American Welding Society (AWS)

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Credential: Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: American Welding Society (AWS)

Renewal Period: 3 years

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is a mid-level certification. The Certified Welding Inspector certification is more than a rewarding career. It involves great responsibility and remarkable skill demonstration. A thorough knowledge of the complete fabrication and welding process is a must. 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. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience with a high school diploma and pass a written examination.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 5 years
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Welding Society (AWS)

8669 NW 36 Street
# 130
Miami, FL  33166-6672

Phone: (800) 443-9353

Contact Page

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Candidates must be high school graduate or hold a state or military approved high school equivalency diploma and have a minimum of five years experience in an occupational function that has a direct relationship to welded assemblies fabricated to national or international standards.

Note: Education may be substituted for experience as follows:

  • Associate or higher degree in engineering technology, engineering, or a physical science - 2 years
  • Two or more years of engineering/technical school Courses - 2 years
  • One year of engineering/technical school courses or one or more years of vocational education and training in a welding curriculum - 1 year

Additional details related to minimum requirements can be obtained from Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors.

The Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential has the following other requirements:

Written Exam

Note: The examination is based on three parts: Part A - Fundamentals, Part B - Practical, and Part C - Code Application.


  • Fundamentals
      • Welding Processes
      • Heat Control/Metallurgy
      • Weld Examination
      • Weld Performance
      • Definitions/Terminology/Symbols
      • Test Methods
      • Reports/Records
      • Duties/Responsibilities
      • Safety
      • Destructive Tests
      • Cutting/Brazing/Soldering
  • Practical Applications
      • Procedure and Welder Qualifications
      • Mechanical Test and Properties
      • Welding Inspection and Flaws
      • NDE
      • Utilization of Specification and Drawings
  • Code Applications
      • Material and Design
      • Fabrication
      • Inspection
      • Qualification

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential has the following recertification information:

Candidates must meet the following requirements every 9 years to remain certified:

  • Take and pass the two-hour Part B Practical Exam.
  • Take and pass an endorsement exam on one of the following:
    • AWS D1.1 Structural Steel
    • AWS D1.2 Structural Aluminum
    • AWS D1.5 Bridges
    • AWS D15.1 Railroad
    • AWS D17.1 Aerospace
    • API 1104 Pipelines
    • ASME Section IX, B31.1 and B31.3 Boiler & Pressure Vessel
    • ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 & Section IX Boiler & Pressure Vessel
    • Structural Drawing Reading
  • Accumulate 80 contact hours (PDHs) of seminars, courses or online courses.
  • Complete the AWS 9-year recertification course.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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