Mail-In Welder Qualification Testing — All Codes, All Positions
WeldCertTest qualifies welders under every major structural welding code. AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API 1104, AWWA C206, AWS D1.6, D1.3, and D1.7. Your welder runs the coupon at your facility. Ship it to Atlanta. We handle CWI inspection, accredited bend testing, and official WPQ documentation.
✓ We Test Your Coupons • ✗ We Are Not a Welding School • ✓ Official WPQ Records Issued
All Welder Qualification Testing Options
Select the code and position that matches your project requirement. Not sure? Call us — we'll point you to the right test.
1G Flat Position Plate Qualification
Groove weld in the flat position. The foundational structural steel qualification — covers flat groove and fillet welds. Ideal for shop fabricators working on positioners or rotators where flat position is achievable.
View 1G Details →2G Horizontal Position Plate Qualification
Groove weld in the horizontal position. Covers flat and horizontal groove and fillet welds. Common requirement for structural fabricators working on vertical members where horizontal welding is the norm.
View 2G Details →3G Vertical Position Plate Qualification
Groove weld in the vertical position. Covers flat, horizontal, and vertical positions. Demonstrates the ability to control the weld puddle against gravity — a common field requirement for structural column and beam connections.
View 3G Details →4G Overhead Position Plate Qualification
Groove weld in the overhead position — the most demanding plate position. Covers flat, horizontal, and overhead positions. Required for welders working beneath structural members where overhead welding cannot be avoided.
View 4G Details →3G/4G All-Position Plate Qualification
One test — complete plate coverage. The 3G/4G combined qualification covers all groove and fillet weld positions on plate. The single most efficient qualification for structural steel welders who work in multiple positions. Most versatile plate qualification available.
View 3G/4G Details →5G Fixed Pipe — Horizontal Qualification
Pipe fixed with its axis horizontal — cannot rotate. The welder works around the pipe through all positions: overhead at the bottom, vertical on the sides, flat on top. Qualifies for all pipe positions. Essential for process piping and structural pipe fabrication.
View 5G Details →6G Fixed Pipe — 45° Inclined Qualification
The most demanding single qualification available. Pipe fixed at 45° from both horizontal and vertical — no flat or true horizontal sections exist. Passing 6G qualifies the welder for all pipe and plate positions under D1.1. The gold standard for pipe welders.
View 6G Details →ASME Section IX — Pressure Vessel & Piping
Welder performance qualification for pressure vessel fabricators, boiler shops, and process piping contractors. ASME B31.3, B31.1, and Section VIII applications. QW-484 WPQ form issued. All positions — plate and pipe.
View ASME IX Details →API 1104 — Pipeline Welder Qualification
Cross-country transmission line, gathering system, and distribution main welders. Satisfies 49 CFR Part 192 and Part 195 requirements. Uphill and downhill progression both covered. Nick-break and guided bend testing. All pipe diameter groups.
View API 1104 Details →AWWA — Water Works Steel Pipe Qualification
Water main contractors, municipal utilities, and water infrastructure fabricators welding steel water pipe to AWWA C206. Field butt joints, lap joints, and branch connections. Carbon steel water pipe, all positions.
View AWWA Details →AWS D1.6 — Stainless Steel Structural
Structural welding of austenitic and duplex stainless steel. Food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical processing, marine, and architectural applications. Grades 304, 316, and duplex. TIG, SMAW, and GMAW processes.
View D1.6 Details →AWS D1.3 — Sheet Metal Structural
Light gauge steel structural welding — base metal 3/16 inch and under. Metal building systems, cold-formed steel framing, and structural decking connections. Includes arc spot weld (puddle weld) qualification for deck attachment.
View D1.3 Details →AWS D1.7 — Structural Repair & Strengthening
Repair and strengthening of existing steel structures — bridges, buildings, industrial structures. Addresses unknown base metal chemistry, in-service loading, and restricted access conditions unique to repair work.
View D1.7 Details →Welder Re-Certification — Lapsed Qualifications
Qualification expires after six months without documented use of the qualified process. Re-certification requires a new test coupon — but not necessarily the same test as the original qualification. WeldCertTest handles re-qualification under all codes. Don't let a lapsed WPQ cost you a job.
View Re-Certification Details →Not Sure Which Test You Need?
The right qualification depends on three things: the welding code specified in your project documents, the base metal you're welding, and the positions your welders will encounter in production. Here's a quick guide:
→ AWS D1.1 — 3G/4G for all-position plate, 6G for pipe
→ ASME Section IX — plate and pipe positions
→ API 1104 — pipe positions, uphill or downhill
→ AWWA C206 — or D1.1 if spec allows
→ AWS D1.6 — separate from D1.1
→ AWS D1.3 — includes arc spot welds
→ AWS D1.7 — repair and strengthening
→ Re-Certification — new test coupon required
Why Contractors Use WeldCertTest
- No travel required — Your welder runs the coupon at your shop or job site. No driving to a test facility, no lost production days, no scheduling around a test center's calendar.
- Every major welding code — D1.1, ASME IX, API 1104, AWWA, D1.6, D1.3, D1.7. One relationship covers your entire qualification program regardless of what codes your projects specify.
- CWI on every coupon — Every test coupon is evaluated by a Certified Welding Inspector. No shortcuts. No rubber stamps. Your WPQ holds up to third-party audit.
- Accredited bend testing — Mechanical testing performed in an accredited laboratory. The test results are defensible and the documentation is complete.
- Official WPQ records — We issue the actual Welder Performance Qualification documentation your projects require. Not a certificate. Not a card. The WPQ record that goes in your compliance files.
- Straightforward turnaround — Results typically within 5–10 business days of coupon receipt. See full timeframes.
- Nationwide — We receive coupons from welders in all 50 states. If you can ship it, we can test it.
Welder Qualification Testing — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about codes, positions, and which test fits which project.
What welding codes does WeldCertTest test under? +
Which welder qualification test do I need for my project? +
What is the difference between 3G, 4G, and 3G/4G plate qualification? +
What is the difference between 5G and 6G pipe qualification? +
Do I have to test under AWS D1.1 if my project uses a different code? +
Does WeldCertTest qualify multiple welders in one submission? +
What positions does WeldCertTest cover? +
How long does welder qualification testing take? +
Does WeldCertTest issue WPQ records or AWS Certified Welder cards? +
Who Inspects Your Coupons
Every test on this page is performed by the same named, credentialed CWI — not an anonymous testing team.
Timothy Dodd
AWS CWI #00120381 • ICC S2 #8184186
AWS Certified Welding Inspector. Performs all CWI visual inspection for WeldCertTest welder qualification testing under every code on this page. Signs every WPQ issued. Owner of Xenogenesis, LLC.
Roger Baldwin
Site Owner & Operator
Owner and operator of WeldCertTest.com. 28 years in the broader nondestructive testing industry. Handles business operations; partners with Tim at Xenogenesis for all CWI inspection work.
Ready to Qualify Your Welders?
Tell us your code, position, and process. We'll handle everything from there. Contractors nationwide trust WeldCertTest for fast, compliant, official WPQ documentation.
Content reviewed by Timothy Dodd, AWS CWI #00120381 · Last reviewed May 16, 2026