BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
Welding Inspector Endorsement (SIE)
The following is an approximate breakdown of the examination categories and the number of questions drawn from each subject area.
Part A: Fundamentals (CWI and CWE)
Percentage1
Subject
Welding Processes
Heat Control & Metallurgy (carbon and low-alloy steel)
Weld Examination
Welding Performance
Definitions and Terminology
Symbols Welding and NDE
Test Methods NDE
Reports and Records
Duties and Responsibilities
Safety
Destructive Tests
Cutting
Brazing
Soldering
10%
6%
9%
9%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
Part B: Practical (CWI and CWE)
Percentage1
Subject
Procedure and Welder Qualifications
Mechanical Test and Properties
Welding Inspection and Flaws
NDE
Utilization of Specification and Drawings
28%
8%
34%
8%
8%
Part C: Code Book Applications (CWI, CWE and SIE)
Subject
Percentage1
Materials and Design
Fabrication
Inspection
Qualification
10%
30%
25%
30%
Code subjects available and current exam editions
(applicants must provide own codebook for exam)
AWS D1.1- Structural Steel Code: 2015 Edition including 2nd Printing
Code clinic available - Codebook provided for D1.1 week seminar participants only
API 1104- Pipelines 20th or 21st Editions
Code clinic available only for 20th edition with Errata /Addendum July 2007, Errata 2
December 2008/ Errata 1 April 2014
AWS D1.2- Structural Aluminum Code: 2014 Edition
AWS D1.5- Bridge Welding Code: 2015 Edition (including Clause 12)
AWS D15.1 - Railroad: 2012 Edition
AWS D17.1- Aerospace: 2010 w/ Errata and Amendment
ASME Sec IX: 2015 Edition, B31.1 (2014) & B31.3 (2012)
ASME Sec VIII (Div 1) & ASME Sec IX: 2015 Editions
Structural Drawing Reading
AWS Recommended Self-Study
Examination Preparatory Material
AWS Publications
Order Number
Certification Manual for Welding Inspectors
CM: 2000
Welding Inspection Handbook
WI: 2000
* D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code-Steel
* D1.1 Code Clinic Reference Manual
* API 1104 Study Guide for API Standard 1104
Welding of Pipelines
* Welding Inspection Technology
* Welding Inspection Technology (Workbook)
*Welding Inspection Technology Sample CWI
Fundamentals Examination & Key
* Standard Welding Terms and Definitions
* Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and
Nondestructive Examination
*Guide for the Nondestructive Examination of
Welds
Book of Specification for the Qualification of
Welding Inspectors (errata 2007)
D1.1/D1.1M: 2015
D1.1CCRM: 2015
API-M: 2008
WIT-T-2008
WIT-W: 2008
WIT-E: 2008
A3.OM/A3.0:2010
A2.4: 2012
B1.10M/B1.10:2009
B5.1: 2003
*Books are provided to participants of the AWS Seminar week
Other Recommendations
AWS Welding Handbook Series
Guide for the Visual Examination of Welds
Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes
Metric Practice Guide for the Welding Industry
Standard Methods for mechanical Testing of Welds
Specification for Welding Procedure and
Performance Qualification
Standard for AWS Certification of Welding
Inspectors
Order Number
WHB-ALL
B1.11: 2000
ANSI Z49.1: 2005
A1.1: 2001
B4.0: 2007
B2.1: 2009
QC1:2007
The AWS Body of Knowledge lists the current exam book editions that candidates will
need to reference when taking the CAWI/CWI and/or endorsement exams. It is to the
candidates benefit that they use the codebook editions indicated on the most current
AWS Body of Knowledge as exam questions are based on the codebook editions listed.
A candidate who chooses to use a codebook edition that is not listed on the most
current Body of Knowledge does so at his/her own risk. AWS bears no responsibility
for a candidates failure to obtain certification as a result of this choice
To purchase any of the AWS publications or the API 1104 Codebook:
Contact WEX at 888-WELDING or 305-824-1177
Or visit the website
To purchase any of the ASME publications:
Contact ASME at 800-843-2763
Or visit the ASME website
Note: The editions listed above apply to the English version only. To
verify the edition being used with language-assisted exams, please
contact the AWS Certification department or the Agent.
Percentages indicate the minimum required for each category in an examination.
Welding Inspector Body of Knowledge 1128
April 13, 2016
