Become a Certified Welder

1. You need a Certified Welding Inspector (acknowledged by American Welding Society).

2. You need one or more welding coupons. 

3. You need welding equipment and supplies, including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

4. You need to perform the test. (for example: AWS code book D1.1, plate 1" thick, with backing strip, welded vertical up SMAW — 3g position, and overhead SMAW — 4g position, 2 different coupons.)

5. The CWI will then perform the bend tests (and/or other tests) on your coupons. The CWI will provide the paper form, and show his approval with his authorized stamp(s) and signature.

Which Weld Certification should I get?

The answer is not so easy.  Why? Because there are nearly an INFINITE number of Welding Certifications possible to obtain. For example, If you do a certification coupon that is a FILLET WELD (2f position) on 1/4" plate, then you are only qualified to do fillet welds, flat position, for thicknesses between 1/8" and 1/2" thick. This is a resonalble certification to have, but most job-sites and empoloyers would be greatly hindered by your qualifications (see AWS D1.1 code book). They can only alow you to weld under those circumstances, and nothing more. Like NO VERTICAL UP,  or NO OVERHEAD, or NO GROOVE JOINTS, etc. So basically, you won't be hired.

What do I recommend?  Assuming YOU ARE ABLE TO PASS.
     1" plate 3g, 4g SMAW or FCAW (includes dual shield) 

What does this qualify me for?

     Any position. 
     Any thickness.
     (must use the accepted range of variables like base metal, filler metal, etc. used in your performance test)

This will give you more value to employers and customers, because you can now weld any structural steel with your specific process, stick or wire. 

In the D1.1 code book, you'll find the dimensions for the 1" plate test. This is done by cutting the pieces to approximately 3" x 5" each side, with a 22.5 degree bevel. Then tack to a backing strip. Make sure you have about a 1/4" gap AND make the backing strip about 7" long. That's 1" longer on the bottom and top for 3g position. You make it all the same way for 4g overhead. I'm not sure why the diagram doesn't show a longer backing strip.
With SMAW I usually weave the first two passes and then stringers for all the other passes. These days, we don't weave all passes... It's just too much heat. It's also what the amateurs do. Stringer = Pro.

This plate took 10 passes total. They are all marked in the photo. This plate test was actually open root. There might be a long debate about cellulose rod types like 6010 or 7010 for the root pass vs. low hydrogen rods. Go with the Lo-Hi rod, then your cert is good on pretty much every job site.

You could be done in 20 min if you know what you are doing, but 2 hours is to be expected. I did this in 15 minutes... 3g vertical up, 1 " plate, Not capped yet in this photo. Obviously it's another hour or two to do the overhead.