When welding under the specifications of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, each employer is responsible for qualifying all the welders and welding operators employed by the company with responsibility for welding according to specifications of a code. However, to avoid duplication of effort, the employer may accept a Weldermelder Operator Performance Qualification (WPQ) made by a previous employer (subject to the approval of the owner or the agent of the owner) on piping using the same or an equivalent procedure in which the essential variables are within the limits established in Section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
An employer accepting such qualification tests by a previous employer is required to obtain a copy of the WPQ showing the name of the employer by whom the welders or welding operators were qualified, the dates of such qualification, and evidence that the welder or welding operator has maintained qualification with Q-322 of Section IX of the Code. The employer then prepares and signs the record accepting responsibility for the ability of the welder or welding operator.