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HOW IT WORKS

The Mail-In Welder Qualification Process

No travel. No scheduling around a testing facility's calendar. Your welder runs the plate at your facility on your schedule. You ship it to Atlanta. We handle everything else — CWI inspection, accredited bend testing, and official WPQ delivery.

✓ We Test Your Plates  •  ✗ We Are Not a Welding School  •  ✓ Official WPQ Records Issued

✆  (404) 860-1288 Get a Quote Check Timeframes
7
Steps
Call to WPQ in hand
0
Travel Required
Weld at your facility
AWS
CWI Inspected
Every plate
Same
Day WPQ Email
On passing
✓  D1.1 Compliant ✓  Accredited Lab Testing ✓  CWI-Signed WPQ ✓  All Positions 1G–6G ✓  Nationwide

Why Mail-In Qualification Works

AWS D1.1 does not require the CWI to witness the welding. The standard requires only that the test be performed under a qualified Welding Procedure Specification and that the results be evaluated by an AWS Certified Welding Inspector. The welder's skill is demonstrated in the plate — not in front of an audience.

This means a fabrication shop in Texas, a structural contractor in Washington, or a pipe welder in Maine can qualify their crew without taking them off the job, booking a testing facility, or paying travel expenses. Ship the plate, get the WPQ. That's the whole model.

No Travel or Facility Scheduling

Your welder stays at your facility. No scheduling around a testing center's calendar, no travel time, no per diem. The test happens when your shop is ready — not when a facility has an opening.

Weld on Your Own Equipment

The welder uses the same machine, consumables, and setup they use every day. No adjustment period on unfamiliar equipment. The test reflects actual production capability, not performance on a stranger's machine.

Qualify Multiple Welders at Once

A testing facility handles one welder at a time on a fixed schedule. With mail-in qualification, your whole crew can weld their test plates the same week and ship together. One coordination call. One batch.

Full D1.1 Compliance

The mail-in process produces the same CWI-signed WPQ as any in-person testing facility. AWS CWI inspection, accredited laboratory bend testing, official documentation. Every item a project QC manager, auditor, or owner requires.

Close-up of leather-gloved hands holding E7018 stick electrode performing structural plate welding at the welder's own facility, bright arc visible with consistent weld bead on steel plate
The welder runs the test plate at your facility — same machine, same setup, same consumables used in production. AWS D1.1 does not require a CWI to witness welding. Your welder demonstrates their skill in the plate. We evaluate it.

The Seven Steps — Start to WPQ

  1. Call First — Get Your Prep Instructions

    Before your welder runs a single bead, call us at (404) 860-1288. This call prevents the most common and most expensive mistake in the qualification process: welding the plate with the wrong setup.

    We'll confirm all of the following before you prep anything:

    • Correct plate thickness for the qualification range you need (3/8" limited vs. 1" unlimited)
    • Test position and number of plates required (3G/4G requires two plates)
    • Backing bar dimensions and root opening specification
    • Testing method — bend tests vs. RT — and any project-specific requirements
    • WPS provided or confirmed before welding
    • Shipping address and Test Request Form provided after quote acceptance

    Getting this right before welding takes 10 minutes. Getting it wrong means a re-weld, a re-ship, and a delay that could have been completely avoided.

  2. Welder Runs the Test Plate at Your Facility

    The welder performs the CJP groove weld in the required position per the WPS — at your shop, on your equipment, on your schedule. This is a structural welding test, not a practice run. The WPS must be at the machine and followed exactly.

    Standard plate test configuration:

    • 45° included groove angle (22.5° per plate side)
    • Knife-edge root face (0" land)
    • 1/4" root opening
    • 1/4" × 1" × 8" A36 permanent backing bar
    • 1" ASTM A36 plate for unlimited thickness qualification

    For pipe coupons (5G/6G): The pipe is positioned per the position designation — horizontal fixed for 5G, 45° inclined for 6G. Pipe does not rotate during welding. The welder moves around the full circumference.

    For 3G/4G combined: Two plates — one welded in vertical position, one in overhead. Both ship together. Both must pass.

  3. Plate Prep and Documentation

    After welding, before packaging:

    • Cool to ambient temperature completely — no quenching, no water cooling, no accelerated cooling of any kind
    • No coatings, oils, or rust preventatives on the weld surface or adjacent base metal — these interfere with visual inspection and bend test specimens
    • Mark the plate permanently — welder's full name, date of weld, process, test position, and plate thickness using metal stamp, paint marker, or engraving. Not tape. Not paper labels.
    • Complete the Test Request Form — provided after quote acceptance. Fill it out completely. Missing fields cause delays at receipt.
    • Include a copy of the WPS — the same WPS used for welding. Seal it with the Test Request Form in a clear plastic zip-lock bag.

