Certification Scheme:

Requirements for the Qualification Welders and Welding

Operators in accordance with ISO 17024

2nd Edition, October 2021

Issued under the authority of NECIT Services Ltd

All correspondence should be addressed to:

NECIT Services Ltd
Certification Department
One Trinity Green,
South Shields.
NE33 1SA
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 8155111
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.necitservices.com
 Once printed this document is to be considered uncontrolled and for reference only

Introduction
This scheme has been created to document a Scheme for the qualification of Welders, and Welding operators.

In order to carry out the examination and certification of individuals seeking to demonstrate their knowledge and/or
competence in their field of practical Welding.

This scheme is reviewed annually by a committee of competent persons Selected by the Technical Manager which
oversees that the associated Certification activities and the requirements of industry are achieved by the scheme.

The committee will comprise of the Company Technical Management as well as competent representatives from the
fabrication and welding industries.

All examinations will be carried out in accordance with the Company’s Impartiality Policy, by managing any conflicts
of interest and ensuring the full compliance of its certification activities, in accordance with BS EN ISO/IEC 17024.

Scope of Certification
This document prescribes the requirements for the qualification of Welders and Welding operators by NECIT
Services Ltd, carrying out the witnessing process(es).

Upon demonstrating the required competencies and satisfactorily passing the weld test, certification can be granted
for a range of International Standards, or any other relevant standard or client specification which requires
independent accredited third-party approval.

If mechanical testing or Non Destructive Testing (NDT) is required in relation to a welder qualification or a welding
procedure qualification test; The Examining Body or manufacturer if stated in the standard, must employ an NDT
Technician with a minimum of ISO 9712 level 2 certification. The NDT Technician shall only be permitted to use
procedures which have been approved by an ISO 9712 level 3.

Any Mechanical testing shall be conducted at a testing facility with the appropriate scope of approval that is
accredited to ISO 17025 by UKAS or an organisation that is a signatory to the Multilateral Agreement or Arrangement
schemes administered by European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA), the International Accreditation Forum (IAF)
or the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) or a second party supplier audit of the test
laboratory by the Welding Examiner can be conducted to ensure compliance with the relevant standards.

Access to certification
The Access to certification is not restricted but an adequate level of experience in the associated welding processes
would be expected.

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Responsibilities
NECIT, acting as the Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) carries overall responsibility, ensuring that the requirements
for qualification testing are satisfied in accordance with the standard to which certification is required.
Certificates are only issued once the candidate has successfully passed the associated testing.
Job knowledge testing can also be conducted as and when required by the Standard/Client.

The particular requirements for qualification testing are given in the appropriate standard. It is the manufacturer’s
responsibility to select the standard. Qualification testing and the issue of certificates can only be carried out to
recognised standard and it should be noted that the rules covering testing and validity of qualification certificates vary
from standard to standard.

It is also the manufacturer or applicants responsibility to ensure that the recognition and acceptance of qualification
certificates is appropriate to their requirements. For example, some standards state that the Examiner or Examining
Body must be acceptable to the contracting parties.

It is also the manufacturer or applicants responsibility to provide a work instruction such as a Preliminary Weld
Procedure Specification (pWPS) or Weld Procedure Specification (WPS) as guidance/Instruction for the welder to be
tested to.

Whilst NECIT makes every effort to ensure that Welder and Welding Operator certificates carry appropriate
accreditation, it cannot guarantee acceptance by any particular customer or client.

Testing activities may be subcontracted by NECIT to one of its approved Examining Bodies. These Bodies act as the
interface between NECIT and the manufacturer.

NECIT rigorously controls the procedures and functions of Examining Bodies in the conduct of their work on behalf
of NECIT.

Individuals engaged by Examining Bodies to carry out assessment work in connection with the requirements of this
document must hold a current NECIT Examiners certificate and be approved by NECIT Technical manager.
All Examination work under this scheme must be carried out in accordance with procedures operated and approved
by NECIT

Testing of individual candidates or welding procedures is arranged between the manufacturer and NECIT or the
Examining Body and the manufacturer.
The Examining Body will check that any pre-test requirements applicable are fulfilled by the manufacturer or
candidate(s). The Examining Body is responsible for setting examinations and tests, witnessing/verifying welding
and/or testing as required by the selected standard and for informing NECIT of the test results.

If Non Destructive Testing (NDT) is required needed in relation to a welder qualification or a welding procedure
qualification test; The Examining Body or manufacturer if stated in the standard, must employ an NDT Technician with
a minimum of ISO 9712 level 2 certificate. The NDT Technician shall use procedures which have been approved by an
ISO 9712 level 3.

