 is a product standard covering steel and aluminum metal constructions and requires welders to be qualified according to the standards described.
The PED Directive 2014/68/EU is followed with regard to pressurized components or piping.
Then there are international codes and standards such as ASME, AWS and API, which are required in specific industries such as Oil&Gas, Naval and Aerospace.
International validity of the patent
The welder certification, when obtained in accordance with UNI EN ISO 9606, is recognized throughout the European Union and in many non-EU countries that adopt the same standard. For this reason, it is often referred to as the European welder certification when obtained in compliance with UNI EN ISO 9606, the document is unique and valid throughout the EU, as it is issued according to an internationally harmonized standard.
In industries governed by specific codes (e.g., ASME for the U.S. or API for Oil & Gas), it may be necessary to obtain additional certification or support testing according to the standard required by the customer.
Qualifications issued on a purely national or corporate basis, however, do not automatically guarantee validity outside Italy.
How to obtain a Welder's Certification
To obtain a welde certification, it is necessary to follow a certification process structured and regulated by the UNI EN ISO 9606 standard. The certification process for qualification as a welder can be divided into 3 stages
- After choosing the specialty on which to earn the welder certificate, the operator must take a practical welding test on plates or pipes in the presence of an authorized inspector. During this phase, the candidate must weld according to a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) that defines:
- welding/brazing technology (BPS)
- degree of mechanization
- basic and input materials
- protective gas
- thicknesses and diameters
- type of junction (BW – FW)
- electrical parameters used
- The welded joint is subjected to nondestructive and destructive testing for compliance
- If the tests are successful, a welder’s certificate is issued
Entry requirements
No formal prerequisites are required to obtain a welder certification: theoretically, anyone can take the welder qualification exam.
However, it is still advisable to have a minimum of practical experience in the process with which you intend to apply for the license, and basic theoretical knowledge regarding the basic principles of welding, working positions, materials and procedures (WPS).
Licensed welding courses
The welder certificaition course is not mandatory for qualification purposes. However, Skillantis, Sideius’ advanced training academy for the manufacturing industry, can conduct various welding training courses on a scheduled and on-demand basis.
Choice of process, material and location
There is no single welder certificatio that is valid for every type of work. In fact, welder certification is always linked to a specific area of operation. This means that in order to obtain the license, a welder must specialize in a precise combination of process, material, and work position.
The variables that define certificate specialization are:
- Welding process (e.g., TIG welding license, MIG/MAG, coated electrode, oxyacetylene, etc.).
- Material to be welded (carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, nickel, titanium, etc.).
- Thickness and diameter of the joint
- Welding position (flat, vertical, overhead, etc.).
- Type of joint (FW: corner, BW: butt, etc.).
This system of “specializations” ensures that the certificate is real proof of the professional’s abilities under those working conditions, giving companies confidence that the splices will be performed safely and in accordance with regulations.
Examination evidence
Qualification for the welder ceritfication is obtained by passing a practical examination test, conducted under the supervision of qualified inspectors. The objective is to demonstrate the candidate’s ability to operate according to the chosen WPS on an actual workpiece.
Execution of the joint
Candidate prepares and welds a specimen with process (TIG, MIG/MAG, MMA, …), material and position as prescribed by WPS. Inspector verifies WPS compliance, flap preparation, preheat/interpass, cleanliness, consumables, and safety.
Immediate controls
- Visual inspection (VT) of the bead and inner/outer sides: profile, surface defects, start/end welds
- Dimensional checks: bead, expected penetration, specimen preparation.
Non-destructive testing (NDT)
Depending on material, thickness, joint and applicable standard (ISO 9606 / 14732), the specimen can be subjected to:
- Visual examination VT
- RT/UT (radiography or ultrasound) for volumetric defects.
Metallurgical and mechanical testing
Specimens are extracted from the joint and carried out:
- Macrography (macro examination) for penetration profile and internal defects.
- Folds (root/face/side bend) to assess ductility and integrity.
- Fracture, evidence of internal defects or lack of penetration.
- Traction, highlights the mechanical strength of the joint
Document verification and issuance of the license
After conducting the tests, the inspector collects NDT reports, test results, the chosen WPS, and examination reports. If all requirements are met, the Welder’s Certificate of Qualification (the “license”) is issued, with validity range clearly stated: process, material, thickness/diameter, location, type of joint, any limitations.
