AWS Welding Procedure Qualifier
AWS Welding Procedure Qualifier (WPQ2) Endorsement
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Welding Procedure Qualifier (WPQ2) is one of four required endorsements that AWS lists toward earning the Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) credential. AWS states that the standalone SCWI exam is retired and that candidates now qualify step by step by completing WPQ1, WPQ2, WCQA, and NDEC. WPQ2 sits in the procedure side of that path: it addresses welding procedure qualification, welding coordination and quality assurance, nondestructive examination coordination, and welder performance qualification. Because AWS publishes WPQ2 as an endorsement rather than a standalone certification, it is aimed at experienced welding quality professionals, typically CWIs building toward SCWI, who already work with procedure qualification records, quality systems, and NDE oversight. AWS does not publish WPQ2-specific exam format, question count, duration, passing score, fee, or retake rules on the pages reviewed, so candidates should confirm those details through the AWS Certification Application Portal and the Program Price List before scheduling. Preparation should center on the governing AWS standards and codes relevant to each endorsement area, the certification program exam and reference guide, and the AWS education options, which AWS describes as available in in-person, virtual, and self-paced formats. AWS also notes that beginning January 15, 2026, applications for certifications and endorsements must be submitted online through the My AWS Portal rather than on paper.
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About AWS Welding Procedure Qualifier preparation
What exactly is the WPQ2 endorsement?
AWS lists Welding Procedure Qualifier (WPQ2) under CWI and SCWI endorsements. It is one of four required endorsements, alongside WPQ1, WCQA, and NDEC, that AWS says together earn the SCWI credential. AWS does not describe WPQ2 as a standalone certification on the pages reviewed.
Do I still need to sit the standalone SCWI exam?
No. AWS states that the standalone SCWI exam is retired and that candidates now qualify step by step through endorsement achievements, with the four required endorsements equaling SCWI qualification. Confirm your own status and any transition details with AWS before planning your application.
What topics should I study for WPQ2?
Build your study plan around the four endorsement areas AWS names: welding procedure qualification, welding coordination and QA, nondestructive examination coordination, and welder performance qualification. Work from the current editions of the applicable AWS standards and the AWS program exam and reference guide rather than older secondary material.
What is the exam format, length, and passing score?
AWS does not publish WPQ2-specific format, question count, time limit, or passing score on the pages reviewed. Those details are not stated here and should not be assumed. Check the AWS program exam and reference guide and the Certification Application Portal for the authoritative current requirements.
How much does the WPQ2 endorsement cost?
No WPQ2-specific fee appears in the source material reviewed. AWS directs candidates to the Program Price List for current pricing across certifications. Treat any figure you see elsewhere as unverified until you confirm it against that list or with AWS Customer Success.
Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?
The source material reviewed does not state a retake policy for WPQ2. AWS publishes a Certification Credentials Policy and a complaints and feedback process, which are the appropriate places to confirm retake eligibility, waiting periods, and fees. Ask AWS directly before assuming a retake window.
How long is the credential valid?
AWS ties renewal and recertification intervals to the SCWI path: renewal every 5 years and recertification every 10 years. Because WPQ2 is an endorsement feeding that credential, confirm how those cycles apply to your endorsements through the AWS Certification Credentials Policy.
How do I submit my application?
Beginning January 15, 2026, AWS will no longer accept 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 to complete the application digitally.
What is the most common way candidates lose time on this path?
Two avoidable ones stand out. First, submitting paper applications after the January 15, 2026 online-only cutoff. Second, studying from outdated code editions instead of the current AWS standards and the program exam and reference guide. Verify requirements through AWS before each application rather than relying on secondhand summaries.
Does earning WPQ2 make me an AWS-certified SCWI automatically?
AWS describes the four required endorsements as equaling SCWI qualification, but it does not state that any single endorsement confers SCWI on its own. Confirm completion requirements, application steps, and credential status with AWS before representing yourself as an SCWI.