Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng)

What Is Welding Engineering?

Welding engineering is an engineering discipline which involves the synergistic application of technologies to result in the creation of welded structures, components or products meeting specified industry standards. Welding Engineering involves the careful consideration and interrelationships of design, materials, processes, and quality requirements.

What Is a Welding Engineer?

A welding engineer is an individual who has been trained to apply welding engineering principles in a manner that will result in the creation of sound welded structures, components or products in the most effective and efficient manner. A Welding Engineer must be able to understand how design, materials, processes and quality requirements interact with and affect one another. The Welding Engineer must consider how these materials and processes will be selected and applied to meet specified service conditions and requirements of applicable drawings, standards and contract specifications.

What Is a Certified Welding Engineer^*?

The Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) Credential is granted to an individual who has qualified as a candidate based on documented training and qualifying work experience per the requirements of AWS B5.16:2006 – Specification for the Qualification of Welding Engineers and has received a passing score for an examination comprised of multiple parts.

A Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) must demonstrate the following via Qualification and Examination to receive their CWEng Credential:

• Appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities in the specification and oversight of welding operations leading to the production of weldments that meet requirements of applicable standards. This can include a number of activities, including but not limited to: the interpretation and execution of design drawings and specifications, preparation of welding procedure specifications and related work instructions, oversight of related manufacturing and fabrication activities related to creation of a weldment, and oversight of required quality control activities to verify that weldments meet the requirements of applicable standards.
• Capable of performing basic calculations for weld joint design, selection of appropriate base and filler metals for specific applications, selection and adjustment of welding processes, verification that welding procedure specifications have been properly qualified and that they are being applied correctly, and verification that resulting welds are in compliance with applicable standards.
• Be aware of the economics of the welding operation in terms of process selection and application so that welding is performed in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Capable of effectively communicating with various individuals involved in the manufacturing or fabrication operation including management personnel, design engineers, inspection representatives, welders and welding operators, as well as other individuals involved with ancillary activities.

What Is The Certified Welding Engineer Program?

The AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) program was developed as a means of recognizing individuals who possess specific knowledge and experience, as defined in AWS B5.16:2006 – Specification for the Qualification of Welding Engineers. The CWEng credential was introduced as a means of recognizing individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a welding engineering professional based on the knowledge and experience gained through a variety of educational methods.

The AWS CWEng credential is recognized across industry as means of identifying an individual who possesses the knowledge and experience to oversee the production of weldments in a manner that reduces risks and improves safety. As such, these industry professionals are highly regarded and sought after throughout the welding industry.

Review the AWS Qualification Specification for more detail:

• B5.16:2006 - Specification for the Qualification of Welding Engineers

To qualify to earn the Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) credential, candidates must have a combination of qualifying education and work experience, with supporting documentation.

Review the AWS Qualification Specification for more detail:

• B5.16:2006 - Specification for the Qualification of Welding Engineers

DEFINITION OF EXPERIENCE

7.1 Experience as required in 6.1 shall be defined as activities in one or more of the following areas:

7.1.1 Manufacturing. Experience shall consist of the design, application, or operation of welding process lines or cells for the manufacture of welded products such as automobiles, appliances, welded pipe, or other welded standard products.

7.1.2 Fabrication. Experience shall consist of the design, application, or operation of welding facilities that fabricate welded products. Fabricated products may be covered by national, customer, or internal standards or specifications.

7.1.3 Construction. Experience shall consist of design on welding construction of projects such as buildings, pipelines, ships, plants, and power generation facilities.

7.1.4 Research and Development. Experience shall consist of research and development to enhance welded products or processes, welding materials, manufacturing, fabrication, field erection of welded products, or the design of welding manufacturing systems.

7.1.5 Training. Experience shall consist of instructing courses in various welding topics or related technologies.

7.2 As an alternate to the qualification requirements of this specification, individuals possessing a State Professional Engineering License in Welding Engineering shall be qualified in accordance with this specification without further evaluation of education, experience, or examination.

7.3 Individuals possessing a diploma indicating successful completion of the requirements for either the International Welding Engineer, IIW, or European Welding Engineer, EWF, shall have a minimum of one (1) year of experience (may be obtained before, or after the diploma) to be eligible for the Welding Engineer examination.

7.4 Other organizations may petition the Committee for acceptance as in 7.2 and 7.3.

The American Welding Society offers all new applicants the opportunity to use the online Certification Application Portal to enter information, submit required documentation, a current photo, register for seminars and courses and make payment

Before beginning the application process, please review the submission and document requirements below and be sure to have all of your documentation ready before you begin the application process.

Additionally, please review the requirements that must be met to become a CWEng candidate in the Education and Experience section above.

All applicants should review and complete the following before beginning the online Certification Application Portal process.

CWEng FORMS & REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Employment Verification Form
Qualifying Work Experience Form
Photo ID Requirements

Required forms are available for downloading.

CWEng EXAMS PRICING

CWEng Part 1 & 2 Exam Application (member): $610 USD
CWEng Part 1 & 2 Exam Application (non-member): $700 USD
CWEng Part 3 & 4 Exam Application (member): $650 USD
CWEng Part 3 & 4 Exam Application (non-member): $740 USD

Please review the AWS Certification Price List for more details.

Access the online Certification Application Portal

Note: Submitting a paper-based application incurs a $125 USD processing fee.

