How Our Weld Testing Process Works

At WeldingCerts.com, we make weld practice, testing, and qualification simple and precise. Whether you’re building skills, preparing for a formal test, or earning official qualification, we offer three clear paths. Simply choose what you need.

1

Practice Plates (Non-Code Training Plates)

These plates are built strictly for practice. Dial in your settings, build muscle memory, and refine technique without wasting money on code-compliant plates or dealing with code requirements.

  • Same thickness and 22.5° groove geometry as a real AWS test plate
  • Narrower 2" width = material & shipping savings that we pass on to you.
  • Ideal for schools, instructors, and individual welders honing their skills
  • 3x the welding for the cost of one code-compliant test plate

Best for: Skill development, classroom training, and personal practice.

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2

AWS-Compliant Test Plates (Plates Only)

These are true AWS-compliant test plates, manufactured to AWS D1.1 code specifications. They can be used in two ways:

  • As realistic practice plates that exactly match AWS geometry and dimensions
  • As official test plates to be tested at a school, employer, or third-party test facility

These are not mockups—these are the same plates used in AWS D1.1 qualification testing.

  • AWS code-compliant materials and dimensions
  • Suitable for certification testing outside our lab
  • Ideal for schools and facilities that already have a CWI

Best for: Realistic practice or testing at another approved facility.

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3

Complete Welder Qualification (Start-to-Finish Testing)

This is the full path to welder qualification—handled end-to-end. You purchase a qualification kit, complete the weld per the provided Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), and send the completed plate back to us. The WPS is supported by a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR). One of our Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) performs the inspection and destructive bend testing.

If you pass, you receive:

  • Official test results
  • A Welder Qualification Record (WQR) issued by the inspecting CWI

The entire process is streamlined, compliant, and documented.

  • Practice plates and test plates included
  • WPS provided (supported by PQR)
  • Destructive bend testing performed by our CWI's
  • Official qualification documentation issued upon passing (WQR)

Best for: Welders who need an official qualification fast without navigating the complexity and cost of schools or testing centers.

Choose Your Path

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Just Practicing? → Buy affordable, realistic practice plates

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Need AWS Code-Compliant Plates Only? → Buy fully compliant test plates

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Need Complete Welder Qualification and Documentation? →

No confusion. No scheduling hassles. No bureaucracy. Practice here. Test anywhere. Or complete your full qualification with us, by mail, from start to finish.

AWS D1.1 Welder Qualification & Testing Notice

Under AWS D1.1, welders are qualified, not certified. Qualification is achieved by successfully completing a prescribed weld test and having the results evaluated and documented in accordance with the AWS code.

PennWelding™ Corporation provides formal weld test evaluation and documentation for AWS D1.1 welder performance qualification. When a submitted test coupon meets all acceptance criteria, we issue a Welder Performance Qualification Record (WPQR) documenting the welding process, position, material thickness, and test results.

Per AWS D1.1, the welder's employer is ultimately responsible for verifying the identity of the individual who performed the test weld and for accepting the qualification for official use. This is the industry-standard process followed by all AWS-compliant testing facilities and Certified Welding Inspectors.

In practical terms, successful completion of testing through PennWelding™ provides the welder with the official qualification documentation required by employers, inspectors, and project owners to demonstrate compliance with AWS D1.1.

If you have questions about the qualification process or what documentation you will receive, please contact us at 717-925-7700 Ext 1.

Understanding Your Weld Qualification Options

Before ordering a qualification kit, you will make four key selections.

1

Determine the Type of Qualification

Your qualification is based on:

  • Base metal thickness
  • Welding process
  • Welding position

Together, these define what you are legally qualified to weld under AWS D1.1.

2

Choose Your Test Thickness

Limited Thickness Test – 3/8″ Plate

A 3/8″ groove weld test is considered a limited thickness qualification.

If you pass a 3/8″ test, you are qualified to weld:

  • Minimum thickness: 3/16″
  • Maximum thickness: 3/4″ (2 × test thickness)

Best for: Most shop and field structural work under 3/4″ thick.

Unlimited Thickness Test – 1″ Plate

A 1″ groove weld test qualifies as an unlimited thickness qualification.

If you pass a 1″ test, you are qualified to weld:

  • All thicknesses 3/16″ and greater
  • No upper thickness limit

Best for: Heavy structural, critical welds, and maximum employability.

3

Choose Your Welding Process

We support the following AWS-recognized processes:

SMAW – Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)

Commonly called stick welding.

  • • Uses a flux-coated electrode
  • • Extremely versatile and portable
  • • Widely used in structural steel and field work

Why choose it: Universally accepted, durable, and still heavily used.

GMAW – Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG)

Commonly called MIG welding.

  • • Uses solid wire with external shielding gas
  • • Clean, controlled arc with minimal slag
  • • Common in fabrication shops and production environments

Why choose it: Efficient, precise, and widely used in shop settings.

FCAW-G – Flux Cored Arc Welding (Gas-Shielded / Dual Shield)

Often called dual shield.

  • • Flux-cored wire with external shielding gas
  • • Very high strength and deposition
  • • Widely used in fabrication shops and heavy industry

Why choose it: High productivity and excellent mechanical properties.

4

Choose Your Welding Position

Plate qualifications are position-specific.

1G
Flat Position

Weld performed from the top side of a flat plate. Easiest position, lowest qualification coverage.

2G
Horizontal Position

Plate is vertical; weld is horizontal. More challenging than flat, common in structural work.

3G
Vertical Position

Weld performed vertically. Qualifies you for 1G and 2G automatically. Major step up in skill.

✓ Covers: 1G, 2G, 3G

4G
Overhead Position

Weld from underneath. Most difficult. Does NOT qualify for 2G or 3G.

✓ Covers: 1G, 4G only

Why Some Welders Take a Two-Position Test

Because 3G and 4G do not overlap, welders who need full plate coverage must pass both: 3G (flat, horizontal, vertical) + 4G (overhead). Together, these two tests qualify you for all plate positions.

Putting It All Together

Your final qualification depends on:

  • Thickness tested (limited or unlimited)
  • Process used
  • Position(s) tested

That is why selecting the right combination up front matters—and why this guide exists.

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