Who interprets radiographs produced during qualification testing?

• A. The Canadian Welding Bureau
• B. The testing laboratory
• C. The company supervisor
• D. The welder

Answer: (A)

Interpreting radiographs during qualification testing must be done by the recognized certification authority to ensure fairness and consistency. The Canadian Welding Bureau is the official body that interprets radiographs and decides whether a weld meets the required acceptance criteria for qualification. This independent interpretation provides an objective basis for passing or failing a welder’s qualification and keeps the process auditable and standardized across tests.

While a testing laboratory may produce the radiographs and perform the testing, the formal interpretation that determines qualification status comes from the CWB, ensuring the results reflect standardized criteria and are recorded in the official qualification documentation. The welder, and often the company supervisor, would have vested interests in the outcome, so they are not the ones who issue the official interpretation.