IMPORTANT NOTICE
Note to Re-exam Candidates:
Effective May 29, 2010, all re-exam candidates applying for the second or third retest (or after the one year grace period), must provide 40 hours of additional training prior to being accepted to the exam site. This information (proof of training taken earlier or the confirmation letter for seminars scheduled just prior to the exam date) must be received by Certification no less than two weeks prior to the scheduled exam date. Please include this information with your retest application or fax the proof to 305-443-6445.
If a candidate fails to provide the additional training documentation, they will not be allowed to take the AWS CWI or the SCWI exam.
Please refer to the AWS QC1:2007, Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors, Section 6.2.5.
We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Certification Department at 800-443-9353, extension 273.
Sincerely,
Certification Review Department
The Certified Welding Inspector certification is more than a rewarding career. It involves great responsibility and remarkable skill demonstration. The CWI is widely recognized, both nationally and internationally, and successful companies have come to rely on this AWS certification when ensuring the highest level of quality workmanship. As a Certified Welding Inspector, you will find this career path lucrative and rewarding. This certification can lead you to a career that is engaging and promising on all levels. If what you need is a stable career where you will thrive and find fulfillment, then the CWI certification is for you. Take a look at the information provided and learn how to become certified as a welding inspector.
IF YOU WORK IN THE FIELD OF WELDING...
IF YOU MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT EMPLOYEES IN THE FIELD OF WELDING...
IN-HOUSE CUSTOM TRAINING SOLUTIONS
AWS can bring its training and certification exams to you. Our custom programs provide many important benefits...
CWI Program
Packages (pdf)
NOTE: Pop-up blocker needs to be disabled to view the documents.
Technical Documents (pdf)
Part B Examination Book of Specifications
QC1:2007 - Standard for the AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
B5.1:2003 - Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors
NOTE: Pop-up blocker needs to be disabled to view the documents.
Technical Documents (pdf)
Part B Examination Book of Specifications
QC1:2007 - Standard for the AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
B5.1:2003 - Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors
YOUR AWS WELDING INSPECTION SEMINAR WEEK
Sunday and Monday: Code Clinics (for Exam Part C)
Sun: 1 – 5 pm
Mon: 8 am – noon
D1.1 Code Clinic
Helps prepare you for the CWI Exam (Part C) if you are testing to D1.1
The eight hours of instruction provide a “road map” through the D1.1 Code, emphasizing the ability to locate important paragraphs, charts, and tables quickly, which is crucial to understanding the code when working under stressful deadlines. In addition to practice questions, a practice exam will be administered, and the instructor will illustrate the use of the code under time constraints, creating deadline pressure similar to the test environment. If you’re taking the CWI exam, this clinic has proven to be valuable test preparation. As a leading construction code, D1.1 is the ideal tool to teach effective code use.
By attending, you can learn:
Sun: 1 – 5 pm
Mon: 8 am – noon
D1.1 Code Clinic
Helps prepare you for the CWI Exam (Part C) if you are testing to D1.1
The eight hours of instruction provide a “road map” through the D1.1 Code, emphasizing the ability to locate important paragraphs, charts, and tables quickly, which is crucial to understanding the code when working under stressful deadlines. In addition to practice questions, a practice exam will be administered, and the instructor will illustrate the use of the code under time constraints, creating deadline pressure similar to the test environment. If you’re taking the CWI exam, this clinic has proven to be valuable test preparation. As a leading construction code, D1.1 is the ideal tool to teach effective code use.
By attending, you can learn:
- What is included in the D1.1 Code—clause-by-clause.
- Proper terminology to quickly direct you to the right clause of the D1.1 Code
- How to tab your copy of the D1.1 Code for quick reference.
- Sure-fire methods to avoid common pitfalls with the D1.1 Code.
To prepare for the clinic:
- Arrive with a familiarity with working with codes.
- Review the D1.1 Code.
Complimentary resources provided with seminar packages (a $468 value):
- AWS D1.1:2008, Structural Welding Code—Steel
- AWS D1.1 CCRM Code Clinic Reference Manual
Mon: 1 – 5 pm
API 1104 Code Clinic
Helps prepare you for the CWI Exam (Part C) if you are testing to API 1104
This four-hour course covers general provisions of API 1104, including qualification of welding procedures for welds containing filler-metal additions, design and preparation of the joint for production welding, nondestructive testing and acceptance standards, and automatic welding with and without filler-metal additions.
As in the D1.1 Code Clinic, attendees will practice open codebook testing under time constraints.
