How to Become a Welding Inspector

In order to become a welding inspector, you'll need to amass several years of hands-on experience while working towards your Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) designation. Your CAWI status signals a degree of professionalism and commitment that employers take seriously--and typically reward with higher wages. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Become a Certified Welding Inspector

1. Complete your high school diploma, taking as many shop and welding-related classes as your school offers. While you don't need to have a high school diploma to become a welding inspector, completion of your secondary education drastically reduces the amount of time you'll need to spend amassing professional experience. Most professional organizations consider satisfactory completion of a high school equivalency examination to be equal to an actual diploma.

2. Get at least 4 years' worth of apprenticeship or entry-level work experience at a welding shop, if you have at least an eighth grade education but have not completed high school.

3. Work or apprentice for a period of a minimum of 6 years if you have not completed at least an eighth grade education.

4. Find a trade school or vocational institute that offers CAWI seminars. The American Welding Society strongly suggests you complete a welding Code Clinic, a Welding Inspection Technology seminar as well as a Visual Inspection workshop (see Resources below). Those courses will teach you what you need to know to successfully complete your CAWI examination.

5. Continue to gain work experience, and apply your newfound knowledge in a professional environment as you complete your in-class training.

6. Take your CAWI examination when you feel you have the requisite skills and education to pass the three-part test to become an associate welding inspector. You will have to average a score of 72 percent on all three sections of the exam to pass. If you fail, you will have to put in at least 40 more hours of professional training before you will be permitted to take the exam again.

7. Get hired on as an associate welding inspector at a welding shop. As you continue to improve and grow professionally, you will qualify for higher designations, including Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).

Tips & Warnings

• You can train for international welding certification if you think your career path may eventually involve a move to another part of the world.

• Your certification will be subject to reexamination, as it only remains valid for a fixed period (usually 9 years). It is important to stay current on trends and new technologies in the world of welding to remain at the top of your game throughout your career.

Resources

• Learn more about the Certified Associate Welding Inspector designation at the American Welding Society