Validity and renewal
Welder certification: how long does it last?
The validity of the welder certification is not unlimited. Once obtained, it must be maintained and periodically renewed to confirm that the welder’s skills remain current and comply with regulatory requirements.
The duration of the qualification ranges from 2 to 3 years, depending on the part of UNI EN ISO 9606 applied.
A welder’s qualifications for a given process must be confirmed every 6 months by the welding manager or examiner/examining body. This confirms that the welder has worked within the scope of the qualification and extends the validity of the qualification for an additional 6 months.
Having reached the expiration date, a renewal of the welder certification is required, which involves a new practical test and related verifications, unless otherwise extended by industry standards or specifications.
Actual duration may vary depending on:
- Degree of mechanization (manual, semiautomatic or automatic);
- Joint material;
- Applied standard: for example, ISO 14732 for automatic operators (6 years) or ISO 13585 (5 years) for brazers.
The renewal serves to ensure that the welder’s qualification always represents real, up-to-date and verified competence, protecting the safety of facilities and the compliance of production processes with current technical standards.
Costs, timing and what is included
The cost and time to obtain a welder’s license can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:
- Selected welding process (TIG, MIG/MAG, electrode, etc.);
- Joint material and thickness;
- Number of qualifications required (e.g., for multiple processes or positions);
- Initial preparation level of the candidate (whether he/she already has experience or needs external training).
In general, the entire course takes a few hours.
The total cost normally includes:
- Materials and test samples
- Supervision of the inspector during the practical test;
- Performing nondestructive testing (NDT) and destructive testing
- Issuance of qualification certificate with details of the field of validity.
Because each course is customized according to the type of joint, level of specialization and business needs, costs may vary.
Contact us to receive an accurate quote or schedule the most suitable exam session.
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Benefits for companies and professionals
The welder qualification certificate, in addition to being a regulatory requirement, is also an added value for both the individual operator and the company that needs welding activities.
Being a certified welder is a competitive advantage for the individual professional, who can see his or her skills and abilities recognized at the national and European regulatory level. Companies often seek welders certified in accordance with relevant standards, especially in regulated industries such as metal construction, pressure equipment, energy, oil&gas and aerospace. Thus, having a recognized certificate ensures greater employability, more job opportunities and increased chances for professional growth, especially if several specializations are attained.
Having certified welders is a mandatory requirement in many industries. Companies must therefore ensure compliance with technical and safety guidelines. In addition to this, having qualified welders increases a company’s credibility with customers, regulators and clients. In addition, qualified welding personnel is a requirement that is often rewarded in tenders, second-party audits and system certifications.
Finally, having certified welding personnel reduces the risks and costs of non-quality related to production, reducing defects in components, rework, and downtime.
FAQ - Welder's License
What is a welder certification?
The welder certification is the certificate that attests to a welder’s technical skills in making joints that meet quality and safety standards. At the regulatory level, it is called the welder’s qualification (UNI EN ISO 9606 / 14732).
Is a welder certification mandatory?
The welder’s license is mandatory in all sectors where welding quality affects product or plant safety (e.g., metal construction, pressure vessels, oil & gas, aerospace). Standards such as UNI EN 1090 and PED 2014/68/EU make it mandatory.
How long does the certificate last?
The duration of the qualification ranges from 2 to 3 years, depending on the part of UNI EN ISO 9606 applied. The welder qualification shall be confirmed every 6 months until the expiry date. After expiry, the certificate shall be renewed
How is it achieved?
The welder certification is obtained by taking a practical welding test supervised by a qualified inspector. If the welded joint passes the nondestructive and destructive tests required by the relevant standard, the qualification certificate is issued.
What processes does it cover?
The certification is specific to a given process (TIG, MIG/MAG, MMA, etc.), as well as to a given material, thickness, and location. There is no one-size-fits-all patent.
If I change companies, does the qualification remain valid?
No, if the welder’s license is obtained through the company, it is associated with the company vat number and lapses when the welder changes companies. If, on the other hand, the license is obtained by a private individual (through his or her own tax code), then it is owned by the professional.
What is needed for renewal?
It is necessary to demonstrate continuity of work in the qualified process and, upon reaching the deadline, repeat the welding test to confirm competence.
How much does a welder certification cost?
The cost of the certification is inclusive of testing and the inspector’s commitment, so it depends on these two amounts. For more information contact our Certification Body.
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