AISC Certification Requirements — And Why They Matter



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If you’re bidding on major steel construction contracts, being AISC certified is often the baseline for qualification. Owners and general contractors increasingly demand this credential to ensure projects meet the highest quality standards. Understanding what the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) requires — and why it matters — is essential for steel fabricators and erectors looking to grow.



What Is AISC Certification?



AISC Certification is a comprehensive quality assurance program for structural steel fabricators and erectors. It verifies that your company follows a documented, tested, and well-audited quality management system. There are several certification categories depending on your scope of work:


  • Certified Fabricator (BU, CPT, SBR/IBR/ABR)
    • Fracture Control Endorsement (FCEB)
    • Fracture Control Endorsement for Hydraulic (FCEH)
    • Complex Coatings Endorsement - Enclosed, Covered and Exposed (CCE-1, CCE-2 and CCE-3)
  • Certified Erector (CSE)
    • Seismic Erection Endorsement (SEE)
    • Metal Deck Erection (MEE)
    • Bridge Erection (BEE)


Each certification type has its own requirements and applies to a specific segment of the industry. The only certification for contractors performing field erection is the Certified Steel Erector (CSE) designation. The AISC quality certification program helps owners and GCs identify steel contractors who meet nationally recognized quality standards



Why Do Contractors Require It?



Because the AISC certification program is tough to obtain and maintain, owners see it as a way to prequalify subcontractors who are serious about quality and compliance. Holding a current AISC certificate often allows your company to bypass additional prequalification hurdles.


Even if a specific job doesn’t mandate it, certification gives your firm a competitive edge during the bidding process and builds trust with project stakeholders.



Governing Requirements and Audit Process



To become certified, your company must conform to:

  • The AISC Governing Requirements — the top-level rules that cover everything from audit scheduling to eligibility
  • The AISC 207-23 Standard — the foundational document for how your quality management system (QMS) must operate
  • Supplemental Requirements for your specific certification type (e.g., CSE for erectors)


The audit process involves two stages:

  1. Stage 1: Documentation Review — auditors check your quality manual and internal procedures, along with several records.
  2. Stage 2: On-site Audit — auditors visit your office and facility or jobsite, verify compliance, and perform live evaluations, such as bolt installation and inspector qualifications.

We walk you through the AISC certification checklist to ensure every file, form, and logbook meets the required standard before auditors arrive. Once certified, you’re expected to maintain full compliance and undergo annual audits to retain your status.



AISC Requirements in Plain Terms



Here are some core items AISC will require of your steel erection business:


  • Active jobsite during audit, with your own employees erecting steel
  • Quality Control Inspectors (QCI) properly trained per ANSI/AISC 360
  • Demonstrated procedures for bolt installation, welding, inspection, and document control
  • Ongoing compliance with your project specific erection plans
  • Quality manual that matches what your crew is doing in the field


These aren’t suggestions — they are pass/fail elements in your audit.



How We Help You Get Certified



Our team is led by a former AISC auditor who has guided hundreds of companies through this process. Whether you’re starting from scratch or correcting issues after a failed audit, we know the fastest and most reliable path to success.


We don’t just help you get certified — we help you stay certified by building sustainable quality practices into your company’s workflow.



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