Start or advance your career in a high-demand industry that employs nearly 10,000 people in Washington State alone. WABO certifications provide official documentation of your welding qualifications and competency. Earning a certification can make you more competitive in the job market and help you advance in your profession.

SPSCC is an approved WABO welding testing agency and offers the following certification tests: 

  • FCAW-G 3G and 4G plate (Unlimited thickness ⅛” and up)-Shop Certification or Field Certification 

  • SMAW 3G and 4G plate (Unlimited thickness ⅛" and up)-Shop Certification or Field Certification

  • GTAW Plate 3G and 4G-Shop Certification or Field Certification

Shop Certifications test on a single plate and covers limited welding positions. Field Certifications test on two plates and covers all welding positions.

Location

Tests will be held at the Olympia Campus located at 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia, WA 98512, Building 16. We recommend parking in Lots L or K. 

Important Information

  • Applicants must bring their own tools and PPE and wear proper welding attire. Metal to weld and the equipment to weld with are provided.

    • PPE: Welding hood/helmet; ANSI approved Safety Glasses; Ear Plugs; and Welding Gloves and Jacket. 

    • Welding attire: Long pants, long shirt and leather boots.

    • Tools: Angle Grinder with grinding, sanding and cutting disks; chipping hammer and/or chisels; and welpers or other pliers. Please note: Grinding during the test will not be allowed; however, you will want to properly prep your test plates.

  • Some certifications require two plates. For example, field or all-position certifications require vertical (up) and overhead plates. This is one certification, and the plates must be welded the same day.

  • A valid state- or federally-issued photo ID is required to test. WABO Welder and Welding Operator Performance Qualification Standard 27-13 shall be the MINIMUM standard adhered to for qualification testing. Examiner reserves the right to exercise personal judgement regarding a candidate’s competency.

  • Each certification is a separate test and requires individual registration and payment. 

  • After passing your test, you are responsible for contacting WABO directly to pay the required application fee. You can contact them at this number: (360) 628-8669

  • If you are taking a field certification and fail the overhead plate portion, you are still eligible to certify for the vertical shop certification. If you fail some or all of your test and wish to retest for that certification, you must register again and pay a new test fee.

Refund Policy

You will receive a 100% refund if the college cancels the test or if you cancel at least five business days before the test by contacting conted@spscc.edu. 

Questions?

About the exam:

Please contact Professor Evan Duncan: eduncan@spscc.edu or 360-596-5312

About registration:

Please contact Corporate and Continuing Education: conted@spscc.edu or 360-709-2020

About the welding program:

For more information about SPSCC’s welding program, please see the department’s webpage.

 

Test Dates Coming Soon!