INDUSTRY TRAINING PROGRAM PROFILE

ACCREDITED PROGRAM

WELDER LEVEL B

Occupation Description
“Welder Level B” means a person who has training in and is capable of welding ferrous and non-ferrous
metals in all positions, on both plates and /or pipe, using SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes. These
welders qualify to test for Portable Welding Procedures (PWP) tests in British Columbia, and such other
work as is usually done by a Level B Welder.
For detailed information on the scope of knowledge and skills taught and assessed in this program refer
to the Program Outline, available on the ITA website.
Pathways to Certification
There are three Welder certifications available in BC: Welder Level C, Welder Level B and Welder Level
A. An individual can become certified as a Welder Level C by completing the apprenticeship pathway,
the modular pathway, or the challenge pathway.
1. Apprenticeship Pathway
The apprenticeship pathway is for individuals who have an employer to sponsor them.
2. Modular Pathway
The modular pathway is for individuals who do not have an employer to sponsor them. Individuals who
wish to enroll in the Modular pathway must register directly with the training provider.
The technical training requirement for the Apprenticeship and Modular Pathways is typically met through
block-release training (full-time, at school) delivered by an ITA-approved training provider.
3. Challenge Pathway
The challenge pathway is for individuals who have extensive experience working in the occupation and
wish to challenge the certification.

Recommended Education
The following education is recommended for apprentices entering this occupation. These are not
prerequisites, but rather a desired level of skill or knowledge that will contribute to success in the industry.
 Grade 10 or equivalent including English 10, Math 10, and Science 10
 Preferred: Grade 12

ITA Registration
1. Apprenticeship Pathway
Individuals who wish to follow the Apprenticeship pathway must register with ITA along with their
sponsor. The Apprentice and Sponsor Registration form is available from the ITA website.
ITA Prerequisite Certification: Welder Level C – Certificate of Qualification

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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ACCREDITED PROGRAM

2. Modular Pathway
Individuals who wish to follow the Modular pathway can register directly with a training provider for
technical training. The training provider will work with the individual to register with ITA. An individual can
also register in this program by submitting the Modular Welder Registration form along with their logbook
for competency assessment to ITA. The Modular Welder Registration form is available from the ITA
website.
ITA Prerequisite Certification: Welder Level C – Certificate of Qualification

3. Challenge Pathway
There are two challenge options for Welder Level B certification. Individuals can challenge the BC
provincial Certificate of Qualification, or the Interprovincial Red Seal Certification.
Those who wish to challenge the Welder Level B Certificate of Qualification must complete the Welder
Level B Challenge Application and submit it to ITA. Challenge applications are assessed for proof of
workplace hours and scope of experience prior to acceptance of the individual into the Challenge
pathway. The Challenge Application form is available from the Welder program page on ITA’s website.
Those who wish to challenge the Interprovincial Red Seal certification must complete the Interprovincial
or Certificate of Qualification Exam Application form and submit it to ITA. The Exam Application form is
available from the Forms page on ITA’s website. You must hold a Welder B or Welder A Certificate of
Qualification to challenge the Interprovincial Red Seal. Completion of a challenge application is not
required if an individual is challenging the Red Seal Interprovincial exam because the individual has
already been awarded a Certificate of Qualification.

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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ACCREDITED PROGRAM

Apprenticeship Pathway
This graphic provides an overview of the Welder Level B Apprenticeship pathway.
 C of Q = Certificate of Qualification  
C of A = Certificate of Apprenticeship 
WBT = Work‐Based Training  
 

RED
SEAL
C of A   C of Q  C of Q
Welder   Welder   OR Welder  
Level A  Level A  Level A 

RECOMMENDATION FOR CERTIFICATION

Welder Level A 
Technical Training:  180 hours (6 weeks*) 
Work‐Based Training: 4,680 total hours 
Logbook Submission 
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam  
(if not already passed at Level B) 

Welder Level B 
Technical Training:  180 hours (6 weeks*)  RED
Work‐Based Training 3,060 total hours for CofQ OR   SEAL
C of A C of Q  C of Q
5,400 total WBT hours for Red Seal endorsement  RECOMMENDATION 
Logbook Submission  FOR CERTIFICATION  Welder   Welder  OR Welder  
Level B  Level B  Level B 
ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam OR 
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam 

