Certified Welding Supervisor FAQ's

CERTIFICATION: CERTIFIED WELDING SUPERVISOR

ATTENDING THE SEMINAR FAQ'S

What are the benefits of attending the seminar?
The CWS seminar can enhance supervisory skills, providing added value to your processes. The program can dramatically increase productivity by helping you gain the essential knowledge for implementing key factors such as:

Effective throughput of parts past the welders
Welding precisely what is called for in the plans
Reducing rejected work, evidenced by excessive rework and scrap
Reducing the amount of time that the arc is on per part

Can I register for the seminar on-line?
You may download the seminar registration from the AWS website. On-line registration will be available in the near future.

What does the seminar registration fee include?
Daily instruction, reference books and other handout materials, breaks and lunches.

Can I stay in the same hotel where the seminar is held?
Hotel information will accompany your confirmation letter. By identifying yourself as an AWS customer, you will be able to get a room rate that is generally discounted from normal rates charged by the hotel. Reservations at the discount rate should be made 30 days prior to the seminar.

Do you offer on-site seminars and exams?
If you are training groups of six or more, then AWS In-House/On-Site Training may be a cost-effective option. We'll bring in our expert instructors to train your team at your facility. Training can also be customized to meet your specific needs for increasing welding productivity and improving weld quality. For more information, contact AWS at 800-443-9353, ext. 264.

I heard that registering as a nonmember for the seminar or exam includes an AWS MembershipŠIs this true?
If you are a nonmember who is attending the seminar and/or taking the exam, your fee includes a one-year membership in AWS. Your membership will become active after the completion of the seminar and/or exam.

Does the seminar count toward continuing education credits for CWIs?
Yes, the contact hours apply to renewals and 3-year and 9-year CWI recertification.

EXAM QUALIFICATION FAQ'S

How do I qualify as a Certified Welding Supervisor?
In order to qualify as a Certified Welding Supervisor candidate you must:

be a high school graduate or hold a state or military approved high school equivalency diploma.
provide employment information to verify that you have three years of practical welding experience in a fabrication, construction, or welding-related industry. Practical experience in a welding-related industry is an occupational function that has a direct relationship with weldments fabricated to a code, specification, or other standard, and is directly involved in at least one of the following: design, production, construction, inspection, or repair.

As an alternative, three years of relevant teaching experience may be substituted for one year of the practical experience requirement, with proper documentation. Relevant experience is considered when you teach full-time or part-time on a full-time equivalence in a trade, technical school, college, or university, and that you teach the occupational skill of welding or subjects relating to welding, its application, control, materials, and processes.

APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION FAQ'S

How do I apply for CWS certification?
You can begin the certification process by filling out the CWS application, which is available from our website at http://www.aws.org/w/s/certification/CWS or you may call 800-443-9353, ext. 273 and request that an application be mailed to you.
IF ANY APPLICATION INFORMATION IS INCOMPLETE OR MISSING, IT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL ALL DOCUMENTATION IS COMPLETE.

Why does my application have to be submitted by mail?
You must submit your application by mail because areas within the application must be notarized. PLEASE DO NOT FAX YOUR APPLICATION.

How long does it take to determine if I qualify to test for CWS certification?
Applicants will be notified six weeks after their application has been submitted. We strongly urge applicants to not make inquiries prior to the six week processing period, as doing so may delay the processing of your application. Should you need your application processed sooner, call 800-443-9353, ext. 273, for specifics on "Fast Tracking" your application. (Please note that an additional fee is charged for this service.)

What if I don't qualify for CWS certification?
You will be notified and receive a refund, less a $75 processing fee.

TAKING THE CERTIFICATION EXAM FAQ'S

What knowledge is required for the exam?
Candidates for Welding Supervisor must pass an exam based on the essential tasks designated for the Welding Supervisor:

Personnel management

Supervision

Codes/quality management (QM) requirements (desirable, but not required)

Qualification of personnel

Safety

Welding preparation and fabrication

Planning

Control

Equipment/consumables

Quality management and quality control requirements in:

Personnel (desirable, but not required)

Procedure

Procedure testing

Materials/prefabrication

Welding inspection

Documentation
Candidates must also be familiar with and understand the fundamentals of the following processes: SMAW, SAW, OFW, GTAW, FCAW, GMAW, SW, brazing, thermal cutting and mechanical cutting (cutting processes refer only to those that are applied to the fabrication & repair of weldments).

Can I reschedule my exam date?
AWS will allow (2) reschedules per calendar year at no charge; if a request is received two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled exam date. Any requests that do not meet this criteria prior to the scheduled exam, will be assessed a rescheduling fee. For complete details, call 800-443-9353, ext. 273.

How long is the exam?
The exam is given in two parts and lasts four hours.

What is covered in the exam?
Part I Fundamentals of Supervision
Part II Welding Practices & Economics

When do I find out if I passed the exam?
You will be notified in about four weeks on how well you performed. To ensure your privacy, AWS does not divulge your test results by telephone.

You will be notified and receive a refund, less a $75 processing fee.

RENEWING CERTIFICATION FAQ'S

Once I become certified, will I have to renew my certification?hat knowledge is required for the exam?
Yes. Your certification will remain in effect for three years. Prior to the end of the three years, you will need to renew by providing documentation and evidence of continued activity as a welding supervisor. After nine years of continuous certification, you must meet additional CWS recertification requirements.