Welding certification question

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Hello!I have a few questions regarding certification.  My situation doesn't allow me to take classes right now but I've been practicing the 1g, 2g, and 3g open root positions for about six months. Are there certification centers that will allow an appointment to walk in and take a test?  Or do they require course training prior to the test?  If I pass, what kind of documentation do they give you to take to job sites? Also, what kind of jobs could I expect to get with that particular (3g) cert?  Thanks!
Reply:The instructor at the community college where I took a welding course used to give cert tests to people who weren't in the class. But I believe it wasn't cheap (like over $100 and that was 10 years ago or so), and if you flunked the test, you had to pay the testing fee again to try again. And if I recall right, this was just for some guy who wanted to weld on dumpsters (vertical up), so it wasn't like he was gonna make a pile of money with his cert.
Reply:Depends on where you are. It's common to have a prerequisite theory course completed before practical testing.
Reply:I suggest you take an instructional class on it before going to take the test. There are a lot of little items that are overseen when practicing by yourself vs having a veteran certified welder tell you how to pass it.Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by Country MetalsI suggest you take an instructional class on it before going to take the test. There are a lot of little items that are overseen when practicing by yourself vs having a veteran certified welder tell you how to pass it.
Reply:Certification typically is paid by the employer. The employer type will give practices test be for the real is given. At one time the employer gave the test, they stop the employer giving as everyone past the test. I am surprised the schools are not trying to make money off the test. A one man band has to paid for the test. FYI read the book for weld and how they give the test. For my work it was 1/4" by 2 ½" then after welding the plate would be bent.A place I work for work for used 6 x¾" plate I had bevel all plate for practice test for 30 employees DaveLast edited by smithdoor; 1 Week Ago at 02:48 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by smithdoorFYI read the book for weld and how they give the test. Dave
Reply:Originally Posted by Billy BrewerHello! If I pass, what kind of documentation do they give you to take to job sites? Also, what kind of jobs could I expect to get with that particular (3g) cert?  Thanks!
Reply:I was licensed shop so I give a simple cert. I just had the welder wild a ¼" X 2½" plate then bent over the weld if no cracks they pass.After North Ridge Earthquake they changed all rules.Dave  Originally Posted by Billy BrewerHello!I have a few questions regarding certification.  My situation doesn't allow me to take classes right now but I've been practicing the 1g, 2g, and 3g open root positions for about six months. Are there certification centers that will allow an appointment to walk in and take a test?  Or do they require course training prior to the test?  If I pass, what kind of documentation do they give you to take to job sites? Also, what kind of jobs could I expect to get with that particular (3g) cert?  Thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by LtBaddDo you want a 3G cert because that's what you feel most confident at this time to pass?Have you done a search of local businesses (or called them) that would hire someone with this cert?Good luck!
Reply:Depends a lot on your location. In Alberta you have to be a journeyman to get any certifications. In Alberta you are supposed to be an indentured apprentice or journeyman to work as welder. I say supposed to be because I don't think it's enforced too heavily, you can do the job or you can't. Once you're a journeyman you can go for your B pressure ticket (pipe work). You have to pay for the test unless you work for an employer who will pay it. Not all will. If you fail a test, you have to pay the same price to retest every time. Additionally you have to retest every 2 years for every process and every type of metal you are welding. It can get a little expensive if your employer isn't paying for it ($100+ for each test). Employers with an engineer can do in house testing after the initial test but it is only good in that particular shop. You go to a different employer and you will have either have to go through the boilers branch to retest (and pay) or the new employer will have you do an in house tes(s). If you're looking for a job as a welder (non pipe), a lot shops will just have you do a job test. I always preferred a job test over a piece of paper and saw my fair share of supposed master weldors who didn't live up to what they put on their resume. You can't fake it in welding.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveDepends a lot on your location. In Alberta you have to be a journeyman to get any certifications. In Alberta you are supposed to be an indentured apprentice or journeyman to work as welder. I say supposed to be because I don't think it's enforced too heavily, you can do the job or you can't. Once you're a journeyman you can go for your B pressure ticket (pipe work). You have to pay for the test unless you work for an employer who will pay it. Not all will. If you fail a test, you have to pay the same price to retest every time. Additionally you have to retest every 2 years for every process and every type of metal you are welding. It can get a little expensive if your employer isn't paying for it ($100+ for each test). Employers with an engineer can do in house testing after the initial test but it is only good in that particular shop. You go to a different employer and you will have either have to go through the boilers branch to retest (and pay) or the new employer will have you do an in house tes(s). If you're looking for a job as a welder (non pipe), a lot shops will just have you do a job test. I always preferred a job test over a piece of paper and saw my fair share of supposed master weldors who didn't live up to what they put on their resume. You can't fake it in welding.
Reply:Originally Posted by Billy Brewer Also, I figured by having at least that cert would be a good start with potential employers taking me seriously.  .
Reply:Search craigslist.  Look at qualification folk are requesting. ...Might get an idea of where to start.  Like 123weld said plenty of work for folk who want it.
Reply:Getting a cert on your own will not get you any job. Any employer that wants a cert will have you test for it. I am a welding contractor and have been for 15 years. I do not currently have any certifications. I can count the amount of jobs I have not gotten in the last 15 years by not having a cert on one hand. I have a buddy that has a structural steel company. Any time I have needed to have a certified weld I hire one of his guys to go out and do it. Again, only a handful of times for that too.
Reply:don't bother making an appointment for ur test,  just show up w/ a back pocket full of 5/32 7018, and tell them , that,  i'm  "Billy BOY Brewer" - the one and only
Reply:Originally Posted by 123welddon't bother making an appointment for ur test,  just show up w/ a back pocket full of 5/32 7018, and tell them , that,  i'm  "Billy BOY Brewer" - the one and only
Reply:Show up with some 1/4" 6010 and say, lets do some production root passes.
Reply:Originally Posted by Billy BrewerThy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
Reply:Originally Posted by 123weldyou want to associate jokes w/ scripture, or play biblical prophet, dont involve me.   i think  most christains, know thats sick.
Reply:Originally Posted by Billy BrewerIn no way did I intend to joke, mock or play prophet with scripture. My response was more of an "Amen Brother!" or "I'll drink to that!"  If it offended you or anyone else on this thread then I apologize.
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerYou are in a world full of people just waiting to be offended. Personally I wouldn’t give them a second thought, there are just too many of them. They seem to be harmless enough outside of the internet.
Reply:Originally Posted by Billy BrewerIn no way did I intend to joke, mock or play prophet with scripture. My response was more of an "Amen Brother!" or "I'll drink to that!"  If it offended you or anyone else on this thread then I apologize.
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerYou are in a world full of people just waiting to be offended. Personally I wouldn’t give them a second thought, there are just too many of them. They seem to be harmless enough outside of the internet.
Reply:Depends on the trade. Two many variables to answer specific. I was a boilermaker welder, and there were tons of different certs, all depending on the material (mild steel, SS, monel, inconel, etc) shape (tube, pipe, plate, beam etc). Then the process, (tig, stick, mig, orbital tig). Position, mostly 6G, but the others also.The test might be given by the employer, but was certified by sending Pics (x-rays) of your test to Hartford insurance, which was the only one I knew that covereod pressure work. When we were building the nuke plants (yeah, I'm old), it was common to take weeks of tests to get covered for several tasks  Then later, for nuke repairs, it would also be several days doing mock-up tests, which would be in the position, full PCs with SAR or SCBA respirators, etc that you might be making the repairs in. You had a cert card that listed your certs that you used to draw rod, it was checked to make sure you held the cert for that rod/filler. If you didn't do a process on your cert for six months, it expired. This was watched, they didn't want the expense of testing you again.Miller Dialarc 250Hobart 140HTP 220 MTSMiller Legend AEAD 200LE  Gas driveOriginally Posted by KenODepends on the trade. Two many variables to answer specific. I was a boilermaker welder, and there were tons of different certs, all depending on the material (mild steel, SS, monel, inconel, etc) shape (tube, pipe, plate, beam etc). Then the process, (tig, stick, mig, orbital tig). Position, mostly 6G, but the others also.The test might be given by the employer, but was certified by sending Pics (x-rays) of your test to Hartford insurance, which was the only one I knew that covereod pressure work. When we were building the nuke plants (yeah, I'm old), it was common to take weeks of tests to get covered for several tasks  Then later, for nuke repairs, it would also be several days doing mock-up tests, which would be in the position, full PCs with SAR or SCBA respirators, etc that you might be making the repairs in. You had a cert card that listed your certs that you used to draw rod, it was checked to make sure you held the cert for that rod/filler. If you didn't do a process on your cert for six months, it expired. This was watched, they didn't want the expense of testing you again.