Welder Level C (Level 2) C of A C of Q 

Technical Training:  180 hours (6 weeks*)  RECOMMENDATION  Welder   Welder  
Work‐Based Training: 1,000 hours   FOR CERTIFICATION  Level C  Level C 
Logbook Submission 
ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam 

Welder Level C (Level 1)
Technical Training:  180 hours (6 weeks*) 
Work‐Based Training: Accumulate hours  
Logbook: Accumulate competencies 

APPRENTICESHIP ‐ DIRECT ENTRY

*Suggested duration based on 30‐hour week 

CROSS‐PROGRAM CREDITS 
Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit toward the completion requirements of this program 
 
 None 

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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Apprenticeship Program Standards

Credentials Awarded  Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification OR
Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement
 Welder Level B – Certificate of Apprenticeship

ITA Registration Prerequisites  Agreement signed by the employer to sponsor the apprentice
 Welder Level C – Certificate of Qualification

Completion Requirements Certification as a Welder Level B is awarded upon successful completion of:

Requirement Level of Achievement Required

Technical Training Minimum 70% in technical training:

 In-school: 180 hours (or 6 weeks*)

ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam  Minimum 70%

OR
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam

Work-Based Training  3,060 hours total for CofQ

(inclusive of Welder Level C work-based
training hours)
 5,400 hours total for Red Seal endorsement
(inclusive of Welder Level B work-based
training hours)

Recommendation for Certification  Recommendation for certification signed by

the Sponsor and an individual holding
credentials eligible for sign-off authority
 Submission of apprentice’s logbook

(*Assuming 30 hours in school per week)

Program Duration Duration varies depending on how training is delivered, but the program generally takes 1
year to complete.

Sign-off Authority Credentials eligible to sign-off on the Recommendation for Certification:

 Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification
 Welder Level A – Certificate of Qualification
 Welder – Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement

Challenging a Level The following levels of technical training can be challenged for advanced placement in
this program:

Level Prerequisites

 None  N/A

Cross-Program Credits Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit
toward the completion requirements of this program

Credential Credit(s) Granted

 None  N/A

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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Modular Pathway
This graphic provides an overview of the Welder Level B Modular pathway.

C of Q = Certificate of Qualification   RED
C of A = Certificate of Apprenticeship  SEAL
WBT = Work‐Based Training  C of Q C of Q
Welder   Welder 
Level A  OR Level A 

Welder Level A
Technical Training: 240 hours (8 weeks*) 
Work‐Based Training: 3,450 hours total for CofQ OR  
5,400 total WBT hours for Red Seal endorsement 
Logbook: Signoff of required competencies 
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam  
(if not already passed at Level B)

Welder Level B RED 
Technical Training: 480 hours (16 weeks*)  SEAL 
Work‐Based Training: 1,950 hours total for CofQ OR   C of Q C of Q 
5,400 total WBT hours for Red Seal endorsement  Welder  OR Welder  
Logbook: Signoff of required competencies  Level B  Level B 
ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam OR 
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam

Welder Level C
Technical Training: 840 hours (28 weeks*)  C of Q
Work‐Based Training: 1,000 hours   Welder  
Logbook: Signoff of required competencies  Level C 
ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam 

MODULAR PATHWAY – DIRECT ENTRY

*Suggested duration based on 30‐hour week 

CROSS‐PROGRAM CREDITS 
Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit toward the completion requirements of this program 
 
 None 

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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ACCREDITED PROGRAM

Modular Program Standards

Credentials Awarded  Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification OR
Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement

ITA Registration Prerequisites  Submit Modular Welder Registration form to ITA along with completed logbook for
competency assessment
 Welder Level C – Certificate of Qualification

Completion Requirements Certification as a Welder Level B is awarded upon successful completion of:

Requirement Level of Achievement Required

Technical Training Minimum 70% in technical training:

 In-school: 480 hours (16 weeks*) including
practical assessments

ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam  Minimum 70%

OR
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam

Work-Based Training  1,950 hours total for CofQ

(inclusive of Welder Level C work-based
training hours)
 5,400 hours total for Red Seal endorsement
(inclusive of Welder Level B work-based
training hours)

Logbook  Submission of completed logbook to ITA

along with Modular Welder Registration form
 Signoff of required competencies

(*Assuming 30 hours in school per week)

Program Duration Duration varies depending on how training is delivered, but the program generally takes
1 year to complete.

Sign-off Authority Sign-off is not required for this pathway.

