The American Welding Society (AWS) is the most prestigious welding entity in the world. Since its founding in 1919, the best professionals have participated in the creation, dissemination and delivery of the most comprehensive training programs in welding and joining technology. Based on the texts, codes and information books that capture the best experience of all these professionals who have been deposited in the coffers of the prestigious American Welding Society.
Any company in which welding is an important asset or activity, working both in Europe and on other continents, is daily facing codes originally created by AWS.
The various accreditations provided by AWS to welding experts at different levels and specialties are recognized worldwide as a guarantee of knowledge and experience by the person who owns it. A CWI is a professional of recognized prestige in the field of welding, with authority to control and take responsibility for the quality of a welded product in any type of manufacturing as well as the personnel that performs welding. After at least 6 years of experience as CWI you are eligible for certification as Senior CWI (SCWI) which additionally grants you authority for the qualification of welding procedures and to develop and audit welding quality systems.
AWS has a well-earned reputation as a quality certification provider to welding industry professionals worldwide.
These Events will be reserved for training and examination to earn the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) accreditation, based on AWS D1.1 “Structural Welding Code – Steel”. You can also choose to take examination based on other AWS, ASME or API codes, but the knowledge of AWS D1.1 will provide a basic understanding of welding as an essential production process.
Although some AWS codes and information are translated into Spanish, the reality is that a company or person preparing to qualify with AWS is specially preparing for jobs that can be developed anywhere in the world or that involve communication with other companies, both customers and suppliers, outside Spain.
For this reason, this SEMINAR AND EXAMINATION EVENT TO ACCESS THE CERTIFIED WELDING INSPECTOR ACCREDITATION BY AWS, will be developed considering welding terminology in English and as defined by AWS.
It will be positive to have a minimum level of English, both oral and written comprehension for all candidates for this training and examination program, but it is not required.
The certified Welding Inspector accreditation is globally recognized, since only highly qualified professionals manage to overcome the conditions and tests that guarantee the quality of welded components, even under the most demanding requirements.
During the the training program, teachers will cover all the basic concepts in relation to welding and welding inspection. Nevertheless, the result of the examination depends on each individual, his/her understanding and experience and capacity to face a quite demanding exam.
The exam is available in several languages but always bilingual with English. Understanding the English and AWS welding terminology will also be of help in the understanding of international welding codes and requirements.
Important Note: The training program has been revised based on the experience and inputs of CWI candidates from previous editions. The seminar combines a review of the technical knowledge and practical aspects of welding and inspection, in order to help the applicant to pass the AWS examination. However, in order to apply to become a CWI, each candidate must demonstrate a previous level of knowledge and experience.
Since 2021, a part of the exams can be validated in order to obtain the CWI degree.
Individuals with IIW (International Institute of Welding) qualifications are eligible for CWI certification under exclusive conditions, as they do not need to pass Part A (Fundamentals) of the exam. They do need to pass Parts B and C of the CWI exam.
To be exempt from taking Part A of the exam, the person must send, in pdf, along with the required documentation, a copy of his/her certification as:
You will need to contact AWS to formalize your registration. It is recommended to have the following information ready, according to the certification you need, prepared in a single pdf all the documents. CAUTION: Zip-compressed files are not accepted.
Please check that you are not missing any documents and that they are all perfectly filled, signed and stamped before sending your application:
A. Send in a pdf of the following form:
B. Documents that AWS may request for your application for review:
For your registration in AWS, choose the form that corresponds to your interest among the following forms
Notes for completing this form:
Make sure you choose the form that applies to your case and that you complete, sign and stamp all sections. Take special care and check that nothing is missing before sending it.
Do not fill in payment details in the boxes that require it, in that section write: Enrollment through Solysol
Second document of the complete PDF:
Third document of the complete PDF:
4. Fourth document of the complete PDF:
5. Fifth document of the complete PDF:
6. Sixth document of the complete PDF:
C. In jpg image independent of the previous pdf:
July 1 to 5
Venue: Solysol-ArcTech facilities:
C/ Río Alberche, Nave 58
45530 Santa Olalla, Toledo, Spain
Access from enrollment in the complete program or parts of your choice, until the exam is taken at Prometric.
1st exam – PART B, practical and face-to-face ====== AWS will provide you with the location, prices and dates of the next exams.
2nd and 3rd exam – online at Prometric center ====== PART A AND C, after having taken Part B.
AWS, like other international organizations, requires some on-line exams to ensure full transparency in the process worldwide. Additionally, the person may choose, within the limits that apply to each type of exam and certification, the most convenient place and date to take their exam.
AWS on-line exams are performed at Prometric centers.
To see the availability of a Prometric center, check on its website at this link.
The conduct of the Examinations of Parts A and C have the following requirements:
You have registered to attend a welding technology seminar.
