He should contact the HR or QA/QC Department of the company(ies) he has worked for and ask them for a breakdown of the certs he used to hold.

We have a standard letter that identifies the process, filler metal, positions qualified, etc.; and also lists the dates of employment.  When requested, we fill it out and certify it for any welder who asks.  Many employees will hire welder's on the strength of that letter alone (not something I endorse).  As a minimum it will provide good proof that the welder has some bona fides.

Charles

Hello 4MTM;

I don't know of any "central office" that keeps records of welder qualifications.

If the welder tested and passed a test for bridgework with a specific state, they may have a record of that certification if it is issued by the state department of transportation. However, if the welder works in a fabrication shop and was tested by his/her employer, I doubt the DOT would have a record of that test unless the DOT issued the actual certification.

If the welder belongs to a union such as the Ironworkers, Sheetmetal Workers, Boilermakers, etc. and took a test through a centralized welder qualification/certification propgram, then there is most likely a paper trail that can be checked. If the welder certification was issued by an employer (not through the union), then I don't believe the union would have a copy of the certification papers.

Similar to bridge welders, some states have a "welder's license" that is issued to welders involved in pipe welding that is regulated by the individual state. Be aware that not all states have a licensing requirement. If there is a state issued license, the department tasked with collecting the fees and issuing the license would have the information on file.

The welder also has an option to be tested and certified through the AWS by taking the qualification test at an Accredited Test Facility (ATF). The cost is most likely higher than simply taking the test through an independent testing lab, but the welder's certification is issued by the AWS and is kept on file provided the welder pays a fee for the service.

My suggestion is that the welder keep copies of all of his/her qualification/certification papers in a safe place at home. You never know when they will come in handy due to layoffs or other opportunities. Some employers will not issue copies of the welder's certification papers to hinder the welder's ability to look elsewhere for employment. Likewise, the past employer may not be inclined to provide copies of welder certifications once the welder has left the company. Some will, but they do not have to provide copies of the welder's qualifications.

Best regards - Al

I agree with Charles and Al totally, but please allow me to add another twist regarding certifications trying to be obtained when the welder did not keep his/her own duplicated record.

Many years ago, I was testing welders for a job, but waived the test for any welder that had current certifications in that particular process (the older I get, the shorter my memory gets), so I don't recall all the details of which process was involved. But, I found out that some of the certified welders had transposed their certifications with their friends name and used these falsified certifications with other people's names. It is very easy to do with just a copy machine. This looked so authentic that I would have never known it except for this one welder presented his (illegally obtained) certification papers and ended up not knowing an electrode from a Volkswagen. The point is, some fabricators will not accept even current up to date certs for reasons like this. I also even worked for a company, again many years ago, that kept a record of the welder's certs, but would not give a copy to the welder. Is that fair? Companies can pretty much do what they want.