American Welding Society Certifications
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The American Welding Society (AWS) is a standards-setting and credentialing body that issues professional certifications in welding inspection and related disciplines. This page covers one certification issued by the American Welding Society: the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). Each certification carries an official examination fee, published prerequisites for eligibility, and a defined validity period with associated renewal requirements. Candidates pursuing these credentials should understand the specific requirements and timeline associated with each certification.
The examination fees listed on this page represent the base single-attempt cost charged by the American Welding Society as of June 2026 and are subject to change. These fees exclude the cost of third-party training materials, study courses, and examination retakes. Candidates should verify the current examination fee, eligibility requirements, and renewal cycle directly on the American Welding Society's official website before registering for an examination, as fees and prerequisites are updated by the issuing body and may differ from the information presented here.
| Certification | Exam fee | Domain | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) | $1,520 | Skilled trades | 3 years (9-year recert cycle) |