Meet The AWS Qualification & Certification Committee
Meet The AWS Qualification & Certification Committee
Driving Continued Welding Quality
The AWS Qualification & Certification Committee is responsible for overseeing all AWS Certification Programs. This includes:
- Creating and approving new certification programs
- Providing guidance on all programs by issuing governing standards
- Enforcing ethics rules violations
Qualification & Certification Committee Executive Members
Qualification & Certification Committee Executive Members
Committee Chair
Rob Dines
First Vice Chair
Blake Craft
Second Vice Chair
Michael Harris
Secretary
Cassy Scheffer (effective January 1st, 2026)
Subcommittees and Programs Overseen by the Qualification & Certification Committee
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Subcommittee on Welding Inspectors (QCWI)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for welding inspectors.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Blake Craft
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Welding Inspector Specialists (QCIS)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard for welding inspector specialists and welding inspector assistants.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Shawn Barrett, Clover Field Services LLC
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Welding Engineers (QCEG)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for welding engineers.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Ian Cross, Valiant TMS
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Welding Educators (QCED)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for welding educators.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Tom Sumerix, Muskegon Community College
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Welding Technicians (QCTE)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for welding technicians.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Joel Johnson, North Dakota State College of Science
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
- N/A
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Subcommittee on Welding Fabricators (QCFA)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and accreditation specification for welding fabricators.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Terry Logan, Atema
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Welding Supervisors (QCSU)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for welding supervisors.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Rob Tessier
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Welding Test Facilities and Welders (QCTW)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and specification for certification of welders and accreditation of test facilities.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Michael Harris, International Training Institute
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Radiographic Interpreters (QCRI)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for radiographic interpreters.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Shane Solomon, Brink Advanced NDT
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Exam Bank Subcommittee (QCEB)
Scope: Responsible for developing and evaluating AWS certification exams.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: George Hlifka
Secretary: Yanling Zhang | yzhang@aws.orgFor more information or to indicate interest in joining QCEB please reach out to Yanling Zhang.
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Subcommittee on Reciprocity Agreements (QCRE)
Scope: Responsible for assessing existing and potential arrangements between AWS and other certifying bodies for welding professionals.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Cristian Zanfir, CWB Group
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
- N/A
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Subcommittee on the Code of Ethics (QCET)
Scope: Responsible for maintaining the Administrative Procedures for Alleged Violation of AWS Certification Programs and determining further action on submitted ethics complaints, per QC9.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Ian Cross, Valiant TMS
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
* This committee is not currently adding voting members to its roster. Please apply if you wish to be added to the waitlist.
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Subcommittee on Facilities Auditing (QCAU)
Scope: Responsible for providing content and program advice/recommendations as specifically related to the AWS Facilities Auditing Program.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Michael Mauris, DOT Quality Services
Secretary: Jessenia Martinez | jmartinez@aws.orgThis subcommittee seeks volunteers with auditing experience. For more information, please contact Jessenia Martinez.
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Subcommittee on Robotic Arc Welding Personnel (QCRO)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the certification specification for robotic arc welding personnel.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Timothy Baber, Santa Clarita Community College District
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Structural Inspectors (QCSI)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for structural inspectors.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Anna Petroski, Atema
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
- In Progress
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Subcommittee on CWI of the Year (QCYR)
Scope: Responsible for administering the annual Dalton E. Hamilton CWI of the Year award.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Anna Petroski, Atema
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.org -
Subcommittee on Resistance Welding Personnel (QCRW)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the certification specification for resistance welding personnel.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Vacant
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
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Subcommittee on Plastics Welding Inspectors (QCPI)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for plastics welding inspectors.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Jim Leary
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
- In Progress
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Subcommittee on Owner's Inspector (QCOI)
Scope: Responsible for creating and revising the qualification standard and certification specification for B31 owner’s inspectors.
Committee Leadership:
Chair: Chip Eskridge, Becht
Secretary: Brenda Boddiger | bboddiger@aws.orgPublished Documents:
- In Progress
GET INVOLVED
Join the community of volunteer professionals serving on technical committees, subcommittees, and task groups. These dedicated individuals drive the development of consensus standards for welding, cutting, and allied processes. Their contributions embody the AWS mission to inspire progress, sharing their expertise to advance the science and technology of welding. Join us in continuing this legacy of excellence and help shape the future of the welding industry.