Welder Qualification

Welder qualifications are governed by the AWS/AASHTO D1.5 Bridge Welding Code and the Department’s Supplemental Specification 1011. Part B of SS1011 explains the administrative procedures required to qualify as an approved welder for the Ohio Department of Transportation. It is the individual welders responsibility to make sure all required samples, test data, and employment records are on file with the Office of Materials Management.

Qualified welders are listed in the Department’s Construction Management System.
Each welder should be checked to make sure they are qualified to weld on ODOT projects.
To confirm a welder is qualified for ODOT projects enter the Construction Management System and use the Fastpath WELD or LWELD to check for the following information:

Last Update: The welder’s qualification is in effect for 5 years unless the welder is not engaged in a given process for a period exceeding six months. Employment records are the welder’s responsibility to send to the Office of Materials Management. If the date listed on the CMS screen exceeds the six month period inform the welder they must update their work records. All welders are given a six month grace period if they have forgotten to send in their employment records. If the date listed on the CMS screen exceeds 1 year (required six month update plus the six month grace period) then the welder is no longer qualified and must retest.
Process: Welder’s must be qualified for the process for which they are welding in. Typical field welding processes are listed below:
SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) also known as stick welding
FCAW (Flux-cored arc welding) also know as wire welding
• Note: FCAW welding on main member structural steel requires Procedure Qualification testing by the Contractor per the AWS/AASHTO D1.5 Bridge Welding Code.
Weld Type: FI (Fillet welding) or GR (Groove welding)
Position: Welder’s must be qualified for the position in which they are welding.

F - Flat position
H – Horizontal position
V – Vertical position
OH – Overhead position


Any questions concerning welder qualifications can be directed to the Office of Materials Management, Structural Welding and Metals section.