- Parts A and C are taken at Prometric computer-based testing centers (450+ locations nationwide); Part B is in-person at AWS seminar sites only.
- Applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks before your desired exam date - missing this window pushes you to the next cycle.
- The full exam fee is $1,070 for AWS members and $1,285 for non-members; joining AWS before applying can offset the difference.
- Each of the three parts must pass independently with a minimum 72% score - a strong Part A does not compensate for a weak Part C.
How CWI Testing Works: Two Different Systems
The AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam does not operate like a single unified test delivered in one room on one day. It is a three-part credential administered through two entirely separate delivery systems, and understanding the difference between them is the first step in choosing your exam location wisely.
Part A (Fundamentals) and Part C (Code Book) are both delivered as computer-based tests at Prometric testing centers. You schedule these independently at any Prometric location that has available seats. Part B (Practical Examination), on the other hand, is a hands-on inspection exercise conducted in person at AWS-authorized seminar locations on specific calendar dates. You cannot take Part B at a Prometric facility - the two systems are completely separate.
This two-system structure also means you need two separate location searches: the Prometric site locator for computer-based portions and the AWS Events calendar for Part B seminar sites. Both are covered in detail below.
Finding a Prometric Test Center for Parts A and C
Prometric operates more than 450 testing locations across the United States and has international centers as well, making it the most accessible piece of the CWI location puzzle. To find a center:
- Go to prometric.com and select "AWS" as the testing sponsor.
- Search by ZIP code or city to see available centers within your preferred radius.
- Check seat availability for your target date range - urban centers fill faster, so searching 8-10 weeks out is recommended.
- Note the center's specific ID and address; confirmation emails reference center ID codes rather than plain street addresses.
Because Parts A and C are separate appointments, you can take them on different days or even different weeks. Some candidates prefer to take Part C first if they have a strong code-book background, while others follow the A-B-C sequence. AWS does not require a specific order, but many experienced instructors recommend completing Part A first since its 150-question closed-book format covers the broadest range of foundational knowledge - welding processes, metallurgy, non-destructive testing methods, welding symbols, safety, and applied math.
Domain 1: Part A Fundamentals - What the Computer-Based Format Tests
Part A at Prometric consists of 150 closed-book questions across a 2-hour window. The breadth of topics is wider than most candidates anticipate.
- Welding processes and equipment (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, SAW, and others)
- Weld metallurgy: phase diagrams, heat-affected zones, preheat and interpass temperatures
- Non-destructive testing methods: VT, MT, PT, RT, UT - principles and limitations
- Welding symbols per AWS A2.4 standard
- Safety regulations including fumes, electrical hazards, and PPE requirements
- Applied mathematics: geometry, unit conversions, and basic trigonometry relevant to inspection
Domain 3: Part C Code Book - Open-Book at Prometric, But Navigation Is Everything
Part C is also delivered at Prometric as a computer-based, open-book exam with 50-65 questions over 2 hours. Candidates bring their own physical code book - no digital versions are permitted at the testing center.
- Most common code choices: AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code - Steel), API 1104 (Pipeline Welding), and ASME Section IX (Pressure Vessels and Boilers)
- You must tab, flag, and annotate your code book before exam day - centers do not provide reference materials
- Questions test code interpretation, not memorization: scenario-based queries about acceptance criteria, procedure qualification, and welder qualification
- Time pressure is real: 50-65 questions in 120 minutes with a physical book means roughly 1.5-2 minutes per question including page-flipping
If you are still deciding which code book to bring to Prometric on exam day, the CWI Code Book Selection Guide: D1.1 vs API 1104 vs ASME IX walks through the structural differences, typical industry alignment, and which code tends to be most approachable for first-time candidates.
Where Part B Is Administered
Part B is the hands-on practical examination and the portion that most restricts your scheduling flexibility. AWS administers Part B at specific seminar locations on fixed dates throughout the year. These locations change from cycle to cycle, and seats are limited.
Typical Part B host cities include major industrial hubs: Houston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, and others with large welding industry footprints. However, AWS also holds seminars in smaller regional cities, particularly when demand warrants it. The AWS website's "Events and Education" section maintains the current calendar.
Domain 2: Part B Practical - What the In-Person Format Actually Involves
Part B comprises 46 questions answered across a 2-hour hands-on session using physical weld replicas and standard inspection tools. This is not a written test about inspection - it is actual inspection work performed under timed conditions.
- Visual inspection of actual or simulated weld specimens for defects: porosity, undercut, overlap, cracks, incomplete fusion
- Use of weld gauges including Fillet Weld Gauge, Hi-Lo gauge, and bridge cam gauge - candidates must bring their own
- Measurement and accept/reject determinations referenced to a provided code or standard
- Identifying weld discontinuities by type and location, not just presence
- NDT interpretation exercises may be included depending on the exam cycle
Because Part B seats at desirable locations sell out months in advance, most experienced CWI coaches recommend this sequence: identify two or three Part B seminar locations you can reach, note their dates, then work backward to schedule your Prometric appointments for Parts A and C in the weeks prior. This approach ensures you are not left scrambling for a distant Part B location after you have already committed to a Prometric date for Part A.
