(a) Each welder or welding operator must be qualified in accordance with section 6, section 12 or Appendix A of API Std 1104 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 195.3), or section IX of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 195.3), except that a welder or welding operator qualified under an earlier edition than an edition listed in Sec. 195.3, may weld but may not re-qualify under that earlier edition.
(b) No welder or welding operator may weld with a welding process unless, within the preceding 6 calendar months, the welder or welding operator has--
(1) Engaged in welding with that process; and
(2) Had one weld tested and found acceptable under section 9 or Appendix A of API Std 1104 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 195.3). [Amdt. 195-81, 69 FR 54593, Sept. 9, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 195-86, 71 FR 33409, June 9, 2006; Amdt. 195-99, 80 FR 186, Jan. 5, 2015; Amdt. 195-100, 80 FR 12780, Mar. 11, 2015]