- How CWI Retakes Work Under AWS Rules
- Which Parts You Must Retake - And Which You Don't
- Retake Costs and Fee Breakdown
- Training Requirements Before Your Next Attempt
- What Failed Candidates Miss in Each Domain
- Registration Timeline and Application Deadlines
- Building a Domain-Specific Prep Plan for Your Retake
- Frequently Asked Questions
- AWS requires only a first retake with no additional training; subsequent retakes mandate 16-40 hours of formal welding inspection training.
- You only retake the part(s) you failed - passing scores on individual parts carry forward under AWS rules.
- Retake exam fees follow the same structure: $1,070 for AWS members and $1,285 for non-members, per attempt.
- The minimum passing score on every part is 72%, applied independently - a 90% on Part A does not offset a 70% on Part C.
How CWI Retakes Work Under AWS Rules
Failing any portion of the Certified Welding Inspector exam is more common than most candidates expect. With a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 25-30%, the majority of test-takers face at least one retake. The American Welding Society has a structured retake policy that balances accessibility with a commitment to ensuring that CWIs genuinely meet the technical standard the credential demands.
The core principle is straightforward: you retake only the part or parts you failed. If you passed Part A (Fundamentals) but failed Part C (Code Book), you schedule and pay for Part C only. AWS tracks your passing scores and holds them on file, meaning you are not penalized for strong performance in one domain simply because another domain was challenging.
What changes significantly is what happens after your first retake. For your initial retake attempt, AWS permits you to schedule without any additional prerequisite training - your original eligibility documentation remains on file and valid. However, if you fail on your second attempt (meaning this would be your third overall sitting of a given part), AWS requires documented completion of formal training before you can apply again. That training requirement ranges from 16 to 40 hours depending on the circumstances, and it must be from an AWS-recognized provider.
Which Parts You Must Retake - And Which You Don't
Understanding AWS's three-part exam structure is essential before you register for a retake. The CWI exam consists of three fully independent sections:
Domain 1: Part A - Fundamentals (150 Questions, Closed-Book)
Administered via computer-based testing at any Prometric location. Covers welding processes, metallurgy, nondestructive testing methods, welding symbols, safety, and applied mathematics. This is a 2-hour, closed-book exam with 150 multiple-choice questions.
- Minimum score required: 72% (at least 108 correct out of 150)
- Retake location: Any of 450+ Prometric centers nationwide
- Most commonly failed part due to breadth of technical topics
Domain 2: Part B - Practical Inspection (46 Questions, Hands-On)
Administered in person at AWS seminar locations only. Candidates use actual inspection tools - fillet weld gauges, hi-lo gauges, rulers - to evaluate physical weld replicas and answer 46 questions in 2 hours.
- Minimum score required: 72% (at least 34 correct out of 46)
- Cannot be taken at Prometric - requires travel to an AWS seminar site
- Retake scheduling is constrained by AWS seminar calendar availability
Domain 3: Part C - Code Book (50-65 Questions, Open-Book)
Administered via computer-based testing at Prometric. Candidates bring their own pre-tabbed copy of a single welding code - typically AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code, API 1104 for pipeline work, or ASME Section IX for pressure vessels. Open-book, 2 hours.
- Minimum score required: 72% on whichever code section you selected
- Retake can use a different code if you choose, but must be declared at registration
- Speed through the code book is as critical as understanding - slow navigation is a primary failure cause
If you failed only Part B, note that your retake scheduling will be fundamentally different from failing Part A or C. Part B retakes depend entirely on when AWS schedules its next seminar in a location you can reach, which can add weeks or even months to your timeline. Factor this into your planning the moment you receive your score report.