    Full packaging and labeling details are on the shipping instructions page.

  4. Ship to Atlanta

    Use the exact shipping address provided after quote acceptance — it is not posted publicly. Wrap each plate individually in bubble wrap or foam. Use a rigid double-wall cardboard box or wooden crate for multiple plates. Plates must not shift or contact each other in transit.

    • UPS or FedEx for single plates and small batches up to 150 lbs
    • Freight or LTL for heavy crated shipments
    • Get a tracking number — always — and send it to us before or at time of shipment
    • Consider shipping insurance for multi-welder submissions

    We confirm receipt the day the plate is delivered. Plates with tracking numbers on file move into the inspection queue immediately on arrival. See the full shipping instructions for complete packaging requirements.

  5. CWI Visual Inspection

    Every plate is examined by our AWS Certified Welding Inspector per D1.1 Clause 4.9 before anything else. Visual inspection happens within 1 to 2 business days of receipt. No plate moves to mechanical testing without passing visual first.

    Visual acceptance criteria — D1.1 Clause 4.9:

    Cracks
    None permitted — anywhere
    Incomplete Fusion
    None permitted
    Undercut
    ≤ 1/32" (0.8mm)
    Weld Reinforcement
    ≤ 3/16" (4.8mm)
    Arc Strikes
    None outside weld zone
    Overlap / Cold Lap
    None permitted

    If the plate fails visual inspection, we notify you the same day with the specific rejection reason. The welder re-welds a fresh plate. We do not proceed to bend testing on a visually rejected plate — no point running tests on a plate that won't pass.

  6. Mechanical Testing — Bend Tests or RT

    Plates passing visual proceed to accredited mechanical testing. For most D1.1 structural qualification, guided bend testing is the standard method. Radiographic testing (RT) is an accepted alternative when specified.

    Guided bend testing — standard method:

    • Backing bar removed before specimen cutting
    • Four specimens cut per plate (2 face bends, 2 root bends)
    • Each specimen machined to dimension per D1.1
    • 180-degree bend in guided jig per D1.1 Figure 4.12
    • Acceptance: no single discontinuity > 1/8" in any direction
    • All four specimens must pass — one failure = plate fails
    • Turnaround: 2 to 5 business days after visual pass

    Radiographic testing — alternative method:

    • X-ray evaluation of weld soundness without destructive testing
    • Accepted for SMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and GMAW spray transfer
    • Not permitted for GMAW short-circuit (GMAW-S) — bends required
    • Turnaround: 3 to 7 business days (lab scheduling dependent)
    • Must be specified on the Test Request Form before shipping

  7. WPQ Issued and Delivered

    Visual passed. All bend specimens passed. The CWI reviews all test results, signs the Welder Performance Qualification record, and issues the official WPQ documentation.

    The WPQ record includes:

    • Welder's full name and employer
    • Welding process qualified (SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, GTAW)
    • Test position and positions covered per D1.1 Table 6.10
    • Plate or pipe thickness and qualification range
    • Date of test weld
    • AWS CWI name, certification number, and signature
    • Visual inspection results and bend test results

    Delivery: WPQ emailed the same day testing is complete. Physical copy mailed — arrives 2 to 5 business days after email. Both formats provided as standard.

    What to do immediately on receipt: Start the continuity log that same day. The 6-month continuity clock runs from the date of the test weld. Document the first production weld on the qualified process as soon as it happens and keep the log current from that point forward.

Official Welder Performance Qualification Record document on wooden desk showing fields for welder name, process, position, test date, and AWS CWI signature, with hard hat and welding gloves visible
The end result — a CWI-signed Welder Performance Qualification record: The official document that satisfies project QC requirements, owner compliance checks, and audit documentation requests. Emailed the same day testing is complete. Physical copy mailed.

