WABO Testing

Sign Up Info

How to sign up for a WABO welder certification test at South Seattle College: 

• Email Doug Rupik by Wednesday to schedule a Saturday test (doug.rupik@seattlecolleges.edu  or 206.934.6818)
  • A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a test appointment. When requesting a test appointment, follow the emailed instructions carefully. All appointments are coordinated by Doug. Do not make a payment and arrive expecting to test without approval and confirmation from Doug.
  • Test fees (effective 9-1-23):
    • $90 ($40+$50 non-refundable deposit) for current Seattle Colleges students
    • $200 ($150+$50 non-refundable deposit) for non-students
    • $350 ($300+$50 non-refundable deposit) for D 1.8 restricted access seismic test
    • $350 ($300+$50 non-refundable deposit) for pipe tests
  • All payments to be made with credit or debit card  
  • After passing your test, you must contact WABO to pay your $60 application fee
• You must provide a Driver's License, Passport, or other state or federal issued ID in order to test. 
• In order to obtain the student test rate, you must show a current student ID. 
• Each certification test is paid for separately, even though you may take more than one in a test session. For example, GMAW and FCAW are two processes that are often taken the same day. You will pay for two tests-the payment amounts to the college and WABO are doubled.

About the Test

Unless you are regularly doing multi-pass groove welds in heavy plate, the test is very difficult to pass. We recommend you register for WFT 297 Special Topics class.  Contact the Professional Technical Office schedule an appointment to register at 206-934-5387.

We test for the following:

• GMAW ("MIG") 3G (vertical up) plate.
• FCAW-G (“dual shield”) 3G (vertical up)  and 4G  (overhead) plate.
• SMAW (“stick” or “arc”) 3G (vertical up) and 4G (overhead) plate, 6G pipe.
• GTAW (“TIG” or “Heli arc”) 3G (vertical up) and 4G (overhead) plate, 6G pipe.
• We also test for the D1.8 seismic certification. Call or email for more information.

How the Test Works

You will need to provide your own gear (hood, gloves, safety glasses, leathers, etc., and grinder with disks and wire wheel. Grinding during the test will not be allowed except for pipe roots, but you will want to properly prep your test plates).

• This is a timed test. You will have approximately five and a half hours to assemble and weld your test plates.
• Some certifications require two plates. For example, field or all-position certifications require vertical (up) and overhead plates. This is one certification, and the plates must be welded the same day.
• You will be allowed to practice and set your machine welding on scrap. You will be issued the test plates and you will have to prep and fit them together.
• If you fail your test (one or both plates, depending on the test) and wish to retest, you must schedule a retest and pay for a new test. 
• If you are taking an all-position test and fail your overhead plate, you will still qualify to certify for a vertical "Shop certification."