AISC Certification.
Faster.
And Better.

Certification training and assistance delivered at your pace — a little or a lot. Atema can get you there.

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(312) 861-3000

25+

YEARS OF CERTIFICATION EXPERTISE

300+

COMPANIES ASSISTED WORLDWIDE

ATEMA: The  GolD  Standard in AISC QUALITY CERTIFICATION ASSISTANCE

Atema’s President was one of the original authors of the first AISC certification program standard and both of our principles helped train and introduce that change and the application of quality tools to the structural steel industry and professional auditing skills to the QMC auditors in the early 2000’s. Since then, Atema professional personnel have maintained membership or attendance on AWS code and certification committees and AISC specification or Program committees. Our clients contact Atema months and years after their first service to keep up to date on the best ways to implement changes and interpret requirements.


We have both an administrative and technical structure supporting the Atema consultants that you work with directly. The bench is deep to solve problems and help select to best way to structure compliance.


Choosing Atema is choosing experience. Our leadership has served as the President and Lead Auditor for QMC, AISC’s auditing entity. Numerous team members have conducted audits for QMC, and many actively contribute to code-writing committees and certification bodies. Our team boasts credentials like AWS—CWI; ASQ—CQA, CQE; SME—CmfgE; SSPC BCI Level I, II, ASNT Level IIs and Level IIIs in prevalent methods, and professional bridge and structural engineers.

How Can We Help?

Full Service Approach. "We take care of the heavy lifting"

Your best option if you just need to get it done. You don’t have the time to spare or quality field expertise to dedicate away from the work you do best. Our fastest approach to get it done. We will take you from start to finish. We visit, we listen, we write it, we teach you to implement it.

Full Documentation Creation


Navigating the intricacies of AISC certification involves understanding numerous terms and process requirements. Atema assists in documenting your existing methods and offers valuable recommendations for any additional elements your program needs to be compliant and productive. Our consultative approach optimizes business operations.

Application

Preparation


Getting complete documentation of fourteen+ procedures is an important part of the application. Beyond that, AISC expects evidence of the records you maintain for each procedure, proof of staff training, audits of your designed system, and management reviews for effectiveness. Submitting additional documentation like WPSs, PQRs, and WQTRs demonstrates your understanding of the welding process to code. There’s a lot of detail and you want your application to move through the AISC process smoothly the first time.

Onsite Implementation Check


Depending on where you start from, there can be an overload of information when you decide to implement an AISC compliant quality management system. It can feel like trying to drink from a fire hose even when it made sense first creating your documentation with Atema. After you try to practice it is where the real learning happens. We visit when you need us most to help you implement processes consistently.

Limited Engagement Services. "A bite-sized approach that will help get the job done"

Our most budget friendly options. Flexible for all schedules.

Limited Documentation Creation


“Just help me with these one or two things!“


You just need help to create an AISC program compliant procedure on inspection, or another element that isn’t coming together well on your own. Maybe working with someone who knows will reignite your own preparation or program revision. Learn from an expert - more about an element in the process and how AISC or a new critical client may see it in your next project.


GAP

Assessment


"So just tell me how close I am!"


Get a documented, expert review of how you’ve written AND IMPLEMENTED (the harder task!) your quality management system. You may use that documentation to demonstrate program compliance while you are in process with AISC program certification, or show how you assure quality for a certification audit or a customer request.


AISC Program

Training


“I can do this, I just want to hear about what they want from someone who knows.”


Do you have a general understanding of AISC requirements but having a hard time keeping up with their annual program updates? We break down the certification standard where its easy for ANYONE to understand.


We can train your team directly to the requirements of the AISC Program or use your Quality Management System documentation that speaks directly to them.

Already Certified? Let's strengthen your program together.

The real work comes from maintaining your certification program. We provide flexible options to make it easier and – less stressful.

Corrective Action Assistance 


Not sure how to really keep this from happening again? Addressing a corrective action request that comes from an internal audit, a certification audit or a customer may not be clear. Get some help to find the root cause and pick a path that will truly be effective for the fix. 

Training

Suite


Every AISC Program category requires some documented training and training participant evaluation each year. However, that is not the best reason to train your people either in person or remotely. We provide training solutions that work best for your company overall that goes above and beyond the needs of certification. See our full training suite here.

Documentation

Updates 


The need to revise your quality management system procedures, forms and work instructions can have several sources of change. AISC program changes come annually every June. The codes and standards that are required by the program and more importantly those required by your project documents are updated and interpreted by your client.

Scope

Change 


Moving on up? Adding a new scope to your current certification categories can be a business builder. It can get you into more critical and higher margin work to smooth out business fluctuations in your backlog calendar. AISC will need to see an almost complete application depending on what changes in your organization are necessary for the new scope (SBR, IBR, ABR, FCE, CCE typical). Let Atema make it a smooth transition.

AISC Appeal

Assistance


Personnel changes, busy work schedule and the company didn’t do well in the last AISC audit, or an email and a deadline was missed. Whatever the case you are here and need to present a case to continue certification with a plan to demonstrate compliance. Atema has a special experience with these situations that may give you an advantage.