Challenging a Level The following levels of technical training can be challenged for advanced placement in
this program:

Level Prerequisites

 None  N/A

Cross-Program Credits Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit
toward the completion requirements of this program

Credential Credit(s) Granted

 None  N/A

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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Challenge Pathways
This graphic provides an overview of the Welder Level B challenge pathway.

C of Q = Certificate of Qualification   C of Q
Welder  
Level B 

Completion Requirements
ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam  
Standardized Practical Assessment 

Prerequisites
Approved challenge application, including:  
Trade‐Related Work Experience:  8,100 hours 
Welder Level C – Certificate of Qualification 

Note: Welder Level B or Level A Certificate of Qualification is a prerequisite for challenging the Interprovincial Red Seal Exam. 

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING 
Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit toward the completion requirements of this program 
 
 None 

Challenge Program Standards – Welder Level B

Credentials Awarded Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification

ITA Registration Prerequisites Welder Level B challenge requires an approved Challenge Application, which includes:
 8,100 hours of directly related experience working in the occupation
 Welder Level C – Certificate of Qualification

Credit for Prior Learning Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are considered to have met or partially
met the prerequisites for challenging this program:

Credential Credit(s) Granted

 None  N/A

Completion Requirements Certification as a Welder Level B is awarded upon successful completion of:

Requirement Level of Achievement Required

ITA Certificate of Qualification Exam  Minimum 70%

Standardized Practical Assessment  Pass

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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This graphic provides an overview of the Welder Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsement challenge
pathway.

RED RED
SEAL SEAL
C of Q C of Q
Welder   Welder  
Level B  OR Level A 

Completion Requirements
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam  
 

Prerequisites
Completed Interprovincial or Certificate of 
Qualification Exam Application  
Trade‐related work experience:  5,400 hours total 
Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification OR 
Welder Level A – Certificate of Qualification 

Note: Welder Level B or Level A Certificate of Qualification is a prerequisite for challenging the Interprovincial Red Seal Exam. Completion of a challenge application 
is not required if an individual is challenging the Red Seal Interprovincial exam because the individual has already been awarded a Certificate of Qualification.   

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING 
Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit toward the completion requirements of this program 

Military certificate in   
Material Technician  Work‐Based Training:  5,400 hours 
(MT #441 QL5 or 
higher)

Challenge Program Standards – Welder Red Seal

Credentials Awarded Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement

ITA Registration Prerequisites Individuals who have the following credentials and work experience may apply to
challenge the Welder Red Seal endorsement:
 5,400 documented hours of directly related work experience working in the
occupation
 Welder Level B – Certificate of Qualification OR
 Welder Level A – Certificate of Qualification
 Completion of an Interprovincial or Certificate of Qualification Exam Application form
(the form can be found on ITA’s website)
NOTE: An individual can challenge the Welder Interprovincial Red Seal exam upon
receiving the Welder Level B or Level A Certificate of Qualification. However, the Red
Seal endorsement will not be affixed to the Certificate of Qualification until the
requirement of 5,400 hours of trade-related work experience has been met and
verified by ITA.

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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Challenge Program Standards – Welder Red Seal

Credit for Prior Learning Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are considered to have met or partially
met the prerequisites for challenging this program

Credential Credit(s) Granted

Military certificate in Material Technician  5,400 workplace hours

(MT #441 QL 5 or higher)

Completion Requirements A Welder Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement is awarded upon successful completion
of:

Requirement Level of Achievement Required

Interprovincial Red Seal Exam  Minimum 70%

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014
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Supporting Documents
Welder Level B Program Outline (2008) – Defines the full scope of knowledge and skills required to
competently perform the occupation in BC. Available from the ITA website.
Welder National Occupational Analysis (2009) – Prepared by industry experts, under the guidance of the
federal government, for Red Seal trades to define the national standard of competence for the trade.
Available from the Red Seal website: www.red-seal.ca.
Contacts
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) manages B.C.’s industry training and apprenticeship programs.
Contact ITA Customer service if you have any questions regarding registration, examinations or
certification for this program.
Telephone: 778-328-8700 Fax: 778-328-8701
Toll Free (within BC): 1-866-660-6011 Email: customerservice@itabc.ca
Website: www.itabc.ca

Revision History
The standards for this program were reviewed and/or updated on the dates below.

Program Standards Approved: March 2002

Updated: December 2006
January 2009

Program Profiles are updated regularly. Visit www.itabc.ca for the most current version.

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Welder Level B Profile September 2014