The examinations are intended to measure the ability of an individual to comprehend and apply basic science and mathematics as well as engineering principles in the basic subject areas applicable to the welding engineering profession.  Earning the CWEng credential is therefore based upon successful completion of all parts of the examinations.

All four parts of the CWEng CBT exams are administered by Prometric at more than 450 exam centers around the world and can be viewed at prometric.com/aws.

Learn more about Prometric CBT and Exam Centers:

• Understand Prometric’s security process when checking-in at an Exam Center .
• Review a tutorial on how to navigate the screen during your computer-based exam (CBT).
• Familiarize yourself in person with the computer-based testing environment by scheduling an appointment to Take a Test Drive Before Exam Day.
• Learn more about your Prometric test day experience on our FAQ for CBT page.
• Access Prometric’s various other resources, by visiting prometric.com/aws
• AWS COVID Policy
• Prometric Exam Center COVID Policy
• Prometric Exam Center Cleaning Practices

Once you are certified, you will receive a free subscription to Inspection Trends magazine to keep you informed of the latest developments in testing and materials inspection.

CWEng SPECIFICATION

A CWEng certification ensures the certificant meets all of the specification and certification requirements found in:

• B5.16:2006 - Specification for the Qualification of Welding Engineers
  • Appendix A found on pages 7 and 8 contains the Suggested Reference List (for self-study).

A CWEng Candidate is required to take 4 exam parts representing the CWEng Certification Program:

Passing score for the Certification: Minimum weighted percentage for all four parts must be 70%.

Passing Requirements. Each of the four examinations shall not have an individual score less than sixty percent (60%). Each individual examination shall be weighted and the resulting composite score from sections shall not be less than seventy percent (70%).

1. Basic Science Fundamentals Examination*: Raw Score × 0.15 = Weighted Score1
2. Applied Science Fundamental Examination*: Raw Score × 0.15 = Weighted Score2
3. Welding Related Disciplines Examination: Raw Score × 0.30 = Weighted Score3
4. Practical Welding and Related Applications Examination: Raw Score × 0.40 = Weighted Score4

Weighted Score1 + Weighted Score2 + Weighted Score3 + Weighted Score4 = Composite Score

*Note: Individuals who have successfully completed the Engineering Fundamentals Exam (formerly the E.I.T. examination) do not need to take these exams. The EFA examination shall be administered by the State Board of Engineering or other governmental entity.

The Basic and Applied Science portion of the examination requirements may be satisfied by successful completion of the Engineering Fundamentals Examination, (formerly the E.I.T. examination). Use 85 × 0.30 in calculating the individual’s score for the Basic Science and the Applied Science Examinations.

0.30 (85) + Weighted Score3 + Weighted Score4 = Composite Score

*NOTE: While the Welding Engineer has established excellent credentials, qualification to this specification alone may not legally qualify the engineer to provide technical services to the public. Contract documents and building or jurisdiction laws may require technical services to be performed under the direction and responsibility of others such as a Registered Professional Engineer. The Welding Engineer designation DOES NOT imply the status of a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) under the laws of any state or other governmental entity.

Exam Detail

The CWEng exams are composed of the following domains and weights (percent of questions on the examination by exam part).

A combined average of 70% (all 4 exam parts) is required for a candidate to achieve the CWEng Credential.

CWEng candidates who do not achieve a required passing score are eligible to retake an exam.

CWEng candidates who do not pass all four sections of the CWEng exam will receive guidance on AWS Retest Policy via the Official Score Letter. Candidates may retest up to a maximum number of (3) times within a three-year period, commencing on the original test date.

If a candidate meets the minimum percentage for all (4) parts, but fails to achieve the minimum composite score, the candidate can retest to any exam part they choose to increase their overall composite score.

• If the combined weighted average of Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 is below 70%, the CWEng candidate may choose to retest to any exam part.
• The maximum number of reexaminations taken in the three-year period starting with the original test date is three (3).
• Applicants may take the first reexamination (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, or Part 4) without additional training.
• Only one reexamination (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, or Part 4) without documented evidence of additional training is permitted.

CWEng Renewal Overview

The renewal process is an important part of maintaining and continuing an active CWEng Certification.

CWEng Certification is valid for 5 years.

All renewal applications are available via the Certification Application Portal.

To qualify for renewal, the CWEng shall demonstrate successful completion of continued education every five (5) years to maintain the qualification. Continued education shall relate to the functions in B5.16 and shall be equivalent to 80 contact hours in the five-year period or combination of contact hours plus continuing education units totaling 80 contact hours.

For further information concerning the CWI Certification renewal, please refer to AWS QC1: 2016

Use the MyAWS Portal to check your CWI credentials, application, or exam registration status.

CWEng RENEWAL PRICING

• CWEng Renewal Application (member): $545 USD
• CWEng Renewal Application (non-member): $810 USD

  Please review the AWS Certification Price List for more details and options.

  The Certified Welding Engineer shall maintain the qualification through continued education. This education shall be restricted to the functions as defined in Clause 5. The Welding Engineer shall demonstrate successful completion of continued education every five (5) years to maintain the qualification. Continued education shall relate to the functions in Clause 5. and shall be equivalent to 80 contact hours in the five-year period or combination of contact hours plus continuing education units totaling 80 contact hours.

Please explore the frequently asked questions on the AWS Certification Frequently Asked Questions pages.

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