Registration Timeline and Fee Breakdown
AWS requires that applications be submitted a minimum of 6 weeks before your desired exam date. This deadline is not flexible - late applications are deferred to the next available cycle. Given that popular Part B seminar slots fill well before that 6-week cutoff, the practical lead time for planning is closer to 3-4 months.
| Fee Item | AWS Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Full CWI Exam (Parts A, B, C) | $1,070 | $1,285 |
| Savings with AWS Membership | $215 difference - compare to annual AWS membership cost | |
| First Retake (one failed part) | No additional training required; retake fee applies | |
| Subsequent Retakes | 16-40 hours of AWS-approved training required before retesting | |
| Application Deadline | Minimum 6 weeks before exam date | |
The retake policy deserves careful attention. You get one free attempt at a failed part without any additional training requirement. If you fail the same part a second time, you must complete between 16 and 40 hours of AWS-approved training before you are eligible to test again. This makes first-attempt preparation extremely cost-effective compared to the time and money required to restart after multiple failures - which helps explain why the first-attempt pass rate sits at approximately 25-30%.
Key Takeaway
The gap between AWS member and non-member exam fees is $215. If annual AWS membership costs less than that - which it often does for individual members - joining before you apply pays for itself immediately on exam registration alone, before accounting for any member discounts on study materials or seminars.
What to Expect at Each Testing Location
At the Prometric Center (Parts A and C)
Prometric centers follow standardized security protocols. Expect to present a government-issued photo ID, submit to a biometric palm scan or fingerprint check, and surrender personal items to a locker before entering the testing room. You will receive scratch paper or a whiteboard for calculations. No personal notes, no code books (for Part A), and no electronic devices are permitted in the testing room.
For Part C specifically, you will carry your annotated code book through the security checkpoint. Centers may inspect it to ensure you have not inserted loose papers or prohibited materials between pages. Sticky notes, tabs, and handwritten annotations in the margins are generally permitted - but confirm current AWS policy when you register, as rules can be updated.
Computer-based delivery means you can flag questions and return to them before submitting. Use this feature on Part C: if a code lookup is taking too long, flag the question, move forward, and return when time permits.
At the AWS Seminar Location (Part B)
Part B seminar venues are typically hotel conference facilities or AWS training centers. Check-in usually occurs the morning of the exam; the session runs approximately 2 hours. Workstations are set up with weld specimens and any code references AWS chooses to provide for that session. Your personal inspection tools should be clean, calibrated, and ready to use immediately - there is no warm-up period.
Dress practically. You may be handling metal specimens, and the room can be crowded. Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and lean over inspection surfaces is more useful than formal attire.
Planning Your Prep Around the Exam Format
Once you have locked in your exam locations and dates, back-planning your preparation by domain is the most efficient approach. The three parts test genuinely different cognitive skills: Part A tests recall and comprehension across a broad knowledge base, Part B tests physical inspection judgment under time pressure, and Part C tests code navigation speed and interpretation accuracy.
Part A Fundamentals: Build the Knowledge Base
- Work through welding processes systematically - group them by heat source and electrode type
- Focus on metallurgy concepts: HAZ behavior, preheat calculations, cooling rate effects
- Drill NDT principles daily using timed practice questions at CWI Exam Prep practice tests
- Master AWS A2.4 welding symbol interpretation - symbol questions appear consistently on Part A
Part C Code Navigation: Speed and Accuracy Together
- Tab your code book by major section: qualification, fabrication, inspection, acceptance criteria
- Practice timed code lookups - set a 90-second limit per question to simulate real exam pressure
- Review your chosen code's table of contents until you can identify the right section from a question stem alone
- Use domain-specific practice questions to benchmark your code interpretation accuracy before finalizing tabs
Part B Practical: Hands-On Repetition
- Practice with your actual gauges on real welds or training specimens - not photos
- Time yourself: 46 questions in 120 minutes means under 3 minutes per question including physical measurement
- Review visual inspection acceptance criteria from your chosen code until accept/reject decisions feel automatic
- If attending an AWS prep seminar, this is when it pays off most - instructors can correct grip and technique errors that self-study cannot catch
The industries that rely on CWIs - construction, oil and gas pipeline, aerospace, and manufacturing - all demand that certified inspectors apply these skills in real-world conditions with genuine consequences. Employers in these sectors treat the CWI credential as a minimum threshold, not a bonus qualification. That context is worth keeping in mind when exam preparation starts to feel like an abstract academic exercise.
For a deeper look at coordinating your code book choice with your career sector and exam strategy, the CWI Code Book Selection Guide: D1.1 vs API 1104 vs ASME IX covers the decision from multiple angles, including which industries expect fluency in which code.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Parts A and C are computer-based tests available at any Prometric center, but Part B is a hands-on practical exam administered only at AWS-designated seminar locations on specific dates. You must schedule Part B through the AWS Events calendar separately from your Prometric appointments for Parts A and C.
AWS requires applications at least 6 weeks before your desired exam date. However, Part B seminar seats at popular locations often fill well before that deadline. Most candidates should begin the registration process 3-4 months out to secure their preferred Part B location and date, then schedule Prometric appointments for Parts A and C accordingly.
Each part must reach a minimum score of 72% independently. If you pass two parts and fail one, you only need to retake the failed part - you do not repeat the entire exam. Your first retake of any single failed part does not require additional training. A second failure of the same part requires 16-40 hours of AWS-approved training before you can test again.
Yes. Prometric operates testing centers internationally, and AWS does allow candidates outside the United States to test at international Prometric locations for the computer-based portions. Part B seminar availability outside the U.S. is more limited; check the AWS Events calendar for current international offerings, which vary by year and demand.
Yes, and you must. Prometric centers do not supply code books for Part C. You are required to bring your own physical copy of your chosen code - AWS D1.1, API 1104, ASME Section IX, or another AWS-approved code. The book may contain your own tabs and handwritten annotations, but it cannot contain loose inserted papers. Verify current AWS guidelines when you register, as annotation rules can be updated between exam cycles.