American Welding Society (AWS)

Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)

Credential: Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: American Welding Society (AWS)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American Welding Society (AWS), Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) certification is an advanced-level welding credential. CWSs work in every industry that uses welding as a core process in the manufacture, construction, or fabrication of their products. CWSs must know which factors influence welding quality; how to oversee welders to ensure higher-quality work; and the complementary factors that help maximize productivity.

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

Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 3 years
  • Education: High School Diploma/GED
  • 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 for the CWS are required to have a high school diploma or hold a state or military approved high school equivalency diploma.

Option 1:

Candidates for the CWS are required to have a minimum of three (3) years of practical welding experience in a fabrication, construction, or welding-related industry.

Option 2:

As an alternative to the 3-year minimum experience requirement, candidates may demonstrate three years of relevant teaching experience which may be substituted for one year of practical experience (candidate must submit proper documentation, e.g., photocopied summaries of subjects taught, teaching certificates, and letters of reference). Relevant experience shall be considered on the following basis:

  1. Teaching full-time (or teaching part-time at a fulltime equivalence) in a trade, technical school, college, or university, the occupational skill of welding or subjects relating to welding, its application, control, materials, and processes; or
  2. Employment in the manufacturing industry in a position for which the teaching of welding skills and the application of theory, control, materials, and process is a responsibility.

Written Exam

  • Knowledge of Welding Supervision (5%)
  • Understanding of Drawings and Specifications (10%)
  • Knowledge of Base Material and Welding Materials (5%)
  • Familiarity with Welding, Brazing, Cutting Equipment, Theory and Application (5%)
  • Knowledge of Safety Requirements (10%)
  • Welding Instructions (10%)
  • Knowledge of Welding Practices and Production Controls (10%)
  • Welding Inspection (5%)
  • Work Reports and Records (5%)
  • Understanding the General Applications of Welding Standards (5%)
  • Productivity and Performance (30%)

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) credential has the following recertification information:

  • Certification holders must recertify every three (3) years. Prior to the end of three years, certification holders shall renew the certification if they wish to maintain their CWS credentials. Renewal requires written documentation to support evidence of continued activity in the occupational position of welding supervisor.

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
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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