Welding Technology is a Certificate program offered by RIVEROAK Technical College in Live Oak, FL. The program takes 1,050 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $2,562. Tuition calculated from the catalog's Florida-resident rate of $2.44 per clock hour x 1,050 clock hours (2026-2027 catalog p.11); the catalog prints the programme's approximate total, not its tuition.
Program Overview
Welding Technology prepares students in basic and advanced skills in the welding field. The program teaches welding techniques used in the workforce such as: SMAW-shielded metal arc welding, GMAW-gas metal arc welding, FCWA-flux core arc welding, and GTAW-gas tungsten arc welding. Different types of oxygen and acetylene cutting and welding techniques and proper safety precautions are also covered. The program is certified through the AWS (American Welding Society).
Program structure. Welding Technology is a Postsecondary Career Certificate program of 1,050 clock hours (Program Number J400400, CIP Number 0648050805), Pell Eligible, as listed in the RIVEROAK Technical College Student Catalog 2026-2027.
What sets this Program apart
Mission. The Welding Program covers a broad foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for employment in the variety of occupations in the welding industry.
Master both the basic and advanced welding skills that are in high demand.
Industry certification. The program prepares students for:
- AWELD003 - FCAW Plate
- AWELD004 - GMAW Plate
- AWELD005 - GTAW Pipe (Carbon)
- AWELD006 - GTAW Pipe (Stainless)
- AWELD007 - GTAW Stainless
- AWELD008 - GTAW/SMAW Pipe
- AWELD009 - GTAW/SMAW Pipe/Carbon
- AWELD010 - GTAW/SMAW Pipe
- AWELD011 - SMAW Pipe
- AWELD012 - SMAW Plate
Accredited college. RIVEROAK Technical College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, Inc. RIVEROAK Technical College offers career and technical education programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials, with high quality instruction, academic and financial advisement, mentoring, and coaching to ensure success in its programs.
Admission Requirements and Process
Who may enroll. Admission is open to adults who are at least 16 years old and not presently enrolled in a secondary school. Programs require students to enter at the beginning of each term or at specified times during the year.
Diploma policy. High school diplomas issued by any public funded state or government agency will be accepted for admission. High school diplomas issued by private schools must be accredited and recognized by the Florida Department of Independent Schools and Colleges. High school graduates that do not meet this criteria must pass the GED® test.
Basic skills. Students who enroll in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program for 450 clock hours or more must complete a basic skills entry-level examination within the first six weeks of admission; the CASAS Goals® Series is used. For this program the scores required to receive a certificate of completion are grade equivalents of 9 in Reading/Language Arts and 9 in Mathematics. Exemptions include an associate in applied science degree or higher, a Florida standard high school diploma for students who entered 9th grade in a Florida public school in 2003-2004 or later, active duty military service, and minimum GED®, SAT®, ACT® or PERT® scores. Recommendations will not be used to deny admission into a program.
Florida residency. To obtain in-state tuition and/or financial aid, two proofs of Florida residency must be provided, dated 12 months prior to enrollment - for example a voter’s registration, driver’s license, automobile registration, bank accounts, rent receipts, tax returns, home mortgages, employment documents, utility receipts, or Florida state identification. Dependents receiving GI benefits receive in-state tuition as long as they reside in Florida while attending RTC.
High school students. Public high school students may dual enroll at RTC with the approval of their high school counselor and a GPA of 2.0 or higher; tuition, fees, and textbooks are free for district students, and industrial programs may have equipment and/or uniform costs.
General Requirements
- At least 16 years oldAdmission is open to adults who are at least 16 years old and not presently enrolled in a secondary school.
- High school diploma or GEDBring your high school or GED® diploma to Student Services; students are required to provide transcripts of their high school diploma.
- Identification documentsProvide a copy of your Social Security card and your driver’s license.
- Proof of Florida residencyProvide two proofs of Florida residency, dated 12 months prior to enrollment, to obtain in-state tuition.
