AWS QC7-93 Supplement G

Supplement G—
AWS Performance
Qualification Test
 Keywords — AWS Certified Welders, welders, AWS QC7-93 Supplement G
welder certification, welder A W s Performance Qualification Test
qualification

AWS QC7-93
Standard for
AWS Certified Welders

Developed by
AWS Qualification and Certification Committee

Under the Direction of

AWS Education and Certification Council

Approved by
AWS Board of Directors

Abstract
This Supplement G to AWS standard QC7-93 describes testing administrated by Accrediled Test Facilities to the
requirements of AWS QC 4, Standard for Acreditation of Test Facilities for AWS Certified Welder Program.

American Welding Society

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, P.O. Box 351040, Miami, Florida 33135
 Statement on Use of AWS Standards

AH standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American
Welding Society are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the
American National Standards Institute. When AWS standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents
that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other governmental bodies, their
provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be
approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and
regulations. In all cases, these standards cany the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the
AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS
standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

International Standard Book Number: 0-87171-411-6

American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, P.O. Box 351040, Miami, Florida 33135

© 1993 by American Welding Society. All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Note: The primary purpose of AWS is to serve and benefit its members. To this end, AWS provides a forum for the
exchange, consideration, and discussion of ideas and proposals that are relevant to the welding industry and the
consensus of which forms the basis for these standards. By providing such a forum, AWS does not assume any duties to
which a user of lhese standards may be required to adhere. By publishing this standard, the American Welding Society
does not insure anyone using the information it contains against any liability arising from that use. Publication of a
standard by the American Welding Society does not carry with it any right to make, use, or sell any patented items.
Users of the information in this standard should make an independent investigation of the validity of that information for
their particular use and the patent status of any item referred to herein.

With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered.
However, such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These
individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or
interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official
interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS Qualification and Certification Committee. It must be
reviewed every five years and if not revised, it must be either reapproved or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations,
additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are requested and should be
addressed to: Director of Qualification and Certification Department, AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive
careful consideration by the AWS Qualification and Certification Committee and the author of the comments will be
informed of the Committee's response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS
Qualification and Certification Committee to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse
decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee.
A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, P.O. Box 351040,
Miami, Florida 33135.
 Personnel

AWS Qualification and Certification Committee

C. E. Pepper, Chairman Oak Ridge Nat'l Laboratory

J. F. Harris, 1st Vice Chairman Centerior Energy
L. P. Connor, Secretary American Welding Society
E. M. Beck* Law Engineering Incorporated
W. F. Benke Ford Motor Sterlin Plant
E. R. Bohnart Miller Electric Manufacturing Company
H. Chapman Consultant
H.F.Clark II Fluor Daniel, Incorporated
A. L. Collin Consulting Engineer
P. R. Evans B&W Nuclear Service Company
H. W. Goser Stupp Bros. Bridge and Iron Company
W. L. Green* Retired, Ohio State University
J. E. Greer Moraine Valley Community College
M. L. Houle* Consultant
W. H. Kennedy Canadian Welding Bureau
R. E. Long Consultant
S. P. Martin General Dynamics Land Systems
R. D. Messer Exxon Chemical
A. L. Petroski Valmet Paper Machinery
R. R. Picard ASEA Brown Boveri
S. L. Raymond National Training Fund
T. Schlafly* AISC
S. W. Scott Westinghouse Hanford Company
R. M. Simons Washington Public Supply System
W. F. Urbick Welding Management Consultants
R. F. Waite Consultant
R. K. Wiswesser Welder Training and Testing Institute
F. G. DeLaurier, Ex-Officio American Welding Society
D. W. Dickinson, Ex Officio Ohio State University
J. C. Paprilan, Ex-Officio Ohio State University

' Advisor

111
AWS Certification of Welders/Welding Operators Subcommittee (QCE)

R. K. Wiswesser, Chairman Welder Training and Testing Institute

J. H. Balch National Pipeline Welding School
H. Chapman Consultant
H. F. Clark, II Fluor Daniel Incorporated
A. L. Collin Consulting Engineer
D. H. Delk United States Air Force
P. R. Evans B&W Nuclear Service Company
H. W. Goser Stupp Bros. Bridge and Iron Company
R. L. Harris Consultant
R. E. Long Consultant
R. D. Messer Exxon Chemical
J. S. Pdwluk Western Nevada Community College
C. E. Pepper Oak Ridge National Laboratory
A. L. Petroski Valmet Paper Machinery
L. C. Pratt Ingalls Shipbuilding
S. L. Raymond National Training Fund
M. L. Slaton The Pritchard Corporation
W. E. Strate Strate Welding Supply Company
IV. F. Urbick Welding Management Consultants

