With more than 1,500 volunteers serving on over 300 boards, our committee of volunteers epitomizes the AWS mission to move welders and their work forward.
CRAW: Robotic Arc Welding: Your Path to Mastery in Automation
CRAW: Robotic Arc Welding: Your Path to Mastery in Automation
The CRAW program from AWS (American Welding Society) provides a unique opportunity for welding professionals measure their skills against industry standards. By obtaining the CRAW certification, you not only demonstrate your ability to program a robot to deliver an acceptable weld, but also your commitment to staying current in the ever-evolving welding industry. Required re-examination or proof of active practice every three years ensures that CRAW-certified Operators and Technicians remain at the current in their field.
Application, Renewal, Recertification
Application, Renewal, Recertification
Visit my.aws.org to enter information, submit required documentation and a current photo, register for seminars and courses, and make payments.
There are two options to keep your CRAW credential active. 1) You can retake the examination, or 2) You must demonstrate two years of relevant welding activity within your three-year certification period or retake the exam. This requirement can be met through documented completion or instruction of a minimum of 40 contact hours in training courses related to welding skills, applications, control, materials, and processes, as outlined in QC19, Specification for AWS Certification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel.
One of the two years can be fulfilled through this educational contribution.
Select from the options below
Register Now
CRAW Initial Application
- Overview
- Documents
- Testing Information
- Training
- Pricing
CRAW Initial Application
-
Overview
-
Documents
-
Exam Information
-
Training
-
Pricing
Requirements and Process
Education: High school diploma or military approved high school equivalent (e.g., GED) is required for both Operator and Technician roles.
Welding Experience: A minimum of six months' experience in manual or semiautomatic arc welding processes is necessary for both Operator and Technician. This includes 12 months of experience as a welder (including robotic and automatic operation) for Operators and 18 months (about 1 and a half years) for Technicians.
Related Occupational Experience: Operators require at least three years of welding experience in an occupation related to welding or robotics, such as inspection or quality control, while Technicians require five years.
Post-secondary Education: Degrees in welding, technical, robotic, technology, electrical, or engineering disciplines may substitute for up to two years of experience, but not for the required six months of manual or semiautomatic arc welding.
CWI Certification: CRAW Technicians must hold a current Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification. Without it, only the CRAW-O certification can be attained.
Training: For Operators, completion of an original equipment manufacturer or equivalent Robotic Programming Course from an AWS Approved Testing Center (ATC). Technicians should have training in using quality measuring tools, including software for measuring weld cross-sections, and familiarity with personal computers. AWS currently does not offer this training.
If you are a veteran with G.I. Bill Benefits, and you are looking for an excellent job, want to change jobs, or if you want to move ahead in your present job, licensing or certification may hold the key for you!
Application Process
Visit the online portal to provide the required documentation, make payment and register for seminars and courses.
- Certified Robotic Arc Welder Application
- CRAW Examination Performance Test Candidate Information Booklet
- CRAW Retest Application
- CRAW Renewal Application
Make sure to have the following documents ready before starting the application process:
Application Process
Visit the online portal to provide the required documentation, make payment and register for seminars and courses.
- Certified Robotic Arc Welder Application
- CRAW Examination Performance Test Candidate Information Booklet
- CRAW Retest Application
Make sure to have the following documents ready before starting the application process:
Technical Documents
QC19, Specification for AWS Certification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel
D16.4, Specification for the Qualification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel
Other forms and documents:
- ADA Disability Accommodations
- Change of Site/Cancellation Form
- Candidate Attestation Agreement
- Policies and Fees
- Certification Duplicate Order Form
- Training Hours Upload Requirement Waiver
- Photo Upload Requirement Waiver
- Visual Acuity Upload Requirement Waiver
- Education or Other Upload Requirement Waiver
Seminar and Exam Schedule
Find upcoming in-person seminars and exam dates on AWS by visiting the Seminar and Exam Schedule.
A closed book exam, that lasts two hours and covers subjects listed in AWS QC19. Use the CRAW Performance Test- Candidate Information Booklet for practical exam preparation. Please note that the same two exams are given to CRAW-certified Operators and Technicians.
REGISTRATION: To apply for training and exams, contact an ATC representative at any AWS CRAW Approved Testing Center.
RE-EXAMINATION: If you fail any part of the CRAW exam, schedule a retest with your ATC representative.