- Basic skills assessmentComplete the basic skills assessment test within the first six weeks, or a signed exemption form, as required for programs of 450 clock hours or more.
Application Process
- 1Complete the Registration for Admission formComplete an application/schedule form in the Student Services office; completed applications can also be emailed to the Admissions team.
- 2Provide your documentsBring in your Social Security card and high school or GED® diploma, your driver’s license and a second proof of residency.
- 3Basic skills assessmentComplete the basic skills assessment test (if applicable and within the first six weeks) or a signed exemption form.
- 4Meet with Student ServicesSchedule a conference with student services to discuss test results and your class schedule, then obtain your class schedule.
- 5Pay the application feeA $50.00 non-refundable application fee is due when the registration form is submitted for a program.
- 6Apply for FAFSAApply for FAFSA® (RTC school code 016824). Financial aid students must complete all paperwork before entry into a program; FAFSA has to be done before the first day of class.FAFSA Code for Live Oak: 016824
Program Schedule
Terms and hours.
- Fall Term: August-December
- Spring Term: January-May
- Full-Time Enrollment Required
- Program Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Evenings: Monday - Thursday, 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Calendar. Fall Registration runs January 5, 2026 - August 3, 2026, for the Fall Term of August 10, 2026 - December 18, 2026; Spring Registration runs August 17, 2026 - December 11, 2026, for the Spring Term of January 5, 2027 - May 27, 2027. Programs less than 600 clock hours need to pay prior to the class starting date.
Attendance. Students registered for day classes, three (3) periods or more, Monday through Friday will be allowed up to six (6) absences per term; on the seventh absence, the student may be withdrawn. Tardies are calculated on a 15-minute cycle, and three (3) tardies of 15 minutes or less constitute an absence.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: RIVEROAK Technical College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, Inc., and is administered by the Suwannee County School District.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition and fees. In accordance with the Florida Legislature and Suwannee County School Board, fees are charged for RTC attendance. The Florida resident rate for a Career Certificate is $2.44 per clock hour (non-resident: $9.78 per clock hour in the catalog), so at that rate this 1,050-hour program’s tuition comes to $2,562.00. Fees vary according to program length and include a tuition fee, a student financial aid fee (10% of tuition cost), a capital improvement fee (5% of tuition cost) and a technology fee (5% of tuition cost).
Approximate total. The catalog’s Florida Resident Total Approximate Cost for the program is $6,699.40. *Tuition Subject to Change. Textbooks are included in the fee statement provided to students; other fees may be assessed as required by an individual program such as state board exam fees, liability insurance, drug tests, and motor vehicle reports.
Non-refundable fees. A $50.00 non-refundable application fee is due when the registration form is submitted for a program. If a class is canceled, the full deposit will be refunded.
Paying fees. All fees are due in full at the end of the ten (10) day drop and must be paid in full before students enter class; programs less than 600 clock hours need to pay prior to the class starting date. Fees may be paid with cash, check, bank debit, credit card, or Apple Pay®. Eligible fees may be deferred when financial aid or veterans benefits are delayed, or under a district-adopted installment payment schedule.
Financial aid. This program is Pell Eligible. The first step to receive any type of financial aid is to apply for federal financial aid (RTC school code 016824). RTC offers two types of federally funded financial aid: Pell Grant and the Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP). To be eligible for Title IV funds, a student must make satisfactory academic progress - GPA, pace and attendance; RTC is a clock hour school and students must attend all hours of each Pell Grant payment period.
Scholarships and other help. RTC awards scholarships through an annual scholarship selection process, including Bright Futures and the RIVEROAK Merit and Academic Development Scholarships. Most programs at RTC are approved for veterans training, and some agencies which sponsor students, such as the Workforce Development Board, may require the federal financial aid application.
Refunds. A 100% refund (less an administrative fee not to exceed $100.00) is issued to students who withdraw up to one week before or on the first day of class; 90% through the first 10% of the enrollment period, 50% through the first 25%, and 25% through the first 50% (less administrative fees, books, laboratory use fees, or non-returnable equipment). No refund is issued once 60% of the enrollment period has been completed, and textbooks and kits may not be returned.
