In 2018, the American Welding Society established the AWS Certified Welding Inspector Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize individual members for a career of distinguished service, leadership, outstanding accomplishments, and innovative contributions towards enhancing the image and technology of welding inspection.  Individuals receiving the award may be currently working as a CWI or have worked as one in the past.
    - Election as a CWI Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is demonstrated as evidenced by:
 
    - Advancements in the field of welding inspection.
 
    - Mentorship of individuals entering the field of welding inspection.
 
    - Effective application of existing and new inspection technology.
 
    - Evidence of participation in activities directly related to the recruitment, training, education and/or mentorship of individuals entering the field of welding inspection.
 
    - This recognition is selected by the AWS CWI Lifetime Achievement Award Committee based on specific criteria.
 
    - Nominations must be submitted on the CWI LAA nomination form with supporting material by July 1st to nationalawards@aws.org.
 
    - Nominations are reviewed/selected during a fall CWI Lifetime Achievement Award Committee meeting with final approval the following year at the spring Districts Council meeting.
 
    - A maximum of 5 recipients are selected each year, as determined by the selection committee.