Free Practice Questions for AWS CWI 9-Yr Recert
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Key Facts: AWS CWI 9-Yr Recert Exam
5
QC1 recertification pathways
AWS QC1
46
Part B retest questions
AWS Part B exam guide
72%
Part B passing score
AWS QC1
80 PDHs
Self-documentation pathway
AWS B5.1 subject areas
$1,130-$2,395
Pathway fee range (2026)
AWS published rates
11 months
Pre-expiration window
AWS QC1
AWS CWI 9-Year Recertification has five QC1 pathways. The Part B retest is the most exam-focused option: 46 hands-on questions on plastic weld replicas, 72% to pass, and 2026 fees of $1,130 member or $1,395 non-member. Alternatives include the 6-day Recertification Seminar (~80 PDHs, $2,130-$2,395), passing any CWI/SCWI endorsement (within 11 months of expiration, $445-$540), earning the CRI credential, or documenting 80 PDHs aligned with AWS B5.1. All must be completed before the 9-year expiration; lapsed CWIs must retake the full initial CWI exam to be reinstated.
Sample AWS CWI 9-Yr Recert Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the AWS CWI 9-Yr Recert exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A CWI is approaching the end of their 9-year certification cycle. Which of the following is NOT an approved pathway for 9-year recertification under AWS QC1?
2How many questions does the CWI Part B retest contain when chosen as a 9-year recertification pathway?
3What minimum score must a candidate achieve to pass the Part B retest for 9-year recertification?
4Approximately how many PDHs does the 6-day AWS CWI 9-Year Recertification Seminar provide?
5Per AWS D1.1:2020 Table 8.1, for statically loaded non-tubular connections in material less than 1 in (25 mm) thick, the general maximum allowable undercut is:
6Under D1.1:2020 Table 8.1 visual inspection criteria, the maximum diameter of piping porosity allowed in any fillet weld is:
7Per AWS D1.1:2020, a CJP groove weld in a butt joint transverse to computed tensile stress shall have:
8A weld replica shows a smooth indentation in the base metal at the weld toe that has reduced base-metal thickness. This discontinuity is:
9Per D1.1:2020 Table 8.1, the maximum permitted convexity on a fillet weld with a face width or individual surface bead width of 5/16 in or less is:
10What inspection tool is best suited to measure fillet weld leg size on a Part B retest weld replica?
About the AWS CWI 9-Yr Recert Exam
The AWS CWI 9-Year Recertification is the milestone at the end of every CWI's 9-year certification cycle. AWS QC1 offers five pathways: a 6-day Recertification Seminar (~80 PDHs), a Part B practical retest at an AWS-authorized site (46 questions, 72% pass), passing any current CWI/SCWI endorsement exam, earning the AWS Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI), or self-documenting 80 PDHs in subject areas defined by AWS B5.1. The most exam-focused route is Part B retest, which uses plastic weld replicas and the AWS Book of Specifications to assess practical visual inspection skill.
Exam sponsor: AWS (Prometric / AWS test sites). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
5 pathways; Part B retest is the practical exam route
Time Limit
Part B retest standard timing; seminar 6 days
Passing Score
72% on Part B retest
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Part B Visual Inspection on Replicas
Identify undercut, overlap, porosity, slag, crater cracks, underfill, convexity, concavity, spatter, and arc strikes on plastic weld replicas.
D1.1 Table 8.1 Acceptance Criteria
Static and cyclic acceptance limits for piping porosity (3/8 in/linear inch, 3/4 in/12 in), undercut (1/32 in general; 1/16 in length-limited; 0.01 in cyclic-tension), and fillet profile/convexity.
Welding Symbols (AWS A2.4)
Reference line, arrow/other side, size left of symbol, length-pitch right of symbol, flag for field weld, circle for all-around, NDE in tail, contour/finishing letters.
Inspection Tools (Part B Kit)
Fillet weld gauge (leg), bridge cam (reinforcement, undercut depth, throat, misalignment), 6 in scale, 5x magnifier, and flashlight.
WPS/PQR/WPQ Verification
Prequalified WPS conditions per Clause 5, essential variables, requalification triggers, and welder qualification documentation.
QC1 Recertification Pathways
Seminar, Part B retest, endorsement, CRI, and 80 PDHs per B5.1; 11-month window and consequences of lapse.
Metallurgy & Heat Control
Preheat/interpass control, hydrogen cracking, carbon equivalent (IIW), heat input (kJ/in), and HAZ behavior.
NDE Method Selection
VT, MT, PT, RT, UT applicability for surface vs subsurface defects on carbon and stainless steel.
Preparing for the AWS CWI 9-Yr Recert Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 72% on Part B retest
- Assessment: 5 pathways; Part B retest is the practical exam route
- Time limit: Part B retest standard timing; seminar 6 days
- Exam / certification fees: $1,130-$2,395 depending on pathway Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
AWS CWI 9-Yr Recert: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five AWS CWI 9-Year Recertification pathways?
AWS QC1 recognizes five recertification pathways: (1) the 6-day Recertification Seminar awarding approximately 80 PDHs, (2) the CWI Part B practical retest (46 questions, 72% to pass) at AWS-authorized sites, (3) successfully passing any current CWI/SCWI endorsement exam within 11 months of expiration, (4) earning the AWS Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI) credential during the 9-year cycle, or (5) self-documenting 80 PDHs in subject areas defined by AWS B5.1. Choose the route that matches your time, budget, and exam preference.
How much does the CWI 9-Year Recertification cost in 2026?
AWS published 2026 fees (member/non-member): the 6-day Recertification Seminar costs $2,130/$2,395, the Part B retest is $1,130/$1,395, and using an endorsement exam as the recert pathway costs $445/$540. The PDH self-documentation pathway carries a nominal administrative fee. The CRI credential has its own application and exam fees but, once earned, satisfies the recertification without a separate Part B retest.
Which pathway is most exam-focused?
The CWI Part B retest is the most exam-focused pathway: 46 practical questions, 72% to pass, completed in one focused day using plastic weld replicas and the AWS Book of Specifications. Experienced CWIs often choose Part B retest because it directly demonstrates inspection skill, costs less than the seminar, and concentrates effort on Clause 8 visual acceptance criteria, symbols, and the Part B tool kit.
What happens if my CWI lapses without completing recertification?
If a CWI expires without completing any 9-year recertification pathway, certification is lost. The inspector must reapply, re-document eligibility (education, experience, vision), and sit the full initial CWI exam covering Parts A, B, and C to be reinstated. AWS does not provide automatic reinstatement after expiration. The lesson: complete a pathway within the 11-month window before expiration.
What does the Part B retest actually cover?
Part B retest is identical in format to the initial Part B: 46 questions tied to plastic weld replicas, requiring the candidate to apply the AWS Book of Specifications using a standard inspection tool kit (fillet weld gauge, bridge cam gauge, undercut gauge, 6 in scale, 5x magnifier, flashlight). Acceptance criteria reference D1.1 Table 8.1-style visual rules (undercut, porosity, cracks, convexity, fillet leg/throat, reinforcement). Vision verification per QC1 (Jaeger J2 near vision) is required before sitting.
Can I use 80 PDHs for 9-year recertification without taking any exam?
Yes. AWS QC1 permits self-documenting 80 PDHs in subject areas defined by B5.1 (welding processes, inspection methods, codes/standards, metallurgy, NDE, safety, and related topics). Hours must be auditable - retain certificates of completion, agendas, and instructor/source records. The PDH pathway works well for CWIs who attend regular industry training but want to avoid a seminar or exam.