The written exam covers the following subject areas. There is no body of knowledge for the practical exam, however the CRAW Performance Test - Candidate Information Booklet provides the tasks that test candidates are expected to complete.
| Subject | Approximate % |
| Weld Equipment Setup | 8 |
| Welding Processes | 15 |
| Weld Examination | 8 |
| Definitions and Terminology | 8 |
| Symbols - Welding & Robotics | 4 |
| Safety | 12 |
| Destructive Testing | 8 |
| Conversion and Calculations | 3 |
| Robot Programming and Logic | 20 |
| Welding Procedures | 8 |
| Kinematic Concepts | 3 |
| Robot Arc Weld Cell Compenents - ID | 3 |
| Totals | 100% |
The CRAW exams (written and practical) are taken from the following references:
- AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions
- AWS B1.10, Guide for Nondestructive Inspection of Welds
- AWS B1.11, Guide for Visual Welding Inspection
- AWS B5.1, Qualification Standard for AWS Welding Inspectors
- AWS QC1, Qualification Standard for AWS Welding Inspectors
- AWS WI, Welding Inspection
- AWS CM-00, Certification Manual for Welding Inspectors
- AWS B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification
- AWS D8.8, Specification for Automotive and Light Truck Weld Quality: Arc Welding
- AWS D16.2, Guide for Components of Robotic and Automatic Arc Welding Installations
- AWS D16.3, Risk Assessment Guide for Robotic Arc Welding
- AWS D16.4, Specification for the Qualification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel
- ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes (published by the American Welding Society)
- NEMA EW-1, Electric Arc Welding Power Sources AWS Arc Welding with Robots, Do's and Don'ts
- Automating the Welding Process, Jim Berge, Industrial Press
- AWS Welding Handbook, Volume 1, 10th Edition
- AWS Welding Handbook Volume 2, 9th Edition, Welding Processes (published by robot manufacturer)
- AWS 058, Arc Welding Automation, Howard Car
- AWS A2.4, Standard Symbols for Welding Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination
- Jefferson's Welding Encyclopedia 8th Edition (published by the American Welding Society)
- RIA 15.06, American National Standard of Industrial Robots and Robot Systems – Safety Systems
Exam Preparation Training and Seminar
Training for your CRAW certification is conveniently available at various AWS Approved Testing Centers (ATCs). Simply reach out to an ATC representative to get your application process started and schedule a time that suits you for your training and examination.
Training for your CRAW certification is conveniently available at various AWS Approved Testing Centers (ATCs). Simply reach out to an ATC representative to get your application process started and schedule a time that suits you for your training and examination.
CRAW Renewal
-
Overview
-
Documents
-
Pricing
Renewal Requirements
To keep your CRAW credential active, you must demonstrate two years of relevant welding activity within your three-year certification period or retake the exam. This requirement can be met through documented completion or instruction of a minimum of 40 contact hours in training courses related to welding skills, applications, control, materials, and processes, as outlined in QC19, Specification for AWS Certification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel. One of the two years can be fulfilled through this educational option.
Renewal applications can be accessed through the Certification Application Portal, and the status of credentials, applications, or exam registrations can be checked via the MyAWS Portal.
Use the MyAWS Portal to check your credential, application, or exam registration status.
Application Process
Visit the online portal to provide the required documentation, make payment and register for seminars and courses.
Make sure to have the following documents ready before starting the application process:
Technical Documents
QC19, Specification for AWS Certification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel
D16.4, Specification for the Qualification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel
Other forms and documents:
- ADA Disability Accommodations
- Change of Site/Cancellation Form
- Candidate Attestation Agreement
- Policies and Fees
- Certification Duplicate Order Form
- Training Hours Upload Requirement Waiver
- Photo Upload Requirement Waiver
- Visual Acuity Upload Requirement Waiver
- Education or Other Upload Requirement Waiver
CRAW Recertification
-
Overview
-
Documents
-
Pricing
Recertification Requirements
Every nine years after initial certification, you will need to recertify. You have two options for this:
- Retake the current CRAW Operator or Technician performance exam, which is based on the test version in use when you apply for recertification.
- Prove that you have been active in related fields like inspection, welding, design, production, construction, or repair for at least two years within your last three certified years. Plus, show evidence of participation in activities listed in QC19 for at least 80 contact hours. These hours can be documented as 8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 80 Professional Development Hours (PDHs).
Application Process
Visit the online portal to provide the required documentation, make payment and register for seminars and courses.
Make sure to have the following documents ready before starting the application process:
Technical Documents
QC19, Specification for AWS Certification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel
D16.4, Specification for the Qualification of Robotic Arc Welding Personnel
Other forms and documents:
- ADA Disability Accommodations
- Change of Site/Cancellation Form
- Candidate Attestation Agreement
- Policies and Fees
- Certification Duplicate Order Form
- Training Hours Upload Requirement Waiver
- Photo Upload Requirement Waiver
- Visual Acuity Upload Requirement Waiver
- Education or Other Upload Requirement Waiver