API 1104 Code Clinic
Helps prepare you for the CWI Exam (Part C) if you are testing to API 1104
This four-hour course covers general provisions of API 1104, including qualification of welding procedures for welds containing filler-metal additions, design and preparation of the joint for production welding, nondestructive testing and acceptance standards, and automatic welding with and without filler-metal additions.
As in the D1.1 Code Clinic, attendees will practice open codebook testing under time constraints.
By attending, you can learn:
- Terminology that is included in API 1104—section-by-section—and how to get to the right section—quickly.
- How to use the API 1104 Code by understanding the core of the problem or question.
- API 1104 testing requirements and acceptance criteria.
To prepare for the clinic:
- Arrive with a familiarity with working with codes.
- Review the API 1104 Code.
Complimentary resources provided with the clinic (a $76 value):
- AWS API-M Study Guide for API 1104
NOTE: Clinic fee does not include a copy of API 1104, Welding Pipelines and Related Facilities (20th edition). This book is required for the CWI exam if you are taking it to the API codebook. Contact www.aws.org/standards or phone 1-888-WELDING to purchase your copy of API 1104 (20th edition) before attending the seminar.
Tuesday thru Friday: Inspection Workshops (for Exam Parts A & B)
Tues – Thurs: 8 am – 5 pm
Welding Inspection Technology Workshop
Helps prepare you for the CWI/CWE Exam (Part A)
The Welding Inspection Technology Workshop is packed with information on nondestructive examination methods applicable to common welding processes. It will assist welding inspectors and welding educators with knowledge of welding and inspection fundamentals useful on the jobsite. In addition, this seminar will prepare examination candidates for Part A (Fundamentals) of the CWI examination.
Tues – Thurs: 8 am – 5 pm
Welding Inspection Technology Workshop
Helps prepare you for the CWI/CWE Exam (Part A)
The Welding Inspection Technology Workshop is packed with information on nondestructive examination methods applicable to common welding processes. It will assist welding inspectors and welding educators with knowledge of welding and inspection fundamentals useful on the jobsite. In addition, this seminar will prepare examination candidates for Part A (Fundamentals) of the CWI examination.
By attending, you can learn:
- Safe practices, metric practices, and metal joining and cutting processes.
- Terminology and weld joint geometry and welding symbols.
- Application of documents governing welding inspection and qualification.
- Welding metallurgy, metal properties and destructive testing.
- Evaluation of weld and base metal discontinuities.
- VT and other NDE methods.
To prepare for the workshop:
- Arrive with a general knowledge and experience in welding and welding processes
Complimentary resources provided with the workshop (a $676 value):
- Welding Inspection Technology
- Welding Inspection Technology Workbook
- AWS B5.1:2003, Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspector
- AWS A2.4:2007, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination
- AWS A3.0:2001, Standard Welding Terms & Definitions
- AWS QCI:2007, Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
Fri: 8 am – 5 pm
Visual Inspection Workshop
Helps prepare you for the CWI/CWE Exam (Part B)
This workshop provides hands-on training in the use of weld measurement tools and plastic weld replicas to determine the sizes of various weld discontinuities. Students will compare what they find to the criteria in a sample codebook to determine the acceptability or rejection criteria of the sample weldments. The workshop also includes a sample practical examination to prepare test candidates for Part B (Practical Applications) of the CWI examination.
Visual Inspection Workshop
Helps prepare you for the CWI/CWE Exam (Part B)
This workshop provides hands-on training in the use of weld measurement tools and plastic weld replicas to determine the sizes of various weld discontinuities. Students will compare what they find to the criteria in a sample codebook to determine the acceptability or rejection criteria of the sample weldments. The workshop also includes a sample practical examination to prepare test candidates for Part B (Practical Applications) of the CWI examination.
By attending this workshop, you can learn:
- Use of inspection tools.
- How to ensure compliance with the applicable code.
- Do’s and don’ts of documentation.
- When a discontinuity is acceptable.
- When a discontinuity can be rejected.
- Why visual inspection can be the most effective NDE technique.
To prepare for the workshop:
- Arrive with a familiarity with working with manual measuring instruments and welding gauges..
Complimentary resources provided with the workshop:
- Visual Inspection Workshop Reference Manual
- AWS B1.10:2009, Guide for the Nondestructive Examination of Welds
- AWS “Book of Specifications”
Sat: 7:30 am – 6 pm
CWI and CWE Examination
Certified Welding Inspector exams are held on the Saturday following the seminar at the same seminar location. All exam applicants must show a photo I.D. and a copy of your exam confirmation letter at sign-in. All exam questions are multiple choice, and each part of the exam is two hours long.
