Objectives
To achieve the AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification, and by reciprocity, also achieve the CSA W178.2 Welding Inspector Certification Level 2 that is managed by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB). It is also the objective of this course to prepare exam candidates to write the ASME code endorsement exam as part of the CWI certification.
Who Should Attend
Inspectors, technologists, engineers, or experienced welders and welding supervisors who are involved in new welding fabrication, repairs, alteration, or inspection of welded pressure equipment. It will also assist API 510 and 570 inspectors, who plan to challenge the CSA W178.2 practical exam, to become a Level 2 inspector.
For information regarding the AWS-CSA reciprocity for welding inspector certification, please visit AWS Certified Welding Inspector career path page for more details.
Accreditation
Each participant will receive a CASTI Certificate of Completion with 48 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for attending all 6 days of the classroom training. An additional 40 PDHs will be awarded for the completion of the pre-classroom online lessons prior to the course start date.Blended Learning
This course includes 13 days* of training as described below:
Estimated 5 Days*
Pre-classroom E-Learning
- online study ASME Codes
- review general knowledge of welding fundamentals and practical visual inspection
- solve practical problems and review detailed solutions
- online pre-classroom content only available from TBA
6 Days
In-classroom
- instructor-led course consists of 3 parts:
- A) Welding Inspection Fundamentals (2-1/2 days)
- B) Practical Visual Inspection Workshop (2 days)
- C) ASME Code Clinic (1-1/2 days)
- review example problems and detailed solutions
- solve practice problems and review detailed solutions
- in-classroom training held TBA
Estimated 2 Days*
Post-classroom E-Learning
- additional practice exam questions (online)
- write second practice exam (online)
- post-classroom online training starts TBA
* Estimates are based on the average time needed by previous students to complete online training. Your personal skill and experience levels will determine the actual time required to complete this work. Previous students took between 10-30 hours (1-4 days) to complete the online lesson work.
Online study is an integral part of this training course. Exam candidates must be prepared to complete all elements of this training course in order to maximize the chances for successfully passing the examination.
Online study components include:
- e-Instructor support
- study material for reading
- reviewing example problems and detailed solutions
- solving practice problems and reviewing detailed solutions
- practice problems results are graded to provide a measure of self-evaluation
Prior to the course start date, the online study lessons are made available to individuals registered for this CASTI exam preparation course. Completion of these online lessons is a mandatory part of this training course (see Guarantee Policy below). All exam candidates are encouraged to register early and allow sufficient time to complete these online study lessons.
Click here for more information about the CASTI Learning Advantage (CLA).
Interpretations Workshop
This workshop includes two practice exams, using similar sample weldments and measuring instruments to simulate the actual 2-hour practical exam.
Required Code Documents
All participants must bring the ASME Section IX and ASME Section VIII-1 to the class. These code documents can be purchased as a package from CASTI.
Purchasing Code Documents:
The code documents are available as a package only, not on an individual basis. Note: only the specific portions of the two ASME codes required for the exam are supplied in this code package.
Minimum System Requirements for the CLA Pre-classroom Online Study
- Broadband Internet connection
- Windows Vista (or higher)
- Apple (Mac) and Android devices are not supported
- Google Chrome
- Latest version of Adobe Reader
Note: Use of Adobe software may have additional system requirements (Please refer to the Adobe specifications provided with your Adobe software or visit the Adobe website at www.adobe.com for more information.)
Note: Please consult with your company IT department if you are unsure that your company computer meets the above requirements
Useful Links
- AWS CWI Exam Application Package
- AWS CWI Re-Exam Application Package
- AWS CWI Visual Acuity
- AWS CWI 9-Year Renewal (via Part B Exam) Application Package
- AWS QC1:2007 Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
- AWS B5.1:2003 Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors
- Part B Examination Book of Specifications
- AWS Reciprocity Application Package
- AWS CWI Body of Knowledge

John E. Bringas, P.Eng. is the Founder and President of Codes and Standards Training Institute (CASTI) since 1998 and CASTI Publishing Inc. since 1992. Mr. Bringas has been a professional engineer in metallurgy and materials since 1976 and has developed, written, and instructed over 40 codes and standards training programs worldwide since 1989.
Mr. Bringas has practiced metallurgical and materials engineering in the steel making, foundry, failure analysis, heat treatment, welding, visual inspection (equipment and welding), NDE, refinery, oil sands, pipeline, petrochemical, and power generating industries.
He has also been certified as an API 510, 570, 653, 571, 577, and 580 inspector, an AWS Certified Welding Inspector, an Alberta In-Service Pressure Vessel Inspector and Welding Examiner, NFPA Fire Engine Inspector, and a CGSB certified NDE examiner in UT and RT.
Mr. Bringas has been a technical committee member since 1978, including:
- ASTM A01 Steels, A05 Coated Steels, B02 Nonferrous Alloys, E04 Metallography, E28 Mechanical Testing, F42 Additive Manufacturing, J01 ASTM/NACE Committee on Corrosion
- AMPP (NACE) SC 06 Process Industries, SC 08 Metallic Material Selection & Testing, SC 10 Asset Integrity Management, SC 14 Oil and Gas – Upstream, SC 15 Pipelines & Tanks, SC 16 Oil and Gas – Downstream, SC 20 Internal Corrosion Management
- ASME BPVC, Section II, Ferrous Materials, Associate Member
- past ISO TC 17-SC 4 Steels, Canada Voting Member
- past SAE Carbon and Alloy Steels Committee Member
- past AWS Certification Committee Member
Mr. Bringas is the author of six ASTM and CASTI Handbooks and was Executive Editor of four CASTI Guidebooks on ASME Codes and four CASTI Handbooks covering corrosion of metals.
Mr. Bringas has been professionally recognized by being presented the:
- ASTM Award of Merit and Honorary Title of Fellow
- ASTM Frank W. Reinhart Terminology Award
- ASTM B02 Gary M. Kralik Distinguished Service Award
- ASTM B02 Committee on Nonferrous Metals and Alloys, Award of Appreciation
- ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys – Award of Appreciation – Steel Terminology
- AWS Alberta Section, Venerable Member of the Weld Zone
- ASM International, MacDonald Young Award, ASM Canada Council, Outstanding Contributing Member
- CWA, Medallion Award for Outstanding Contribution as an International Ambassador on behalf of the Canadian Welding Industry