Mark,

Welcome to the forum!

There are actually quite a few NCCR welding exams.

Some are compliant with various construction codes and that is a good thing.

However, The best value of those NCCR exams is to prove to folks that you have had training on specific processes, alloys and positions and passed.   It is a good tool to open doors for further testing by fabricators and contractors.

NCCR is most widely accepted in the South East and Eastern U.S.

I know some educators here in AZ who are promoting them as proof of education and skills for various trades.  As far as taking the place of a welding test to qualify for structural welding in D1.1, NO.  After the employer hires you, or as a hiring pre-requisite, you will have to take the applicable test.  But, that is the case with any high school or college training documents.  They are a piece of paper to help you in the door and prepare you for the real life experience of a welding coupon test.  They don't keep you from taking more tests.

And as Lawrence said,  WELCOME TO THE AWS WELDING FORUM!!

Have a Great Day,  Brent

NCCER, Veriforce, and MEA (Midwest Energy Association) are all more or less associated with the pipeline, oil and gas, Operating Companies. These companies, when participating, use the companies or contractors and associations to verify knowledge of inspectors and workers on the pipeline projects that fall under DOT Parts 192 and 195. DOT requires persons performing certain duties on these facilities to have "qualifications" to perform certain "covered" tasks on these pipelines when required. Even though persons have taken tests from these companies that still does not relieve the Operating Company from verifying these persons have knowledge for the areas of the work they are assigned to perform. Only persons actually performing the work on the pipelines have to have qualifications under Subpart N Qualification of Pipeline Personnel of DOT Part 192. The work has to satisfy the four part rule as set aside in Subpart N of the DOT requirements.

Believe me, it's complicated.

None of the qualification companies NCCER, Veriforce, or MEA qualify personnel for work. They do have programs that test prospective employees for companies that supply forces for the pipeline industry.

At any rate, you would still have to qualify with the fabricator or other company for the work you are expecting to perform. Some of the qualifications you receive for the various tasks through NCCER, etc., are transportable. A welder qualification would not be one of those that are transportable.

Hope this helps. As I said, "it's complicated".