In Houston you can apply to join the Local 211 Pipefitters school.  After your 5 year apprenticeship you should be well suited to pass the test if you focus on welding your final two years.

Hire out as a pipeline welder helper. You will have class about once a month or more. If you get a welder that does not know which end of a cutting torch to light, you will get really good a grinding his mess and wind up shoving the welders up his ... nose.
Pipeline welders do this test regularly. Few schools teach this and good luck getting in on a Union training program.
BABRT's