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Welding in Pennsylvania
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
Pennsylvania CTC welding students earn the NOCTI-based PA Skills Certificate and SOAR credit; any paid welding by a minor needs a student-learner training agreement and work permit.
State program: CIP 48.0508 Welding Technology/Welder, SOAR Program of Study 7
What a high school can deliver
The PA Skills Certificate through NOCTI, welding credentials and SOAR college credit; no state welder license exists.
Credentials students can earn
NOCTI Job Ready Welding (test 4372) end-of-program assessment (2026-27 test: Confirm with the agency); PA Skills Certificate; PDE credential list for 48.0508 ()
Age and hour requirements
No state welder license. 34 Pa. Code ch. 11 bars welding for all minors except apprentices, student learners and graduates of an approved vocational program; apprentice federal floor 16.
Other agencies involved
None
Who can teach it
Career and Technical Instructional I: 8,000 hours, or 4,000 plus bachelor's; welding occupational competency assessment (area code 2079: Confirm with the agency); 18 credits (Experience-Based Type 24 while finishing, 5 years).
Child labor rules for work placements
Work permit for every minor; 8 hours a day and 28 a school week at 16-17. Welding barred for minors except student learners: training agreement and plan (PDE-4617a) required. Federal HO 8 and 14 need the student-learner terms; HO 7 barred.
College credit after high school
SOAR POS 7: at least 9 technical credits with 2.75 technical GPA, 100% task list and Competent/Advanced score, used within 16 months; SOAR under revision ().
Where to go next
- The full Welding guide, showing Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania state profile
- Add this pathway to your plan
Welding in other states
Other pathways in Pennsylvania
- Nurse Aide / Patient Care
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