8.2 CWI Duties and Responsibilities
Key Takeaways
- CWI duties span three phases: before welding (verification), during welding (monitoring), after welding (inspection and documentation)
- Pre-weld: verify drawings, WPS, welder qualifications, materials, consumables, fit-up, preheat, equipment
- During: monitor parameters, interpass temperature, cleaning, technique, consumable usage
- Post-weld: VT, measure weld size, check for discontinuities, coordinate NDE, documentation
- CWIs must be impartial and objective — decisions based on code, not relationships or pressure
- AWS B5.1 defines three levels: Level I (associate, supervised), Level II (CWI, independent), Level III (senior, supervisory)
Last updated: March 2026
8.2 CWI Duties and Responsibilities
The CWI's duties span the entire welding lifecycle — from pre-welding verification through post-weld inspection and documentation. Understanding these duties is essential for both the exam and professional practice.
Before Welding (Pre-Weld Inspection)
| Duty | Details |
|---|---|
| Review drawings and specifications | Understand joint designs, weld sizes, NDE requirements, acceptance criteria |
| Verify WPS availability and applicability | Confirm WPS exists for each joint type and is appropriate for the work |
| Check welder qualifications | Verify each welder has current, valid qualification for the process, position, and material |
| Inspect base materials | Verify correct material specification, condition (no excessive rust, oil, paint), and proper identification |
| Check consumables | Verify electrode/wire type matches WPS, check lot numbers, storage compliance (low-hydrogen oven) |
| Verify joint fit-up | Root opening, bevel angle, root face, alignment (high-low), backing, tack welds |
| Check preheat | Verify minimum preheat temperature is met at the correct location per code |
| Verify equipment | Power source type, settings, gas flow, wire feed speed |
| Environmental conditions | Temperature, wind (FCAW-G/GMAW exposure), moisture |
During Welding (In-Process Inspection)
| Duty | Details |
|---|---|
| Monitor welding parameters | Amperage, voltage, travel speed within WPS ranges |
| Verify interpass temperature | Minimum (same as preheat) and maximum interpass temperatures maintained |
| Check interpass cleaning | All slag removed between passes; no porosity in previous passes |
| Observe technique | Proper electrode angle, stringer vs. weave per WPS, pass sequence |
| Monitor preheat maintenance | Preheat maintained throughout welding (not just at start) |
| Check consumables | Correct electrode/wire being used for each pass (e.g., root vs. fill/cap) |
| Verify shielding gas | Correct type and flow rate per WPS |
| Monitor environmental changes | Wind pickup (gas-shielded processes), temperature drop |
After Welding (Post-Weld Inspection)
| Duty | Details |
|---|---|
| Visual inspection (VT) | Evaluate weld profile, size, and surface discontinuities per acceptance criteria |
| Measure weld size | Fillet weld leg size and throat, groove weld reinforcement height |
| Check for discontinuities | Cracks, porosity, undercut, overlap, incomplete fusion (surface) |
| Coordinate NDE | Schedule and verify RT, UT, MT, PT as required by the code |
| Review NDE results | Evaluate reports from NDE technicians; accept or reject |
| Verify post-heat / PWHT | If required, confirm temperature, time, and cooling rate compliance |
| Documentation | Record all inspection results, accept/reject decisions, repair directives |
| Sign off | Provide written acceptance or rejection with required documentation |
Ethical Responsibilities
Per AWS QC1 and the AWS Code of Ethics, the CWI must:
- Be impartial and objective — make accept/reject decisions based on code requirements, not relationships or pressure
- Report honestly — never falsify inspection records or test results
- Work within scope of qualification — do not perform inspections outside your area of competence
- Maintain confidentiality — protect proprietary information
- Continue professional development — stay current with codes, technology, and best practices
- Report violations — report safety hazards and code violations to appropriate authorities
AWS B5.1 — Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors
AWS B5.1 defines the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for welding inspectors at three levels:
| Level | Title | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Associate Welding Inspector | Works under direct supervision of a CWI; performs inspections but does not make final accept/reject decisions |
| Level II | Certified Welding Inspector | Inspects independently; makes accept/reject decisions; supervises Level I inspectors |
| Level III | Senior Certified Welding Inspector | Supervises and trains all levels; develops inspection procedures; resolves complex issues |
For the Exam: Know the three phases of inspection (before, during, after) and specific duties in each phase. Understand that the CWI must be objective and base decisions on code requirements — not personal judgment or external pressure.
Test Your Knowledge
Before welding begins, which of the following is NOT a CWI duty?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
During welding, the CWI should verify that:
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
According to AWS B5.1, who can make independent accept/reject decisions on welds?
A
B
C
D