{"id":1420,"date":"2022-03-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rsi.edu\/blog\/uncategorized\/welder-certification-in-arizona-5-frequently-asked-questions-about-licensing\/"},"modified":"2024-07-16T12:59:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T19:59:05","slug":"welder-certification-in-arizona-5-frequently-asked-questions-about-licensing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rsi.edu\/blog\/skilled-trades\/welder-certification-in-arizona-5-frequently-asked-questions-about-licensing\/","title":{"rendered":"Welder Certification in Arizona: 5 Frequently Asked Questions about Licensing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you need a welding certification in Arizona?<\/p>\n

Does Arizona require you to have a welding license?<\/p>\n

Should you learn to weld at a trade school<\/a>?<\/p>\n

These can be important questions when thinking about entering the field of welding<\/a> in your state.<\/p>\n

Get answers to them in this article.<\/p>\n

1. How Do I Become a Welder in Arizona?<\/h2>\n

Contractors working in Arizona generally need a state-issued contractor license.1<\/sup> The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) is the administering organization that provides contractor licenses.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Welding Training & Work Experience<\/h3>\n

But if you\u2019ve just graduated from high school, learning to weld would likely be your first step before landing a welding job in the state. Because you’ll need welding work experience and to pass one or more exams before you could be eligible for a contractor\u2019s license.2,3,4<\/sup><\/p>\n

Some level of technical welding training is typically required for anyone to start working as a welder<\/a>.2<\/sup> Many welders begin learning welding skills in high school shop class, in a vocational training program or on the job. A combination of all three types of training is not uncommon when learning to weld.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Welding Contractor License<\/h3>\n

In Arizona, there are three main types of welding licenses:3<\/sup><\/p>\n

R-56: Residential Welding4<\/sup><\/h4>\n

The Specialty Residential Contracting license for welding requires the applicant to fulfill one of the following conditions:4<\/sup><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Have one year of hands-on welding experience.<\/li>\n
  2. Take and pass a Trade Exam.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In either case, the licensee must also take and pass a Statutes and Rules Exam.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

    C-56: Commercial Welding4<\/sup><\/h4>\n

    The Specialty Commercial Contracting license for welding requires both welding experience and the passage of two exams:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Two years of hands-on experience.4<\/sup><\/li>\n
    2. The applicant must take and pass both the Trade Exam and the Statutes and Rules Exam.4<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      CR-56: Dual License4<\/sup><\/h4>\n

      The Specialty Dual License Contracting license allows for the scope of work<\/a> covered under both the Residential and Commercial welding licenses.3<\/sup> This license requires both welding experience and the passage of two exams:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Two years of hands-on welding experience.<\/li>\n
      2. Successful completion of both the Trade Exam and Statutes and Rules Exam.4<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        There are other licenses that may be relevant to specialty welders:3<\/sup><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. A-11: Steel and Aluminum Erection<\/li>\n
        2. C-31: Masonry<\/li>\n
        3. R-31: Masonry<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          2. Can You Get Certified in Welding without Going to School?<\/h2>\n

          \"welding<\/p>\n

          Welding licenses. Welding certifications. What\u2019s the difference? And do you need to go to welding school for either?<\/p>\n

          Welding Certifications vs. Welding Licenses<\/h3>\n

          Welding Licenses<\/h4>\n

          In Arizona, you must have hands-on work experience and pass a Trade Exam in order to legally work as a welder with a contractor license.4<\/sup> This work experience requirement might imply that you could work as a welder without a license. So, you\u2019d just need the welding skills to land a job and start your welding career<\/a>. Whether or not you learn them in welding school is up to you.<\/p>\n

          Welding Certifications<\/h4>\n

          Welding certifications are different from welding licenses.2<\/sup> While each state or municipality might have their own specific licensing requirements, certifications are typically voluntary, and are designed to show employers that a welder has a certain skillset.2,3<\/sup><\/p>\n

          While attending welding school isn\u2019t necessarily a strict requirement for all welding certifications or licenses, welders often learn their hands-on skills from a technical institution. And some trade schools help to prepare welders to take welder certification tests.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

          The Refrigeration School in Phoenix, Arizona, for example, offers a Welding Specialist training program that instructs students in common welding processes, including SMAW, GMAW<\/a>, FCAW and GTAW. The welding training program<\/a> can be completed in as little as 7 months and is designed to help prepare students for the American Welding Society (AWS) certification test.<\/p>\n

          Some employers might also expect a welding applicant to take and pass a specific weld test to demonstrate the types of skills needed for the job.5<\/sup> The advantage to getting a welding certification is that it shows employers and agencies that you have certain skillsets that are recognized by accredited welding institutions.2,5,6<\/sup><\/p>\n

          3. What Is the Best Welding Certification to Have?<\/h2>\n

          The American Welding Society certifications are probably the best recognized in the industry. But, ultimately, the best certification to have depends on your skills, experience and welding career goals.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

          AWS offers different levels of certifications:6<\/sup><\/p>\n