CHECKLISTS FOR PROPER

QUALIFICATION OF WELDING
PROCEDURES AND WELDERS
In conformance to AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code - Steel

Welding Answers Qualification Checklists

 Checklists for Proper
Qualification of Welding
Procedures and Welders

➢ Prequalified Welding Procedures

➢ Welding Procedures Qualified by Testing

➢ Performance Qualification for Welders and Welding Operators

 QUALIFYING WELDING PROCEDURES AND
WELDERS

Grab any code book, such as D1.1, D1.2, API 1104 or ASME Section IX and try to
decipher the proper way to qualify a welding procedure or a welder. This can be a
daunting task. Without formal training you may spend countless hours trying to
figure this out and still come out empty.
If you look at the latest edition (2015) of AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel
you’ll realize there are almost 100 tables and almost 200 figures that are used for
reference. Couple this with countless footnotes and you start getting the picture
why this can be a complicated issue.
Clauses 3 and 4 alone have almost 70 tables and figures. These are two clauses
that deal specifically with the use of prequalified welding procedures and the
qualification of welders and welding procedures by testing.
The following three checklists will provide some relief. Follow these steps as
describe and you’ll be able to easily navigate through AWS D1.1 when you need to:

✓ Determine if prequalified welding procedures can be used

✓ Qualify welding procedures by testing

✓ Qualify welders and welding operators

Good luck!
Checklist for Prequalified Welding Procedures

1. Base material to be used is included in Table 3.1 – Approved Base

Metals for Prequalified WPSs

2. Filler metal to be used is included in Table 3.2 – Filler Metals for

Matching Strength to Table 3.1, Groups I, II, III and IV Metals and, if
required, complies with requirements of Table 3.4 – Filler Metal
Requirements for Exposed Bare Applications of Weathering Steels.

3. Check Table 3.3 – Prequalified Minimum Preheat and Interpass

Temperature and make note of the requirements for the base metal
being used.

4. For PJP groove welds comply with minimum weld size per Table 3.5 –
Prequalified PJP Weld Size (E) and that fillet welds comply with Table
5.7 – Minimum Fillet Weld Sizes.

5. Assure compliance with all requirements set forth in Table 3.6 –

Prequalified WPS Requirements.

6. Develop/Write a Welding Procedure Specification using the format

for WPS in Annex M. Include values for all variables. Welding
variables should be within ranges suggested by the manufacturer of
the filler metal.

7. The joint to be welded complies with tolerances shown in Figure 3.2 –

Prequalified PJP Groove Welded Joint Details, Figure 3.3 –
Prequalified CJP Groove Welded Joint Details, Figure 3.4 –
Prequalified Skewed Joint Details, Figure 3.5 – Prequalified Fillet
Welded Joint Details, Figure 3.6 – Prequalified CJP Groove, T-, and
Corner Joint
Checklist for Qualification of WPS by Testing

1. Determine the number of test plates needed based on the

production welding positions using Table 4.1 – WPS Qualification –
Production Welding Positions Qualified by Plate Tests.

2. Determine the number and type of test specimens needed and

range of thickness qualified based on Table 4.2 WPS Qualification -
CJP Groove Welds, Table 4.3 - WPS Qualification - PJP Groove
Welds, and Table 4.4 WPS Qualification – Fillet Welds.

3. Develop/Write a Welding Procedure Specification using the format

for WPS in Annex M. Include values for all variables.

4. If welding multiple base materials verify if more than one

qualification is needed based on the material group using Table 4.8
– Table 3.1, Table 4.9 and Unlisted Steels Qualified by PQR.

5. Prepare test plates using dimensions (length and width) per Figures
4.5 through 4.8 to have enough material to conduct all necessary
qualifications tests.

6. Weld test plates using WPS developed in item 3 above. Record all
values for all passes including preheat and interpass temperature.

7. Conduct necessary tests following the guidelines in Clause 4.9 –

Methods of Testing and Acceptance Criteria for WPS Qualification.

8. If all tests pass document the Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)

using the format provided in Annex M.
Checklist for Qualification of Welders and
Welding Operators
1. For each welder, list out all the positions, material thicknesses, joint
types and base materials that he or she will be welding in
production.

2. Determine how many tests are needed to qualify welders and

welding operators based on the positions listed in item 1 above
using Table 4.10 – Welder and Welding Operator Qualification –
Production Welding Positions Qualified by Test Plate Tests.

3. Determine the number and type of tests required based on Table

4.11 – Welder and Welding Operator Qualification – Number and
Type of Specimens and Range of Thicknesses and Diameter
Qualified.

4. Prepare test plates using dimensions (length and width) per Figures
4.16, 4.17, 4.19 – 4.27.

5. Weld test plates. Record all values for all passes including preheat
and interpass temperature if necessary.

6. Conduct necessary tests following the guidelines and acceptance

criteria in Clause 4, Part C – Performance Qualification.

7. If all tests pass document the Welder, Welding Operator, or Tack

Welder Performance Qualification Procedure Qualification Test
Record (WPQR) using the format provide in Annex M.
As long as you have your AWS D1.1 code book you can use these checklists
and never miss a detail in your qualification processes. If you are new to
using the code and would like additional instruction on using prequalified
welding procedures, qualifying welding procedures by testing, and welder
performance qualifications consider the following publication.

Inside this guide you’ll find…

➢ Specific instructions on how to determine if the use of prequalified
welding procedures is acceptable per Clause 3 of AWS D1.1
➢ Specific instructions on how to qualify welding procedures and
welders in accordance to Clause 4 of AWS D1.1
➢ Examples that walk you step-by-step thru the qualification process
➢ Special requirements on qualification for Tubular Structures
➢ WPS, PQR and WPQR Forms

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE