CWI curious

[charliesmom]

I'm interested in becoming A certified welding inspector. If any one has any thoughts or recommendations on schooling please let me know. The input would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[olddad]

http://www.aws.org/w/a/certification/index.html

[prop-doctor]

since your in this area you might check out Tulsa Welding School
they offer inspector classes. wouldn't be a long drive for you
they offer 3 1/2 month to 7 month classes
thats all i can offer
good luck

[GRB]

it's one of the harder test you'll take,brush up on your metric conversions and read anything you can find on welding book wise, 1/3 of the test is general knowledge and covers everything. on your open book part of the test take it on D1.1, it's a lot smaller book and easier to study..the test carries a high bust ratio on the first attempt, I would look into Hobarts school, best I remember they offer one thats a couple of weeks long with a guaranteed pass

[worldsgreatestwelder]

I found that I am not a paper type of person and thus I did not do well in the inspection business. 90% of a CWI's work if reports. Taking notes documenting how the weld was made, lots of sitting and waiting. Not for me.

As to the test it self, I went to Florida and attended the CWI 1 week seminar followed by taking the test with results in hand by the time I was on my way home. The test was simple and the code I used (they give you a choice) was based on the API 1103. I ordered the study guides about one month prior to traveling to AWS in Florida. I spent two hours a day following the guides and taking mock tests. I passed with a score of 98%(combined)

I also found that I could make more money welding than I could inspecting. Today I think I could make more money owning an inspection Co.

Now getting the CWI is only the first step, to be fully rounded you should add nondestructive examination skills to the CWI such as UT RT MT. Adding coatings examination is a great plus. A CWI is only qualified in visual inspection.

Many colleges offer a four year course, with the grad. qualified in many disciplines.
Jimmy

[arcflashlynn]

I would recommend going to Hobart in Troy, Ohio, USA. That is where I went and got my CWI from. It is a 2 week course they cover everything that will be on the exam. They are all CWI's themselves (the teachers) and they all have welding backrounds so you know they know what they are talking about. Typically I was the only person there that was from Ohio, everyone else was from other states and Canada. The classes given by AWS are only 1 week long and they don't cover the amount of detail that Hobart does. (Remeber AWS is a business so if you don't pass they expect you to take it again and hense pay more money haha) As is Hobart but they will give you all the help they possibly can to help you pass.
You can Test (the code part of the test) with API1104 (Not 1103 as somone else stated), Which I would recommend unless you've only ever used D1.1 and know it quite well because the API is WAY smaller than D1.1 and much easier to navigate. Or you can test w/ the AWS d1.1.
Being a CWI is a great resume builder too.
If you have any more questions let me know.

P.S. Hobart does not guarentee that you will pass. haha

[obewan]

"Many colleges offer a four year course, with the grad. qualified in many disciplines."

You can not get a CWI in college. My 4 year BS Welding Engineering Tech degree only counted as 2 out of 5 years required experience when I took the test. If I had 5 years experience + HS education, I would have been qualified to test right away. College alone requires 3 more years experience. (Unless the rules have changed since I tested.)

[arcflashlynn]

Nope you're right! you need 5 years experience in welding in order to take the CWI exam. ... and they do check your work/school history to make sure you have adequate time. And just in case anyone didn't know already they are not offering the CAWI anymore.

[qaqc]

I have to disagree with lynn on the use of API 1104 over AWS D1.1. The aws code is indexed so much better than api. That is reason enough to use it. Other than that you seem to have gotten good advice

[gaustin]

If you take API 1104 you have more questions to answer.