Welding, like other skilled trades, is suffering from a shortage of new welders as the experienced ones retire. That means companies across industries all over the U.S. are scrambling for skilled welders. Couple that with the shift towards a focus on domestic manufacturing, and it’s one of the best times in history to get into the welding profession. And what better way to enter the field than learning how to get a welding certification in California.
The American Welding Society is the professional organization that serves the welding industry and offers the basic Certified Welder certificate. AWS certifications are the gold standard throughout the U.S.; even public high schools consult closely with the AWS to keep their technical curriculum up-to-date.
What Welding Certifications in California are Available?
California’s basic welder certificate QC7 is just another name for Certified Welder; the test is the same.
The American Welding Society also has certification waiver programs if you are already certified by organizations like the International Institute of Welding, for example.
What Welding Certifications in California are Available?
The AWS credentials are transferable across the U.S., but you may need additional welding certificates or licenses depending on which locality you plan to work in.
Here are certifications the AWS offers and a little bit about what new skills and jobs will open up to you with each:
Certified Welder
This is the basic certification you need from the AWS to be a welder in the U.S. There are no prerequisites, you just have to pay the application fee of $35 and pass the exam. The exam is written and practical.
Certified Welding Inspector
All welding projects need quality control. Welds are the structural crux of many large structures like cell phone towers, bridges, skyscrapers, airframes and more. Weld failures can be catastrophic.
An inspector certification allows you to understand the nuances of different materials and how they react in different conditions, and how all those factors relate to the quality and integrity of any weld.
The inspector certification comes in three levels:
- Associate Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector
Certified Welding Educator
Lots of school districts, municipalities and companies that want to offer continuing education internally look for this welding certificate. It’s a handy one to have if you enjoy mentoring younger professionals. Given the shortage of skilled welders entering the field, you can help the grow the profession with this certification, too.
Certified Resistance Welding Technician
Resistance welds use pressure and electrical current to join two pieces of material. This is a handy technique as no extra material is needed to execute the weld. This welding certificate is a useful tool to have in your belt as this more efficient technique is gaining traction in more industrial applications.
Certified Radiographic Interpreter
Understand readouts from radiographic (X-ray) scans and ultrasonic scans of welds is the role of this special welding professional. This expertise will let you discover whether a particular weld is faulty or structurally sound by observing images. This is a handy certification to pair with any of the weld inspector certifications.
Certified Robotic Arc Welder
Control a robotic welder. This specialized technique requires its own skillset. The robotic welder is necessary because of the huge amount of heat and precision involved in these welds.
Certified Welding Engineer
Thorough understanding of welding procedures, methods and the related trades. They can read inspection reports and interface with production-level welders, inspectors, project managers and structural engineers, alike, to ensure they use the right kind of welds, and that those welds are guaranteed to be structurally sound throughout any project.
Certified Welding Supervisor
Welding supervisors have a lot of hats to wear. The most important is the helmet; supervisors coordinate job site safety for production-level workers. “To be effective, they need to have and use a wide range of knowledge, including welding safety, supervision, planning, fabrication, inspection, documentation, and economics,” according to the AWS. You will not only want to keep up on the latest in safety, but have a deep knowledge of the welding profession to oversee a team doing just that.
Certified Welding Sales Rep
You can’t sell services or products without thorough knowledge. Welding sales reps “relay information concerning new technologies that can improve the productivity, reliability, and quality of welding processes,” according to the AWS.
How Much Money Do Welders make in California?
Top welders in high-income California metros can earn $72,600 per year ($34.90/hour wage), but mid-career welders can expect to make about $63,000 ($30.28/hour) in the San Francisco Bay Area, the most expensive locale in the country. LA/OC average welder salaries are more like $52,000 per year ($25/hour), which is a more prevalent average throughout the rest of the state and closer to the national average.
What are the Requirements for Being a Welder in California?
You’ll likely have to take classes through your technical program at your high school to get the necessary classroom and basic practical skills.
If you’re switching into welding as an adult, the AWS offers all sorts of seminars and curriculum, depending on where you are in your career and what path you want to take.
These educational programs can run as long as 18 months and cost from a few thousand bucks to more than $50,000, according to WeldingTroop, an online trade magazine. You should pick a program through the AWS or a locality or state licensing body.
The market for such educational programs across professions is filled with firms trying to get easy money without providing much value. Do your research and, ideally, get tips on picking an education program from someone who is already in the industry.
Welding Apprenticeships in California
As a beginning welder, you’ll need to spend some time learning the ropes while on-the-job. California has its own set of licensing exams to be allowed to weld commercially in the state. The QC7 is California’s version of the Certified Welder, and the standards and tests are the same for the AWS certification, according to WeldingTroop.
To sit for the exam in California, you need to enter into an accredited six-month welding educational program and/or an apprenticeship.
You’ll may need supplemental licenses for welding in California, depending on where you want to go with your career. Here are the different add-ons:
- Supplement C: Welder Performance Qualification Sheet Metal Test
- Supplement F: Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping
- Supplement G: AWS Performance Qualification Test (generic supplement)
All tests come with a written and performance component.
Apprenticeship.gov is a nationwide clearinghouse for apprenticeships across skilled trades. It's a great place to start if you want to go the apprenticeship route.
How Do You Get a Welding License in Los Angeles?
The American Welding Society certifications are recognized throughout the U.S., but you may also have to take a licensing exam in a particular county or city where you plan on working.
For example, the city of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety requires about $120 total in fees to take a practical and written examination. You need the LA city certification to work on welding projects within the city limits.
The building and safety department has licensed testing facilities throughout the city you can report to for testing. You’ll need the latest AWS structural welding code manuals for the open-book part of the written exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. Most employers expect welders to hold an industry-recognized certification, such as the American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder credential. Depending on where you work, you may also need a local welding license or additional qualifications.
The basic certification is the AWS Certified Welder credential, which is commonly referred to as the QC7 certification in California. The certification requires passing both a written and hands-on welding test.
Yes. AWS certifications are recognized throughout the United States, making them valuable if you plan to work in different states. However, some cities or employers may require additional licensing or certifications.
In addition to the Certified Welder credential, AWS offers certifications for Welding Inspectors, Welding Educators, Resistance Welding Technicians, Radiographic Interpreters, Robotic Arc Welders, Welding Engineers, Welding Supervisors, and Welding Sales Representatives.
The timeline varies based on your training path. Many welding education programs can take anywhere from six months to 18 months. Apprenticeships also provide hands-on experience while preparing you for certification exams.
Many aspiring welders complete an accredited welding program, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both before taking certification exams. Apprenticeships are a popular way to gain practical experience while learning the trade.
Welding salaries vary by location and experience. Many welders in California earn around $52,000 per year, while experienced welders in higher-paying metropolitan areas can earn more than $70,000 annually.
Yes. Welders working on projects within the City of Los Angeles may need to obtain a welding license through the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety by passing both written and practical examinations.
Yes. The AWS Certified Welder certification does not have formal prerequisites. Many people begin by enrolling in a welding training program or apprenticeship to build the skills needed to pass the certification exam
Certified welders are employed in construction, manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, energy, infrastructure, automotive, and industrial fabrication. Demand continues to grow as experienced welders retire and domestic manufacturing expands.
For many people, yes. Strong demand for skilled trades, competitive wages, opportunities for specialization, and clear advancement paths make welding an attractive long-term career choice.
The AWS Certified Welder credential is the best place to start for most beginners. As your career progresses, you can pursue specialized certifications based on your interests, such as inspection, robotics, engineering, supervision, or education.
