Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $1,520
- Issuing body
- American Welding Society
- Domain
- Skilled trades
- Validity
- 3 years (9-year recert cycle)
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 Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification is administered by the American Welding Society. The base examination fee for a single attempt is $1,520 for non-members as of June 2026, though American Welding Society members may be eligible for a reduced fee of $1,255. This fee covers the examination attempt only and does not include third-party training courses, study materials, or retake fees should a retake be necessary. Fees are subject to change, and candidates should verify the current fee directly with the American Welding Society's official page before budgeting or registering.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers—the occupation the CWI credential most often targets—is approximately $51,000. This figure represents median earnings across the occupation and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed salary, salary increase, or career outcome resulting from certification. Candidates should consult the American Welding Society's official eligibility requirements and program details before pursuing this certification.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $51,000 (typically $38,130–$75,850 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) |
| Issuing body | American Welding Society |
| Base exam fee | $1,520 |
| Fee notes | non-member $1,520 / member $1,255 (eff. Jan 2026) |
| Prerequisites | Work experience + vision exam (per education tier) |
| Validity / renewal | 3 years (9-year recert cycle) |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Skilled trades certs →