Pathway lookup
Welding in Michigan
These pages summarize rules to help you plan. They are not legal advice. Before you place students at a work site or change a program, check with your state agency, your district's counsel and your insurance carrier.
In short
Michigan welding students can earn AWS-linked college credit; state law bars welding only under 16, but paid shop placements with saws or presses need a school-employer agreement.
State program: CIP 48.0508 Welding, Brazing and Soldering (open to new applications, Dec 2025 list)
What a high school can deliver
Welding certifications and college credit; no license exists, and state law bars welding only under 16.
Credentials students can earn
CTEIS list for 48.0508 (); AWS SENSE module scores used for statewide college credit
Age and hour requirements
No individual welder license found. State rule bars welding, cutting and most brazing only under 16 (R 408.6209), with no student-learner exemption; federal HO 8 and HO 14 govern 16-17.
Other agencies involved
None
Who can teach it
CTE certificate or Annual Career Authorization: 4,000 recent hours in 10 years; no welding-specific requirement found.
Child labor rules for work placements
Paid work: LEO Youth Employment Permit Portal permit since Oct 2, 2026. R 408.6208 bars all minors from metal-forming machines, power saws and hoists unless a school-employer agreement (MCL 409.118) is on file; federal HO 8 and 14 need a student-learner agreement; HO 7 barred.
College credit after high school
Mott CC: 11 credits (WELD 143, 164, 166) tied to AWS SENSE scores, expires Nov 1, 2026 (); Schoolcraft WELD 110, 3 credits, to March 2031; NMU and Gogebic agreements (terms: Confirm with the college).
Where to go next
Welding in other states
Other pathways in Michigan
- Nurse Aide / Patient Care
- EMT
- Electrical
- Construction and Carpentry
- HVAC/R
- Cybersecurity / Networking
- Programming / Computer Science
- Automotive
- Medical and Dental Assisting
- Cosmetology
- Agriculture
- Early Childhood Education
- Culinary and Hospitality
- Machining and Mechatronics
- Engineering and Drafting
- Firefighting
- Law, Public Safety and Corrections
- Business Management and Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
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