If mechanical testing is required by the standard in relation to a welder qualification or a welding procedure qualification
test, the Examining Body or manufacturer if stated in the standard, must employ a testing facility with the appropriate
scope of approval that is accredited to ISO 17025 by UKAS or an organisation that is a signatory to the Multilateral
Agreement or Arrangement schemes administered by European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA), the International
Accreditation Forum (IAF) or the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) or a second party supplier
audit of the test laboratory by a NECIT approved examiner

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Job Task and Description

The Welders, Welding Operators will be required to demonstrate their ability to produce acceptable welds in
accordance with a work instruction such as a Preliminary Weld Procedure Specification (pWPS) or Weld Procedure
Specification (WPS) as guidance/Instruction, the information provided to the welder can have varying levels of
information I.e., material type, defined positions or may involve using specific individual or combined Welding
Processes.

Required Competencies and Abilities

• There are no defined competence requirements for a candidate to be examined as a Welder or Welding
Operator, however an adequate level of experience in the relevant welding processes would be expected.
• There are no specific abilities required for a candidate to be considered for examination.
• Based on the experience and knowledge of the Technical Manager we are aware that a welder with less than
6 months experience may struggle to achieve a satisfactory weld.

Pre-requisites
Pre-requisites required to be considered for examination are as follows:
• Either a pWPS ,WPS or Work instruction
• Photographic identification in its original state
• Valid calibration certificates for any welding equipment to be used during the examination
• Where applicable, any consumable or material certificates
• A suitable area in which to carry out the examinations. Where possible, the area should be away from the
main working area, have suitable lighting and ventilation, with limited access by others.

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Code of Conduct
• Prior to the examination taking place, the candidate shall sign the contract document which specifies the
rules of the examination process.
• Candidates are made aware that any changes, which could affect their abilities to carry out welding should
inform NECIT Services Ltd as soon as possible.
• Examination cannot take place if the candidate is under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. Should the
candidate be taking any prescribed medication which could have an effect on their abilities to weld, they
should make the Examiner aware.
• The particular requirements for qualification testing are described in the appropriate standard. It is the
Applicants responsibility to select the standard.
• Testing and the issue of certificates will only be carried out to recognised national and international standards,
noting that the rules covering testing and validity of qualification certificates vary from standard to standard.
• It is the Applicant and Candidates responsibility to ensure that the relevant standard(s), appropriate to their
requirements, in the recognition and acceptance of qualification are clearly defined in the Application Contract
for Examination (NECIT-FRM-013).
• A completed application form should be returned to NECIT prior to the examination taking place. In the event
a false statement is discovered on the completed Application, any the examination and any testing undertaken
will be declared null and void.

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Standards
Qualification testing and certification is available in accordance with the current issues of the standards listed below:

Welders and Welding Operators Testing

• BS EN ISO 9606 Series of Standards
• AWS Series of Standards
• ASME Section IX: Boiler and Pressure Vessel code. Welding and brazing qualifications
• ISO 14732 Welding personnel – Qualification testing of welding operators and weld setters for mechanised
and automatic welding of metallic materials
• BS 4872 Series of Standards
• ISO 24394:2018 Welding for Aerospace applications – Qualification test for welders and welding operators –
fusion welding of metallic components

Acceptance Criteria Standards

• BS EN ISO 5817 - Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding
• BS EN ISO 10042 - Arc-welded joints in aluminium and its alloys. Quality levels for imperfections
• AWS D1.1 - Structural welding code - steel
• AWS D1.2 - Structural welding code - aluminium
• BS 4872-1 Specification for approval testing of welders when welding procedure is not required. Fusion
welding of steel
• BS 4872-2 Specification for approval testing of welders when welding Aluminium
• ASME IX - Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

The above lists are not intended to be exhaustive and other appropriate standards may be used.

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Scheme Certification Processes

Criteria for initial certification and recertification

• For initial certification the welder / welding operator is expected to produce a weld which meets the
requirement of the selected Weld Procedure Specification and which passes any subsequent mechanical or
NDT testing which may be required.
• Recertification of welders takes place after a period of time as defined in the relevant standard.
• All conditions and requirements for both initial and recertification are the same.
o In regard to ISO 9606-1 Clause 9.3 Revalidation of Welder Qualification, the certification can be
prolonged by a suitably competent person as long as all of the requirements of the clause are met. In
this case the surveillance would be carried out by the Applicant and any prolongation approved by
NECIT Services Ltd.
• NECIT Services Ltd is also able to re-validate approvals for Welders and Welding Operators which have been
previously issued by another UKAS accredited Certification Body, as long as all required conditions are met.

Welders and Welding Operators

• The NECIT Examiner is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the standard selected by the
manufacturer are fulfilled. The standards are prescriptive and require no additional criteria.

