Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, since our training is completed so fast, we start new students every week.

1.) Welder certifications are valid when issued by an AWS Certified Welding Inspector that is recognized to be in good standing.  These certifications are valid in all 50 United States of America.  

2.) Welding Skills Test and Training Center is a LADBS Licensed Testing Center.  Welders must test at an approved LA City Test Center to get a LA City Certified Welder License. In southern California, LA City certifications rule supreme. 

Not True.  AWS Certified Welding Inspectors can certify welders anywhere, often on a job site.

1.) American Welding Society does not require their Certified Welding Inspectors to certify welders at a BPPE Accredited school or an AWS ATF.   

2.) BPPE does not require welder certifications from their accredited schools.  They leave that regulation to the governing body that wrote the welding code.

3.) AWS ATF welder certification is not better than a standard AWS certification.  This is an option for an extra cost. 

4.) Don't be caught in marking ploys by competing welding schools that tell you must test at a BPPE Accredited or AWS ATF for your certs to be valid.  If this not true, any AWS CWI can certify a welder.  

5.) Beware, competitors have started a slander campaign by alleging our welder certifications are different, because we are cheaper:  LIES...welder certifications by a AWS CWI are valid!!!   We are usually half the cost of those schools that are chasing your money.

6.) Note, we won our BPPE exemption in court in 2020 because we ONLY work with businesses, students from government agencies or hobbyists.  This exemption allows us to quote our customers based upon current market value.  BPPE is there to protect INDIVIDUALS by regulating private post-secondary schools.  And no, we do not owe any fines or fees to BPPE (despite our competitors slander.) 

• LA CITY: Once you get your LADBS Certified Welder License, they will contact you directly every 3 years to renew.  You do not have to retake your weld tests if you have kept your continuity logbook up to date.  With LA City or standard AWS Certifications, your supervisor can sign your continuity logbook every 6 months for no charge. 

• AWS ATF: To be on the AWS national registry, you must test at an AWS Accredited Test Facility.  There are are only a few ATFs open to the public in Southern California because this is an expensive option to the welder.  To keep that additional certification valid, AWS requires the welder to renew every 6 months (12 months for sheet metal). To renew, the welder must return to the ATF to purchase weld time to prove welding continuity and then you must submit your renewal form on AWS website with their renewal fee.  

• Since it is redundant in Southern California, we are not an AWS ATF at this time (LA City Certifications trump them here).