Curriculum
The following table illustrates the Postsecondary Career Certificate program structure: 5 courses totalling 1,050 clock hours, each with its Florida course number and, where the catalog assigns one, its Occupational Completion Point (OCP).
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
The Welding Technology program is designed to prepare students for employment or advanced training in a variety of occupations in the welding industry. This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the welding industry; planning, management, finance, technical and product skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.
Credentials. Certificates of Completion are awarded to students who master program performance standards and meet state reading, language, and math minimum requirements for the program. Industry certification: AWELD003 - FCAW Plate; AWELD004 - GMAW Plate; AWELD005 - GTAW Pipe (Carbon); AWELD006 - GTAW Pipe (Stainless); AWELD007 - GTAW Stainless; AWELD008 - GTAW/SMAW Pipe; AWELD009 - GTAW/SMAW Pipe/Carbon; AWELD010 - GTAW/SMAW Pipe; AWELD011 - SMAW Pipe; AWELD012 - SMAW Plate.
Placement. RTC Student Services make every effort to help students obtain a job related to their training: local employers contact RTC when job openings arise and RTC attempts to match student skills to job needs. RIVEROAK at a glance: 92% completion rate, 88% placement rate and 100% licensure success rate.
What to expect as a RIVEROAK Technical College student
Orientation. Orientation occurs during the first week of each semester. Students are informed about rules and regulations, parking, food services, attendance, counseling, financial aid, programmatic information, the use of technology, and career pathways. All students are issued an email account to access CANVAS (RTC’s instructional platform) and FOCUS® (RTC’s grade and attendance platform).
Dress code. Students are expected to dress appropriately for their program, and most programs have additional dress code requirements. Shop classes may require work boots.
Grading. General programs are graded 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D and 0-59 F; failure to maintain passing grades may result in dismissal from the program.
Live work. RTC accepts live work in Welding Technology; all services are provided by students, and Work Orders are used to bill for materials, shop-use fees, or services.
SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is for students in this program; the organization provides leadership opportunities and skill enhancement.
Insurance. Students enrolled in industrial and health programs are required to purchase school accident insurance, provide evidence of coverage by some private accident policy, or sign a waiver.
Campus. RIVEROAK Technical College (RTC) is a postsecondary technical training and adult education institution under the authority of the Suwannee County School Board. The 20-acre campus is located in Live Oak, with easy access from U.S. Highways 129 and 90 and Interstates 75 and 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Programs at Live Oak
RIVEROAK Technical College in Live Oak, FL also offers these 17 programs at 415 Pinewood Drive SW, Live Oak, FL 32064.
- Advanced Manufacturing and Production TechnologyCertificate · 600 clock hours
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- Automotive Collision Technology TechnicianCertificate · 1,400 clock hours (1 year and 6 months)
- CosmetologyCertificate · 1,200 clock hours (1 year and 6 months)
- ElectricityCertificate · 1,200 clock hours (1 year and 6 months)
- Facials SpecialtyCertificate · 220 clock hours (2 months)
- Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration 1Certificate · 750 clock hours
- Master Automotive Service Technology 1Certificate · 1,050 clock hours (2 years)
- Master Automotive Service Technology 2Certificate · 750 clock hours
- Nails SpecialtyCertificate · 180 clock hours (2 months)
- Patient Care TechnicianCertificate · 600 clock hours (6 months)
- Pharmacy TechnicianCertificate · 1,050 clock hours (11 months)
- Practical NursingCertificate · 1,350 clock hours (11 months)
- Professional Culinary Arts & HospitalityCertificate · 1,200 clock hours (1 year and 6 months)
- Professional Nursing (LPN-RN)Certificate · 900 clock hours
- Surgical TechnologyCertificate · 1,440 clock hours (12 months)
- Welding Technology - AdvancedCertificate · 750 clock hours (1 year)