What Tests Are Available

Qualification Tests — Positions and Coverage
Test Type Groove Positions Covered Fillet Covered Plates
1G FlatPlate1G1F, 2F1
2G HorizontalPlate1G, 2G1F, 2F1
3G VerticalPlate1G, 2G, 3G1F, 2F, 3F1
4G OverheadPlate1G, 4G1F, 4F1
3G/4G All-PositionPlateAll 4 positionsAll 4 positions2
5G PipePipe1G, 3G, 4G1F, 3F, 4F1 coupon
6G PipePipeAll positionsAll positions1 coupon
Re-CertificationAnySame as initial testSame as initialPer test

After the WPQ — Maintaining Your Qualification

The WPQ is not a one-time document that lasts forever on its own. Per AWS D1.1 Clause 4.25, the qualification remains valid only as long as the welder uses the qualified process at least once every six months and the employer documents it in a continuity log.

Start the Continuity Log the Day You Receive the WPQ: The 6-month clock runs from the date of the test weld. Document every qualifying use of the process with date, welder name, process, job number, and supervisor signature. A properly maintained continuity log prevents every future re-qualification test that results from a paperwork lapse. See the re-certification page if continuity has already lapsed.
  • File the WPQ record immediately — physical and digital copies
  • Start continuity log on the day of WPQ receipt
  • Document first production weld on qualified process as soon as it occurs
  • Set a 5-month calendar reminder for each welder's continuity window
  • Review all welder logs quarterly — catch gaps before they become lapses
  • Track each process separately — SMAW and FCAW continuity are independent

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AWS D1.1 allow mail-in welder qualification?
Yes. AWS D1.1 does not require the CWI to witness the welding. The standard requires only that the test be performed under a qualified WPS and that results be evaluated by an AWS CWI. The welder completes the plate at their facility and ships it for evaluation. WeldCertTest's process is fully D1.1 compliant.
Why do I need to call before welding the plate?
Getting the configuration wrong before welding means starting over from scratch. Plate thickness, groove angle, root opening, backing bar dimensions, and testing method must all be confirmed before any welding happens. A 10-minute call prevents a re-weld and re-ship that could cost days or weeks. Always call first.
What happens if my plate fails visual inspection?
We notify you the same day with the specific rejection reason per D1.1 Clause 4.9. We do not proceed to bend testing. The welder re-welds a fresh plate and re-ships. Visual failure is the biggest timeline extension in the process — clean plate prep and proper welding technique prevent it entirely.
What is the difference between bend testing and RT?
Guided bend testing destroys the weld specimen to evaluate soundness — four specimens bent 180 degrees, all must pass. Radiographic testing (RT) uses X-ray to evaluate without destroying the specimen. RT is accepted for most D1.1 processes but is not permitted for GMAW short-circuit transfer mode. RT takes 3 to 7 days versus 2 to 5 for bend testing. For most structural qualification work, bend testing is the standard.
Can I qualify multiple welders at the same time?
Yes. Your whole crew can weld their test plates the same week and ship together. Call ahead for batches of five or more so we can coordinate sequencing and provide accurate batch timing. Multi-welder submissions are a significant advantage of the mail-in model — no scheduling conflict, no facility time limits.
Does the process page also cover pipe qualification (5G/6G)?
Yes — the same process applies to pipe coupons. The welder completes the 5G or 6G pipe coupon at your facility, ships it to Atlanta, and our CWI performs visual inspection followed by bend testing per D1.1 Table 6.13. The WPQ documents all positions covered. See the 5G and 6G pages for position-specific details.
How long does the full process take?
From the day WeldCertTest receives the plate, typical turnaround is 4 to 10 business days — 1 to 2 days for visual, 2 to 5 for bend testing, 1 to 2 for WPQ completion. Add shipping transit time (1 to 5 days depending on distance). Total from first contact to WPQ in hand is typically 1 to 3 weeks. See the timeframes page for full phase-by-phase breakdown.
When does the 6-month continuity clock start?
The continuity clock starts from the date of the test weld — not the date the WPQ is issued. Start the continuity log the day you receive the WPQ and document the first production weld on the qualified process immediately. Per D1.1 Clause 4.25, a gap of more than six months without documented use of the qualified process voids the qualification.
Is the mail-in WPQ accepted the same as an in-person qualification?
Yes. The WPQ produced by WeldCertTest's mail-in process is a fully D1.1 compliant CWI-signed Welder Performance Qualification record — identical in structure, content, and legal standing to any WPQ produced by an in-person testing facility. The process of evaluation determines compliance, not the location where the plate was welded.

Ready to Qualify Your Welders?

Call before you weld. We'll make sure everything is set up right before your welder runs the plate.

Mail-in. CWI inspected. Accredited testing. Official WPQ. Nationwide.