SENSE Online Student FAQ

The AWS SENSE Program shall not be confused with the AWS Certified Welder certification program.

Q. Where do I log into my SENSE Online account?

A. The URL for the SENSE Online system is https://www.senseonline.org. To log into the system, enter the email address you provided your instructor and the password you created.

Q. What's my username?

A. Your username is your email address. When entering a username, please enter the full email address. For example peter.smith@senseschool.edu. Please make sure you are using the same email address you provided to your instructor.

Q. How do I get my password?

A. The instructor(s) will receive an email from AWS with your log-in information after the school’s enrollment and registration has been processed. The instructor(s) is responsible for providing students with their log-in information.

Q. I haven't receive my password or I forgot my password. How can I get a new one?

A. If you don't know your password, please follow these steps:

Check your email. An email was sent to the email provided by your instructor. This email contains a temporary password link that will allow you to log into the system the first time, and create your own password.
Recover your password. Go to https://www.senseonline.org/ and select the "Forgotten your Username or Password?" link. Fill out your email address used when registering your account and an email with a temporary password link will be send in a few minutes.
Spam. Please check your email spam folder or filter.
Contact AWS. If none of the above work, please send us an email at sense@aws.org explaining your problem.

Q. I was told I have an account, but I can't log into SENSE Online. What can I do?

A. There are four main reasons why existing users may not be able to log into their AWS account:

Wrong email address. Please verify that the email address you are using is the same email address your instructor provided AWS during the registration process. All SENSE instructors should have this information.
Spam. The automated SENSE Online invitation email may have gone to your trash or spam folder on their email. Please check your email trash and spam folders from invitation email.
Wrong password. If you are trying to enter the temporary password sent with your initial invitation, please make sure to copy the temporary password correctly. Temporary passwords are case sensitive. In this case we recommend to copy and paste the temporary password we sent.
Locked account. If you are unsuccessful in logging into your SENSE Online account more than 5 times in less than 30 minutes, your account will be temporarily locked. Your account will automatically unlocked after 30 minutes.

Q. How do I print/download my certificate?

A. Once you have completed all the requirements to earn a SENSE certificate, the certificate is immediately available for download. There are two ways to download certificates:

Your user dashboard contains a menu box called "Download Certificates". All your certificates earned through the SENSE Certificate Program can be accessed through this menu box.
Navigate to the bottom of your SENSE course and select the "SENSE Level 1 Welding Process Certificates" or "SENSE Level 2 Welding Process Certificates" Link. This will open a panel where all your certificates for that level are stored.

Q. How do I get my SENSE wallet card?

A. Your wallet card can be found in the Welding Process Certificates and Wallet Card section after you download one of your certificates. The wallet card will reflect completed processes within 24 hours of grade entry by the instructor.

Q. My wallet card doesn’t reflect the welding processes I have completed.

A. It can take up to 24 hours from the time your instructor enters the grades for your wallet card to be updated.

Q. Will I need to print a new wallet card every time I complete a new process?

A. Yes. You will need to regenerate and reprint your wallet card to reflect new processes that have been added.

Q. How/when do I take a test?

A. All SENSE Online exams are locked by default. In order to gain access to an exam, your instructor must unlock the exam for you. Exams are unlocked by instructor for a set period of time, so follow your instructor's instructions. Once an exam is unlocked, they can be accessed by entering your SENSE Level I or II course, navigating to the specific module, and selecting the Theory Exam link for that specific module. This will take you to the exam's landing page. From here, you can begin taking the exam.

Q. How do I check my grades?

A. There are two methods for students to check their grades on the SENSE Online system:

Select the "My Gradebook" link in the "Quick Navigation" box.
Under each module, there is a "Student - Check your grades" link. This link will redirect students to their grade.

Q. How do I file a grievance?

A. To file a grievance, please select the "Grievance Policies and Procedures" link on the Quick Link menu. Please read through the "Grievance Investigation Procedures". Select the "Download Grievance Form" and fill it out completely. Please sign the form and mail it to AWS at:

American Welding Society
ATTN: Education Services, SENSE Certificate Program
8669 NW 36th Street, #130
Miami, FL 33166

Q. Who should I contact if I need help?

A. If you have any questions not covered by this document, please send us an email at SENSE@aws.org.

Q. Is the SENSE Certificate Program the same as a Certified Welder?

A. No. When a student completes the SENSE Certificate Program through a participating school, they will receive a SENSE certificate as an Entry Level Welder (if they completed SENSE Level I) or a SENSE certificate as an Advanced Welder (if they completed SENSE Level II).

Q. How long does it take to gain a SENSE certificate?

A. This will depend on the program, and the number of hours the program meets weekly. For intensive programs, a SENSE Certification can be gain in 6 to 8 months. For programs that meet less often, a certification may take a year or two to earn.

Q. What is the difference between a SENSE certificate and a Certified Welder certification?

A. The following chart describes some of the differences between a certification and a certificate.

	Certified Welder Certification	SENSE Certificate
Scope of Certification/Certificate	The Certified Welder program is a performance-based program that tests an individual’s ability to successfully produce sound welds to a specific welding code, on a specific base material, within a specific range of variables, and on a specific process.	The SENSE Certificate Program verifies that an individual has attained a broad range of welding related competencies. The student is required to show competency not just in welding on various base metals and ranges, but also demonstrates understanding of welding theory and practice.
Testing	Must be conducted through an AWS Accredited Test Facility with a CWI that did not train the student recently.	Testing can be completed in the SENSE school’s welding lab, or any other suitable location, and may be supervised by the SENSE Instructor, Testing Supervisor, or any other person deemed appropriate by the school.
Written Exams	No written exams.	The SENSE program requires that students successfully complete a series of written exams to gain the certificate. These written exams cover a wide breath of welding theory ranging from welding safety, welding process fundamentals, and even welding inspection.
Number of Tests	To become a Certified Welder a student must only complete a practical welding test to a specific Welding Procedure Specification (WPS).	In order to complete a SENSE Certificate Program, a student must complete all required module written examinations and practical welding assessments. The total minimum number of assessments needed to gain a single SENSE Certificate is ten. Students can gain additional certificates with additional assessments.
Renewals	Every 6 months.	No renewals.
Prerequisites for Certification/Certificate	In order to become a Certified Welder the student must complete a welder performance qualification test and submit an application to AWS.	In order to gain a SENSE certificate a student must complete all required module written examinations and all practical assessments.