A welding safety bill passed in Kentucky includes a requirement that could affect your eligibility for state work—and most shop owners haven't heard about it yet.
Most Kentucky auto service and fabrication shop owners haven't heard about a provision buried in SB98, a bill focused on welding safety. But if your business bids on or performs structural steel welding work for Kentucky state government, this requirement will affect how you hire, train, and deploy your workforce.
Here's what changed: Starting January 1, 2027, any welder employed by a contractor or subcontractor working on state government structural steel welding projects must hold AWS-recognized certification. AWS stands for the American Welding Society, a national standards body. This isn't a recommendation or best practice—it's a contractual mandate for state work.
If your shop does any of the following, pay attention:
You bid on state government projects involving structural steel welding. You act as a subcontractor on larger state jobs. You employ welders who might work on such projects in the future. You're considering expanding into government contracting.
If your business does general automotive repair, collision work, or other welding that doesn't involve state government structural steel projects, this requirement doesn't apply to you. The provision is narrowly written to cover only state contracts—not private work or other types of welding.
Before January 1, 2027, you'll need to assess your current workforce. Any welder you plan to deploy on a state structural steel project must obtain AWS certification if they don't already have it. This means:
Testing and credentialing costs for each welder. Time for workers to study and sit for exams. Potential need to hire certified welders if current staff can't or won't certify. Possible retraining or replacement of uncertified workers before you can bid on state work.
The cost and timeline vary depending on your welder's current skill level and experience. Some may pass certification exams quickly; others may need formal training courses. Budget accordingly and start planning now if state work is part of your business strategy.
This provision raises the bar for entry into Kentucky's state government contracting market. It's designed to ensure quality and safety on public projects, but it also creates a compliance burden for small and mid-sized shops. If you've relied on experienced but uncertified welders, you'll need to make changes before bidding on state work.
The effective date—January 1, 2027—gives you time to prepare, but only if you act now. Waiting until late 2026 to certify staff could leave you unable to bid on contracts or fulfill existing agreements.
The requirement appears in Section 1, subsection (2)(a) of SB98 on Page 1.
If you perform welding work on state contracts or are considering it, review your current workforce certification status and budget for any gaps. Your state trade association or local chamber of commerce may have more detailed guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Source: Kentucky SB98, Section 1, subsection (2)(a), effective January 1, 2027.