Part A: Fundamentals.
Closed-book test; 150 questions.
Part B: Practical Applications.
Hands-on test; 46 questions, using “Book of Specifications”.
(Use of toolkit for your exam provided by AWS.)
Part C: Open-Book Code Application.
Open-book test; number of questions can vary (46-60) on the code you previously selected — AWS D1.1:2008 or 2006; AWS D1.2:2008 or 2003; AWS D1.5:2008; AWS D15.1: 2007; API 1104 (20th ed.); ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections VIII and IX (2007); or ASME Section IX (2007), B31.1 (2007) and B31.3 (2006).
Note: Certified Welding Educator applicants will only take Parts A and B of the CWI exam.
CWI and CWE Examination
Certified Welding Inspector exams are held on the Saturday following the seminar at the same seminar location. All exam applicants must show a photo I.D. and a copy of your exam confirmation letter at sign-in. All exam questions are multiple choice, and each part of the exam is two hours long.
Part A: Fundamentals.
Closed-book test; 150 questions.
Part B: Practical Applications.
Hands-on test; 46 questions, using “Book of Specifications”.
(Use of toolkit for your exam provided by AWS.)
Part C: Open-Book Code Application.
Open-book test; number of questions can vary (46-60) on the code you previously selected — AWS D1.1:2008 or 2006; AWS D1.2:2008 or 2003; AWS D1.5:2008; AWS D15.1: 2007; API 1104 (20th ed.); ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections VIII and IX (2007); or ASME Section IX (2007), B31.1 (2007) and B31.3 (2006).
Note: Certified Welding Educator applicants will only take Parts A and B of the CWI exam.
CWI/CWE/CAWI EXAM CANDIDATES
Did you know…
When you obtain your CWI certification, you
can easily branch off into other programs and
reap additional benefits. In fact, Certified
Welding Inspectors who get certified as a
Radiographic Interpreter are now exempt from
their next 9-Year CWI Recertification Exam.
Learn about other AWS Certifications
SORRY, BUT WE CANNOT ACCEPT FAXED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS.
International CWI Courses:
Download the schedule from: www.aws.org/certification/inter_contact.html or call us at 1-800-443-9353, ext. 258 (305-443-9353 outside of North America).
| DO YOU QUALIFY? To qualify as a Certified Welding Inspector, you must pass a vision test and have a combination of qualifying education and work experience, with supporting documentation: |
|
| MINIMUM EDUCATION | MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE |
| Associate or higher degree in engineering technology, engineering, or a physical science | 3 years |
| High school diploma plus two or more years engineering/technical school courses | 3 years |
| High school diploma plus one year engineering/technical school courses or one or more years of vocational education and training in a welding curriculum | 4 years |
| High school diploma or approved high school equivalency diploma | 5 years |
| At least 8th grade | 9 years |
| Less than 8th grade | 12 years |
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A THREE-PART EXAM
AWS offers five-and-a-half days of exam preparation at convenient sites, leading up to the CWI exam on the last day of the week. The CWI exam consists of three two-hour parts. (Certified Welding Educator [CWE] candidates only have to take the first two parts.)
Seminar preparation is organized to review and help prepare you to score as high as you possibly can. Our instructors are experienced experts who have helped thousands of candidates succeed.
Part A: Fundamentals. You will be prepped for this two-hour, 150-question closed-book test by the three-day Welding Inspection Technology Workshop, which covers all facets of welding processes and nondestructive examination. Registrants will receive complimentary copies of Welding Inspection Technology; the Welding Inspection Technology Workbook; AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions; AWS A2.4, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing and Nondestructive Examination; and AWS QC1:2007, Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors — over $600 worth of career-enhancing books that you can take home with you.
Part B: Practical Applications. This two-hour, hands-on test will require you to answer 46 questions using actual visual inspection tools with plastic replicas of welds, and a sample codebook (“Book of Specifications”), which will be provided for the exam. Your hands-on skills will be honed by the one-day Visual Inspection Workshop, where you will work with inspection tools and weld replicas, and take a practice exam. Registrants will receive complimentary resources: AWS B1.10, Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Welds and the Visual Inspection Workshop Reference Manual.
Part C: Open-Book Code Application.
This two-hour, open-book test includes 46–60 questions establishing your ability to find and comprehend information in one of your choice of
Part A: Fundamentals. You will be prepped for this two-hour, 150-question closed-book test by the three-day Welding Inspection Technology Workshop, which covers all facets of welding processes and nondestructive examination. Registrants will receive complimentary copies of Welding Inspection Technology; the Welding Inspection Technology Workbook; AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions; AWS A2.4, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing and Nondestructive Examination; and AWS QC1:2007, Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors — over $600 worth of career-enhancing books that you can take home with you.
