CWI Refresher: How I Passed the AWS Certified Welding Inspector Exams
So, You Want to Be a CWI?
If you’re thinking about taking the AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam, let me tell you—this isn’t some weekend certification. It’s one of the hardest exams in the welding industry for a reason. It separates those who talk welding from those who live it, breathe it, and can back it up with real knowledge.
I just passed mine. It’s fresh. The stress, the late nights, the quizzes, the metal replicas—I remember it all.
If you're serious about becoming a CWI, here’s everything I wish someone had told me. No fluff. Just the tools that helped me pass and can help you too.
First Things First: Take the Right Prep Course
Don't walk into this exam without a course. I know some folks think they can self-study their way through it, and maybe a few can—but most people can't. There’s just too much material, and the way AWS structures this exam is tricky by design.
There are courses all across the country, but the one I took—and recommend to anyone—is through Madskills Certified Welding Services, led by Caity Brown. She’s the real deal. Caity doesn’t just help you pass the exam—she teaches you how to think like a welding inspector. That’s a big difference.
If I can stress anything right away, it’s this:
Don’t just aim to pass. Aim to be ready. Caity will get you there—if you put in the work.
Spotlight: The Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) Credential
Before I ever sat for the CWI exam, I took the Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) course at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. And I’ll say this as clearly as I can:
I am a big fan of this credential. The CWS program is not just useful—it builds the foundation for everything the CWI requires and more.
The CWS focuses on:
Welding fundamentals
Welding economics
Welding science and practices
If you’re someone responsible for weld quality, shop productivity, or WPS implementation, CWS is made for you. But even if you’re planning to pursue the CWI, the CWS prepares your brain for how AWS thinks, tests, and applies welding theory.
CWS Exam Breakdown:
Part A – Welding Fundamentals
150 multiple choice questions, open book, taken at a Prometric centerPart B – Welding Practices & Economics
30 multiple choice questions, open book, also taken at Prometric
The structure of the test is similar to the CWI format, which helps you become familiar with how AWS frames questions and how the standards interconnect.
It also forces you to look at welding from a cost-efficiency and process optimization standpoint—not just compliance. That’s something every welding leader should understand.
If you’re on the fence about it, don’t be. The CWS made me a better inspector, a better supervisor, and gave me tools I use every day. It’s absolutely worth it.
Do the Homework. No Exceptions.
During your CWI prep course, you’ll get assigned reading, quizzes, and practice tests. You may be tempted to skip around, especially if you’ve been welding for years and feel confident—but don’t. I treated every quiz and every worksheet like the real deal. That’s what built my muscle memory.
Madskills offers downloadable practice exams on their website—Part A fundamentals, Part C code questions (AWS D1.1 and API 1104), and even mock exams for the dreaded Part B. Get your hands on them. Then do them again. Repetition is everything.
CWI Part A – The Fundamentals
Part A is your closed-book, general knowledge exam—taken at a Prometric testing center.
Format: 150 multiple choice questions | Time limit: 2 hours 45 minutes
Topics include welding processes, metallurgy, symbols, safety, NDE, discontinuities, and more. It’s heavy—but manageable if you prepare correctly.
Even if you’ve been in the trade for years, don’t assume you know it all. This test is about details and nuance. You’ll get trick questions, vague wording, and answers that all seem right at first glance.
Tip:
If you don’t know the answer, don’t stall out. Mark it, move on, and circle back. Use every second of the time you’re given.
CWI Part B – The Big Bad Wolf?
This is the section people fear the most—but I’ll tell you the truth: Part B IS beatable if you stay methodical.
This is your hands-on inspection section. You’ll be given physical weld replicas, visual inspection tools, calipers, and a fake codebook designed specifically for the exam.
Format: 46 multiple choice questions | Paper Scantron format
What helped me pass:
Write every measurement down. Don’t assume you’ll remember.
Measure everything twice. Pretend you’re submitting a real inspection report.
Use all your time. Even if you finish early, go back. I found mistakes I would’ve missed.
Also—know your NDE methods. They show up in Part A and Part B. Don't overlook them.
CWI Part C – Codebook Navigation
This is your open-book exam where you’ll use a real codebook (typically AWS D1.1 or API 1104). You take this at a Prometric center just like Part A.
Format: 50–65 multiple choice questions | Time limit: 2 hours
You’re not expected to memorize the code—you’re expected to navigate it quickly and accurately.
Strategy:
Tab your codebook smartly. Follow the KISS method (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Too many tabs = slower search time.
Check out Jason Becker’s Arc Junkies Instagram reel—excellent walkthrough.Understand the structure. Know which clause handles qualifications, inspection criteria, etc.
Read every question slowly. Words like “shall,” “should,” and “may” are not interchangeable.
Pick the best answer, not just a correct one. AWS wants you to think like an inspector.
Final Advice: This Is Earned, Not Given
This exam is meant to challenge you—so let it. It’ll make you better. But only if you take it seriously.
What got me through was:
Completing the CWS first—it gave me a head start on the technical content
Taking a full-length CWI prep course (7+ days)
Doing every piece of homework
Practicing with real and mock exams
Studying the codebook structure and layout
Staying humble, focused, and consistent
The CWI credential is a tool—and a responsibility. It’s not a trophy for your wall. It means you're trusted to ensure welding quality, safety, and compliance wherever you go.
Got questions about the CWI or CWS path? Want help finding a course? Reach out. That’s what WeldLytics is here for.