map
Trades license portability
Welder license reciprocity by state
Welder reciprocity varies state-by-state — 22 states accept transfers with paperwork-only pathways, while 1 require either a re-exam or a fresh application from scratch. Tier classifications below come from each state's licensing board; click into any row for the source language and current fees.
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21 states recognize
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1 via endorsement
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1 require exam
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15 no license required
Reciprocity tier legend
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Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
assignment_turned_in
Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
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Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
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Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Unclear
State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row links to the full welder profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity is mentioned for specific certifications (Plumbers/Gas Fitters) effective in 2026, not general welding. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Alaska | check_circle Recognized | Alaska recognizes AWS certification nationwide; ASME Section IX is required for specific welding. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arizona | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity is for welding contractors, potentially waiving trade exams, but a rules exam is still required. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | remove_circle_outline No license | Arkansas does not have a general state license for welders. | Full page arrow_outward |
| California | check_circle Recognized | California does not have direct reciprocity for welders, but AWS certifications are transferable nationwide. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Colorado | check_circle Recognized | Colorado accepts American Welding Society Certification, a national standard. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity information for welders is not specified. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Delaware | check_circle Recognized | Delaware recognizes AWS certification, which grants nationwide reciprocity. | Full page arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity is specified only for bridge welding certification with certain states. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Florida | check_circle Recognized | Florida accepts American Welding Society (AWS) Certification. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Georgia | remove_circle_outline No license | No state license for welders; AWS/ASME certifications are voluntary and project-specific. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity for individual welders is not specified; contractor licenses may differ. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Idaho | remove_circle_outline No license | No general state license for welders; AWS/ASME certifications are widely recognized and project-specific. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Illinois | check_circle Recognized | AWS certification provides nationwide reciprocity for welders. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Indiana | remove_circle_outline No license | No state license is required for welders in Indiana. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Iowa | check_circle Recognized | Iowa accepts AWS certification, which most states defer to. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kansas | remove_circle_outline No license | Kansas does not require a state license for welders. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | remove_circle_outline No license | Kentucky does not have a general state license for welders. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | remove_circle_outline No license | No statewide welding license exists; AWS/ASME certifications are widely accepted. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maine | remove_circle_outline No license | No state license for welders; AWS/ASME certifications are voluntary and project-specific. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maryland | check_circle Recognized | AWS certification grants nationwide reciprocity in Maryland. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | help_outline Unclear | No reciprocity language published; contact the state licensing board directly. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Michigan | check_circle Recognized | Michigan recognizes AWS certification nationwide. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity information for welders in Minnesota is not specified. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | edit_note Exam required | Mississippi offers limited trade exam reciprocity, but all applicants must pass a state-specific law exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Missouri | check_circle Recognized | Missouri accepts AWS certifications, which are nationally recognized in all 50 states. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Montana | check_circle Recognized | Montana accepts AWS certification for welders; boiler operator licenses require equivalent qualifications. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | remove_circle_outline No license | No general state license for welders; AWS/ASME certifications are voluntary and project-specific. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nevada | check_circle Recognized | Individual AWS certifications have nationwide reciprocity; welding contractors may qualify for endorsement. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | check_circle Recognized | New Hampshire recognizes AWS certification as a portable credential accepted across states. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | remove_circle_outline No license | No state license is applicable; AWS certification is nationally recognized. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Mexico accepts prior licensure for contractors in lieu of the trade exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New York | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity is not specified, though AWS certifications are widely recognized. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | check_circle Recognized | AWS certification offers nationwide reciprocity; other North Carolina certifications are state-specific. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity for general welding is not specified; hobby boiler operators may be exempt. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Ohio | help_outline Unclear | Ohio accepts AWS certification, but AWS/ASME are voluntary and not general state licenses. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | help_outline Unclear | Oklahoma has military provisions, but general reciprocity for basic welder certification is not specified. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oregon | check_circle Recognized | Oregon accepts AWS certification, which is nationally recognized; state license reciprocity is not explicitly stated. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | check_circle Recognized | Pennsylvania recognizes AWS certifications nationally, allowing transfer without re-certification. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity information for welders in Rhode Island is not specified. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | check_circle Recognized | SCDOT may accept welder qualifications from other state DOTs for structural field welding projects. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | check_circle Recognized | South Dakota accepts nationally recognized American Welding Society Certification. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | check_circle Recognized | Tennessee accepts nationally recognized AWS certification; boiler/pressure vessel reciprocity is not explicitly stated. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Texas | check_circle Recognized | AWS certification is generally recognized nationwide; specific state requirements may vary. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Utah | remove_circle_outline No license | No individual welder certification is applicable; contractor licenses may have reciprocity. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Vermont | remove_circle_outline No license | No general state license for welders; AWS/ASME certifications are voluntary and project-specific. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Virginia | remove_circle_outline No license | Virginia does not issue a state license; AWS certifications are nationally recognized. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Washington | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity is not specified for Washington, but WABO certifications may be recognized elsewhere. | Full page arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | check_circle Recognized | West Virginia accepts AWS certifications, which grant nationwide reciprocity. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | remove_circle_outline No license | No general state license for welders; AWS/ASME certifications are voluntary and project-specific. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | remove_circle_outline No license | No state welding license is required; Wyoming accepts widely recognized AWS certifications. | Full page arrow_outward |
Other profession reciprocity guides
Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.
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