Structural Bolting Inspection Exam References and Study Material:
RCSC 30 June 2004, AISC LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design) THIRD EDITION, and AISC Steel Construction Manual, Thirteenth Edition.
Structural Drawing Reading Exam References and Study Material:
No references, candidate needs to understand principles of drawing reading and navigation; Possible study material may be found at the following web page.
Program Forms and Document Downloads
CWI/SCWI Endorsement Application (PDF)
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QC1:2007 Standard for the AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
B5.1:2003 Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors
There has been much discussion about the purpose and function of supplemental inspection credentials, also known as “endorsements.” The AWS Certification Committee has always held and continues to hold the CWI as the internationally recognized best program for certification of welding inspection personnel. The CWI is considered able to inspect welds to any industry standard or code regardless of which open book code exam was used, provided the CWI is deemed capable and qualified by the employer or contracting parties to inspect to the requirements of the specific standard used for the job.
With that in mind, and to clear up any confusion about supplemental inspection credentials, the following questions and answers present some facts about the program. Please note that this summary is provided for information only. Refer to AWS QC1, Standard for Certification of Welding Inspectors, for specific requirements and additional information.
Q: What are endorsements?
A: Endorsements are supplemental inspection credentials available to all AWS Certified
Welding Inspectors (CWIs) and Senior Certified Welding Inspectors (SCWIs).
Q: As a non-CWI, may I take these examinations as stand-alone exams?
A: The examinations offered as endorsements to the CWI/SCWI programs are also
offered as stand-alone exams to non-CWIs/SCWIs who wish to enhance their educational
background. Only a certificate of completion is issued to those who pass these exams
as non-CWIs/SCWIs. Having passed any of these exams does not exempt one from having
to take Part C (codebook portion) when applying for CWI certification.
Q: What effect does attaining an endorsement have on my status as a CWI or SCWI?
A: Endorsements do not change a CWI’s or SCWI’s status (past or present) as a Certified
Welding Inspector. If a CWI or SCWI does not wish to take any of these supplemental
inspection exams to acquire such endorsements, that does not change his/her status with
AWS as a Certified Welding Inspector.
Q: What is the purpose of endorsements?
A: Endorsements enhance a welding inspector’s credentials not supplant them.
Q: Why were endorsements developed?
A: Endorsements were created to broaden an inspector’s credentials, possibly permitting
performance of inspections from which he/she was previously excluded due to customer
or jurisdictional requirements.
Q: What benefit do endorsements have regarding nine-year recertification?
A: Committee-approved endorsements are another means by which CWIs and SCWIs
may satisfy the examination and/or continuing education requirements for CWIs and
SCWIs at their nine-year recertification.
Q: How will endorsements be noted?
A: Endorsements will only be listed on a card that is separate from the inspector’s
CWI/SCWI card. It will only list the supplemental inspection exams that the individual
passed to attain the endorsement(s). If an individual does not want such a card, none will
be provided. A certificate for successfully passing the examination will also be issued.
Q: Is this concept of endorsements used by other certifying organizations?
A: Endorsements are used by other organizations that offer certification programs. The
American Petroleum Institute (API), the National Board of Boiler Inspectors, and the
American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) are some organizations that use
the endorsement concept for some of their programs.
Q: What current endorsements are offered by AWS?
A: Currently, the following examinations or certification programs may be considered as endorsements for CWIs and SCWIs if the candidate passes the exams. With the exception of AWS Structural Bolting Inspection exam, endorsement exams and the CRI count as full credit for 9-year CWI/SCWI recertification if obtained any time during the current 9-year cycle.
- AWS D1.1 Structural Steel *
- AWS D1.2 Structural Aluminum *
- AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding *
- AWS D15.1 Railroad *
- API 1104 Pipeline *
- AWS D17.1 Aerospace *
- AWS Structural Drawing Reading (Closed book)
- ASME Section IX, B31.1, + B31.3 *
- ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 and Section IX *
- AWS Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI) program (also a stand-alone program and credential)
- AWS Structural Bolting Inspection (Open book) - Earn 20 PDHs toward your 9-Year recertification
* Indicates an open codebook exam
Q: What future endorsements will be offered by AWS?
A: The following examinations are planned and will be offered in the near future:
- AWS Penetrant Testing exam
This article was prepared in cooperation with the AWS Certification Committee.
The standard application processing time is four weeks and applicants will be notified by an exam confirmation package.
Please note: AWS cannot guarantee space at an exam site if the application has not been processed and/or approved by the Certification Department. When circumstances do not permit meeting the registration deadlines, fast track processing is available at an additional fee.
American Welding Society
Certification Department
8669 Doral Blvd., Suite 130
Doral, FL 33166-6640
All checks and money orders should be made payable to AWS. Payments must accompany your application.