This seminar will be held on-line.
When you register for the online seminar, you can access sample exams that will serve as examples of the questions you may encounter on the official AWS exam.
The on-line sample exams you take are prepared to meet both Part A (Fundamentals) and Part C (AWS Code D1.1) of the CWI exam. The sample questions in Part B are intended to be solved during your participation in the face-to-face seminar prior to the Part B exam.
During this program you will complete welding knowledge of the most common metallic materials and the main factors to consider for achieving quality welded joints.
The subjects developed are designed to pass the AWS CWI exam, and to enable you to professionally develop the functions of a Welding Inspector and/or Welding Coordinator.
The core subjects in which you should prepare are as follows:
| A-1. CWI Roles, Responsibilities and Requirements | ||
| A-2. Weld Quality Assurance. Quality Plan | ||
| A-3. Steel. Metallurgical characteristics and Mechanical Properties | ||
| A-4. Low Alloyed and Stainless Steels | ||
| A-5. Nickel, Aluminum, Copper and Cast Iron Alloys | ||
| A-6. Mechanical Properties of Materials. Mechanical Testing | ||
| A-7. Thermal Treatments – Importance of Temperature During Welding | ||
| A-8. Welding Processes. Principles. Equipment. Procedures | ||
| A-8.1 Welding Safety, Cutting and Associated Processes | ||
| A-8.2 SMAW – Welding with Coated Stick Electrodes | ||
| A-8.3 GMAW – Continuous Wire Welding – Transfer Forms | ||
| A-8.4 FCAW – Welding with Tubular Wires. Gas Shielded or Self-Protected Processes | ||
| A-8.5 SAW – Submerged Arc Welding | ||
| A-8.6 GTAW, PAW & PAC – TIG Welding and Plasma Welding and Cutting | ||
| A-8.7 Oxyfuel. Cutting and Welding. Carbon Arc Gouging | ||
| A-8.8 Laser and Electron Beam Welding | ||
| A8.9 Friction Stir Welding | ||
| A8.10 Stud welding (SW) | ||
| A-8.11 Workshop. Practice of Welding Processes | ||
| A-9. Choice of Welding Materials, Processes and Procedures | ||
| A-10. Welding Joint Design | ||
| A-11. Weld Symbols and Definitions | ||
| A-12. Welding Defects. | ||
| A-12.1 Causes | ||
| A-12.2 How to avoid them | ||
| A-12.3 Repairs | ||
| A-13. Welding Inspection, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) | ||
| A-13.1 Visual Inspection | ||
| A-13.2 Penetrant Testing | ||
| A-13.3 Magnetic Particles Testing | ||
| A-13.4 Ultrasound Testing | ||
| A-13.5 Radiographic Testing | ||
| A-14. WPS Qualification and Preparation – Essential Variables AWS Code D1.1 | ||
| A-15. Welder Qualification – Essential Variables AWS Code D1.1 |
Welding codes define the minimum requirements that welded constructions must meet. Also they define the qualification of welding procedures and the personnel.
Additionally, the North American codes (AWS, ASME, API, …), include requirements for design, materials and welding quality inspection.
Interpreting the codes and ensuring that the requirements are met is the fundamental task of a welding inspector (coordinator).
To be certified as a CWI, you must pass an open-book code exam. To do so, you must have the code in its original version and work on it, using it as a working guide. This examination is known as the PART C examination.
AWS gives you the option of the code you wish to test on to pass Part C. The codes can be various AWS, ASME or API codes.
The examples of on-line examination have been made on the AWS D1.1 code, as this is the most complete code in welding and of highly recommended knowledge and use for any welding inspector, coordinator and engineer.
The aim during the preparation for the Part C exam is to master a code in the following criteria:
| C-1. AWS Code D1.1: Structural Steel Welding | ||
| C-1.1 Code Clauses | ||
| C-1.2 Terminology | ||
| C-1.3 Quick Search | ||
| C-1.4 Interpretations and Commentary | ||
| C.2. Approval / Qualification of Procedures and Welders | ||
| C-2.1 Optimizing PQR to Cover maximum WPS Range: Essential Variables | ||
| C-2.2 Executing a WPQR | ||
| C-2.3 Written WPSs from PQR or Standard (Prequalified) | ||
| C-3 Design of welded joints. Considerations for static and dynamic loads and tubular structures | ||
| C-4 Considerations during the fabrication of a welded structure | ||
| C-5 Inspection and acceptability criteria | ||
| C-6 Repair and reinforcement of existing structures | ||
| C-7 Special considerations in tubular structures |
An important part of a CWI certification exam is the practical conduct of a weld quality assessment based on the requirements that are given.
This part of the seminar is aimed to provide guidelines for passing this practical part of the official exam.
Both the exam and the seminar to prepare for the exam must be attended in person. With direct observation of welds and their evaluation by means of the necessary gauges and devices.
