Take your welder certification test on campus
Jamestown Community College offers New York State (NYS) Department of Transportation (DOT) testing for welder certification for the NYSDOT. Testing is open to JCC students and community members on both the Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses.
What does the NYSDOT welding certification mean? By passing the NYSDOT welding certification test, you will be certified to the requirements of the NYS Steel Construction Manual and can work on NYSDOT projects, including bridge welding.
Testing schedule, cost, & registration
JCC students can become NYSDOT certified welders upon completion of their academic program. The test can be completed during class at no cost and is not scheduled separately.
Community members can take NYSDOT testing through JCC's Workforce Development on the second Friday of every month, 8 a.m.-noon, beginning January 13, 2023.
Testing location: Jamestown or Cattaraugus County Campus | MTI welding lab
Cost:
- Free for JCC students upon completion of their academic program
- $399 per test through Workforce Development
What to bring: your own safety gear and welding rod (the welding rod must be E7018, either 1/8" or 5/32")
Prepare for the test
There are two types of tests that you can take:
- 3G vertical up position
- 4G overhead position
Each test uses 1" thick plate with backing, using an E7018 welding rod that is either 1/8" or 5/32" diameter. Welders choose one test, and have a time limit of four hours to complete the weld.
What background should I have prior to the test? Individuals interested in taking the NYSDOT test should be proficient welders in the vertical and overhead positions using the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process and E7018 electrodes.
What if I fail the test? If an individual fails the welder qualification test, they may retest after completing a minimum of 50 hours of training using 1/8" or 5/32" E7018 electrodes on 1" plate in both vertical and overhead positions. JCC can provide training for this requirement through welding credit courses or Workforce Development.