Taking Certification Examinations
Examination application procedures are outlined in the Pressure Welders Regulation.
For further information, please call ABSA’s Education and Certification Department
at (780) 433-0281 ext. 3321, or call the toll free line at 1-877-433-8910, or email welders@absa.ca.
Taking Additional Performance Qualifications
A pressure welder who has earned a Certificate of Competency can undertake additional
Performance Qualification (PQ) tests, in order to be certified for additional pressure
welding qualifications under that class of certificate. These additional PQ tests
may be taken at any authorized testing organization. A complete list of ABSA-authorized
testing organizations is available on the QMS Certificate of Authorization Holders
Directory.
Pressure Welders Certificate Renewals
The Grade B and Machine Welding Operator certificates are permanent certificates,
whereas a Grade C certificate has a maximum 24-month certification period. However,
Performance Qualification cards do expire.
It is the certificate holders responsibility to apply for re-qualification
before the expiry of his/her Certificate of Competency and/or Performance Qualification
card. Note that the Grade C Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency has restrictions
on re-issue, as outlined in the Pressure Welders Regulation. If issued, a
new Grade "C" Certificate of Competency will include the PQ card at the back of certificate.
After a Certificate of Competency and/or a PQ card has expired, the person named on
the certificate is not permitted to weld on pressure equipment until
he or she re-qualifies by taking the applicable performance qualification test.
Performance Qualification renewal may be taken at any authorized testing organization
as long as the welder has a valid certificate of competency. A complete list of ABSA-authorized
testing organizations is available on the QMS Certificate of Authorization Holders
Directory.
The Pressure Welders Regulation provides information on how to replace lost or destroyed
certificates and PQ card. To apply for a duplicate certificate or PQ card, complete
an ABSA Declaration Form AB-77 and submit the form and fee to ABSA.
Obsolete Certificates
Under the Pressure Welders Regulation (AR 169/2002), Grade "A" Pressure Welder
Certificates of Competency are no longer issued.
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Updated Feb 18, 2010