Retake Costs and Fee Breakdown
The CWI exam retake does not come at a discounted rate. AWS charges the same fee structure regardless of whether you are sitting for all three parts or just one. For 2026, the fees remain:
| Candidate Type | Full Exam Fee | Retake Fee (per attempt) | AWS Membership Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Member | $1,070 | $1,070 | $215 vs. non-member |
| Non-Member | $1,285 | $1,285 | - |
| Required Training (if applicable) | N/A | Varies by provider | Not included in exam fee |
There is no partial refund structure for failing one or two parts. If you paid the full $1,070 or $1,285 and passed two out of three parts, you will pay the full fee again for your retake sitting. This makes the financial case for thorough preparation before each attempt extremely compelling - and it underscores why candidates who fail should treat their score report as a diagnostic tool rather than a discouragement.
Key Takeaway
If you are not yet an AWS member, joining before scheduling your retake is worth calculating. The $215 difference in exam fees often exceeds the cost of AWS membership itself, making it one of the most concrete financial decisions a retaking candidate can make before submitting an application.
Training Requirements Before Your Next Attempt
AWS distinguishes clearly between a first retake and subsequent retakes. Here is what each scenario requires:
First Retake: No additional training required. Your original prerequisite documentation - the education and experience combination you submitted with your initial application - remains valid. You simply apply, pay the fee, and schedule. Review the CWI Exam Prerequisites: Education and Experience Requirements if you have any question about whether your original documentation is still current or whether your situation has changed since your first application.
Second Retake and Beyond: AWS requires documentation of 16 to 40 hours of welding inspection training from a recognized provider before your application will be accepted. The specific hour requirement depends on the part(s) being retaken and the provider's course structure. These courses are typically offered through AWS, community colleges, or approved industry training organizations. The cost of this training is separate from and in addition to the exam fee.
The training requirement exists for a good reason. The CWI credential is globally recognized across construction, oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing. Employers in pipeline inspection, structural steel fabrication, and pressure vessel production hire CWIs specifically because the credential signals a verified level of competence. The training requirement helps ensure that repeated retakers are genuinely improving their technical knowledge rather than simply re-sitting the exam hoping for a different outcome.
What Failed Candidates Miss in Each Domain
AWS score reports identify performance by domain area, which means you have specific diagnostic information to work with. Here is where retaking candidates most commonly fall short in each part:
Part A: Fundamentals Gaps
Part A's 150-question closed-book format tests breadth across welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW, GTAW), metallurgy concepts like heat-affected zones and preheat requirements, nondestructive testing methods (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT), welding symbol interpretation per AWS A2.4, and practical math including heat input calculations. Candidates who fail Part A typically struggle with metallurgy terminology and NDT method selection - two areas that are heavily tested and require genuine comprehension rather than memorization. Using a CWI practice test platform that mirrors the closed-book format of Part A is essential for identifying specific knowledge gaps before your retake.
Part B: Practical Inspection Errors
Part B failures almost always come down to tool proficiency and time management, not conceptual knowledge. Candidates who cannot quickly and accurately read a fillet weld gauge or identify a specific discontinuity on a weld replica under timed conditions will struggle regardless of how well they know the underlying theory. If you failed Part B, your retake preparation must include hands-on practice with actual inspection tools - not just reviewing diagrams or watching videos.
Part C: Code Navigation Speed
The open-book format of Part C is deceptive. Candidates who have not thoroughly tabbed and indexed their code book before exam day routinely run out of time. AWS D1.1 alone contains hundreds of pages of tables, figures, and annexes. Failing candidates typically lose points not because they don't understand the code, but because they cannot locate the relevant clause, table, or figure quickly enough within the 2-hour window. Your retake preparation for Part C should include timed, full-length practice sessions using your actual tabbed code book - not a digital version.
Registration Timeline and Application Deadlines
AWS requires that retake applications be submitted at least 6 weeks before your desired exam date. For Part A and Part C retakes at Prometric, this means identifying your target exam date, counting back 6 weeks, and having your application - including any required training documentation - submitted by that date.
