Inspector Qualification Exams

SSTC announces Welding Inspector Qualification Examination

The Steel Structures Technology Center, Inc, Howell, Michigan, has announced the development of a new examination for the qualification of welding inspectors doing work under the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 Structural Welding Code - Steel. The written Welding Inspector Qualification Examination provides a cost-effective and efficient way for construction testing laboratories and agencies, structural steel fabricators, steel erectors, and building authorities to test their personnel in accordance with AWS B5.1:2003, the Specification for the Qualification for Welding Inspectors. You can download a copy of AWS B5.1 here.

The AWS B5.1 standard provides for employer-based qualification of welding inspectors, similar in approach to employer-based qualification of welding personnel under AWS D1.1, and nondestructive testing personnel under American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) SNT-TC-1A. The  Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors, AWS QC1:2007, refers to AWS B5.1 for testing requirements, body of knowledge, education, experience, visual acuity and other requirements.

Using the AWS B5.1 qualification standard, the employer is responsible for verifying the welding inspector’s education, experience, visual acuity, and capability to perform the inspection duties assigned. The SSTC Welding Inspector Qualification Examination can be used to verify and document the inspector’s competency, meeting the examination requirements of the standard. Personnel can be qualified as Welding Inspectors (WI) or as Associate Welding Inspectors (AWI), depending upon experience and examination grade. At this time, no SSTC examination is available for Senior Welding inspectors (SWI).

The SSTC Welding Inspector Qualification Examination consists of three parts - Fundamental Principles, Practical Applications, and Application of the AWS D1.1 Code, and has a minimum 250 questions related to the required body of knowledge. By tailoring the exam to steel construction, the employer is better assured of both the welding inspector’s broad knowledge and the understanding of AWS D1.1 principles, practices and specific requirements.

Employers will receive information regarding appropriate study materials for the inspector to review, other welding inspector qualification requirements to attain compliance with AWS B5.1, and the Welding Inspector Qualification Examination to administer to the inspector. The employer is to proxy the examination. The completed test booklet is returned to SSTC for grading. The employer is notified of the results, including diagnostics to enable further improvements in the inspector’s abilities and skills. Based upon examination results, plus the employer's verification of education, experience, and visual acuity, the employer now has documentation of the inspector's qualification to perform welding inspection of structural steel.

SSTC is not in a position at this time to administer or proxy the examinations for individuals or their employers.

The SSTC Welding Inspector Qualification Examination is currently available. Other inspector qualification examinations related to steel construction inspection will follow, including bolting, seismic construction, welding of reinforcing steel, and welding of sheet steel.

Further information is available by contacting the Steel Structures Technology Center at 5277 Leelanau Ct, Howell, MI 48843-5437, or by emailing exams@steelstructures.com.