IV
 Foreword
(This Foreword is not a part of the Supplement G to AWS QC7-93, Standard for AWS Certified Welders, but is
included only for information.)
The standard to which this Supplement applies contains the criteria for AWS Certified Welder Program and the AWS
National Registry of Welders. Listing on the AWS National Registry of Welders is at the option of the individual
welder.
This Supplement G should be used in conjunction with AWS QC7-93, Standard for AWS Certification of Welders.
This Supplement is not a standard unto itself and shall be considered only as a supplementary part of AWS QC7-93.
This Supplement G specifies requirements intended to provide an alternative ioi manufacturers and contractors to
certify welders. Manufacturers or contractors may continue to conduct their own welder qualification programs as they
have in the past, unless otherwise defined in contract documents.
Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary,
Qualification and Certification Committee, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, P.O. Box 351040,
Miami, Florida 33135.
Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may be obtained by sending a request, in
writing, to the Director of Qualification and Certification Department, American Welding Society. A formal reply will
be issued after it has been reviewed by the appropriate personnel following established procedures.
 Table of Contents
Page No.

Personnel . iii
Foreword... v
Gl. Scope G-l
Gl.l Program.. G-l
G1.2 Exclusion G-l
G1.3 Safety Precautions G-l
G2. Definitions G-l
G3. Responsibilities Regarding AWS Certified Welders G-l
G3.1 Employer's Responsibility G-l
G3.2 Employer's Obligation G-2
G3.3 AWS Responsibilities G-2
G3.4 Test Facility Responsibility G-2
G4. Provision for Testing G-2
G4.1 Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) G-2
G4.2 Acceptance Criteria G-2
G4.3 Test Facilities G-2
G5. Qualification Test Requirements G-2
G5.1 Test Control G-2
G5.2 Test Responsibilities < ; G-2
G5.3 Qualification G-2
G6. Performance Test G-3
G6.1 Identification G-3
G6.2 Verification G-3
G6.3 Safety Equipment G-3
G6.4 Material and Equipment Check G-3
G6.5 Fit-Up G-3
G6.6 Assembly Control G-3
G6.7 Positioning G-3
G6.8 Examination and Testing Methods and Acceptance Standards G-3
G7. Retests G-3
G7.1 Immediate Retest G-3
G7.2 Retest After Further Training or Practice G-3
G8. Documentation of Welder Performance Qualification G-3
G9. Period of Effectiveness G-3
G10. Identification/Certification Documents G-4
Gil. Maintenance of Certification G-4
G12. Renewal of Certification G-4
G13. Revocation G-4
Forms
QC-WF3A — Maintenance of Certification

vi
 Supplement G
AWS Performance Qualification Test

Gl. Scope G3. Responsibilities Regarding

This Supplement to the AWS QC7-93, Standard for AWS Certified Welders
AWS Certified Welders, provides a welder certification G3.1 Employer's Responsibility. The employers of
method not specifically based on a code but which may AWS Certified Welders are responsible for the work
be acceptable for various codes. The rules for perform- performed by their employees. The employer may ac-
ance qualification are as defined by the applicable spec- cept the AWS certification without additional testing, or
ification referenced in the WPS or as defined by the may add requirements as deemed necessary to meet their
employer in the WPS or accompanying documentation particular needs.
(acceptance criteria).
G3.2 Employer's Obligation. Manufacturers or con-
Gl.l Program. The administrative rules for the Amer- tractors about to employ or employing AWS Certified
ican Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder Program Welders should be fully aware of the provisions of the
are provided in AWS QC7-93. Test facilities participate AWS QC7-93 standard and this Supplement.
ing in the program are required to meet the provisions of
G3.2.1 The employer is responsible for all work per-
AWS QC4, Standard for Accreditation of Test Facilities
formed by their employees; and therefore, should verify
for AWS Certified Welder Program.
that the qualification(s) apply to the employer's work.
G1.2 Exclusion. Neither AWS QC7-93, nor this sup- The employer shall determine specifically that the
plement prevents or supersedes a manufacturer or con- extent of qualification as stated on the AWS Welder
tractor from continuing to qualify welders in accordance Certification Card, and the accompanying documenta-
with other standards or procedures. Manufacturers or tion encompass the welding to be performed.
contractors may impose.supplementary requirements to G3.2.2 The employer may obtain a copy of the weld-
this standard as deemed necessary. er's Performance Qualification Test Record, and other
related documents, required by this supplement from the
G1.3 Safety Precautions. This document is not intend-
AWS Q&C Department.
ed to address safety and health matters regarding the
training of certified welders. This document only covers G3.23 The welder's current status shall be verified
the rules of certification. with the AWS Q&C Department.
G3.2.4 The employer shall prepare and sign a certifi-
cation record for each welder which shall include the
completed Performance Test Description and test accept-
G2. Definitions ance criteria (if not a referenced published standard).
The terms used in this supplement are defined in G3.2.5 The employer shall specify the standard, or
ANSI/AWS A3.0-89, Standard Welding Terms andDefi- customer specification, and WPS for which the welder is
nitions, and AWS QC7-93. to be qualified. This is to be accomplished by the employer

