Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) Practice Test
Build your confidence for Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI). Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
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The Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) examination is a foundational professional credential offered by the American Welding Society (AWS) that validates an individual's competency in fundamental welding inspection principles. This 38-question exam assesses knowledge across core domains including welding processes, inspection and testing methods, welding symbols and documentation, and essential safety practices. It is designed for individuals entering the field of welding inspection, such as welding technicians, quality control personnel, or those in manufacturing and construction roles who require a formal understanding of inspection fundamentals. Successful candidates demonstrate a working knowledge of how to verify weld quality against specifications, identify common discontinuities, and understand the inspector's role within a quality management system. Earning the CAWI credential signifies a commitment to professional standards and provides a recognized entry point into the welding inspection career path.
Sample Questions
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During review of a railcar bolster repair made on 6061-T6 aluminum, the CAWI records slag trapped between adjacent weld beads after multipass welding. The drawing uses general workmanship terms but the acceptance decision is reserved for the applicable code. Which term should the inspector use in the report? The traveler identifies joint/specimen J-004 and also notes that the joint has mill scale remaining near one toe.
After FCAW-G welding on a process piping branch connection, the weld has been wire-brushed and the CAWI observes that arc strikes are found outside the weld zone on quenched and tempered steel. What is the best inspection response? The traveler identifies joint/specimen J-043 and also notes that a production hold point is scheduled before backgouging.
A SMAW station is being prepared for a shipyard deck fitting on API 5L line pipe. During in-process surveillance, E7018 electrodes were left on a bench during lunch and the bead later shows linear indications near the toe. What should the CAWI do first from an inspection standpoint? The traveler identifies joint/specimen J-011 and also notes that the inspector has only the WPS, PQR, and drawing revision in the traveler.
Using the selected codebook for a pipeline tie-in weld, the inspector encounters this inspection issue: a surface crack is found after final VT. Which decision process is correct? The traveler identifies joint/specimen J-171 and also notes that the previous shift left spatter and slag islands on the face.
While comparing a WPS, PQR, and WQTR package for a process piping branch connection, the qualification coupon was welded in flat position but production is overhead. Which review action is correct? The traveler identifies joint/specimen J-126 and also notes that ambient temperature dropped after the fit-up inspection.
Career Opportunities & Salary
Exam insights and study advice
In the real world, the integrity of welds is non-negotiable. It directly impacts the safety, reliability, and longevity of structures and products-from bridges and buildings to pipelines and pressure vessels. A Certified Associate Welding Inspector possesses the verified knowledge to help prevent catastrophic failures, reduce costly rework, and ensure compliance with critical codes and standards. This credential provides practical value by equipping individuals to effectively contribute to quality assurance programs, communicate issues clearly, and support the work of Senior Certified Welding Inspectors, thereby enhancing overall project safety and efficiency.
Recommended
These are the backgrounds the certifying body suggests. Check the vendor's own page for anything it formally requires.
What this exam covers
Use the published domain weights to plan your study. Practice results do not predict your certification exam score.