How long is a tack welder's qualification valid?

• A. Indefinitely (while employed by a certified company)
• B. Two years
• C. One year
• D. Six months

Answer: (A)

Tack welder qualification doesn’t expire. It’s valid indefinitely as long as the welder remains employed by a certified company and uses the same process under the employer’s qualification program. Tack welding is a temporary fit-up step, not the final weld, so the qualification is tied to the employer’s certification rather than a fixed time limit. If the welder leaves the company or the company’s certification (or the process requirements) change, the qualification would no longer be valid and requalification would be needed under the new conditions.