G-l
G-2

providing the Accredited Test Facility, the WPS and dards on the WPS document, or the employer may sub-
acceptance criteria to be used for qualification testing. mit written acceptance criteria to the Accredited Test
Facility for use in evaluating their employees' qualifica-
G3.2.6 The user of AWS QC7-93 may require the
tion test results. If provided by the employer, the accept-
approval of the inspector, engineer of record, or owner.
ance criteria shall become a part of the Welder
The employer shall obtain such approval when required.
Certification Record and must accompany the application
G3.2.7 If the employer or inspector questions the and supporting documents for record purposes by AWS
welder's ability for a specific reason, the employer or Q&C Department.
inspector should file a formal documentation with the
G 4 3 Test Facilities. The test facilities for the AWS
AWS Q&C Department in accordance with AWS QC7-93,
13, Revocation. Welder Certification Program shall meet all of the re-
quirements of AWS QC4.
G3 J AWS Responsibilities
G4.3.1 The Accredited Test Facility shall have the
G3.3.1 The AWS Q&C Department shall be respon- responsibility to forward a copy of the welder's certifica-
sible to maintain the following: tion test procedure (WPS/PQR) and qualification test
acceptance criteria—if not a referenced published stan-
(1) Application for AWS Certified Welder
dard — to the AWS Q&C Department. AWS standard
(2) Welder qualification test records
welding procedures are excluded from this requirement.
(3) Decertification action reports
In addition, for test procedures used to certify more than
(4) Maintenance of certification records
one welder, only a single submission of the procedure
(5) National Registry of Welders
revision used is required.
(6) List of Accredited Test Facilities
(7) Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
(8) Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
(9) Acceptance criteria G5. Qualification Test Requirements
G3.3.2 The Q&C Department will provide, upon re- G5.1 Test Control. Performance qualification test cou-
quest, individual welder verification of maintenance of pons shall be welded in accordance with a written WPS
certification. as indicated in G4.1.
G3 J 3 The Q&C Department will provide database G5.2 Test Responsibilities
searches upon request. These searches will include only
those authorizing public disclosure on the application G5.2.1 Qualification testing shall be performed under
form. the direction of a Test Supervisor. The Test Supervisor
shall be a current AWS Certified Welding Inspector
G3.4 Test Facility Responsibility. The test facility is (CWI) in accordance with AWS QC1, Standardfor Qual-
responsible for safety and health matters during testing at ification and Certification of Welding Inspectors.
that location in addition to other requirements stated
herein. G5.2.2 The Test Supervisor shall be responsible for
the performance qualification in accordance with this
Supplement.
G4. Provision for Testing G5.2-3 If during qualification testing the Test Super-
G4.1 Welding Procedure Specification (WPS). The visor determines that the welder does not exhibit the skill
WPSs used to qualify welders according to this supple- required to perform the test satisfactorily, the test may be
ment shall be provided by the employer to the Accredit- terminated.
ed Test Facility. The employer may utilize AWS standard
welding procedures. Neither AWS nor the Accredited G5.2.4 The Test Supervisor may allow a welder to
Test Facility has any responsibility in ensuring that em- retest immediately or may require additional documented
ployer supplied WPSs, are applicable for production training or practice prior to retesting in accordance with
applications, or that successful welder qualification test 7. Retests.
results will be obtained from their use. Providing a G5.2.5 The Test Supervisor shall be responsible for
written WPS for production applications is the responsi- enforcement of test shop safety rules, procedures, and
bility of the employer. housekeeping as required by the Test Facility QA Manual.
G4.2 Acceptance Criteria. Acceptance criteria for G5.3 Qualification. The test facility is responsible for
welder qualification testing may either reference accept- the actual qualification of the candidate welder. The Test
ance criteria from recognized, referenced published stan- Supervisor attests to the application of specified test
 G-3

