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AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Part B Practice Test

133 questions available

The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Part B examination represents a critical milestone for welding professionals seeking to validate their technical expertise in weld inspection and quality assurance. This certification, administered by the American Welding Society (AWS), focuses specifically on the practical and theoretical knowledge required to perform comprehensive weld evaluations according to industry standards. Part B rigorously assesses a candidate's ability to apply inspection principles, interpret codes and specifications, identify discontinuities, and utilize both destructive and non-destructive testing methodologies. Achieving this credential signifies more than just passing a test; it demonstrates a professional's commitment to upholding the highest standards of structural integrity, safety, and quality in welding operations across industries such as construction, manufacturing, pipeline, and aerospace. Certified professionals are recognized as essential stakeholders in project safety and compliance, directly impacting the reliability of critical infrastructure.

Certification exam
46 Exam questions
Practice bank
133 Practice Questions
2 hours 13 minutes Practice Time
Start Practice
The bank 133 Practice questions checked against the official objectives.
AWS133 practice questionsBlueprint 1.0Bank updated 2026-05-07

Sample Questions

Try a few questions to see what the full exam is like.

Acceptance Criteria Application (BoS Tables, Code Clauses)

At a Part B acceptance station, the exhibit identifies the application as performance qualification groove. The measured condition is: a single pore measures 2.4 mm. What is the correct disposition?

Documentation, Reporting, Disposition

At the end of a Part B station, you must choose the best inspection record/disposition. The situation is that a bend specimen has transverse grinding marks called out by the question. Which record is most defensible?

Use of Inspection Gauges (Fillet, Cambridge, V-WAC)

In a timed Part B station, the supplied temperature indicator from the exhibit is selected for minimum preheat before completing a pressure-piping weld. Which use of the tool gives the defensible inspection result?

Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) Conformance

During the Part B document review, compare the WPS/PQR exhibit with the inspected weld. WPS references two PQRs; only one supports the filler metal classification used. What should the inspector conclude?

Discontinuity Identification (VT findings)

During Part B visual inspection of groove replica G-6, the examiner asks you to classify the primary indication before making an acceptance decision. You observe cover pass reinforcement is smooth but transitions abruptly at one toe. Which finding should be recorded first?

Why This Certification Opens Doors

Earning the AWS CWI Part B certification is a definitive career differentiator that establishes your authority and competence in the welding inspection field. It is a globally recognized credential that signals to employers, clients, and regulatory bodies that you possess the validated skills to ensure weld quality and code compliance. This certification directly translates to enhanced career opportunities, increased earning potential, and greater professional responsibility. It is often a mandatory requirement for lead inspector roles on major projects and is a cornerstone for career advancement into quality management, auditing, and consulting positions. In an industry where safety and integrity are paramount, the CWI credential provides the professional recognition and trust necessary to advance and lead.

Exam Blueprint

01Destructive Testing
02Inspection Documentation
03NDT Methods
04Visual Weld Inspection
05Weld Discontinuities
06Weld Inspection Techniques
07Weld Quality Standards
08Welding Symbols

Exam Details CWI-Part-B

Exam Code CWI-Part-B
Vendor AWS
Exam questions 46

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of the CWI Part B exam compared to Part A?

Part A focuses on the fundamentals of welding, including processes, metallurgy, and safety. Part B is the practical application core, concentrating exclusively on inspection. It tests your ability to apply code knowledge (like AWS D1.1), perform visual inspections, identify and evaluate weld discontinuities, understand welding symbols, and select appropriate NDT/Destructive Testing methods. Part B assesses the inspector's judgment and skill in real-world inspection scenarios.

How critical is hands-on visual inspection skill for Part B?

It is paramount. A significant portion of Part B evaluates your ability to visually examine weld specimens, coupons, or diagrams to identify and categorize discontinuities such as cracks, porosity, undercut, incomplete fusion, and incorrect weld profiles. You must accurately measure these discontinuities against the acceptance criteria of the applicable code. This requires practiced visual acuity, familiarity with weld geometry, and the use of inspection tools like gauges and rulers.

What role do welding symbols play in the Part B exam?

Welding symbols are the language of the fabrication drawing. Part B tests your ability to accurately interpret complex welding symbols to understand the required weld type, size, length, process, finishing, and other details. You must then inspect a weld based on that symbol, determining if it conforms to the specified requirements. Misinterpreting a symbol can lead to incorrect acceptance/rejection decisions, making this a high-stakes competency area.

Which NDT methods are most emphasized in the CWI Part B syllabus?

While a CWI must understand the principles of all major NDT methods (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT), Part B emphasizes Visual Testing (VT) as the primary method. However, you are tested on your knowledge of when to apply other NDT methods, their basic principles, advantages, limitations, and the types of discontinuities they can detect. You need to know the difference between a method's capability (what it can find) and its practicality for a given situation.

How important is knowledge of specific codes like AWS D1.1?

It is absolutely essential. The exam questions are based on the acceptance criteria, definitions, and procedures outlined in the AWS QC1 standard and referenced codes like D1.1. You must know where to find information within these documents and how to apply it. You are not expected to memorize every clause, but you must be intimately familiar with the structure, key tables (e.g., allowable discontinuity sizes), and inspection procedures mandated by the code.