If a welder is qualified for welding in the horizontal position, are they permitted to weld in the overhead position without additional qualification?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Yes, with supervision
• D. Only for Fillet Welds

Answer: (B)

In welding qualification, positions are specific. The test that shows you can weld in the horizontal position proves you can meet the acceptance criteria in that position, but it does not prove you can handle the overhead position. Overhead welding introduces different challenges—gravity affects the molten pool, access is restricted, and torch angles and fusion control differ—so the quality criteria must be demonstrated again in an overhead test.

Because the overhead position isn’t covered by a horizontal qualification, production welding in overhead requires its own qualification test and approval. Supervision or doing fillets does not substitute for this overhead qualification.

So, being qualified for horizontal does not permit overhead welding without additional qualification.