variables and acceptance criteria provided or referenced part of the qualification test procedure. The Test Super-
by the employer. visor shall interpret the results.
G6.8.3 Radiographic Examination. Radiographic
examination (when used as an alternate to mechanical
G6. Performance Test testing) shall meet the acceptance criteria as specified in
G6.1 Identification. The applicant shall be assigned an the acceptance criteria referenced or provided as part of
identifying letter, symbol, or number coded to the appli- the qualification test procedure. The personnel perform-
cant, and this identifier shall be marked on test materials ing the radiographic work shall be qualified to a written
and records. practice prepared in accordance with ASNT SNT-TC-1A
to either Level I or Level II. The personnel interpreting
G6.2 Verification. Prior to the initiation of welding, the film shall be qualified to Level II or III.
the applicant's photographic identification shall be
checked by the Test Supervisor.
G6.3 Safety Equipment The applicant shall use per- G7. Retests
sonal safety equipment applicable for the welding proc- Unless otherwise specified in the test procedure, if the
ess. The safety requirements of the Accredited Test welder performance test fails to meet the requirements, a
Facility shall conform to the requirements of ANSI/ASC retest may be allowed under the following conditions:
Z49.1, Safety in Welding and Cutting, and shall be fol-
lowed by the welder. G7.1 Immediate Retest. An immediate retest may be
made consisting of two welds of each type and position
G6.4 Material and Equipment Check. The energy that the welder failed. All retest specimens shall meet all
source, base material, filler metal, and fluxes and gases of the specified test requirements and acceptance criteria
shall be checked by the Test Supervisor prior to tack as the original test weld.
welding and initiation of joint welding.
G7.2 Retest After Further Training or Practice. A
G6.5 Fit-Up. The applicant shall assemble the speci- retest may be made, provided there is documented evi-
fied test assembly(ies) for welding in accordance with dence that the welder has had further training or practice.
the requirements of the WPS. Test pieces may be assem- A complete retest of the types and positions failed shall
bled and tack welded in any position. The Test Supervi- be made.
sor shall verify the test assembly prior to welding in
accordance with the requirements of the WPS.
G6.6 Assembly Control. The Test Supervisor shall wit- G8. Documentation of Welder
ness placing of each test assembly in the specified weld- Performance Qualification
ing position and shall mark the test assembly or secure it The welder performance qualification data and results
such that it remains in the specified position until weld- of the examination and test shall be recorded on a form
ing has been completed. supplied by the employer. Records of compliance that
G6.7 Positioning. All cleaning, grinding, chipping of meet the requirements shall be processed in accordance
slag, or other in-process operations shall be performed with AWS QC7-93, and maintained on file by AWS
with the test assembly in the specified welding position. Q&C Department as part of the Welder Certification
Evidence of removal of the test assembly or movement Record.
from the original location, except by accidental means
(subject to concurrence by the Test Supervisor), shall be
cause for test termination. G9. Period of Effectiveness
G6.8 Examination and Testing Methods and G9.1 Unless otherwise specified in the test procedure,
Acceptance Standards the initial certification is valid for six months from the
date of completion of the examination results and signa-
G6.8.1 Visual Examination. The test specimens shall
ture by the Test Supervisor. Thereafter, the certification
meet the visual acceptance criteria as provided in G4.2.
shall be considered as remaining in effect indefinitely
The visual examination shall be performed by a Certified
unless (1) the welder is not engaged in a given welding
Welding Inspector.
process for which the welder is certified for a period
G6.8.2 Mechanical Testing. The mechanical test- exceeding six months or an alternative time period spec-
ing and acceptance criteria shall comply with that speci- ified in the test procedure, or (2) there is some specific
fied in the acceptance criteria referenced or provided as reason to question the welder's ability.
G-4

69.2 Indefinite certification in accordance with G9.1 month period unless otherwise specified in the test pro-
may be maintained by documenting the use of the weld- cedure. The date of certification expiration is extended
ing process in accordance with 11, Maintenance of for six months unless otherwise specified in the test
Certification. procedure. Such extension is from the date of the last use
oftheprocess(es), as verified on theformreceived, and
accepted by the AWS Q&C Department. Form sub-
mittals must be in accordance with AWS QC7-93,11.
G10. Identification/Certification Maintenance of Certification.
Documents
The Welder Certification Card is issued and used in
accordance with AWS QC7-93. G12. Renewal of Certification
Renewal of expired certifications shall be in accord-
ance with AWS QC7-93,12, Renewal of Certification.
Gil. Maintenance of Certification
Welders may maintain their certification indefinitely
by the use of documented verification of performance in
G13. Revocation
qualified welding process(es). The welder must submit The AWS certification of a welder may be revoked in
completed form QC-WF3A as a.minimum, covering accordance with the administrative procedures defined
each process for which qualified, and covering each six in AWS QC7-93,13, Revocation.