CWI study guide
CWI · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is one of the welding industry's most recognized professional credentials, issued by the American Welding Society to individuals who can demonstrate a working command of welding processes and of the standards that govern them. A CWI determines whether a weldment meets acceptance criteria, handles qualification records, oversees non-destructive testing, and confirms that proper materials are available during testing, which places the inspector at the center of fabrication quality control. The credential suits experienced welders, quality and fabrication personnel, and engineering or supervisory staff moving into inspection work. Candidates must document qualifying welding experience; those still short of that requirement can begin with the Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) credential. Topics on this exam: Welding Fundamentals and Processes (Part A), Practical Inspection and Nondestructive Examination (Part B), and Codes, Standards, and Acceptance Criteria (Part C). The CWI study guide has 3 sections and about 1,153 words.
01Welding Fundamentals and Processes (Part A)
SMAW (stick): covered electrode, slag shielding, wide alloy range, low deposition rate, tolerant of wind. FCAW: continuous tubular wire with a flux core; self-shielded (no external gas) versus gas-shielded (usually CO2).
385 words, about 2 min02Practical Inspection and Nondestructive Examination (Part B)
Visual inspection (VT) applies to essentially every weld and happens in three stages: before welding (joint preparation, fit-up, cleanliness, consumable condition), during welding (root condition, interpass cleaning, preheat/interpass checks), and after welding (final size, profile, and surface discontinuities). Typical tools: fillet weld gauge, undercut gauge, V-WAC-type gauge, taper gauge, magnifier, flashlight, mirror, borescope, tape, and straightedge.
369 words, about 2 min03Codes, Standards, and Acceptance Criteria (Part C)
Read the hierarchy before answering. Contract documents (drawings and specifications) normally govern where they conflict with the code, and the code governs where it conflicts with a referenced standard; always confirm the precedence clause in the edition you are testing against.
399 words, about 2 min