Welder
Here's something most people don't know: there's no such thing as a state welding license. No state issues one. What you need are certifications — AWS for structural, ASME for pressure vessels, API for pipeline — and those are earned by welding in front of a certified tester, not by sitting in a classroom. The good news is those certs travel: pass a test in Ohio and it counts in Texas, no state paperwork in between.
Where can I take my welder license?
Pick the state you're licensed in. You'll get the states that will consider that license — which is not the same as a free transfer.
FAQ
Do I need a license to be a welder?
No. No state licenses welders, so anybody telling you to pay for a "state welding license" is selling you something that doesn't exist. What employers actually ask for is a certification matched to the work — AWS D1.1 for structural steel is the most common ask. Two exceptions worth knowing: some cities certify welders for structural work inside their limits (New York City does), and if you're running your own welding business instead of working for somebody, some states make the business get a contractor license. The welding itself? Cert, not license.
Welder rules in every state
Researched 2026-07-21 to 2026-07-24One entry per state, in alphabetical order. Each one covers who licenses the trade there, what it takes to qualify, and whether that state accepts a license earned somewhere else.
- Reciprocity — accepts some out-of-state licenses
- No reciprocity — licensed here, but no out-of-state license is accepted
- Nothing to reciprocate — no state license exists here
- Not established — we could not verify this state's position — treat it as an open question, not a no
- secondarydrawn from consistent secondary sources, not confirmed on the agency's own page
Alabama
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Alabama does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Alaska
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Alaska does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Arizona
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Arizona does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Arkansas
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Arkansas does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
California
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. Employers and codes rely on industry certifications (AWS D1.1 structural, ASME IX pressure, API 1104 pipeline). A business contracting welding work needs a CSLB C-60 Welding Contractor license. The City of Los Angeles runs its own local welder certification for certain structural work.
California does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable to any state, so no reciprocity is needed. (Businesses contracting welding work need a CSLB C-60 contractor license, which follows CSLB's reciprocity rules.)
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://tradecareerpath.com/trades/welder/california/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
- https://advanced.edu/blog/how-to-welding-certification/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Colorado
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Colorado does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Connecticut
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Connecticut does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Delaware
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Delaware does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Florida
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No individual welder license. Welders contracting independently may fall under construction contractor licensing rules; AWS/ASME certs are the industry standard.
Florida does not license welders individually. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide. Independent welding contractors may need a contractor license depending on the work.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://www.onlytradeschools.com/welding-license-requirements-by-state/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Georgia
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME certifications standard.
Georgia does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Hawaii
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Hawaii does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Idaho
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Idaho does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Illinois
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No required welder's license in Illinois; AWS/ASME certs standard. Chicago has local requirements for certain permitted structural work.
Illinois does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide. Check Chicago's local rules for structural work on permitted projects.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://www.onlytradeschools.com/welding-license-requirements-by-state/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Indiana
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Indiana does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Iowa
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Iowa does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Kansas
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Kansas does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Kentucky
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Kentucky does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Louisiana
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Louisiana does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Maine
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Maine does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Maryland
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Maryland does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Massachusetts
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Massachusetts does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Michigan
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME certifications standard.
Michigan does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Minnesota
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Minnesota does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Mississippi
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Mississippi does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Missouri
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Missouri does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Montana
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Montana does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Nebraska
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Nebraska does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Nevada
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Nevada does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
New Hampshire
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
New Hampshire does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
New Jersey
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
New Jersey does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
New Mexico
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
New Mexico does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
New York
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
AWS/ASME certifications standard. Structural welding in New York City requires NYC DOB welder licensing/certification in addition to AWS-type credentials.
New York does not license welders at the state level; AWS/ASME certifications are portable nationwide. Exception: structural welding inside New York City requires NYC DOB certification.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://surry.edu/uploads/docs/Licensure-Contacts-by-State-Welding.pdf (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
North Carolina
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME certifications standard.
North Carolina does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://surry.edu/uploads/docs/Licensure-Contacts-by-State-Welding.pdf (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
North Dakota
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
North Dakota does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Ohio
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
AWS certification is the accepted standard; ASME required for boiler/pressure vessel work.
Ohio does not require a state welding license. AWS certifications are portable nationwide; ASME certification is required for boiler and pressure vessel welding.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://getlicensemap.com/states/welder/ohio (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Oklahoma
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Oklahoma does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Oregon
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Oregon does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Pennsylvania
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME certifications standard.
Pennsylvania does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Rhode Island
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Rhode Island does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
South Carolina
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
South Carolina does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
South Dakota
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
South Dakota does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Tennessee
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Tennessee does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Texas
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard.
Texas does not license welders. Industry certifications (AWS, ASME, API) are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-22: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Utah
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Utah does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Vermont
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Vermont does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Virginia
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Virginia does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Washington
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Washington does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
West Virginia
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
West Virginia does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Wisconsin
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Wisconsin does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Wyoming
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
No state welding license. AWS/ASME/API certifications are the employer/code standard, consistent with every other state researched.
Wyoming does not license welders. AWS/ASME/API certifications are portable nationwide - no reciprocity needed.
- https://skilledtradesiq.com/trades/welding-certifications/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)