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Welder
Welding certification is primarily managed through the American Welding Society (AWS) and ASME. Most states accept industry certifications, but some require additional state-specific licensing for structural or pressure vessel welding. Compare requirements across all 50 states.
51
Total States
9
Require State License
51
ASME IX Required
$76
Avg Initial Fees
Welding certification is a combination of industry credentials from AWS and ASME, plus state-level requirements where applicable. Here are the three key areas you need to address.
The American Welding Society (AWS) administers the Certified Welder (CW) performance test at Accredited Test Facilities nationwide. Tests cost $35-$50 per position and must be maintained every 6 months. The CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) exam is an advanced certification for those overseeing welding quality.
Most states do not require a separate state welding license. However, states like Alabama, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have additional certification requirements for structural or pressure vessel welding.
OSHA requires hot work permits for welding in construction environments. Welding contractors typically need general liability insurance of $500K-$1M and workers' compensation coverage. ASME Section IX certification is required nationwide for boiler and pressure vessel welding.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | State License | AWS Accepted | Pressure Vessel | Total Fees | CE Required | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $160-$450 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required for welding on boilers and pressure vessels; Cal/OSHA Pressure Vessel Unit oversees this in California. | $160-$450 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $160-$350 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $160-$400 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required for boiler and pressure vessel welding | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required for boiler and pressure vessel welding | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $160-$400 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX is the nationally referenced standard for boiler/pressure vessel welding; Maine's Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Program (under OPOR) enforces compliance with applicable ASME codes | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | Yes | 2021 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section IX — Welding, Brazing and Fusing Qualifications (adopted by reference in 522 CMR 11.00) | $160-$350 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required (federal/national code) | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $110-$350 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $160-$650 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $135-$350 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX is the national standard for boiler and pressure vessel welding qualification | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | Yes | ASME Section IX required | $60-$150 | No | medium | March 2026 |
Welders often work alongside other licensed construction and trades professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
Study guides for AWS CWI, structural welding, and ASME certification exams.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Welder licenses and what's required to transfer.
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