AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) — Study Guide

Free, topic-by-topic study notes for the AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exam. Read a chapter, then practice it.

Part A: Fundamentals

Part A is the closed-book fundamentals exam and the largest portion of the CWI. It tests broad knowledge of welding processes, metallurgy, drawing interpretation, weld discontinuities, nondestructive examination, and safety. Mastering the vocabulary and core concepts here builds the foundation for the practical and code-application parts.

40%

Part B: Practical

Part B is the hands-on practical exam, where the candidate applies inspection tools and acceptance criteria to a set of weld replicas and specimens. It tests the disciplined use of gauges, accurate measurement of weld features and discontinuities, and correct accept/reject decisions against a specimen book. Success depends on method and consistency rather than memorized facts.

30%

Part C: Code Book Application

Part C is the open-book exam in which the candidate applies a specified welding code, such as a structural steel code, to answer questions. It tests the ability to navigate the document, locate the governing requirement, and apply acceptance criteria and procedure-qualification concepts correctly. The skill being measured is efficient, accurate use of the code rather than memorization.

30%

Practice by topic

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Part A: Fundamentals Part B: Practical Part C: Code Book Application