For Part B retakes, the timeline is more constrained. AWS publishes its seminar schedule in advance, but availability at specific locations fills quickly. As soon as you receive your score report showing a Part B failure, check the AWS seminar calendar and identify the next available date within reasonable travel distance. Then apply immediately - do not wait until you feel "ready" to register, because the seat may not be available when you are.
Building a Domain-Specific Prep Plan for Your Retake
Unlike first-time candidates who must prepare across all three domains simultaneously, retaking candidates have a significant advantage: they know exactly which domain failed them. Use your AWS score report to identify the specific subject areas within your failed part where you scored lowest, then build your preparation around those gaps rather than re-covering material you already passed.
Diagnostic Review
- Analyze your AWS score report by domain area
- For Part A retakes: identify whether gaps are in metallurgy, NDT, symbols, or processes
- For Part C retakes: conduct a full timed practice session with your tabbed code book and note which question types caused the most time loss
- For Part B retakes: acquire or borrow all required inspection tools and begin daily hands-on measurement practice
Targeted Domain Practice
- Complete domain-specific practice questions daily using a CWI exam prep platform that replicates the actual question format
- For Part A: use spaced repetition on metallurgy terms and NDT method characteristics - the two highest-yield weak areas for retakers
- For Part C: complete at least three full timed mock exams with your actual code book; track time per question and reduce it progressively
- For Part B: practice tool measurement on physical samples or AWS-approved practice kits under timed conditions
Simulation and Consolidation
- Complete two full-length simulated exams under actual exam conditions (closed-book for A, timed with tools for B, tabbed code for C)
- Verify your Prometric appointment or AWS seminar seat confirmation
- Confirm all required materials: valid ID, code book with approved tabbing only (no written notes in margins), inspection tools for Part B
- Do not introduce new study material in the final 48 hours - review only previously practiced content
Candidates preparing for a Part A retake should also revisit the foundational eligibility requirements covered in CWI Exam Prerequisites: Education and Experience Requirements - not because eligibility changes, but because the prerequisite framework reflects the categories of knowledge AWS considers foundational, which directly maps to Part A's content structure.
For all retake candidates, consistent practice under realistic exam conditions is the single most effective preparation strategy. A dedicated CWI practice test resource that presents questions in the same format, timing, and domain distribution as the actual exam gives you the most accurate measure of whether you are genuinely ready before you invest another full exam fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
AWS does not publish a hard cap on the total number of retake attempts, but beginning with your third attempt on any given part, you must document completion of 16-40 hours of formal welding inspection training before each subsequent application. There is also a practical limit imposed by the 3-year certification validity window and the application lead time of 6 weeks per attempt.
For your first retake, your original prerequisite documentation remains on file with AWS and does not need to be resubmitted, provided nothing about your eligibility status has changed. For subsequent retakes that require training, you will submit the training completion certificate as an additional document alongside your existing file.
Yes. If you failed Part C using AWS D1.1 and believe your work experience makes you stronger with a different code - such as ASME Section IX for pressure vessel work or API 1104 for pipeline inspection - you can declare a different code at the time of your retake application. The questions will be drawn from whichever code you select, so choose the one you can navigate most efficiently under timed conditions.
For Part A and Part C taken at Prometric, preliminary scores are typically available immediately at the testing center upon completion. Official results from AWS follow after a review period. Part B scores, administered at AWS seminar locations, are released after AWS processes the results from that seminar session, which typically takes longer than computer-based parts.
If you are a currently certified CWI attempting to recertify by exam after your 9-year maximum renewal period, failing a retake does not immediately revoke your existing certification - but it does affect your timeline for maintaining continuous certification status. Contact AWS directly to understand how your specific renewal cycle interacts with retake scheduling, especially if your certification expiration date is approaching.
Ready to Start Practicing?
Don't invest another $1,070+ in a retake without knowing exactly where your gaps are. Our CWI practice tests replicate the closed-book format of Part A, the timed structure of Part C, and the domain distribution of the actual AWS exam - so you can walk into your retake with a genuine score prediction, not just a feeling of readiness.
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