Which of the following is NOT a method by which welding personnel may be qualified under CSA Standard W47.1?

• A. Meeting the qualification requirements specified in the standard.
• B. Carrying out a procedure qualification test in accordance with the standard.
• C. Completing on-the-job training without any qualification tests.
• D. Qualification by meeting requirements in other recognized standards.

Answer: (C)

Formal qualification under W47.1 is established through verifiable, standardized pathways that provide objective evidence of a welder’s ability to meet the required quality and safety criteria. One such pathway is following the qualification requirements defined in the standard, which lays out the exact criteria a welder must meet and how documentation is handled. Another pathway is performing a procedure qualification test in accordance with the standard, which demonstrates that the welding procedure and the welder can produce acceptable welds under specified conditions. A third pathway is being qualified by meeting requirements in other recognized standards, which provide equivalent assurance.

Completing on-the-job training without any qualification tests does not provide that formal, documented verification. While hands-on experience is valuable, it does not prove that the welder consistently meets the standard’s acceptance criteria or that welds will be sound under the specified variables. The standard relies on objective evaluation through its defined qualification methods to ensure consistent quality across personnel.