A new Kentucky law quietly imposes mandatory welder certification on any business bidding state structural steel work—and most shop owners haven't heard about it yet.
Most Kentucky auto service owners don't realize that a welding safety bill passed by the state legislature contains a provision that could directly affect their hiring practices and project eligibility. If your shop bids on or manages any state government structural steel welding work, SB98 creates a new, non-negotiable requirement that takes effect January 1, 2027.
Under Section 1, subsection (2)(a) of SB98, any business acting as a general contractor, subcontractor, or project manager on a state structural steel welding contract must ensure that every welder it employs holds AWS (American Welding Society) certification from an accredited facility or AWS-accredited individual.
This isn't a recommendation or a preference. It's a mandatory compliance requirement. Before your shop can legally perform or oversee structural steel welding on state government projects, every welder on that job must have current AWS certification in their hand.
If your auto service shop has ever bid on state contracts, highway projects, bridge work, or any structural steel welding tied to government funding, this applies to you. It also applies if you plan to in the future.
The rule covers:
Even if you're only part of a larger project team, your welders must meet this standard.
This creates real costs and timelines you need to plan for:
Hiring and credentialing: You'll need to verify AWS certification before putting any welder on a state structural steel job. If your current crew lacks certification, you'll need to budget for training and testing through an accredited provider.
Compliance documentation: You'll need to maintain proof of certification and be prepared to show it to state inspectors or project auditors.
Bid timing: Factor in the time required to ensure your crew is certified before submitting a bid or signing a contract.
Competitive impact: Shops that don't plan ahead may lose bids to competitors who already have certified crews in place.
The requirement becomes effective January 1, 2027. That gives you roughly two years to assess your current workforce, identify any certification gaps, and arrange training if needed.
If you have welders who aren't yet AWS-certified, now is the time to start the certification process. AWS certification involves both written exams and practical testing, and scheduling can take time depending on your region's accredited testing facilities.
Review your current welder roster and their credentials. If you bid on state work or plan to, contact your local AWS chapter or an accredited testing facility to understand the certification requirements and timeline for your specific welding processes.
A free, detailed guide tailored to Kentucky auto service contractors is available to help you understand the compliance steps and plan your transition.
Source: Kentucky SB98, Section 1, subsection (2)(a), effective January 1, 2027.