AWS D1.8, 5.1.1 says that a welder would need to be certified if all 3 requirements are involved.  We shop fabricate steel, not field weld, and we do not weld any beams to a column flanges that are like a moment connection (to this point anyway).  We have welded plates on the end of beams that will be bolted to the column during erection that is essentially the same design and that may meet the other two requirements at some point in time.  Does anyone have feedback to say whether this constitutes the same condition as welding a beam to a column or is it exempted since it will be a field bolted connection?  We have done a few jobs here that had some seismic influence, but are coming up on a structure that will be full blown seismic.  Don't know if there will be any Demand Critical welds in the design since I have not seen any fabrication drawings. Don't believe anyone on our end has enough knowledge to answer the question.  Trying not to open Pandora's box with jurisdictional inspectors if not required, but want to be sure to be covered if it is required.