Canadian Welding Bureu (CWB) testing is available at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon.

  • Photo ID must be presented to the examiner on the day of testing. You must present a valid CWB card when performing a check test.
  • Please ensure your attendance to the selected test date, as fees are non-refundable.
  • Individuals are responsible for providing and/or wearing leather gloves, non flammable clothing, safety glasses, steel toe boots and welding helmet/shield as well as provide personal grinders, buffing wheel and bead brushes.

CWB registration request

Test information

  • Test is on two 3/8" by 6" long plate with a ¼" x 2" x 6- 8" backing strip.
  • 1/8"  E7018 electrode is used for all positions.
  • Tacking is done with the GMAW process. Preferred tacking: 4 tacks on back, 4 on backing bar end, face side. Max tack length 10mm.
  • Make sure there is no gap to the backing bar.
  • Flat, vertical and overhead require a ½" gap while horizontal is only 5/16"
  • There will be two tie-ins at 1 ½" from each edge. The inspector will mark out. You must show your stops and starts before proceeding.
  • The horizontal position has one tie-in only, on the top bevel side.
  • Your direction of welding can change throughout the coupon except in the vertical position.  It must all be done in a vertical up position.
  • Stringer beads only. The vertical cap only can be weaved.
  • All welding and cleaning is done in position.
  • No set amount of passes required for filling.
  • You have 45 minutes to weld each coupon.
  • No grinding is permitted.
  • Power buffers, chisels, picks, chipping hammers and wire brushes are all acceptable cleaning methods.
  • All caps must pass visual inspection. No more than 1/8" exceeding the base material in height and no more than a ¼" in width of the original opening.
  • An individual 1/8" defect or greater is considered a failure.
  • Porosity may result in a failure.
  • Do not over grind.  It is preferable to leave a little extra than take too much.
  • Gouging should not remove welded material.
  • Radius edges of each coupon with the grinder before bending.
  • If a coupon fails, a retest of that position may be granted at examiners discretion.
  • Once coupons have received a pass they will go into the scrap bin. No loitering especially around the bend test area! Do not retrieve passed coupons from scrap bin.
  • Spray transfer recommended.
  • Same test criteria as SMAW procedures.
  • Combination flat groove, horizontal fillet is common transferable test.
  • Volts are approximately 24-27 with a wire speed of approximately 510-525.
  • Must have SMAW all position ticket, no exceptions even for pressure tickets.
  • After 2 years a check test can be done instead of doing all positions.
  • All information for the basic test still applies.
  • Coupon has ½" gap and is done in vertical and overhead positions.
  • Vertical up root is done on the square side with a tie in.
  • Overhead root is done on the bevel side with a tie in.
  • Remaining part of coupon is all done in the overhead position.
  • If a fracture exceeding 1/8 is present or coupon is considered a fail both vertical and overhead plates must be completed.

Contact us

If you have any questions email cwb_testing@saskpolytech.ca or call 306-775-7418.