Part B: Practical Applications. This two-hour, hands-on test will require you to answer 46 questions using actual visual inspection tools with plastic replicas of welds, and a sample codebook (“Book of Specifications”), which will be provided for the exam. Your hands-on skills will be honed by the one-day Visual Inspection Workshop, where you will work with inspection tools and weld replicas, and take a practice exam. Registrants will receive complimentary resources: AWS B1.10, Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Welds and the Visual Inspection Workshop Reference Manual.
Part C: Open-Book Code Application.
This two-hour, open-book test includes 46–60 questions establishing your ability to find and comprehend information in one of your choice of
five welding codes. Most candidates choose either D1.1 or API 1104, and AWS offers preparatory Code Clinics for each. These clinics will show you how to tab your copy of the codebook before the test, to save you critical minutes and stress when you have to find information fast. They will also identify the most common pitfalls and misunderstandings in usage of each code, and will teach you the terminology specific to each code that will help you quickly locate the relevant paragraphs and charts. Most of all, you will improve your code usage skills by learning to better understand the core of the problem or question at hand. Attendees will practice open codebook testing under time constraints. Registrants of a seminar/exam package who attend D1.1 Code Clinic will receive a complimentary copy of D1.1 (a $392 value) and the Code Clinic Reference Manual (a $76 value). API 1104 Code Clinic registrants need to bring their own codebook (API 1104, 20th edition), but will receive the API Code Clinic Study Guide (a $76 value).
You may also take Part C to several other codes; however, no AWS Code Clinics or study materials are offered for them: AWS D1.2/D1.2M:2003 or 2008 (Aluminum); D1.5M/D1.5:2008 (Bridge Welding Code); AWS D15.1:2007 (Railroad Welding Code); ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections VIII and IX, 2007 editions; or ASME Section IX (2007), B31.1 (2007), and B31.3 (2006). The Welding Inspection Technology Workshop and the Visual Inspection Workshop (without a Code Clinic) would be the best choice if you are taking Part C to one of these alternative code books.
Exam Scoring Requirements.
CWI: Completion of Parts A, B, and C with a minimum score of 72% in each part.
CAWI: Completion of Parts A, B, and C with a minimum score of 60% in each part.
CWE: Completion of Parts A and B with a minimum score of 60% in each part.
You may also take Part C to several other codes; however, no AWS Code Clinics or study materials are offered for them: AWS D1.2/D1.2M:2003 or 2008 (Aluminum); D1.5M/D1.5:2008 (Bridge Welding Code); AWS D15.1:2007 (Railroad Welding Code); ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections VIII and IX, 2007 editions; or ASME Section IX (2007), B31.1 (2007), and B31.3 (2006). The Welding Inspection Technology Workshop and the Visual Inspection Workshop (without a Code Clinic) would be the best choice if you are taking Part C to one of these alternative code books.
Exam Scoring Requirements.
CWI: Completion of Parts A, B, and C with a minimum score of 72% in each part.
CAWI: Completion of Parts A, B, and C with a minimum score of 60% in each part.
CWE: Completion of Parts A and B with a minimum score of 60% in each part.
CWI ENDORSEMENTS
Once you become a CWI, AWS endorsements can broaden your welding inspector credentials. Endorsements may also allow an inspector to perform inspections where previously excluded due to customer or jurisdiction requirements. When you pass endorsement exams, you are provided with a separate endorsement wallet card and a certificate of successful completion.
For inspectors who are up for nine-year recertification, passing codebook endorsement exams can satisfy the examination and continuing education requirements for the recertification.
For inspectors who are up for nine-year recertification, passing codebook endorsement exams can satisfy the examination and continuing education requirements for the recertification.
Codebook Endorsement Exams
AWS D1.1 – Structural Steel: 2006 or 2008 edition
AWS D1.2 – Structural Aluminum: 2003 or 2008 edition
AWS D1.5 – Bridges: 2008 edition
AWS D15.1 – Railroad: 2007 edition
API-1104 – Pipelines: 20th edition with 2007 Errata/Addenda
ASME Section IX:B31.1 (both 2007 editions) and B31.3 (2006 edition)
ASME Sections VIII (Div 1) and IX (both 2007 editions)
Non-Codebook Endorsement Exams
Structural Bolting Inspection (20 PDHs)
Structural Drawing Reading (40 PHDs)