Criteria for Suspending and Withdrawing Certification

• Details of the procedure to be followed in the event of a situation resulting in the suspension or withdrawal of
certification, have been documented in the Certification, Suspension and Withdrawing Procedure (NECIT-PRO-
012).

Criteria for Changing the Scope or level of Certification

• Changes to the scope or level of certification would be dependent on changes or amendments being applied
to the applicable standards on which the scheme is based. Changes would be reviewed by the Technical
Manager and internal documents amended accordingly.

Application for Testing and Fees

• Manufacturers or individuals will be required to submit completed application forms to NECIT.

• These forms are issued by NECIT and freely available on our website.
• All the required information must be on these forms, In the event that information required needs to be
clarified, the applicant can contact NECIT at [email protected]
• In the event of any information found to be a false statement on the completed form provided by the
manufacturer, any testing undertaken will be declared null and void. Approval certificates remain the property
of NECIT until any outstanding fees are paid and can be invalidated if there are any payment issues

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Development and Review of the Certification Scheme

Involvement of Appropriate Experts

• Full responsibility of this scheme document has been assigned to the Technical Manager in order to ensure
its continued relevance and that periodic reviews are carried out.
• There is no requirement for external expertise due to the Technical Manager’s qualification, skill and extensive
industry experience.
• The Scheme is supported by a management system containing all required policies and procedures according
to ISO 17024.

Scheme structure
• This scheme has been created based on the requirements of all interested parties, as detailed in the below
table.
• There are no predominating interests which could have an effect on the delivery of the scheme.
• An impartial expert is available to review any feedback from customers, as well as any complaints or appeals.
• Details will be evaluated to ensure all parties have been fairly treated.
• Details of the review will form part of the Management Review process and be documented within the minutes.

Interested Party Involvement and Interest Control Method

Customer (Applicants) Certified welders/welding operators Using an accredited CB
Welder/Welding Operative Passing welder qualifications Examination to defined criteria
Certification Body – back office Clear understanding of the business Training on relevant procedures and
process good communication with TM
Examiners Qualified, trained and competent Job Description, internal training and
monitoring
UKAS Well documented Management System Regular surveillance of the CB
and continued adherence to the standard

Identification and Alignment of the Assessment Mechanisms

The following procedures have been written to identify the correct process to be followed for the examination of
Welders and Welding Operators:

• NECIT-PRO-006 – Welder Examination Operations Process

• NECIT-PRO-010 – Handling, Storage, Packaging and Preservation and Delivery Procedure
• NECIT-TECH-001 – Welder Qualification Examination Process
• NECIT-TECH-002 – Weld Procedure Examination Procedure
• NECIT-TECH-003 – ISO 14732 Welder Qualification Examination Procedure

Review and validation of the Scheme

• This scheme (NECIT-QM-002) will be reviewed annually and will form part of the management review
meeting. All relevant departments, individuals and where required, technical experts will be included.
• Any changes to the scheme or any relevant standards would require additional review and validation and will
be made publicly available.
• An annual audit of the scheme will also be carried out.

Ownership of the Scheme

NECIT Services Ltd retain full and sole ownership of this scheme.

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Qualification certificates
• Qualification certificates are issued in accordance with the standard being applied.
• Certificates are issued to the Company or Individual (the paying customer). Duplicate certificates may be
issued to replace any which have been lost or destroyed. This will only be done after extensive enquiries by
NECIT.
• The period of validity of a qualification certificate for a Welder and Welding Operator and the conditions for
renewal are covered by the selected standard.
• Validity of Welding Certificates can be confirmed by emailing [email protected] along with
details of the certificate in question.

Re-Certification of Welder Qualifications

Welders and Welding Operators
• NECIT Shall be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the standard selected by the client are
fulfilled.
• The standards are prescriptive and require no additional criteria.
• Revalidation shall be carried out by a competent examiner.
• We Shall revalidate Welder and Welding Operators qualification certificates.
• We Shall also revalidate any certificates which have been produced under any other UKAS accredited bodies
for Welder, Welding Operators qualification certificates.

Revalidation requirements of Standards

• All Revalidation of Welder qualification Certificates Shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements
of applicable standard of Qualification.
• In Respect of EN ISO 9606-1, Clause 9.3 c) is not acceptable in accordance with the UK Pressure Equipment
Safety Regulation 2016 (PEsR)

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Certification of Welder Qualifications for UKCA & PESR

Paragraph 21(3) of Schedule 2 to the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 as they apply in Great Britain
requires that for pressure equipment, permanent joining of components which contribute to the pressure resistance
of equipment and components which are directly attached to them must be carried out by suitably qualified
personnel according to suitable operating procedures, and that for pressure equipment in categories II, III and IV,
operating procedures and personnel must be approved by a competent third party which, at the manufacturer's
discretion, may be:

1. A UK Approved body
2. A UK Recognised Third Party Organisation.

NECIT, as a UK Recognised Third Party Organisation (RTPO) shall under this scheme award Certification to joining
Personnel to be used on equipment complying to the UK Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (PESR)
providing one of the following conditions below are met.

