Bluegrass Community and Technical College Welding: Programs & Costs

Ten welding certificates, a combination welding diploma, and an Associate in Applied Science degree make up the welding credential ladder at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington's primary public community college training provider for welders. The stackable structure means a short certificate in SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, or pipe welding can be completed first and later applied toward the diploma or degree.

For career-changers and high school graduates balancing work and training, the key decision is credential level and welding school cost. Certificates take fewer terms and focus on hands-on welding skills; the diploma and AAS add related coursework and extend the timeline at BCTC's published per-credit tuition rates.

Admission follows BCTC's general placement process, and welding classes run at BCTC's Leestown and Danville campuses. The real variable for most students is not whether BCTC can train a welder, but how many semesters they can commit before entering the local job market.

Welding Programs at BCTC: Certificate, Diploma, and Associate Degree

Bluegrass Community and Technical College, one of the welding schools in Kentucky, structures its welding programs as a credential ladder, with short certificates at the base, a combination diploma in the middle, and an Associate in Applied Science degree at the top. Each level is designed to serve a different career point, from first job qualification to lead and supervisory roles.

Certificate Options for Focused Skills

BCTC lists 10 individual welding certificates. These focused programs concentrate on one process or application at a time, which makes them a practical route for students who need employer-recognized training in a specific area before entering an entry-level welding position.

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): stick welding for fieldwork and structural applications.
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW): MIG welding common in manufacturing and fabrication.
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): TIG welding for precision and thin materials.
• Pipe welding: joint and position skills used in piping and industrial settings.

Because the certificate options overlap with the longer programs, students often earn a certificate first and then apply that work as they continue toward a diploma or degree.

Combination Welding Diploma

The combination welding diploma pulls multiple processes and positions into a broader curriculum. This middle credential suits students who want more versatility across common welding methods used in fabrication, manufacturing, construction, and maintenance. Its welding school duration is longer than a single certificate but less than the full associate degree, and it gives graduates a well-rounded set of hands-on credentials for production and job-shop environments.

Welding Technology AAS Degree

The Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology adds general education and advanced technical coursework on top of the hands-on process training. Students in the AAS path study welding processes in greater depth, along with topics such as blueprint reading, welding inspection, and metallurgy. This level is built for students aiming at lead welder, quality control, inspection, or shop supervision roles, and it can provide a stronger base for long-term advancement in the trade.

Detailed course availability by campus, including which specific certificates and schedules run at each location, is covered in the Campus Locations section.

BCTC Welding Credential Ladder: From Certificate to AAS

BCTC's welding credentials stack from a focused entry-level certificate through a broader diploma and into an Associate in Applied Science degree. You can enter at the certificate level and decide later whether to keep going.

How Long Does BCTC Welding Take? Program Length and Schedules

BCTC publishes a full time timeline only for the associate degree. Part time and evening options are available at the program level, but completion time will be longer and is not published for every credential. Some theory courses may be offered online with possible proctored exams.

Admission Requirements and Application Steps for BCTC Welding

BCTC Welding Technology follows the college’s general admission process. The program does not publish a separate welding-specific deadline or require a welding skill assessment, minimum age, or welding math prerequisite beyond BCTC placement requirements.

• Submit the online BCTC application

  Complete the free online application, which takes about 15 minutes. There is no separate application fee for welding applicants.
• Provide official transcripts

  Beginning freshmen must submit an official high school transcript or GED® scores. Transfer students must provide official transcripts from all previous colleges. Home-school transcripts must be notarized.
• Complete placement testing

  Submit official ACT or SAT scores when available. Otherwise, complete BCTC placement testing using EdReady, Wonderlic, or KYOTE. Students with ACT scores below 18 English, 20 reading, or 19 math must take Wonderlic. A non-weighted high school GPA of 3.2 or higher exempts placement testing.
• Attend mandatory orientation

  All new and first-time freshmen must complete BCTC’s online orientation. No separate welding orientation is required.
• Meet with an academic advisor

  After transcripts and placement scores are on file, meet with an advisor for course planning. Advising for summer and fall begins after March 1; spring advising begins after October 1.
• Register for welding courses and pay tuition

  Set up your student account, review your schedule and financial aid, and register for Welding Technology courses by the published payment deadlines.
• Check welding-specific requirements

  BCTC Welding Technology does not list additional prerequisites such as a welding interview, welding skill assessment, or separate program application deadline. Contact the program at (859) 246-6777 if you have questions.

Certification Testing and Welding Facilities at BCTC

Welding certification is a hands-on performance test: you deposit weld metal under controlled conditions, and an evaluator checks it through visual inspection and bend tests to confirm the weld is sound. At Bluegrass Community and Technical College, the starting point for certification testing is the college's Workforce Solutions office.

Testing through BCTC Workforce Solutions

BCTC's Welding Technology program directs students and employers to schedule state welding certification exams through Workforce Solutions. The phone number to call for current dates, registration steps, and fees is 859-246-6666. The published program pages do not list an on-campus AWS Accredited Testing Facility, a recurring testing schedule, or a BCTC-specific certification fee. Because exam availability can change, contact Workforce Solutions or the welding faculty before committing to a test date.

How AWS performance exams work

If you plan to pursue an American Welding Society Certified Welder credential, the process is performance-based. AWS requires the exam to be taken at an Accredited Testing Facility. Typically, a candidate practices the required weld positions, then completes a test weld that is visually inspected and bend-tested. AWS notes that entry-level Certified Welder exams often cost a few hundred to roughly $1,000, depending on the facility, process, and materials. Treat that as a general range, not a BCTC quote, because the college has not published a specific on-campus AWS Certified Welder fee.

Lab practice and test preparation

A comprehensive welding lab for certification preparation should include individual booths and equipment for the main arc welding processes: shielded metal arc welding (stick), gas metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG), and flux-cored arc welding. Public BCTC program pages do not detail booth count, equipment brands, or open lab hours, so ask the welding department about supervised practice time. BCTC also has not published a separate AWS test-prep course or practice exam schedule on its website. In most cases, certification readiness comes from the required welding courses, instructor feedback, and repeated practice welds in the lab.

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