The WCL is the City of Los Angeles certified welder exam, run by the Licensing Section of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). To get certified by the City, a welder passes a virtual exam and a hands-on performance test. This page has free practice sets by topic and worked answers. It also lists the official fees, passing score and retake rules in one place.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | Open- and closed-book segments[1] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Passing score | 70% minimum[1] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $54.50 application fee + $65.40 after passing (per category)[1] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake fee | New fees for each new examination; no refunds[2] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy | 30-day wait after a failed Department Exam; 90 days plus proof of more training after a second failure[2] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Validity | 3 years from issuance[2] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Renewal | $119.90 per category every 3 years (semi-automatic excepted)[1] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Virtual exam on Google Meet plus hands-on performance test[1] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility (Tubular Structures) | Must already hold Structural Steel (SSW) certification[1] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Testing window | Saturdays, by appointment only[1] | Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section · Oct 25, 2026 |
According to Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Licensing Section, “Examination will consist of open and closed book segments.”[1]
The WCL certification is how the City of Los Angeles certifies welders under its Certified Welder program. The program is run by the Licensing Section of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). To get certified, you take a virtual exam held on Google Meet, and you must also pass a performance test at a Los Angeles City approved testing facility.
The virtual exam has open-book and closed-book segments. It is held on Saturdays by appointment only, and you need a score of at least 70% to pass. Each certification category is a separate exam with its own application. The application fee is $54.50, and another $65.40 is due after you pass. To get Tubular Structures certification, you must already hold Structural Steel (SSW) certification.
If you fail a Department exam, you must wait 30 calendar days before you can test again. After a second failure, the wait is 90 days and you must show proof of more training. You pay the fees again for each new exam, and no fees are refunded after a failed attempt.
A certification is valid for 3 years from the date it is issued. Renewal costs $119.90 per category every 3 years, except for semi-automatic. Categories, forms and procedures can change. Before you apply, check the current details in the LADBS certified welder application and the LADBS Certified Welder information bulletin.
Prepare for the WCL - Welding Certification Los Angeles exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: Which approach is MOST important for WCL professionals when applying technical procedures?
Answer: B. Adhering to established protocols while adapting to specific conditions
Explanation:
B is correct. Welding work follows written procedures, codes and specifications. Real jobs still vary in material, joint fit-up, position and site conditions. A good welder follows the procedure and uses judgment to adjust inside its limits, never outside them.
Rule to remember: the procedure sets the limits, and your judgment works inside them.
Question: What is the role of shielding gas in welding?
Answer: A. Protect weld pool from contamination
Explanation:
A is correct. Shielding gas surrounds the arc and the molten weld pool and keeps air out. Oxygen and nitrogen in the air react with molten metal and cause porosity and brittle, weaker welds.
Rule to remember: shielding gas protects the pool. Cleaning the metal and choosing the filler are separate jobs.
Question: What role does calibration play in maintaining technical accuracy for Welding Certification Los Angeles professionals?
Answer: B. It ensures instruments produce accurate, consistent results over time
Explanation:
B is correct. Calibration checks an instrument against a known reference and corrects it. This keeps readings accurate and consistent as the tool ages, drifts or gets knocked around. In welding, this applies to things like machine meters, gas flowmeters and inspection gauges.
Rule to remember: if a decision depends on a reading, the instrument behind it must be calibrated.
Start with the official material. Read the LADBS certified welder application and the Certified Welder information bulletin. Confirm which category you are applying for, since each category has its own application and exam.
Next, take a practice set for each topic to find your weak areas. Begin with Joint Design & Weld Symbols and Blueprint Reading & Technical Drawing, since most welding work depends on symbols and drawings. Then move on to Welding Processes & Techniques, Metallurgy & Material Science and Materials & Specifications. Finish with Inspection & Quality Control, Tools & Equipment Operation, and both safety sets: Safety Regulations & OSHA Compliance and Safety Standards & Regulations.
For every question you miss, read the explanation and write the rule down in a short line. Repeat the sets for your weakest topics until your scores are well above the 70% passing mark. Some segments are closed-book, so practice recalling symbols and definitions without notes. For the open-book segments, learn where things are in your reference material so you can find them quickly.
Prepare for the performance test too. Practice the welds for your category at a shop or school before your appointment. If you fail, you pay new fees and wait at least 30 days before you can test again.
You need a score of at least 70% on the virtual exam. That exam is only part of certification: you also have to pass a hands-on performance test at a Los Angeles City approved testing facility. The virtual exam has both open-book and closed-book segments, so be ready to answer some questions from memory.
The application fee is $54.50 per category, and another $65.40 is due after you pass. Each category needs its own application, fee and exam. If you fail and test again, you pay the fees again, and no fees are refunded after a failed attempt. Renewal is $119.90 per category every 3 years, except for semi-automatic.
After failing a Department exam, you must wait 30 calendar days before you can test again. If you fail a second time, the wait is 90 days and you must show proof of more training. You pay new fees for each new exam, and fees from a failed attempt are not refunded.
The virtual exam is held on Google Meet on Saturdays, by appointment only. You also take a performance test at a Los Angeles City approved testing facility. To find out how to book, read the LADBS certified welder application or contact the LADBS Licensing Section.
No. You must already hold Structural Steel (SSW) certification before you can get Tubular Structures certification. Earn your SSW certification first. Then send a separate application and fee for Tubular Structures, because each category has its own application, fee and exam.
A certification is valid for 3 years from the date it is issued and can be renewed for further 3-year periods. Renewal costs $119.90 for each certified category, except semi-automatic. Before your certificate expires, check LADBS for the current renewal process.
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