The objective is to determine, without interpretation, whether the welds are completely acceptable or contain unacceptable discontinuities (defects) that should be repaired. The acceptability of a weld should not be a subjective criterion, but should obey the requirements that apply to the project, usually codes or standards, and also those imposed by the clients and designers of the project.
This part of the preparation and examination is a practical training so that the inspector, with the knowledge acquired in Parts A and C, can reach objective conclusions and demonstrate his knowledge and experience from the moment he obtains his CWI certification.
Course material:
| B-1. PART B – Metric System Book of Specifications | ||
| B-2. Practical Weld Inspection Exercises | ||
| B-3. Exhibit Book – Documentation to review associated with a CWI | ||
| B-4. Gauge Case | ||
| B-5. Set of welded specimens for evaluation | ||
| B-6. Practical examples of weld inspection |
| CWI Preparation SEMINAR, On-Line Course Part A, Welding Fundamentals (8 weeks at your own pace) and Part C (on-line practical exercises to prepare for the exam), 1 week on-site training Part B (Inspection Practice and compliance with applicable code requirements) + Resolution of doubts Parts A and C (code chosen for exam). Does not include books, property of AWS. | 1.650 € | |
| 1 week of practical classroom training for preparation of Part B exam and resolution of doubts. | 1.200 € | |
| Daily attendance at a face-to-face seminar for Part B practice and resolution of doubts. | 425 €/day | |
| CWI Preparation SEMINAR, ON-LINE- Part A + Part C- Access to Theoretical Topics + Practice Tests, for 8 weeks | 650 € | |
| Attendance to the seminars, face-to-face and/or on-line, and the completion of the exams will entitle to a diploma as PDHs (Professional Development Hours), valid for certification renewals. | ||
(****) NOTE: PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE – VAT INCLUDED
(*****) Candidates who have attended seminars and exams at SOLYSOL will receive a 70% discount for seminar attendance or access to additional on-line seminars and sample exams.
Training 100% reimbursable through FUNDAE, provided that it is processed within the deadlines and in compliance with the applicable requirements. For Spain we can help with burocracy, is needed. Call us for more info if you wish.
Special conditions for self-employed and individuals.
(**) The study at least the RECOMMENDED literature, as well as active participation in the seminar and individual homework is strongly recommended to all participants who intend to have options to pass the AWS exam and access the recognized Certified Welding Inspector accreditation.
Studying these books is recommended to pass the test.
The Body of Knowledge and material recommended to pass the exam is as follows. Ask AWS for prices:
| · Welding Inspection Handbook – AWS. | ||
| · AWS D1.1 / 1.1M -15 Code. (CHOOSE CODE VERSION ENGLISH OR SPANISH, OR OTHER AVAILABLE LANGUAGE) | ||
| · Design & Planning Manual for Cost Effective Welding | ||
| · Welding Inspection Technology – AWS | ||
| · Welding Inspection Technology Workbook – AWS | ||
| · Welding Symbols Poster–AWS. | ||
| · Welding and cutting safety – AWS. | ||
| · Guide Visual Exam. Welds – AWS. | ||
| · Visual Inspection Workshop – AWS. | ||
| · Std Welding Terms & Def. – AWS. | ||
| · Guide for NDE of Welds – AWS. | ||
| · Symbols Welding, Brazing & NDE-AWS | ||
| · INSPECTION BRIEFCASE – GAUGES | Solysol – 720,00 € – 720,00 | |
| Discount | Number of Enrolled Employees per Event | Courses “In Company” | Room and Resources to be supplied by the Company |
| 10% | 5 or more employees | Minimum 10 participants | Add traveling and accommodation expenses of Instructor, and Exam Supervisor and Proctor.
(*) Discounts only apply to the price of seminars and do not apply to books or exams prices. |
| 20% | 10 or more employees |
See the FUNDAE business grant at the link: https://www.fundae.es/Empresas20y20organizaciones/Pages/default.aspx
Additionally, qualified CWI’s can access official examinations of various codes to complete their training, certification and authority in the interpretation of the same, which will be valid and necessary for their Re-Certification:
ADDITIONAL: “ENDORSEMENT” EXAMINATION FOR CWI:Please contact AWS directly to arrange for an exam and registration. |
||
| – ASME CODES, SECTION VIII (Division 1) + SECTION IX – Ed. 2019 | ||
| Seminar Preparation (2 days) | 790,00 € | |
| – AWS D.17.1 AEROSPACE CODE | ||
| Seminar Preparation (two days) | 790,00 € | |
| – ISO EN WELDING CODES (new) | ||
| Seminar Preparation (two days) | 790,00 € | |
See exams on other welding codes.
Prices do not include the OFFICIAL codes that the student must use for study and examination.
