What Certifications and Licenses Do Welders Need?

Welder with AWS Welding Certificate

TWS is a Great Training Option for Everyone

Learn more about how we can prepare you to advance your career.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)1, welders are needed in all types of industries. In the next few years, welders will be needed to shore up the aging infrastructure across the country, work on oil and gas pipelines, as well as build new energy extraction facilities, among others. Although few companies may hire an inexperienced welder, the BLS reports that most employers look for welders who have been trained and certified.

Certifications

welding certificate training

Welding certification is offered by several different welding organizations. It is a procedure to determine if the applicant for certification has the skill level required to perform the designated tasks. Certifications verify that the welder is familiar with codes specific to the required work and can perform in compliance with those codes. It also verifies that a welder knows how to perform duties according to contract specifications.

Different certifications are offered depending on what type of work and welding career an individual pursues. In addition to verifying that a welder can work with certain codes and contracts, certifications can also attest to a welder’s ability to work with specific metal thicknesses, certain types of welds and other specific welding considerations. There are a number of welder certifications available and this is definitely not an area where one size fits all.

Certification by the American Welding Society (AWS)

AWS Welding Certifications List

Have You Considered a Career in the Skilled Trades?

Fill out the form to recieve a no obligation info packet.


You are giving your express written consent for Tulsa Welding School to contact you regarding our educational programs and services using email, telephone or text including our use of automated technology for calls or texts to any wireless number you provide. This consent is not required to purchase goods or services and you may always call us directly at (855) 237-7711.

+ Read More

The AWS offers several pathways to welding certification depending on the specific job, goal or education of the welder desiring the certification. For instance, a professional welder needs a different certification than a welding inspector. The AWS partners with the Ironworkers Union and the Sheet Metal Institute to provide welding certification and testing centers to certification applicants.

Here are a few certification options:

  • Certified Welder: There are no prerequisite educational courses required in order to be eligible to take this performance-based test. Applicants are tested on their ability to perform according to all aspects of a selected Welding Procedure Specification. If the test is not passed the first time, it can be retaken.
  • Certified Welding Inspector: This test requires certain educational courses as a prerequisite to taking the exam, as well as a certain number of years of experience. There are some provisions for substituting experience for course work. It is a written and performance test.
  • Certified Robotic Arc Welding: There are a number of requirements that must be met in order to be eligible to take this exam, which includes a performance test where applicants are required to demonstrate their skills.

Certifications from the AWS generally relate to codes dealing with structures such as bridges and buildings.

Certifications Available from Other Industries

API and ASME Welding Certifications

Other industries offer welding certification depending upon the type of welding that is required and the actual work that will be performed. Here are just a few examples.

Welders interested in certification for a specific industry may check with that industry to see if they offer specific welding certification. For additional information on how to become a certified welder, refer to our related blog post.

Licenses for Welders

Some states have licensing requirements for welders in addition to certification. For example, New York requires welders to be certified by the AWS or the N.Y. State Department of Transportation. They then must apply to the state for a license. Some cities have their own certification and licensing processes in order for welders to be employed by the governmental entity. One such city is Los Angeles. Although it has its own testing procedure for certifying and licensing someone to become an L.A. City Certified Welder, applicants are required to bring the applicable codebook published by the AWS to the city’s certification exam. Welders who want to work for a local, state or federal government project need to check with their employer, or anticipated employer, for specific welding certification or licensing requirements.

Additional Sources

This blog has been labeled as archived as it may no longer contain the most up-to-date data. For a list of all current blog posts, please visit our blog homepage at https://www.tws.edu/blog/