Prepare for the American Welding Society Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) credential using the three-part CWI exam content. Understand CAWI’s own eligibility and passing requirements, practise applying a supplied criterion, and plan around its nonrenewable three-year limit.
Who can apply for CAWI?
CAWI requires documented education and qualifying welding-based work experience, plus the required visual-acuity documentation. The table summarizes the education and experience routes.
Use AWS B5.1:2025 and the current application instructions to check which route and supporting documents apply to you. Completing a course does not automatically satisfy a work-experience requirement.
| Education level | Qualifying work experience required |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or approved equivalency (GED) | 2 years |
| At least 8th grade education | 4 years |
| Less than 8th grade education | 6 years |
| 8th grade plus 1 year of vocational welding training | 3 years |
| 2 years of post-secondary education in welding, engineering technology, engineering, or physical sciences | 6 months |
Official sources: Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) Program | American Welding Society — AWS CAWI program page; AWS B5.1:2025 — Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors — Clauses 6-8; AWS QC1:2016-AMD1 — Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors — Clauses 3, 4.4, 7, 14, 15
What should you expect in Parts A, B and C?
CAWI requires at least 60% on each of Parts A, B and C. The exam structure and content are shared with CWI, whose passing requirement is at least 72% on each part.
Take Part B before Parts A and C. Part B is a practical inspection examination using supplied specimens and documents; you do not produce a live weld. Confirm the selected Part C form and its timing when you book.
| Part | Format and questions | Question time |
|---|---|---|
| A: Fundamentals | Closed-book computer test at Prometric; 165 total, including 150 scored and 15 unscored pretest items | 135 minutes |
| B: Practical | Paper examination at an AWS-authorized site using supplied inspection materials; 46 questions | 120 minutes |
| C: Codebook | Open-book computer test at Prometric; 50–60 scored, with 55–65 total on English forms containing pretest items | 135 minutes with pretest items; 120 without |
Official sources: CWI Examination User Guide (September 2026) — AWS Examination User Guide for CWI, 09.04.2026; CWI Part A Fundamentals Exam Info (including language-assisted forms) — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part B Practical Exam Info Guide — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part C Codebook Exam Info — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 02.11.2025; AWS QC1:2016-AMD1 — Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors — Clauses 3, 4.4, 7, 14, 15
What should you practise for each part?
Build a separate task list for fundamentals, practical inspection and code application. Use the current official content guides to check coverage.
The table summarizes the tested areas and suggests study tasks. NDE means nondestructive examination. Review the methods and their limitations using appropriate technical references; the study tasks do not replace the full content guides.
| Part | Areas to review | A useful study task |
|---|---|---|
| A | Terminology; welding and cutting processes; symbols; weld examination; welding application and control; NDE; heat control and metallurgy; calculations; inspector duties; destructive tests; safety | Explain a concept, interpret a symbol or work a calculation, then check the reasoning against an appropriate reference. |
| B | Inspection and discontinuity evaluation; procedure and welder qualification; mechanical tests and properties; NDE; specifications and drawings | Use the supplied practice specification and exhibits to identify the applicable criterion, units, evidence and decision. |
| C | Qualification; fabrication; inspection; reports and records; materials and design | Locate an applicable requirement and its exceptions in the approved reference for your chosen exam, then explain its application. |
Official sources: CWI Part A Fundamentals Exam Info (including language-assisted forms) — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part B Practical Exam Info Guide — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part C Codebook Exam Info — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 02.11.2025
Which study materials and codebook do you need?
Match materials to the exam part: fundamentals references for A, the public sample Book of Specifications for B, and the approved reference and edition for your selected Part C exam.
The Part A guide points to informative references for self-education rather than prescribing one study book. For Part B, practise with the public sample Book of Specifications and read the exam content guide. The exam provides its inspection materials, including exhibits, plastic replicas and an inspection tool kit.
Before buying a Part C reference, check the current Exam References and Editions Guide. For example, its D1.1 entry permits the 2020 or 2025 edition. Do not assume the newest edition of every other code is the one specified for your exam.
Some Part C exams provide an on-screen PDF and prohibit printed codebooks. Where paper is permitted, use an original publication or permanently bound printed copy with securely attached pages and bound errata. Check your selected exam’s rules and practise navigating the reference format it uses.
