Data asset, updated 2026-07-22
What the CWI certification actually costs, every fee dated
Quick answer
How much does the AWS Certified Welding Inspector certification cost in 2026?
The initial examination is $1,255 for American Welding Society members and $1,520 for non-members. Depending on your choices you may add a $125 application fee, a $60-per-part Prometric seat fee, an Authorized Training Facility fee for the Part B practical, and, if you want it, $1,030 to $2,510 for prep. The table below itemizes every fee, sourced and dated. To price your own situation, use the cost calculator.
| Item | Member | Non-member | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial CWI examination (Parts A, B, C) | $1,255 | $1,520 | per-exam |
| Initial CWI exam bundled with Part B training | $2,000 | $2,265 | per-exam |
| Application processing fee (paper, not via online portal) | $125 | $125 | one-time |
| Prometric seat fee, per computer-based part (A or C) | $60 | $60 | per-part |
| Code endorsement exam (D1.1, API 1104, ASME piping, etc.) | $445 | $540 | per-endorsement |
| MT or PT method endorsement exam (Prometric, plus ATF Part B) | $505 | $770 | per-endorsement |
| Qualifier / coordination endorsement exam (WPQ, WPQ2, welding coordination, NDE coordination) | $540 | $630 | per-endorsement |
| Part B hands-on practical fee provider-set | ATF-set | ATF-set | per-exam |
| 8-week online CWI seminar (exam not included, includes 3-year membership) | $2,245 | $2,510 | one-time |
| CWI pre-seminar online course (standalone) | $1,030 | $1,360 | one-time |
| Part B training seminar only | $1,135 | $1,230 | one-time |
| CWI seminar and exam package (D1.1 or API 1104 focus) | $3,070 | $3,335 | one-time |
| Seminar retake (within 12 months of the original event) | $1,010 | $1,010 | one-time |
| Exam retest, Part A or Part C (single part) | $445 | $445 | per-part |
| Exam retest, Part B practical | $385 | $385 | per-part |
| Year-3 / year-6 renewal by work experience | $650 | $915 | one-time |
| Year-3 / year-6 renewal by Part B examination | $1,040 | $1,305 | one-time |
| Year-9 recertification, non-exam route (80 PDH, endorsement, or initial CRI) | $795 | $1,060 | one-time |
| Year-9 recertification by Part B examination | $1,165 | $1,430 | one-time |
| Year-9 recertification by the 9-year course | $2,130 | $2,395 | one-time |
| Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI) exam | $1,005 | $1,270 | one-time |
Source: AWS Certification and Education Programs Price List, effective January 1 2026 (aws.org). Figures captured on 2026-07-22 and shown with that date. The Part B practical fee is set by your Authorized Training Facility, not by the American Welding Society, so it has no single official number. We show the date each figure was last verified against the official source; we do not promise a fixed re-verification cadence.