The Mission
The American Welding Society (AWS) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining processes worldwide. Founded in 1919, AWS serves a global community of over 80,000 members, including welders, inspectors, educators, and students. By providing industry-leading certifications and technical resources, AWS helps welding professionals at every level advance their skills and build sustainable careers across every facet of the modern industrial landscape.
Whether you are a welder pursuing certification to increase your earning potential or a structural engineer referencing the AWS D1.1 code for a major infrastructure project, the society provides the credentials and technical community you need. Through its global network, AWS supports professionals at every career stage, ensuring that the joining and cutting processes essential to modern manufacturing and construction remain safe, efficient, and technologically advanced.
AWS develops and publishes the industry standards that govern welding practices across structural, aerospace, and pipeline applications. Its portfolio provides the authoritative technical references required to ensure quality and compliance in complex fabrication environments. These standards cover everything from basic manual processes to the advanced science underlying modern robotic joining technology.
The AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code is among the most widely referenced standards in the world, establishing strict requirements for welding steel in buildings and bridges. Engineers, inspectors, and regulatory agencies rely on AWS codes as the foundation for quality oversight. By providing clear guidelines for inspection techniques and material science, AWS ensures that the welding industry operates under a unified framework of safety and excellence.
The American Welding Society conducts vital activities across standards development, certification, and workforce growth. AWS administers a comprehensive suite of certifications that verify the skills of professionals at every career stage. Furthermore, the society publishes the Welding Journal and Inspection Trends, keeping the global community informed about the latest advances in joining technology and nondestructive examination practices.
AWS provides a robust educational ecosystem, including online courses, seminars, and training programs designed to enhance practical skills. Through the AWS Foundation, the society invests in the future of the trade by providing scholarships and grants to students. By organizing industry events like the Inspection Expo, AWS brings together leaders and inspectors to address the quality assurance challenges facing the modern workforce.
The American Welding Society was founded in 1919 following the rapid expansion of welding as an industrial process during World War I. Early industry leaders recognized that welding professionals needed a unified community to share knowledge and develop the standards required for a rapidly industrializing economy. From its early days, AWS has been dedicated to advancing the craft of welding and its allied joining and cutting processes.
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, AWS has grown into a truly international organization with district sections spanning the globe. These local sections connect professionals with peer networks and educational opportunities that complement national programs. Active communities in regions like Texas and Pennsylvania extend the society’s reach to the local level, providing mentorship and career advancement where it is needed most.
Over more than a century, AWS evolved from a domestic organization into a globally recognized authority on inspection, education, and certification. Today, AWS standards are adopted by government agencies and manufacturers worldwide as the recognized benchmarks for safety and competence. This global reach ensures that welding quality remains consistent across international borders, supporting trade and industrial safety on a massive scale.
AWS membership provides welding professionals and students with access to the resources and recognition that support a lifelong career. Members receive the Welding Journal and enjoy significant discounts on certifications, standards, and online courses. Connection to local AWS sections provides unique networking opportunities and career resources within the regional welding community.
Membership also includes access to specialized job boards and professional development programs that help members stay competitive. Student options make AWS accessible early in a career, providing community connections that can launch a professional network long before graduation. For professionals at every level, AWS membership represents a commitment to excellence and a connection to a global technical community.
The American Welding Society provides diverse educational materials and training programs designed to help professionals enhance their practical skills. These offerings cover welding processes, inspection techniques, and the science of joining technology. By managing a suite of certifications, including the prestigious Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential, AWS verifies the skills of the global workforce.
Through the AWS Foundation, the society provides critical funding for students pursuing careers in welding and allied fields. These programs connect academic training with the practical skills that modern employers value most. By fostering continuous learning, AWS ensures that the welding workforce remains capable of meeting the technical demands of a changing industrial landscape.
About AWS
What does AWS stand for?
AWS stands for the American Welding Society, the leading not-for-profit organization advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide. The AWS abbreviation also refers to the organization’s certification and standards programs, which are widely recognized across the welding industry.
What is the American Welding Society known for?
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is known for developing engineering standards and codes that ensure public safety, hosting technical conferences that advance knowledge sharing, and publishing journals that document research across engineering disciplines. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code is one of its most widely adopted standards worldwide.
Is AWS welding certification worth it?
AWS welding certification is widely recognized across the welding industry as a benchmark for professional competence. Certified welders and welding inspectors consistently report that AWS credentials support career advancement, higher earning potential, and greater credibility with employers. For welding professionals seeking to demonstrate their skills and commitment to the craft, AWS certification provides a portable, respected credential that travels across employers and industries.
What is the difference between AWS and AISC?
AWS (American Welding Society) focuses on welding standards, certification, and education across all welding applications and industries. AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) focuses on the design, fabrication, and erection of structural steel. The two organizations complement each other in the structural steel sector, as fabricators and inspectors frequently reference both AWS welding standards (such as D1.1) and AISC specifications in their work.
Is the American Welding Society a government organization?
No. The American Welding Society is an independent not-for-profit professional organization, not a government agency. AWS certifications are recognized and respected by employers, government agencies, and industry leaders worldwide, but the welding society operates independently as a private organization dedicated to advancing the welding industry and the professionals who define it.
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