AWS Welder Performance Qualifier
AWS Welder Performance Qualifier (WPQ1)
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The Welder Performance Qualifier (WPQ1) is one of four endorsements that the American Welding Society lists under its professional certifications and SCWI endorsements. AWS describes the Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) path as one where candidates complete four required endorsements - WPQ1, WPQ2, WCQA, and NDEC - to earn the SCWI credential, with the standalone SCWI exam retired and qualification now achieved step by step through endorsement achievements. The WPQ1 endorsement therefore sits inside a broader credential structure rather than standing alone: it addresses the qualification of welders through performance testing, and it is intended for experienced inspection and quality personnel who already hold a CWI credential and are working toward SCWI recognition. The other three endorsements cover welding procedure qualification (WPQ2), welding coordination and quality assurance (WCQA), and nondestructive examination coordination (NDEC), so candidates should expect overlap in subject matter across the set. AWS publishes an Exam and Reference Guide, a Seminar and Exam Schedule, a Program Price List, and a Certification Application Portal, and these are the authoritative places to confirm current exam content, scheduling, and fees. Preparation should combine the referenced AWS standards with the published exam guide, and candidates should plan their study order across all four endorsements rather than treating WPQ1 in isolation. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by AWS; always verify details against official AWS sources before applying.
What you'll study
About AWS Welder Performance Qualifier preparation
What exactly is the WPQ1 endorsement?
It is one of four endorsements AWS lists under CWI and SCWI endorsements, alongside WPQ2, WCQA, and NDEC. AWS states that completing these four required endorsements earns the SCWI credential. Treat WPQ1 as one component of that larger path rather than a standalone certification.
Do I still need to sit a standalone SCWI exam?
No. AWS states the standalone SCWI exam is retired and that candidates now qualify step by step through endorsement achievements. Plan your route as four endorsement milestones, not a single exam event. Confirm the current sequence and any prerequisites with AWS directly before you register.
How is the WPQ1 exam formatted and how long does it take?
The source material does not publish the item count, time limit, or question format for WPQ1. Rather than rely on secondhand figures, check the AWS Program Exam and Reference Guide and the Seminar and Exam Schedule, which AWS identifies as the authoritative sources for exam content and scheduling.
What score do I need to pass?
AWS does not state a passing score for WPQ1 in the material available here. Passing standards are normally defined in the program exam and reference guide. Request the current guide through the AWS Certification Application Portal or customer success before booking, and do not assume a figure from older study material.
How much does the endorsement cost?
Specific fees are not published in the source material reviewed. AWS maintains a Program Price List and directs candidates there for up-to-date pricing on all certifications. Consult that list, and note that costs may differ depending on location and any training you complete beforehand.
What happens if I fail - can I retake it?
The retake policy is not stated in the available AWS material, so no attempt limits or waiting periods can be confirmed here. Contact AWS customer success or review the certification credentials policy for the governing rules. Build your study plan assuming you want to pass first time.
How long is the endorsement valid, and how do I renew?
For the overall SCWI credential, AWS states renewal every 5 years and recertification every 10 years. Endorsement-level validity periods are not separately published in the material reviewed, so verify how renewal applies to individual endorsements through the AWS certification credentials policy.
How do I submit my application?
Beginning January 15, 2026, AWS no longer accepts paper applications for certifications or endorsements. All applications must be submitted online through the My AWS Portal. Create or log in to your account and follow the portal application submission instructions AWS publishes for guidance.
In what order should I study the four endorsements?
There is no published required order, but a practical sequence is WPQ1 and WPQ2 first, since welder and procedure qualification share underlying logic, then WCQA for quality systems, then NDEC for examination coordination. Adjust based on your daily work and which topics you already handle confidently.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Typical pitfalls include confusing welder qualification with procedure qualification, muddling essential and nonessential variables, and misapplying acceptance criteria to the wrong code. Because the four endorsements overlap, candidates also lose marks by studying each in isolation instead of mapping how the topics connect.