Top 10 Welding Supervisor Certifications

Certifications for a welding supervisor demonstrate expertise in the field and can help to increase job opportunities. Employers often require certifications for welding supervisors to ensure that any personnel assigned to supervise welders are adequately qualified and knowledgeable about safety procedures. Without these certifications, a welding supervisor may not be considered for certain positions or may not be able to perform their duties at the highest level of competency. Certifications also demonstrate that a welding supervisor is up-to-date on the latest industry standards and best practices, enabling them to provide more reliable results with fewer errors. In short, certifications are essential for a welding supervisor to stand out in the job market and to ensure they are providing the highest quality of service possible.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Welding Supervisors and explains how they can help advance a welding supervisor's career.

What are Welding Supervisor Certifications?

Welding supervisor certification is a specialized credential that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in overseeing welding operations and ensuring weld quality. This certification is designed to help welding supervisors stay up to date on the latest technologies and practices, as well as demonstrate their competency in the field. Certification can be earned through organizations such as the American Welding Society (AWS) and National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

Becoming certified as a welding supervisor can provide several benefits. It helps employers identify qualified candidates with the necessary knowledge and experience to supervise welding activities safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Certified individuals may also have better job prospects due to their enhanced credentials. Additionally, they are more likely to be trusted by employers since they have proven their proficiency in the field. Finally, certified welders may be eligible for higher wages than those without this certification.

Pro Tip: When looking for a welding supervisor certification, make sure to research the certifying body and ensure that they are accredited and recognized by the relevant authorities. Additionally, look for programs that offer hands-on training and experience in order to give you the best preparation for your role as a welding supervisor.

Related: What does a Welding Supervisor do?

Top 10 Welding Supervisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Welding Supervisors today.

1. Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)

Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the field of welding supervision. The CWS certification is administered by the American Welding Society (AWS).

To become certified, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as welding safety, quality control, and supervision. Applicants must also have at least three years of experience in welding supervision or related fields. Additionally, applicants must complete a minimum of 24 hours of approved continuing education courses within the past three years.

It typically takes about two months to receive your CWS certification after you have successfully completed the exam and submitted all required documentation.

The cost for the CWS exam and application fee is $400 for AWS members and $500 for non-members. There may be additional costs associated with taking continuing education courses or other training programs that are necessary to qualify for the exam.

2. American Welding Society Certified Welder (AWS CW)

The American Welding Society Certified Welder (AWS CW) is a certification that demonstrates a welder’s competency in welding processes and procedures. It is an internationally recognized qualification for welders, and it is the most widely accepted welding certification program in the world.

To become an AWS CW, you must pass a comprehensive test that covers all aspects of welding safety, theory, and practical application. The test consists of multiple choice questions as well as practical demonstrations of welding techniques. The exam must be taken at an accredited testing center and can take up to 8 hours to complete.

In order to get your AWS CW certification, you must first complete a welding training program from an accredited school or institution. This program will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills required to pass the AWS CW exam. Once you have completed your program, you can register for the exam through the American Welding Society website. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

Once you have passed your AWS CW exam, you will receive a certificate showing that you are certified by the American Welding Society in accordance with their standards. You will also receive a wallet card which proves your certification status when needed for employment or other purposes.

Overall, becoming an AWS Certified Welder requires dedication and hard work but can open up many opportunities in the welding industry for those who are willing to put in the effort.

3. American Welding Society Certified Welder Inspector (AWS CWI)

The American Welding Society Certified Welder Inspector (AWS CWI) is a certification program that provides welders with the knowledge and skills to inspect welds for quality assurance and safety. The program was developed by the American Welding Society to ensure that welders are qualified to inspect welding processes, materials, and equipment.

To become an AWS CWI, applicants must have at least five years of welding experience or two years of welding inspection experience. In addition, applicants must pass a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as metallurgy, welding inspection techniques, codes and standards, and safety practices. The practical exam requires the applicant to demonstrate their ability to inspect welds using visual methods as well as other testing methods.

The entire process typically takes about six months from start to finish. Applicants should also expect to pay a fee for the application process as well as fees for both exams. The cost of the application fee is usually around $100 while the cost of each exam is usually around $400-$500 depending on which test center you take it at.

Overall, becoming an AWS CWI is an important step in ensuring that welders are qualified to inspect welding processes and materials for quality assurance and safety purposes. It requires dedication and hard work but can be very rewarding in terms of career advancement opportunities within the welding industry.

4. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certified Welding Supervisor

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to supervise welding operations. The CWS certification is intended to provide employers with assurance that individuals have the qualifications required to perform their duties as a welding supervisor.

To become certified as a CWS, an individual must first complete the NCCER Core Curriculum and then pass an exam administered by NCCER. The Core Curriculum consists of four courses: Introduction to Welding Supervision, Advanced Welding Supervision, Quality Control in Welding Supervision, and Safety in Welding Supervision. Each course takes approximately 10 hours to complete and can be taken online or in a classroom setting.

After completing the Core Curriculum, applicants must take and pass the CWS exam which consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam fee is $125 USD and must be paid at the time of registration. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their CWS certificate from NCCER.

The CWS certification is valid for three years from the date of issuance. To maintain certification status, individuals must renew their certification every three years by completing 24 hours of continuing education credits related to welding supervision topics such as safety, quality control, or new technologies in welding.

5. American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified Welding Supervisor

The American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills to supervise welding operations. The CWS certification is intended for those who are responsible for the supervision of welding operations in accordance with API standards and codes.

To become an API Certified Welding Supervisor, an individual must meet certain qualifications and pass a written exam. To be eligible for the CWS certification, individuals must have at least five years of welding experience, including two years of supervisory experience, or a combination of education and experience that meets the requirements specified by API.

The written exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as safety, welding processes, quality control, weld joint design and fabrication methods. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of obtaining the API CWS certification varies depending on location but typically ranges from $200 - $400 USD.

6. International Institute of Welding (IIW) Certified Welding Supervisor

The International Institute of Welding (IIW) Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) is a certification program for experienced welding professionals. It is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in welding supervision, inspection, and quality control. It also provides recognition of an individual’s ability to lead and manage a welding team.

In order to obtain the CWS certification, candidates must meet certain requirements, including having at least five years of experience in welding supervision or inspection; passing the IIW CWS examination; completing an approved training course; and submitting a portfolio that demonstrates their knowledge and skills related to welding supervision. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as welding processes, materials selection, weld joint design, codes and standards, safety practices, quality control procedures, and personnel management.

The cost for the CWS certification varies depending on the country where you are taking the exam. In general, it will cost between $500-$2,000 USD for the entire process. The time required to complete the process can vary depending on how quickly you can prepare for the exam and complete your portfolio. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to one year before you receive your certification.

7. National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) Certified Welder Inspector

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) Certified Welder Inspector is a certification program that provides recognition to qualified welders who have demonstrated knowledge in the field of welding inspection. The program is designed to ensure that welders have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to perform quality welding inspections.

To become an NBBI Certified Welder Inspector, applicants must complete a written examination and pass a practical evaluation. The written exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as welding processes, metallurgy, codes and standards, inspection techniques, and safety practices. The practical evaluation requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to properly inspect welds using various methods.

The entire process usually takes about two weeks to complete. Applicants must first register with the NBBI before they can take the written exam or practical evaluation. After registering, applicants will receive an application package which includes instructions on how to apply for the certification program. Once approved by the NBBI, applicants will be scheduled for both the written exam and practical evaluation at an authorized testing center.

The cost of becoming an NBBI Certified Welder Inspector varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD for both the written exam and practical evaluation fees combined.

8. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Certified Welder Inspector

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Certified Welder Inspector is a certification program that provides an individual with the knowledge and skills necessary to inspect welded assemblies for quality and safety. This certification is applicable to those who work in welding, fabrication, inspection, or related industries.

In order to become certified as an ASME Certified Welder Inspector, you must complete a series of courses and exams. The courses are offered by the American Welding Society (AWS), and they include topics such as welding codes, inspection techniques, metallurgy, and other related topics. After completing the courses, you must pass an exam administered by the AWS in order to receive your certification.

The cost of becoming an ASME Certified Welder Inspector depends on which courses you take and how many exams you need to pass. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $1,000 - $3,000 depending on your specific needs.

It typically takes between one to two years to become an ASME Certified Welder Inspector depending on how quickly you complete the courses and exams.

9. Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Certified Welder Inspector

The Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Certified Welder Inspector is a certification program that assesses the knowledge and skills of individuals in the field of welding inspection. The CWB Certified Welder Inspector (CWI) certification is designed to recognize welders who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in welding inspection activities. The CWB Certified Welder Inspector program is administered by the Canadian Welding Bureau, an independent, not-for-profit organization established to promote and support welding excellence in Canada.

It typically takes several months to complete the CWB Certified Welder Inspector program. Candidates must first pass an online exam which consists of multiple choice questions related to welding inspection principles and practices. Once they have passed this exam, they must then attend a two-day classroom course which covers topics such as visual inspection techniques, destructive testing methods, and quality control procedures. After successfully completing both the online exam and the classroom course, candidates must then complete an on-site practical assessment where they demonstrate their ability to inspect welds under the supervision of a qualified CWB inspector.

To get certified as a CWB Certified Welder Inspector, you will need to meet certain requirements including having at least five years of experience in welding or related fields; having completed a minimum of 40 hours of approved training courses; and passing both the online exam and on-site practical assessment with satisfactory scores.

The cost for becoming certified as a CWB Certified Welder Inspector varies depending on your location but typically ranges between $1000-$2000 CAD. This cost includes fees for registration, exams, materials, and any other associated costs such as travel expenses if applicable.

10. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour Certification for Supervisors

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour Certification for Supervisors is a voluntary program that provides supervisors with the knowledge and skills they need to identify, prevent and eliminate workplace hazards. The certification includes 10 hours of instruction in topics such as hazard recognition, accident prevention, recordkeeping requirements, and safety program management. The certification is valid for five years from the date of completion.

In order to obtain the OSHA 10-Hour Certification for Supervisors, individuals must complete an approved 10-hour training course. These courses are typically offered by private organizations or through online programs. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a wallet card verifying their certification status.

The cost of the OSHA 10-Hour Certification for Supervisors varies depending on the provider offering the course. Generally speaking, courses range from $50-$150 per student. Some providers may also offer discounts or group rates for multiple students taking the same course.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on how quickly you are able to complete the required training course. Most courses can be completed in one day or over a weekend; however, some online programs may take longer depending on your learning style and schedule availability.

Do You Really Need a Welding Supervisor Certificate?

The short answer to this question is: it depends. The welding supervisor certificate is an important credential for those in the welding industry who are responsible for overseeing and managing other welders. It can help ensure that welders have the qualifications, knowledge, and experience necessary to do their job safely and efficiently.

However, if you’re already a qualified welder or working in an area of the industry where supervision isn’t required, then a welding supervisor certificate may not be necessary. For example, many welders work independently as contractors or freelancers, and don’t need to be supervised by someone with a certificate; likewise, some companies may only need one certified supervisor on their staff.

On the other hand, if you are looking to advance your career or take on more responsibilities within the welding industry, then obtaining a welding supervisor certificate might be beneficial. This certification will demonstrate your commitment to safety protocols and quality assurance – both of which are essential for any successful business venture involving welding. Plus, having this certification could help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions in the field.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a welding supervisor certificate depends on your current role within the industry and your future goals. Consider what you’re hoping to accomplish with your career before making a decision about whether this certification is right for you.

Related: Welding Supervisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Welding Supervisor Certifications

Q1. What is a welding supervisor certification?

A1. A welding supervisor certification is an accredited qualification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in supervising welding operations. It is designed to provide assurance of quality and safety when supervising welders, as well as verify the technical competency required for the job.

Q2. How do I get certified as a welding supervisor?

A2. To become certified as a welding supervisor, you must complete a welding supervisor training program which includes both theoretical and practical components, followed by passing an exam administered by an approved organization or institution. You may also need to have some prior experience in the field of welding supervision before taking the exam.

Q3. What are the requirements for becoming a certified welding supervisor?

A3. In order to become a certified welding supervisor, you must first have completed an approved training program and passed an exam from an approved organization or institution. Additionally, you must also be able to demonstrate knowledge in areas such as safety standards, code regulations, metallurgy, and basic mathematics related to welding processes.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified as a welding supervisor?

A4. The time required to become certified depends on your individual circumstances; however, most people can complete their training and exams within one year or less if they are dedicated and make use of available resources such as online courses or study materials provided by certifying organizations or institutions.

Q5. Is there any other certification I should consider getting besides my welding supervisor certification?

A5: Yes, depending on your career goals there are several other certifications that could be beneficial for professional advancement in the field of welding supervision such as AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWII), American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder (CW), National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Certified Welder Supervisor (CWS), etc..