Route A
An individual holds a current recognised certificate issued by a body which is not a UK body; but is currently
recognised by an EU member state for the certification of joining personnel and for which the accepting UK body has
verified and validated the certification and the required supporting documents. In this case, the individual is
considered to be approved once the following actions have been verified and validated:
I. A copy of the original personnel certificate.
II. The approval status of the certification body via NANDO at the time of issue of the certificate.
III. Copies of the supporting test reports/documents as required by the applicable code or standard, e.g., BS EN
SO 9606 Section 6, Examination & Testing. These documents shall include, as applicable, the following:
a. Mechanical test results approved as reviewed and accepted by the original certification body.
b. NDT test results approved as reviewed and accepted by the original certification body.
c. Copies of the original parent material test reports approved as reviewed and accepted by the original
certification body.
d. Copies of the consumable material certificates.
e. Records of the as welded parameters required by the original code or standard s applicable.
f. Evidence of the test facility accreditation status meeting BS EN ISO/IEC 17025.

Once a satisfactory review is completed the UK AB shall issue a new UK certificate referencing the original approval
and confirming that the body is now legally responsible for the certificate.

The start date of the certificate shall remain the original date of the welding of the test piece(s).

Route B
An individual holds a current recognised certificate by a body which is not a UK body; but is a body, internationally
recognised as an independent third-party organisation, duly accredited against the applicable codes and standards
by a national accreditation body.

In this case, the individual is considered to be approved once the following actions have been verified and validated:
I. A copy of the original personnel certificate.
II. The approval status of the certification body via the relevant national accreditation body at the time of issue
of the certificate.
III. Evidence that the accreditation body is a member of the International Accreditation Forum and holds the
required scopes of approval.
IV. Copies of the supporting test reports/documents as required by the applicable code or standard, e.g., BS EN
SO 9606 Section 6 Examination & Testing.

These documents shall include as applicable the following:

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a. Mechanical test results approved as reviewed and accepted by the original certification body.
b. NDT test results approved as reviewed and accepted by the original certification body.
c. Copies of the original parent material test reports approved as reviewed and accepted by the original
certification body.
d. Copies of the consumable material certificates.
e. Records of the as welded parameters required by the original code or standard s applicable.
f. Evidence of the test facility accreditation status meeting BS EN ISO/IEC 17025. (See note 1).

v. Once a satisfactory review is completed the NECIT shall issue a new UK certificate referencing the original
approval and confirming that the body is now legally responsible for the certificate.
The start date shall be the date of the welding of the test piece(s).

In all Cases
I. Certificates produced by NECIT shall be in the English Language only
II. When the tests are performed by a laboratory accredited by a national accreditation program (to ISO/IEC
17025 or A2LA), witnessing of the test is not mandatory
III. When the tests are performed by an approved supplier of NECIT, who are assessed for the relevant scope,
witnessing of the test is not mandatory
IV. When the tests are performed by a laboratory that is not accredited according to option 1. Or approved per
option 2., witnessing of the test is mandatory

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Complaints and Appeals

• Any aggrieved party, which considers itself to have reasonable grounds for questioning the competency of
an approved certified Welder or Welding Operator, may request non-renewal of the certificate. Such a request
must be accompanied by all relevant facts/associated documented/evidence and if in the opinion of the
Technical Manager, an adequate case has been presented, a full investigation of the circumstances under
dispute will be initiated.
• If the complaint is found to be accurate and to the satisfaction of the Technical Manager the certificate will
not be renewed without a further test.
• Appeals against failure to certify or against non-renewal of the certificate may be made by the candidate or
the manufacturer upon application in writing to the Committee but must be within six months of the original
date of examination.
• Complaints and appeals can be submitted to NECIT by emailing [email protected] along with
details of the Complaint or Appeal in question. If complaints or appeals wish to be submitted in Writing, this
can be done by Writing to:

NECIT Services Ltd

Certification Department
One Trinity Green,
South Shields.
NE33 1SA

Records
• NECIT maintain records of examinations and tests.
• Full records are only held for a period of twelve months from the date of the original test, only the associated
certificate and any associated test report details are maintained on file.
• Details shall be maintained in electronic format only and can be made available on request for the Company
or Individual (the paying customer).

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