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Welder — WLD
Total cost: $160-$400
Governing Authority
District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
State License Required
Accepted
AWS Certification
ASME IX Required
Pressure Vessel
$35-$50 per test position
Qualification Test
$830-$1,100
CWI Exam Fee
$160-$400
Total Initial Fees
Welding training programs are available through community colleges, vocational/technical schools, and union apprenticeships. Programs typically last 6 months to 2 years and cover various welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW). Programs typically cover SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW processes.
Registered apprenticeship programs are available through unions (United Association, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Ironworkers) and the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprenticeships typically last 3-4 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
The American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are accepted in District of Columbia. Key certifications: AWS Certified Welder (CW), AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE). Pass welding performance qualification tests. Common standards: AWS D1.1 — Structural Welding Steel, AWS D1.2 — Structural Welding Aluminum, AWS D1.5 — Bridge Welding Code, +2 more.
District of Columbia requires a state welding license. DC requires certified welders for structural and pressure vessel work. Certification per AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX required. State certification fee: $100-$250.
ASME Section IX required AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX certification required depending on application
Federal OSHA regulations apply. Welders should complete OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour construction safety training. Hot work permits required per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.352.
AWS renewal: Every 9 years — AWS CWI certification is valid for 3 years, renewable twice (3+3+3=9 years total before retesting required) State renewal: Varies by state — typically every 1-2 years with continued welding activity or retesting
Estimated Total Initial Cost: $160-$400
Includes AWS qualification test (~$35-$50/position), OSHA training ($25-$100), and state fees if applicable. Does not include training program tuition or CWI exam fees.
AWS CWI Exam Fee
$1,100 (non-members); $830 (AWS members)
AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam fee; includes Fundamentals, Practical, and Code portions
AWS Membership
$95/year
AWS individual membership — provides discounts on certification exams and access to welding standards
Qualification Test
$35-$50 per test position
Fee per test position at an AWS Accredited Test Facility; most welders test in 2-4 positions
State Certification
$100-$250
District of Columbia state welding certification/license fee
State-specific welding certification and licensing requirements
Mostly verifiedState License Required
Yes
DC requires certified welders for structural and pressure vessel work. Certification per AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX required.
AWS Certification Accepted
Yes
Structural Steel Certification
Required
AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX certification required depending on application
Pressure Vessel Certification
Required
ASME Section IX required
OSHA Training Requirements
Federal OSHA regulations apply. Welders should complete OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour construction safety training. Hot work permits required per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.352.
Welding certification is primarily managed through the American Welding Society (AWS) and ASME. Most states accept AWS certifications for structural welding and ASME Section IX for pressure vessel welding. Some states have additional state-specific certification requirements, particularly for structural steel welding on public works projects.
Education, Training & Apprenticeship Programs
VerifiedFormal Education Required
No
Recommended Training
Welding training programs are available through community colleges, vocational/technical schools, and union apprenticeships. Programs typically last 6 months to 2 years and cover various welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW).
Apprenticeship Programs
Registered apprenticeship programs are available through unions (United Association, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Ironworkers) and the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprenticeships typically last 3-4 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
Industry Certifications
No formal education is required to become a welder. However, completing a welding training program at a vocational school or community college (typically 6 months to 2 years) provides essential skills. Registered apprenticeship programs through unions offer paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction over 3-4 years.
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Performance Qualification Tests & Certification Exams
VerifiedQualification Test Required
Yes
AWS CWI Exam
The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exam consists of three parts: Fundamentals, Practical, and Code Book. Requires 5+ years welding experience or combination of education and experience. Exam fee: $1,100 (non-members) / $830 (AWS members).
Common Welding Code Standards
State-Specific Exam Requirements
District of Columbia requires welders to pass a performance qualification test per applicable code (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, or state-specific standard).
Welders must pass a performance qualification test (also known as a “weld test”) to demonstrate their ability to produce sound welds per the applicable code. Tests are administered at AWS Accredited Test Facilities and cost $35-$50 per position. The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exam is a separate, more advanced certification for those overseeing welding work.
Insurance Coverage for Welding Contractors
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
General liability insurance of $500,000 to $1,000,000 is typically required for welding contractors. Coverage protects against property damage and bodily injury claims.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation insurance is required in most states for welding businesses with employees. Premiums for welding are higher than average due to the hazardous nature of the work.
Professional Liability
Professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance is recommended for welding inspectors and engineers. Not typically required for production welders.
Welding contractors typically need general liability insurance of $500,000 to $1,000,000. Workers' compensation insurance is required in most states for businesses with employees. Due to the hazardous nature of welding, insurance premiums tend to be higher than average construction trades.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
AWS Qualification Test (per position) Fee per test position at an AWS Accredited Test Facility; most welders test in 2-4 positions | $35-$50 per test position |
AWS CWI Exam Fee AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam fee; includes Fundamentals, Practical, and Code portions | $1,100 (non-members); $830 (AWS members) |
AWS Membership (Annual) AWS individual membership — provides discounts on certification exams and access to welding standards | $95/year |
State Certification Fee District of Columbia state welding certification/license fee | $100-$250 |
Total Initial Fees Includes AWS qualification test (~$35-$50/position), OSHA training ($25-$100), and state fees if applicable. Does not include training program tuition or CWI exam fees. | $160-$400 |
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Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
VerifiedEvery 6 Months
Welder Qualification Maintenance
Not Required
Continuing Education (CW)
Every 3 Years
CWI Renewal Cycle
AWS CWI Renewal
Every 9 years — AWS CWI certification is valid for 3 years, renewable twice (3+3+3=9 years total before retesting required)
State Certification Renewal
Varies by state — typically every 1-2 years with continued welding activity or retesting
Continuing Education Details
No formal continuing education required for AWS Certified Welder (CW). AWS CWI renewal requires 80 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) per 3-year cycle. Welder performance qualifications must be maintained through continued welding activity every 6 months.
AWS Certified Welder (CW) performance qualifications must be maintained every 6 months through continued welding activity or retesting. AWS CWI certification is valid for 3 years and requires 80 Professional Development Hours per cycle for renewal. State certifications, where required, typically have separate renewal timelines.
The District of Columbia requires certified welders for structural and pressure vessel work on construction projects within the District.
Welding certification (not state licensure) is the primary credential for welders in most states. AWS (American Welding Society) certifications are the industry standard.
AWS Certified Welder (CW) performance tests must be maintained every 6 months through continued welding activity or retesting.
ASME Section IX certification is required nationwide for welding on boilers and pressure vessels regardless of state licensing requirements.
District of Columbia requires a state-specific welding certification or license for certain types of welding work. See details above.
OSHA hot work permits (29 CFR 1926.352) are required for welding in construction environments nationwide.
Welders operating as independent contractors in District of Columbia should verify contractor licensing requirements with District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
There is no interstate compact for welders. AWS/ASME certifications are project-specific and voluntary, not general state licenses.
Welder requirements in nearby states
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Welder Schools in District of Columbia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study guides for AWS CWI, structural welding, and ASME certification exams.
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Official Sources
Welder requirements in District of Columbia verified against District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, March 2026.
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
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District of Columbia requires a state-specific welding certification for certain types of work. DC requires certified welders for structural and pressure vessel work. Certification per AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX required. AWS Certified Welder (CW) credentials and ASME Section IX certification are accepted nationwide. State regulatory oversight is managed through the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
Requirements vary by state and project type. Always verify current requirements with your state authority and the American Welding Society.