Certification, Certificates and Qualification Test Records (QTR)
The certificate
The certificate is issued by the examiner or examining body after successful testing. It must identify:
- the welder (name, identification),
- the standard and part used,
- the process(es) and any combination,
- the base material group,
- the consumable,
- the position and direction,
- the thickness range qualified,
- the joint type,
- the test piece details and test results,
- the date and period of validity,
- the examiner's identification and signature.
The QTR
The Qualification Test Record is the supporting document: it records the test piece, the welding parameters, the tests performed and the results. The certificate summarises; the QTR substantiates. Both must be traceable to each other.
Traps
- A certificate missing an essential variable (e.g. thickness range) is deficient - questions may ask what is missing.
- Confusing the certificate (summary) with the QTR (detailed record).
- Assuming the welder can self-certify - the examiner/examining body issues.
- Forgetting that the certificate must state the standard and part.
Rule of thumb
If it is an essential variable, it must be on the certificate. If it is a test detail, it belongs on the QTR.
Worked example
A certificate lists process 135, material group, position PF, but no thickness range. This is a deficiency: thickness is an essential variable and must be stated. The QTR may have the data, but the certificate itself must carry the qualified range.