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How to become a certified Welder in Louisiana. State welding license required. Total initial fees: $160-$400. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Welder — WLD
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59% of data points are verified against official sources. 12 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
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
State-specific welding certification and licensing requirements
Mostly verifiedState License Required
Yes
Louisiana requires state welding certification for welders on public works projects. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors oversees requirements.
AWS Certification Accepted
Yes
Structural Steel Certification
Required
State welding certification or AWS D1.1 required for public works projects
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.
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
Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 |
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.
Regulatory Board
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.
Louisiana requires state certification for welders on public works projects. The petrochemical and offshore oil industries create high demand for pipeline and structural welders.
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.
Louisiana 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 Louisiana should verify contractor licensing requirements with Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
There is no interstate compact for welders. AWS/ASME certifications are project-specific and voluntary, not general state licenses.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Louisiana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#18 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$48,200
At national averageExperienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+2%
High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
47,600
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: AWS Certification — Fee Schedule
Estimated total: 26–104 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
6 months–2 years (training); 1–2 weeks (certification test)
Estimated processing time
Study guides for AWS CWI, structural welding, and ASME certification exams.
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Louisiana requires a state-specific welding certification for certain types of work. Louisiana requires state welding certification for welders on public works projects. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors oversees requirements. AWS Certified Welder (CW) credentials and ASME Section IX certification are accepted nationwide. State regulatory oversight is managed through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
Requirements vary by state and project type. Always verify current requirements with your state authority and the American Welding Society.