Official sources: CWI Examination User Guide (September 2026) — AWS Examination User Guide for CWI, 09.04.2026; CWI Part A Fundamentals Exam Info (including language-assisted forms) — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part B Practical Exam Info Guide — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part C Codebook Exam Info — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 02.11.2025; AWS Exam References and Editions Guide — Last updated August 1, 2025
Practise a measurement decision
Read both bounds and the word inclusive before comparing the supplied value. Record the result against the criterion you checked.
This original exercise uses a fictional training rule and exact supplied values. Its result addresses only that rule, not overall weld acceptance.
Worked exercise
A fictional paper worksheet supplies criterion T-7: bead height must be from 5.5 mm through 6.5 mm, inclusive. Treat these supplied measurements as exact: A = 5.4 mm, B = 6.0 mm and C = 6.5 mm. Decide whether each meets T-7, and state how you would record the result.
Show answer
Specimen A fails: 5.4 mm is below the 5.5 mm minimum. Specimen B passes: 6.0 mm falls inside the range. Specimen C passes: the word 'inclusive' makes the 6.5 mm boundary acceptable. Record each measurement with its units, name the criterion applied, note the accept or reject decision, and note that meeting T-7 alone does not release the weld — other applicable criteria must still be evaluated.
A is below the minimum, B is within the range and C equals the permitted upper boundary. Inclusive means the endpoints count. Record the measurement with units, T-7 and the comparison result. This is interpretation practice using an invented criterion, not an actual AWS or code limit. Meeting one criterion does not establish complete weld acceptance.
Official sources: CWI Part B Practical Exam Info Guide — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024
How can you turn practice errors into a study plan?
Record the specific reason for each missed or guessed answer, then choose a short follow-up task that addresses it.
- Concept gap: revisit the relevant Part A topic and explain it in your own words.
- Reference gap: practise finding the applicable provision and exceptions in the correct Part B or C document.
- Calculation or interpretation gap: write the units, limits and comparison before deciding whether a supplied value meets the stated criterion.
- Timing gap: repeat a short set under timed conditions after you understand the answers.
- Coverage gap: compare your error log with all three content guides; repeated practice in one familiar area does not cover the other parts.
Official sources: CWI Part A Fundamentals Exam Info (including language-assisted forms) — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part B Practical Exam Info Guide — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 03.01.2024; CWI Part C Codebook Exam Info — AWS Certification Dept., Rev. 02.11.2025
What should you check before booking?
Candidates in the US and Canada apply through AWS; candidates outside that area apply through an AWS Agent. Confirm the current route, required documents and total fee for your location.
Take Part B before Parts A and C. Use the confirmation letter and eligibility codes for the computer-based appointments, and check the current instructions for identification, arrival and permitted equipment.
Official sources: Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) Program | American Welding Society — AWS CAWI program page; CWI Examination User Guide (September 2026) — AWS Examination User Guide for CWI, 09.04.2026
What happens after CAWI certification?
A CAWI performs inspections under the active supervision of a CWI or SCWI. The credential lasts for up to three years and is not renewable.
AWS QC1 assigns final acceptance to the supervising CWI or SCWI. CAWI certification does not independently authorize final acceptance.
Upgrading to CWI requires the applicable CWI experience and other eligibility requirements, at least 72% on each exam part, and an upgrade application. It is not an automatic change when three years have elapsed. Track your experience and current AWS upgrade instructions early.
Official sources: Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) Program | American Welding Society — AWS CAWI program page; AWS B5.1:2025 — Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors — Clauses 6-8; AWS QC1:2016-AMD1 — Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors — Clauses 3, 4.4, 7, 14, 15
Official sources
Facts checked against official AWS documents:
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) Program | American Welding Society
- CWI Examination User Guide (September 2026)
- CWI Part A Fundamentals Exam Info (including language-assisted forms)
- CWI Part B Practical Exam Info Guide
- CWI Part C Codebook Exam Info
- AWS B5.1:2025 — Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors
- AWS Exam References and Editions Guide
- AWS QC1:2016-AMD1 — Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors