Certifications.

Flat-position groove weld — entry-level qualification.

Horizontal-position groove weld.

Vertical-position groove weld.

Overhead-position groove weld.

Pipe welding in horizontal fixed position. Pipeline-adjacent.

45-degree fixed pipe — the most demanding position. The ticket to high-paid pipe work.

General welder performance qualification — the umbrella under which most position certs are taken.

Structural steel welding code — the most common cert in the U.S. Required for most construction, bridge, and structural fabrication work.

Structural aluminum welding code. Common in transportation, marine, and architectural aluminum work.

Structural stainless steel welding code. Food/beverage, pharmaceutical, and architectural applications.

Railroad rolling stock welding code. Locomotive and rail car fabrication and repair.

Fusion welding for aerospace applications. Higher-margin work, stringent NDT requirements.

Underwater welding qualifications. Commercial diver cert is a prerequisite.

Welding inspection certification. Quality-assurance side of the trade. Career bridge from welder to inspector.

Robotic MIG/GMAW welding operator qualification. Manufacturing and high-volume fabrication.

Pipeline welding standard for cross-country and gathering lines. Combined with 6G position.

In-service piping inspection — often paired with welder qualifications for refinery work.

Pressure vessel and piping welding qualifications. Required for any code-stamped pressure work.

Canadian welding qualification under CSA W47.1 / W47.2. Required for most Canadian structural work.

Pre-apprenticeship or welder helper level. Entry to the trade.