OHIO · welder
ODOT Qualified Field Welder
Ohio Department of Transportation — Office of Materials Management, StructuresScope of Certification
The ODOT Qualified Field Welder credential authorizes a welder to perform field welding on Ohio Department of Transportation projects. ODOT operates a state-administered Field Welder Qualification program that runs in parallel with — and in addition to — acceptance of welders qualified under the AWS Certified Welder Program. Source: ODOT Field Welder Qualification (https://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/ConstructionMgt/Materials/structures/Pages/FieldWelderQual.aspx); ODOT Construction & Materials Specifications Supplement 1011 (Field Welder Qualification Policy).
Not a General State Welder License
Ohio does not issue a generic state welder license. The ODOT credential is project-class-specific to Department of Transportation work. Welders qualified under the AWS Certified Welder Program may work on ODOT projects without submitting work records to ODOT, but their AWS qualification must remain current per AWS rules.
Two Qualification Pathways
(1) AWS Certified Welder Program — current AWS card listing qualification to the AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code is acceptable for ODOT field welding without ODOT work-record reporting. (2) ODOT Field Welder Program — testing and submittal under ODOT Supplement 1011, with the welder listed on the ODOT Qualified Field Welder website.
Qualification Standard
ODOT field welder qualification is conducted to the AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code. Test positions, processes, and base material thickness ranges are recorded on the welder's qualification record.
Testing Requirements
Welders qualifying via the ODOT pathway test at an ODOT-recognized testing location with witness by a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). Costs are typically borne by the welder or sponsoring contractor.
Military Crosswalk
Not separately published. Veterans with documented AWS D1.5 qualification under DoD welding programs should present their qualification records to a CWI at an ODOT-recognized testing location for crosswalk evaluation.
Exam
Performance-qualification only — no separate written examination component published in Supplement 1011.
Reciprocity
AWS D1.5 qualification from out-of-state testing meeting AWS Certified Welder Program standards is accepted for ODOT field welding without further ODOT testing. Other state DOT certifications are not automatically reciprocal; out-of-state welders qualifying via the ODOT pathway must test at an ODOT-recognized location.
Validity and Renewal
Welders in the ODOT Field Welder program must update their employment record with ODOT at intervals of not more than six (6) months. If the "Last update" date exceeds 6 months, the welder has a 6-month grace period to submit an employment record. If no employment record is submitted within 1 year of the "Last update" date, the welder is no longer qualified and must re-test. Source: ODOT Field Welder Qualification Policy (https://www.odot.org/materials/pdfs/fweldr.pdf).
Scope Limitations
The ODOT credential authorizes only the welding processes, positions, and joint configurations on which the welder qualified per AWS D1.5. It does not extend to AWS D1.1 (general structural), ASME Section IX (pressure piping / vessel), or AWS D1.6 (stainless) work without separate qualification.
Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with Ohio Department of Transportation — Office of Materials Management, Structures before acting