3703 - Welding

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This standard covers the nonsupervisory work of welding metals and alloys. The work requires knowledge of electric, gas, and other welding processes such as electron beam welding, and the skill to apply these processes in manufacturing, repairing, modifying, rebuilding, and assembling various types of metal and alloy parts, equipment, systems, and structures such as buildings, aircraft, and ships.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the METAL PROCESSING FAMILY, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As GI Bill® Accreditation ID
Certified Welder (CW) In DemandIs In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) In DemandIs In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) someSome    
Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) In DemandIs In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) someSome    
Certified Welding Educator (CWE) In DemandIs In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) Is Not In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) In DemandIs In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) Is Not In Demand Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) someSome    
Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (CMRP) In DemandIs In Demand Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) Is Not In Demand Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) someSome    
Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI) Is Not In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) Is Not In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Robotic Arc Welding - Operator Is Not In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Robotic Arc Welding - Technician Is Not In Demand American Welding Society (AWS) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Metalworking Fluids Specialists (CMFS) Is Not In Demand Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) someSome    
Structural Welding Special Inspector - S2 Is Not In Demand International Code Council (ICC) someSome    

State Licenses

Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations

The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 3703 - Welding. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Rail Car Repairers someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Solderers and Brazers someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters mostMost   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders mostMost   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
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This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to Certified Welder (CW) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 6 months

The American Welding Society (AWS), Certified Welder (CW) is a performance-based certification with no prerequisite courses or certifications required. The CW program tests welders on procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal and chemical refinery welding industries. There is a provision to test to a company-supplied or non-code welding specification. Tests for CW are performed at AWS Accredited Testing Facilities located throughout the world and are performance based. Final certification will provide candidates with a "transferrable" credential.

Click here to go to Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: Not Renewable

The American Welding Society (AWS), Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) is an entry-level credential for individuals who perform welding quality control and quality assurance activities. Individuals who earn the CAWI work in every industry that uses welding as a core process in the manufacture, construction, or fabrication of their products. Those holidng the CAWI perform welding inspections under the active supervision of Senior Certified Welding Inspectors (SCWI) and Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI). CAWI candidates must meet experiential requirements and pass an exam.

Click here to go to Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American Welding Society (AWS), Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) certification is an advanced-level credential for supervisory or managerial welding quality control and quality assurance professionals. SCWIs work in every industry that uses welding as a core process in the manufacture, construction, or fabrication of their products. SCWIs supervise others and are responsible for directing and performing operations to ensure that all welding-related activities meet applicable requirements. SCWIs work in every industry that uses welding as a core process in the manufacture, construction, or fabrication of their products. SCWIs know which factors influence welding quality; how to oversee welders to ensure higher-quality work; and the complementary factors that help maximize productivity. SCWIs must meet experiential requirements and pass an exam.

Click here to go to Certified Welding Educator (CWE) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Certified Welding Educator Program (CWE) was developed to define minimum standards for welding educators and to provide respected recognition for those who demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and experience needed. Welding educators understand welding training requirements; prepare instruction plans; conduct training classes; and evaluate student performance. They may use prepared instruction materials or develop their own original instructional materials. They are familiar with welding processes, welding procedures, welder qualifications, materials and the limitations of weld testing. They must be able to read drawings, prepare records and develop reports. The CWI and CWE exams are identical; however the Part C: Code Book portion is not a requirement for the CWE certification. Both certifications (CWI and CWE) may be achieved simultaneously. Candidates must be a high school graduate and no less than five years experience.

Click here to go to Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is a mid-level certification. The Certified Welding Inspector certification is more than a rewarding career. It involves great responsibility and remarkable skill demonstration. A thorough knowledge of the complete fabrication and welding process is a must. The CWI is widely recognized, both nationally and internationally, and successful companies have come to rely on this AWS certification when ensuring the highest level of quality workmanship. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience with a high school diploma and pass a written examination.

Click here to go to Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) COOL Snapshot page.

The Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) posesses the professional expertise and knowledge required to successfully perform plant and facilities supervisory activities. Candidates must have a minimum of two years of experience in maintenance management. Candidates must also pass a written examination. Recertification occurs through earning at least five recertification credits every three years.

Click here to go to Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (CMRP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (CMRP) is an entry-level certification. The Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) program is designed for certifying the knowledge, skills and experience of M&R professionals. It's more than just committing textbooks to memory; it's a thorough examination of individual expertise measured against a universal standard. It was developed to assess professionals' aptitude within the five (5) pillars of the Maintenance and Reliability Body of Knowledge: Business Management, Equipment Reliability, Manufacturing Process Reliability, Organization and Leadership, and Work Management. There are no educational or experiential requirements to sit for the exam.

Click here to go to Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) is an entry-level certification. CMRT will provide a non-biased, third-party, objective assessment and confirmation of the skills of your industrial maintenance mechanics. CMRT's are responsible for preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance. They perform troubleshooting and analysis, and apply sound maintenance practices in all aspects of their work. CMRTs are multi-skilled individuals whose expertise is primarily mechanical in nature as opposed to instrumentation or electrical. The CMRT exam tests competency and knowledge of specific tasks within four (4) domains: Maintenance Practices, Preventative and Predictive Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Analysis, and Corrective Maintenance. There are no specific education or experience requirements to sit for the exam.

Click here to go to Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American Welding Society (AWS), Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) certification is an advanced-level welding credential. CWSs work in every industry that uses welding as a core process in the manufacture, construction, or fabrication of their products. CWSs must know which factors influence welding quality; how to oversee welders to ensure higher-quality work; and the complementary factors that help maximize productivity.

Click here to go to Certified Robotic Arc Welding - Operator COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Robotic Arc Welding - Technician COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Metalworking Fluids Specialists (CMFS) COOL Snapshot page.

Certified Metalworking Fluids Specialist (CMFS) verifies knowledge, experience and education in this specialized and growing field. The certification is intended for individuals with overall responsibility for metal removal or forming fluids management; for specialists with on-site responsibility for metal removal or forming systems, and for others involved with research, instruction, evaluation, analysis, selection, technical management, application and handling of metalworking fluids and related materials. This is a mid level certification, for individuals with three years experience in a manufacturing environment, such as fluid specialist or fluid manager. It requires applicants to have a minimum of two-year degree in science, manufacturing technology or business; coursework including general chemistry, biology; minimum 20 hours internal or external training in metalworking fluids applications and management. Additional details can be obtained from the web site.

Click here to go to Structural Welding Special Inspector - S2 COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The International Code Council (ICC) Structural Welding Special Inspector- S2 certification confirms an individual’s practical awareness, training and related experience as a structural welding inspector. The candidate should have the ability to review approved plans, assess that the plans comply with special inspection requirements, identify discrepancies from approved plans, and submit a final summary report detailing deviation from code and approved plans.  In addition, the candidate must be able to identify welding material, collect samples for delivery to a lab, verify the qualifications of welders, and asses the quality of the welding performed from procedural to material qualities.  Though there are no experience requirements or education requirements, an individual must be an ICC certified Structural Steel Bolting Special Inspector to take the written exam. Individuals seeking Structural Welding Inspector certification should have technical knowledge and related experience of steel bolting and welding. Candidates are required to pass a multiple-choice written exam with at least 75% accuracy. 

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Rail Car Repairers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Rail Car Repairers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Solderers and Brazers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Solderers and Brazers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders