Does the welder for Welding Process Qualification testing Be Qualified?

[mrmalcolm]

Do test piece for Welding Process Qualification testing need to be carried out by qualified welders? Is it allowed that test piece weled by unqualified welders? Thank you.

 

[gtaw]

The test assembly used to qualify the welding procedure specification can be welded by a welder that was previously qualified or it can be welded by a welder that has never been qualified. Per most American welding standards, the welder that welded a test assembly that passes all the requisite tests (NDE and mechanical) is "automatically" qualified by virtue of welding an acceptable test assembly. The testing regiments for qualifying the WPS is typically more involved and extensive than the testing required to qualify the welder.