Entry Welder Certificate (I-BEST)
Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Entry Welder Certificate program! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information may be subject to change at any time without notice, please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.
Bookstore Information
Information regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore
Links to an external site.. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!
The bookstore has what you need in regards to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!
Materials Warning
Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class.
General Overview
When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (April)
How long is the program? 4 to 5 quarters (up to 14 months) with 49 total credits
- You cannot complete this certificate as a full-time student.
When do classes meet? Monday through Friday, five days per week. We offer welding classes in two time slots:
- Daytime: 8 A.M. to 1 P.M.
- Afternoon and Evenings: 3 P.M. to 8 P.M.
You will learn basic welding techniques and become highly skilled in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), also called stick welding. The program includes the opportunity to earn your first professional certification from WABO (Washington Association of Builders), which you will see in many welding job ads. You also complete career and academic support classes to give you all of the skills that employers want.
What does a welder do?
What is the average salary?
$59,710 annually (Links to an external site.) in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most welders earn at least $45,330; there is a wide salary range.
Who can I contact with questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Welding.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers on the RTC campus)
- Working internet connection
- Tools and supplies (estimated $850 total; major purchases include steel-toed work boots and an electronic welding helmet with multiple lenses)
Minimum grades or course GPA:
You need to earn a grade of 2.0 or better in every class for the Entry Welder Certificate.
Mobile Browser Information
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Fall 2023 start
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 105 |
Shielded Metal Arc Welding I | YES | 7 |
| WELD 130 | Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter) | NO | 3 |
| WTD 168 | Math for the Trades | NO | 4 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 106 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding II | YES | 7 |
| WTD 175 | Communication for the Trades | NO | 1 |
| WTD 180 | Human Relations for the Trades | NO | 2 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 104 | Intro to Arc Welding (only offered in fall) | YES | 3 |
| WELD 138 | Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO cert) | YES | 7 |
Grand Total Estimate for Entry Welder Certificate: $8,650 plus WABO exam fees
Winter 2024 start
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| WELD 101 | Thermal Cutting | YES | 3 |
| WELD 102 | Oxyacetylene Welding & Brazing | YES | 7 |
| WTD 109 | Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification | NO | 3 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 105 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding I | YES | 7 |
| WTD 175 | Communication for the Trades | NO | 1 |
| WTD 168 | Math for the Trades | NO | 4 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 104 | Intro to Arc Welding (only offered fall) | YES | 3 |
| WELD 106 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding II | YES | 7 |
| WTD 180 | Human Relations for the Trades | NO | 2 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 130 | Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter) | NO | 3 |
| WELD 138 | Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO certificate) | YES | 7 |
Grand Total Estimate for Entry Welder Certificate: $8,650 plus WABO exam fees
Fall 2022 start
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| WELD 101 | Thermal Cutting | YES | 3 |
| WELD 102 | Oxyacetylene Welding & Brazing | YES | 7 |
| WTD 109 | Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification | NO | 3 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 105 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding I | YES | 7 |
| WELD 130 | Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter) | NO | 3 |
| WTD 150 | Human Relations for the Trades | NO | 2 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 106 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding II | YES | 7 |
| WTD 168 | Math for the Trades | NO | 4 |
| WTD 175 | Communication for the Trades | NO | 1 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 104 | Intro to Arc Welding (only offered in fall) | YES | 3 |
| WELD 138 | Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO cert) | YES | 7 |
Grand Total Estimate for Entry Welder Certificate: $8,739 plus WABO exam fees
Winter 2023 start
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| WELD 101 | Thermal Cutting | YES | 3 |
| WELD 102 | Oxyacetylene Welding & Brazing | YES | 7 |
| WTD 109 | Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification | NO | 3 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 105 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding I | YES | 7 |
| WTD 175 | Communication for the Trades | NO | 1 |
| WTD 168 | Math for the Trades | NO | 4 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 104 | Intro to Arc Welding (only offered fall) | YES | 3 |
| WELD 106 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding II | YES | 7 |
| WTD 180 | Human Relations for the Trades | NO | 2 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 130 | Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter) | NO | 3 |
| WELD 138 | Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO certificate) | YES | 7 |
Grand Total Estimate for Entry Welder Certificate: $8,739 plus WABO exam fees
Spring 2023 start
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| WELD 101 | Thermal Cutting | YES | 3 |
| WTD 109 | Safety, Tool, and Equipment Certification | NO | 3 |
| WTD 175 | Communication for the Trades | NO | 1 |
| WTD 168 | Math for the Trades | NO | 4 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 102 | Oxyacetylene Welding & Brazing | YES | 7 |
| WELD 105 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding I | YES | 7 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 104 | Intro to Arc Welding (only offered in fall) | YES | 3 |
| WELD 106 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding II | YES | 7 |
| WTD 180 | Human Relations for the Trades | NO | 2 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD 130 | Blueprint Reading (only offered in winter) | NO | 3 |
| WELD 138 | Certification SMAW (repeatable as needed if trying to acquire WABO certificate) | YES | 7 |
Grand Total Estimate for Entry Welder Certificate: $8,638 plus WABO exam fees
Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!