There are dozens of different welder certifications provided by the American Welding Society (AWS). If you are wondering what the career path of a welder looks like, here some of the certifications a welder can earn as they progress in the career.

1 - Basic certification

Your first step as a welder, after you finish your apprenticeship, will be to become a certified welder. This basic certification is awarded to anyone who passes the practical test offered by the AWS. Most welders spend some time working as apprentices, but doing so isn’t a requirement.

2 - Inspector certification

After you gain enough experience and fulfill the other requirements, you can apply for a welder inspector license. Certified welder inspectors are often in charge of quality control within a welding operation.

3 - Robotic arc welder certification

This certification enables you to work on the robotic machinery that is in charge of performing welding tasks within different industries. You’ll need a wealth of experience and plenty of technical knowledge if you want to earn this certification.

All of these certifications come with associated costs for the exams and different training programs. For example, this is how much becoming a certified welder will cost you: https://weldingnearyou.com/school-cost/.