How hard is the AWS CWI test?
The test is just flat out hard and covers a lot of material. Think about how long the test is. The exam is made up of 3 parts – A, B, and C – and each part has a 2 hour time limit. You could spend up to 6 hours taking the exam.
How much does a CWI certification cost?

As of 2020, the CWI exam costs $1070 for AWS members and $1325 for non-members. Once you’ve been certified, however, your CWI certification is valid for 3 years. After 3 years, you’ll need to renew the certification, which costs between $525 and $1090.
How many AWS CWI are there?
There are over 97,000 Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs). Each of them has demonstrated expertise by passing a comprehensive exam that covers welding fundamentals, hands-on application, and codebook knowledge.
How do I become AWS CWI?
The path to becoming a certified welding inspector follows several steps.

- Send in your certified welding inspector application form.
- Choose your exam site.
- Fulfill education and work experience requirements.
- Complete welding inspector training.
- Pass the AWS certified welding inspector exam and a vision test.
How many people pass CWI?
30-40%
Yet, estimates say that only 30-40% of people who write the CWI exam pass the test on the first attempt. And because the exam costs $1065 in 2018, you want to pass this exam to avoid paying this hefty fee again. Read on to learn how to pass the CWI exam the first time, and how to prepare if you need to retake it.
Is the CWI test open book?
Part C of the CWI exam is an open-book test that establishes the participant’s ability to locate and understand information in a code book.
Is being a CWI worth it?
A CWI is one of the best paid welding careers available. Depending on where you work, as a CWI you can expect to make around $35 per hour or higher. In fact, Morris said CWIs who are willing to move around the country and work as contractors can expect to find pay at rates as high as $75 per hour.
Can a AWS CWI certify welders?
The certification of a welder must be performed by at CWI at an AWS accredited test facility (ATF).
Is the CWI pre seminar worth it?
After distilling everyone’s opinions and concerns, we ended up with two main takeaways: The Pre-Seminar is very helpful, but including content on additional topics and areas of study would be greatly beneficial. Certain portions of content are disseminated in excess detail or in a redundant manner.
Is it worth being a CWI?
Is CWI a good career?
The Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) profession is among the most stable, lucrative, and steadily growing trade careers in the country. By all indications, welding (including CWIs) is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States.
Can a CWI inspect his own welds?
As an AWS CWI, you must adhere to all applicable sections of the QC1 standard, and the Code of Ethics applies to all. Do not inspect your own work.
How many times can you take the CWI exam?
A maximum of three (3) retests are permitted in the three-year period from your initial exam date. If you took the CWI Part B exam or an endorsement exam for 9-Year Recertification and failed the 72% minimum, you are permitted to retest only the same exam under the rules noted in the previous paragraph.
Why choose our AWS CWI online courses?
Don’t waste your time and money learning material that won’t be covered on the exam. No need to miss work and travel for conventional classroom training. Our online courses include all the critical AWS CWI study materials in an easy to use and effective format designed to get you a passing grade on your first try.
What is the pass rate for AWS CWI exam?
The AWS CWI exam pass rate falls between 25 to 30 percent for the first attempt. This is due mostly to a lack of adequate preparation. Our goal is to increase the pass rate of our students to 100%.
What is the structure of the online CWI seminar?
The structure of the online seminar is similar to the traditional in-person CWI seminar, but is conducted in the form of interactive, two-hour online sessions hosted by an AWS instructor. Note: Due to the unique nature of the 8-Week Online CWI Seminar, it is only available to students within the United States at this time.
What is the CWI credential?
The CWI credential can serve as the foundation on which welding industry professionals can build lucrative and rewarding careers.