New York · welder licensing · verified July 2026
New York welder license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, New York has no state-level occupational license for welders; the credential path is industry certification (AWS Certified Welder, ASME Section IX). Licensing happens at the municipal level: New York City requires a Welder License from the NYC Department of Buildings to perform structural welding work in the city. Separately, the state runs the NYSDOT Field Welder Certification Program, all welders performing work on NYSDOT (highway/bridge) projects must be certified by NYSDOT for the required procedure and position.
Do you need a license to work as a welder in New York?
New York has no statewide license for welders. Cities and counties license the trade, so the requirement depends on where you work.
NYC is the major municipal example (name-checked per instructions); the NYC DOB welder license rides on top of AWS/NYSDOT certification rather than a DOB-administered trade exam. The NYSDOT certification is required only for work on NYSDOT projects, it is not a general occupational license.
What licenses does New York issue?
New York issues the credentials below for this trade; the classes below are issued by cities or counties, and the exact set depends on which one you work in.
Hours are what each class asks for on its own terms. Where a senior class shows fewer than a journeyman, the board is counting time served after the earlier license rather than from the start; the prerequisite column says which.
| License | On-the-job hours | Classroom hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC Welder License (NYC Department of Buildings) - municipal | not published | not published | No |
| NYSDOT Field Welder Certification (state-run, project-specific) | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: the governing statute (portal.311.nyc.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does New York require?
NYSDOT Field Welder Qualification Test (SMAW plate tests, vertical 3G and overhead 4G positions). Administered by NYSDOT Office of Structures.
Source: examination page (dot.ny.gov). Verified July 2026.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No state license means no state-mandated hours. Welders typically train via registered apprenticeships (e.g., Ironworkers locals) or welding programs, then earn AWS Certified Welder and/or ASME Section IX qualifications, which are exactly the credentials NYC DOB and employers accept. NYSDOT program literature indicates certified field welders maintain qualification by continuing to weld in each qualified position (per its brochure, at least every six months).
How does New York compare to neighboring states?
Requirements stop at the state line, which matters if you live near one or expect to move. Here is what the neighboring states ask of the same trade.
| State | Journeyman hours | Licensing model |
|---|---|---|
| New York | not published | City or county |
| Massachusetts | not published | Not licensed |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- NYC311 - Welder License (NYC Department of Buildings)
- NYSDOT - Field Welder Information / Field Welder Certification Program (Office of Structures)
- NYC DOB - Welder license renewal (requires current AWS or NYSDOT certification card)
Last verified July 2026. Found an error? Report it and it will be corrected and logged on the corrections page.
Other states with published requirements for this trade: North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, California.
Price the whole path with the license cost estimator, or weigh earning against paying for school with the apprenticeship comparison. Back to welders overview.
Licensing requirements change between our verification sweeps. This page is informational only, so confirm current requirements with your city or county building department before making decisions. Not legal advice.