AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) is the American Welding Society's welding inspection credential, run under the AWS QC1 specification. To earn it you need welding-based work experience that matches your education, a passed vision test, and at least 72% on each of three exams: Part A Fundamentals, Part B Practical and Part C Code Book. The certification runs on a nine-year cycle, with renewals at years three and six. Every detail below should be checked against the AWS CWI page on aws.org before you apply, because AWS changes editions, rules and fees.
\n\nA Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is an AWS-credentialed professional qualified under AWS QC1 to inspect welding and welded work against the governing code or specification. In practice that means verifying procedures and welder qualifications, carrying out and documenting visual weld inspection, and checking that the examinations and records the code requires are in place. A CWI is not, by itself, an NDT method certification: UT, RT, MT and PT are performed by personnel certified for those methods.
\n\nAWS sets the minimum welding-based work experience by your highest level of education. Examples from the AWS CWI page (October 2026):
\n| Highest education | \nMinimum welding-based work experience | \n
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher in welding engineering or welding technology | \n1 year | \n
| Associate degree or higher in welding or engineering technology, engineering, or a physical science | \n2 years | \n
| High school diploma or approved equivalency diploma | \n5 years | \n
| Less than 8th grade | \n12 years | \n
The full table, the definition of welding-based work, and the documentation AWS expects are on aws.org. You also need to pass the vision test on the current AWS form. If you do not yet have enough experience, the Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) credential has lower thresholds and uses the same three-part exam.
\n\n| Part | \nFormat | \nWhere | \n
|---|---|---|
| Part A: Fundamentals | \n150 questions covering destructive testing, fabrication math, safety, metallurgy, NDT, welding symbols, WPS/PQR and welding fundamentals | \nPrometric test centre | \n
| Part B: Practical | \nHands-on activities using AWS-provided equipment, with 46 questions and a Part B Book of Specifications | \nAWS exam locations | \n
| Part C: Code Book | \n50 to 65 open-book questions on the code you choose (for example AWS D1.1, API 1104 or ASME Section IX with B31.1/B31.3) | \nPrometric test centre | \n
You need a minimum of 72% on each part; a strong score in one part does not carry a weak one. AWS states that candidates must complete all three parts before retaking any part. AWS does not publish a pass rate that we can quote here, so treat any pass-rate figure you see quoted elsewhere with caution.
\n\nA CWI certification runs on a nine-year cycle. You renew at years three and six (AWS lists renewal by work experience, by examination, or by Part B examination and Part B training), and you recertify at year nine. Check the current routes and fees on aws.org before each deadline.
\n\nPay for CWI-qualified inspectors varies widely with region, industry, travel and whether the role also carries NDT method certification. We do not quote salary figures here; check current job postings in your region and published wage data for your occupation. What is consistent is that CWI opens welding inspector and QC roles on structural, pipeline and fabrication work, and that adding NDT method certification widens the work a CWI can do.
\n\n| Certification | \nWho certifies | \nPrimary scope | \n
|---|---|---|
| AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) | \nAWS, under QC1 | \nWelding inspection: procedures, welder qualification, visual inspection, code compliance | \n
| AWS CAWI (Certified Associate Welding Inspector) | \nAWS, under QC1 | \nEntry-level welding inspection; a stepping stone to CWI | \n
| NDT Level II (e.g. UT) under ASNT SNT-TC-1A | \nThe employer, under its written practice | \nPerforming and interpreting a specific NDT method | \n
| ASNT NDT Level III | \nASNT examinations; employer or central certification | \nNDT procedures, techniques and method authority | \n
Weeks 1-4: Code and fundamentals
\nWeeks 5-8: Practical skills
\nWeeks 9-12: Practice and review
\nA: No. AWS sets a minimum of welding-based work experience by education level — for example five years with a high school diploma, or one year with a welding engineering degree. Many successful candidates come from inspection or QC roles rather than welding.
\n\nA: Exam, application and renewal fees are published by AWS at aws.org; seminars are optional and charged separately. Add study materials and travel. Many employers reimburse some or all of the cost.
\n\nA: AWS does not publish a pass rate that we can quote here. What matters is the rule: you need a minimum of 72% on each of Part A, Part B and Part C.
\n\nA: It runs on a nine-year cycle. You renew at years three and six (by work experience, by examination, or by Part B examination and training) and recertify at year nine. Check current routes on aws.org.
\n\nA: Yes, and many employers value the combination. CWI covers welding inspection and code compliance; ASNT NDT method certification (for example UT Level II under an employer's SNT-TC-1A written practice) covers performing and interpreting the NDT itself. See ASNT NDT training in the USA.
\n\nA: Oil and gas fabrication, shipbuilding and overseas project work are commonly cited as higher-paying, often with travel and per-diem. Pay varies too much by region to quote a figure; check current job postings.
\n\nA: They are different specialties: CWI focuses on welding and code compliance; ASNT NDT Level III covers NDT methods, procedures and technique approval. Many inspectors pursue both over a career.
\n\nA: AWS states that candidates must complete all three parts before retaking any part. Retake rules, windows and fees are published at aws.org.
\n\nA: CWI roles exist in most manufacturing and construction regions, with concentrations around oil and gas fabrication, shipbuilding and structural steel.
\n\nA: CWI covers welding inspection, primarily visual, plus code and procedure compliance. For UT, RT, MT or PT you need NDT method certification, typically ASNT Level II under your employer's written practice. Many CWI roles include coordinating NDT work rather than performing it.
\n\nAWS CWI is a widely specified welding inspection credential. The experience you need depends on your education, the exam is three parts with 72% required on each, and the certification runs on a nine-year cycle with renewals at years three and six. Check every requirement and fee on aws.org before you apply.
\n\nNext steps: Confirm your eligibility and the current fees on aws.org, and decide whether an AWS seminar or self-study suits you. If you also want NDT method certification alongside CWI, see ASNT NDT training in the USA — Atlantis trains to ASNT SNT-TC-1A and does not offer CWI preparation. Review total cost projections for your career plan.
","quickAnswer":{"question":"How do you become an AWS CWI?","answer":"AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is the American Welding Society's welding inspection credential under AWS QC1. To qualify you need welding-based work experience set by your education (for example 5 years with a high school diploma), a passed vision test, and at least 72% on each of three exams: Part A Fundamentals (150 questions, Prometric), Part B Practical (hands-on, 46 questions, AWS exam locations) and Part C Code Book (50-65 open-book questions, Prometric). Nine-year cycle with renewal at years 3 and 6.","bullets":["Three-part exam: A (Fundamentals, 150 questions) + B (Practical, 46 questions) + C (open-book Code, 50-65 questions)","Pass mark: minimum 72% on each part; Parts A and C at Prometric, Part B at AWS exam locations","Nine-year cycle: renewal at years 3 and 6, recertification at year 9"]},"updatedAt":"2026-10-18"}