Onsite Implementation Check


Depending on where you start from, there can be an overload of information when you decide to implement an AISC compliant quality management system. It can feel like trying to drink from a fire hose even when it made sense first creating your documentation with Atema. After you try to practice it is where the real learning happens. We visit when you need us most to help you implement processes consistently.

Need Something You Don't See Here?

Call us now at (312) 861-3000

Your Certification Questions, Answered

  • What is AISC certification?

AISC certification tells owners, design community, construction industry and public officials that certified participants have the personnel, organization, experience, procedures, knowledge, equipment, and commitment for quality control and quality assurance.

  • Who do I need to hire to be ready to start this process?

Applicants typically worry about two positions – the inspector and administrative help for document control.

As an alternative to shop or field inspection, a lead fitter, welder or foreman can be trained to inspect per construction codes and AISC requirements. They do not need special certifications, just the knowledge and the recognition by the company that they can perform the work.

For managing new documents and records, consider training an existing administrator or assistant project manager. Atema can also provide temporary or project-specific technical administrative help to prepare for an annual AISC audit.

  • How involved do I need to be in the certification process?

AISC looks for management involvement but most quality management system work can be delegated and reviewed by leadership. Remember: Running your quality management system is not a one-position job.

  • How do I get ready to start the AISC certification process?

It takes motivation and energy to make certification a priority, but don’t sweat getting ready before we start our work with you.

Atema will hold your hand during the process; you'll get everything you need to run your quality management operation and see business improvement from the experience. All you need to do is put time aside for the process.

  • How much does it cost?

Getting an accurate cost requires a brief phone conversation with an Atema professional. We aren’t the cheapest in the industry, but our work is done right the first time. And remember: A solid quality management processes saves you money with reduced rework.

  • How long does preparing for AISC certification take?

There are several variables, but here are some examples: A fully remote certification prep can take up to eight weeks from start to application, and certification prep for the Steel Building Structures (BU) category can be accomplished in three to four weeks onsite with some initial remote work.

AISC’s application review and audit process can take 6-10 months after application. There are ways to expedite the process and some clients may accept that you are in the process of getting certified.

  • How far will Atema go with us on the road to certification?

We support you through the entire certification process, from helping you put together your QMS, preparing for an audit, training your staff, and more. Our solutions can help you at any stage of your certification process.

  • Does Atema guarantee AISC certification?

We'll give you all the tools to be successful, but we cannot guarantee certification. If you follow Atema’s guidance, you'll succeed in your certification efforts.

  • Does Atema handle problems during our AISC audit?

Atema can sit in during during certification audits or be available as a “lifeline” call during audit breaks to help you understand what the auditor may be looking for.

  • We're a small outfit -- how can we possibly do this?

In smaller organizations, it's common for one person -- maybe you -- to wear a lot of hats. Certification demands specific roles and responsibilities in some cases, but Atema has several strategies to streamline your processes and make juggling your roles easier.

Client Testimonials

We were so grateful to meet and work with Atema! They have made getting our AISC certification a seamless process. Tom and Alex specifically worked with our team and they were always fast to respond and always had the right answers. If you are considering getting an AISC cert we highly recommend working with Atema. It’s a huge project to take on and there are a lot of pieces that would be easy to miss, but Atema specializes in AISC so they know the drill.

Sierra Checketts, Office Manager

Office Manager, ProSteel

We thank you so much for the insights and expertise you have provided during the process. Hawaii Steel and its management team is grateful for your help and assistance. It is our goal to keep moving forward for growth and maintain our AISC certification as Steel Erectors in the State of Hawaii.

Josie Derheim

Hawaii Steel

Atema was a very vital resource of information to obtain our AISC certification. We could not have gotten through it without them and we will be obtaining their services in the future for further consulting.

Bruce John

Quality Management Representative, Structural Services

We finished our 2 day AISC audit and thanks to Atema and their great help, we were successful with no AOC’s based on standard upgrade or COR’s for the current program. You have helped us feel more confident in our program and the help with the internal audit and management review has been invaluable. The documents and procedures are solid…and our specialist was good about pointing out our weaknesses and suggestions to try to overcome those issues. Thanks to the support staff for readying all the documentation upgrades so that everything was up to snuff. We look forward to our continued relationship.

Lisa Bruno

Imperial Construction

When we started looking for certification assistance, we could not find anyone to help us with all the requirements. One company could help with a bolt procedure, another with a welding procedure. Finally we found Atema and they were the only company who could take us through the whole entire process. They understood all the requirements for certification and had the experience to create our system the right way.

Gus Weiland

Weiland Steel, Inc. Johnsburg, IL

… I want to say that I am impressed with the knowledge that both of you have, and we are very happy with this final document. This is so much more practical and understandable than our previous version. Also, I think that the management team has a much better overall understanding of what is expected from us to be AISC certified.

Margaret Wagner

Rast Iron Works

Call us now at (312) 861-3000 to get started