Professional Licenses & Certifications/Trade & Technical Licenses

Get Your Welding Certification Reinstated

High UrgencyStatus: lapsed

A lapsed welding certification means you cannot perform certified welds on critical structures, which can immediately impact your ability to work and earn income. While this feels overwhelming, welding certifications can typically be reinstated through retesting or demonstrating recent welding experience, depending on how long they've been expired.

Best Case
1-2 weeks
Typical
2-4 weeks
Worst Case
6-8 weeks
Est. Cost
$200-800
DifficultyModerate

Requires hands-on welding tests and practical skills demonstration, but process is straightforward with clear requirements

Why This Happens

Failed to retest within required timeframe

very common

Most welding certifications require retesting every 6 months to 2 years to maintain validity

Lack of continuity documentation

common

Many certifications require documented welding activity every 6 months to remain valid

Career break or job change

common

Welders who take time off or switch to non-welding roles often let certifications lapse

Administrative oversight

occasional

Missing renewal deadlines due to poor tracking or notification systems

🎯What To Do Right Now

  1. 1

    Determine your certification type and issuing body

    Identify whether you have AWS, CWB, D1.1, or other certifications and which organization issued them

    ~15 minutes
  2. 2

    Contact the issuing organization

    Call AWS at 305-443-9353 or your relevant certification body to understand reinstatement requirements

    ~30-60 minutes
  3. 3

    Check for grace period eligibility

    Some certifications can be renewed without retesting if expired less than 6 months

    ~During phone call
  4. 4

    Schedule retesting if required

    If outside grace period, schedule welding performance qualification tests through an Authorized Testing Facility

    ~1-2 weeks to schedule

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