The role of the human factor in such a matter as ensuring the quality of work performed is one of the key. The level of competence of specialists in the field of welding production is especially important , since the safety of the object, life and human health depend on their professionalism. Therefore, certification of NAKS is the main criterion for assessing the qualifications of a welder.
NAKS activities
National Welding Control Agency:
- a full package of normative and methodological documentation is required, which is required for certification of welding production;
- consulting and methodological assistance is provided to certification centers and monitoring their activities;
- the composition of experts on certification of personnel, welding equipment, materials and technologies is being formed;
- The NAKS registry is created, in which data on all successfully passed certification tests is entered;
- the technical policy of the certification system is developed, its activities are coordinated and improved.
Why does the welder pass the certification test
The NAKS welder is a highly sought-after specialist who has the right to work at hazardous production facilities controlled by Rostekhnadzor . During the certification, you confirm that you have sufficient professional skills and theoretical knowledge to gain access to complex welding operations.
How and where is NAKS certification conducted?
- The certification verification procedure includes three mandatory exams: general, practical, and special.
- The first stage of the examination chain is a practical exam. It can also be the last if the certified welder or welding specialist does not cope with the task and receives an unsatisfactory mark. The next time he will be admitted to certification only after a month, subject to passing additional practical training and making payment for the second exam.
- To obtain a satisfactory assessment and admission to the general and special exam, it is necessary to demonstrate the ability to perform welded joints, observing the requirements set forth in the technological documentation, as well as knowledge of labor protection and safety regulations.
- Simultaneous certification of NAKS of one specialist in several types of welding is allowed.
- Welders or welding specialists can be certified in any region of the Russian Federation. The place of certification exams is the production base of certification centers or certification points (regional representative offices) of NAKS.
Who is included in the certification commission
The composition of the commission that takes exams and makes decisions based on their results on assigning a certified level of professional training:
- representative of Rostekhnadzor (without fail);
- employees of certification bodies who are specialists in welding production (not lower than level II) and who have passed special certification, which gives them the right to conduct training and take exams for compliance with the level of professional training.
Certification levels
| Professional level | Welding staff category | Certified without fail |
| I | welder | |
| II | master welder | superintendents, craftsmen or other specialists whose oral or written instructions are required when performing welding work |
| III | welder | engineering and technical workers responsible for the development, approval and control of welding processes - heads of structural units of the enterprise (laboratories, technical bureaus, departments, etc.) |
| IV | welder engineer | chief engineers, chief welders, heads of the welding service and other specialists whose job responsibilities include the approval of all documentation for performing welding work at the enterprise |
Important: the commission of NAKS levels does not cancel and does not replace the qualification rank assigned to the welder.
Certification Preparation
Applicants for obtaining the level of NAKS, in addition to having a system of certification of work experience, qualifications of general and professional education, must undergo special additional training at training centers, which allows to consolidate and expand existing skills.
The programs according to which NAKS training is conducted are developed taking into account production specialization and the level of professional training of the certified specialist. Mandatory sections include:
- safety rules and labor protection during welding;
- surfacing and weld technology;
- welding materials and equipment;
- welding quality control methods ;
- ways to eliminate identified defects.
If a specialist has mastered the special training curriculum on his own, he can be admitted to certification by decision of the certification commission.
What documents are issued at the end of the audit
A welder or welding specialist who has been certified by the National Welding Control Agency must be issued:
- NAKS certification certificate valid throughout the territory of the Russian Federation;
- a copy of the protocol drawn up in accordance with the approved sample on primary, periodic, extraordinary or additional certification;
- certificate confirming the passage of special pre-certification training.
How can I verify the authenticity of NAKS documents? A register containing data on all qualified welders and welding specialists can be found on the organization’s official website.
Important: certified specialists and welders may be allowed to perform only those types of work that fall within the scope of their certification and are indicated in the issued certificate.
Validity of the certificate
Obtained after successful passing of exams (at primary certification) certificates are valid for:
- two years - for welders certified for the I level of professional training;
- three years - for welding production specialists certified at the II or III level of professional training;
- five years - for welding specialists certified for IV level of professional training.
When are additional and extraordinary checks
Additional certification of NAKS is carried out if it is necessary for the welder to obtain access to the types of welding work that are not indicated in the certification certificate obtained after the initial certification, or if the interruption in the work of a specialist in these types of work is more than six months. Only a practical and special exam is taken.
The basis for extraordinary certification is a temporary suspension from performing welding work for repeatedly identified unsatisfactory quality of the welded joints made by the welder or a violation of the welding process. All three types of exams are taken (general, practical, special).
Increase your level of competence, study, expand your knowledge base, successfully pass certification. The Russian economy needs professionals!