CWI Part A: 165 questions, closed book, 10 domains
Part A tests the knowledge every welding inspector carries in their head: there is no code book, no notes and no reference material. The ten domains come from AWS B5.1, and AWS publishes a minimum weight for each one (table below). Those minimums total 82%; the remaining 18% is unallocated across domains.
- Questions
- 165
- Time
- 135 minutes
- Exam fee
- Initial CAWI/CWI exams (all three parts): $1,255 member / $1,520 non-member. Initial exams + Part B Training: $2,000 / $2,265. Paper/email application surcharge $125.
- Where
- Prometric CBT. Part B (paper/practical at an AWS site) must be taken first; Part A and C are booked at Prometric with the eligibility code from the Part B confirmation letter
Where the points are
- Joining and cutting processes and definitions and terminology have the two largest published minimum weights. Precise vocabulary matters, because many questions turn on the exact meaning of a term.
- Symbols, welding and NDE: reading welding and examination symbols on drawings, including arrow side and other side, supplementary symbols and dimensions.
- Visual examination and NDE fundamentals: which method finds which discontinuity, and what each method can't see.
- Welding application and control, metallurgy, welding-related calculations, destructive testing and duties and responsibilities make up the rest.
How to prepare
- Take the free diagnostic and use the minimum weights alongside your weak areas to prioritise study. Joining and cutting processes accounts for at least 14% of questions and destructive testing fundamentals for at least 3%; these are minimums, not exact shares of a test form.
- Drill symbols until you can read them without thinking. They show up in their own domain and inside others.
- Practice the calculations by hand. Part A is closed book, so you need the formulas you'll use.
- Part B must be taken before Part A. Book Part A at Prometric with the eligibility code from your Part B confirmation.
Exam facts
| Questions | 165 |
| Time | 135 minutes |
| Book | closed |
| Question types | Primarily multiple choice; some alternative item types; some items include figures |
| Passing | 72% per part and 72% composite (simple average of A, B, C); scores truncated to the lower whole percent |
| Where you test | Prometric CBT. Part B (paper/practical at an AWS site) must be taken first; Part A and C are booked at Prometric with the eligibility code from the Part B confirmation letter |
| Exam fee | Initial CAWI/CWI exams (all three parts): $1,255 member / $1,520 non-member. Initial exams + Part B Training: $2,000 / $2,265. Paper/email application surcharge $125. |
| Retakes | Max 3 retests in the 3 years from the original test date; first retest needs no extra training; 2nd and 3rd need documented training: 40 h if retesting all parts, 16 h for 1-2 parts. Retest fees: Part A or C $445; A and C $870; Part B $385; all parts $915 member / $1,180 non-member. |
| Renewal | Valid 3 years; renew at 3 and 6 years by work experience; 9-year recertification by 80 PDH, 9-year course, Part B exam, or endorsement exam |
What the exam covers
| Definitions and Terminology | at least 12% |
| Joining and Cutting Processes | at least 14% |
| Symbols - Welding and NDE | at least 10% |
| Visual Examination | at least 10% |
| Welding Application and Control | at least 9% |
| NDE Fundamentals | at least 8% |
| Base Materials, Heat Treatments and Metallurgy (Ferrous Materials) | at least 6% |
| Welding Related Calculations | at least 6% |
| Duties and Responsibilities | at least 4% |
| Destructive Testing Fundamentals | at least 3% |
These published minimums total 82%; the remaining 18% is unallocated across domains.
Sources
Show the 6 official sources
- aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/CWI-Part-A-Fundamental-Lang (checked 2026-10-17)
- aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/CWI-Examination-User-Guide (checked 2026-10-17)
- aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/AWS-B5.1-2025 (checked 2026-10-17)
- aws.org/Certification-and-Education/Program-Price-List/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/QC1-2016-AMD1 (checked 2026-10-17)
- my1.aws.org/seminarAndExamSearch (checked 2026-10-17)
Facts checked 17 October 2026 against American Welding Society's own documents (sources above). If something has changed, tell us and we will correct it within 2 business days.
Your next step
- 01Free CWI Part A diagnostic25 questions, about 20 minutes. See your weakest domain.Start free
- 02Part A course$99. Lessons, timed practice exams and a plan around your exam date.See the plans
The CWI Part A course
Available now · instant accessLearn every Part A topic, then prove it on timed practice exams.
- 10modules of lessonsEvery task on the outline
- 2full-length timed exams165 questions in 135 minutes each
- 360practice questionsEach one explained
- 5worked calculationsStep by step
- 1week-by-week study planSet to your exam date
Question bank and timed exams: Expert review in progress: questions marked Reviewed were checked by a CWI with 15 years in structural welding (2026-10-19). The newest questions are still being reviewed. Every answer key is confirmed by a separate blind solve, and reported errors are fixed within 2 business days.