The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential is recognized by employers across the country, from pipeline and refinery work to structural steel, shipbuilding and manufacturing. Your exam prep shouldn’t depend on where you live. Lone Star CWI offers 100% online, self-paced CWI exam prep, so welders and inspectors in any state can start preparing this week without traveling to a classroom or taking a week off work.
Study Online, at Your Own Pace
Log in after a shift, on your days off, or from a hotel room on a job. Every course follows the three parts of the AWS CWI exam:
- Part A Fundamentals ($399.99, about 25 hours): welding processes, symbols, metallurgy, NDE, destructive testing and inspection math, with chapter quizzes and timed mock exams.
- Part B Practical ($399.99, about 30 hours): the AWS Book of Specifications clause by clause, gauge lessons, and timed practice. Practice weld replicas and tools are available to buy.
- Part C API 1104 Codebook ($399.99, about 25 hours): API 1104, 22nd Edition navigation drills and a final mock exam, built for candidates who work in pipeline construction, maintenance and inspection.
- Full CWI Bundle ($1,000, about 80 hours): all three parts together for less than buying them separately.
Lone Star CWI is a registered AWS Educational Institute. Your instructor, Leandro Gutierrez, is a welder and inspector with over a decade in the field.
Why Online CWI Prep Works
- Study from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection. Study from home, the shop or the road, in any state.
- No travel, no time off. Skip the week away, the airfare and the hotel bill.
- Fits around your schedule. Shift work, overtime and out-of-town jobs don’t put you behind, because there’s no class calendar to keep up with.
- Learn at your own speed. Spend extra time on the topics that give you trouble, like welding symbols, the Book of Specifications or code navigation, and move quickly through the ones you already know.
- Real help when you need it. Post questions in the course Q&A, call 1 (956) 833-1835, or email contact@lonestarcwi.com.
Not sure which part to start with? Our CWI Part B guide explains the hands-on exam you take first, and Do You Need to Buy API 1104 for the CWI Exam? covers choosing your Part C codebook.
Where Do You Take the CWI Exam?
You prepare online, but the exam itself is taken in person. It’s given in two kinds of locations, and knowing which is which helps you plan.
Parts A and C: Prometric test centers nationwide
AWS gives Part A (Fundamentals) and Part C (Code Book) on computer at Prometric test centers, which are located throughout the United States. To find the center nearest you, use the test center locator on Prometric’s AWS page or call Prometric at 1-800-864-5257.
You can’t just walk in. You schedule Parts A and C through Prometric only after AWS approves your application and emails you an eligibility code. AWS recommends booking at least 30 days ahead.
Part B: AWS exam sites
Part B (Practical) is a hands-on, paper-based exam given at AWS exam sites on scheduled dates. You have to take it before Parts A and C. Sites and dates vary, so check the current exam schedule at aws.org and pick the site and date that work best for you. Depending on where you live, you may need to travel to the nearest site.
In the U.S., AWS requires your application at least six weeks before your Part B exam date. For the full list of eligibility rules, forms and fees, see our CWI requirements guide.
Who Our Online CWI Training Is For
- Welders with five or more years of experience (or fewer with a welding-related degree) who are ready to move into inspection
- Inspectors and QC techs who want the AWS CWI credential
- Pipeline, refinery, structural, shipyard and fabrication workers anywhere in the U.S.
- Anyone who can’t take time off work to travel for an out-of-town prep class
Contact Lone Star CWI
Have a question about the courses or whether you qualify? Reach out:
- Phone: 1 (956) 833-1835
- Email: contact@lonestarcwi.com
- Contact form: lonestarcwi.com/contact-us
Lone Star CWI LLC is based in Peñitas, Texas, and serves students online nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a CWI prep course online?
Yes. Lone Star CWI’s courses are fully online and self-paced, so you can study from anywhere in the U.S. with an internet connection. Questions? Call 1 (956) 833-1835 or email contact@lonestarcwi.com.
Is the AWS CWI certification recognized nationwide?
Yes. AWS CWI is a national certification issued by the American Welding Society, and it isn’t tied to any one state. Employers across the U.S. recognize it.
Where can I take the CWI exam?
Parts A and C are given at Prometric test centers. Use Prometric’s test center locator to find the nearest center that offers AWS CWI exams, and confirm availability when you schedule. Part B is held at AWS exam sites on scheduled dates, so check the exam schedule at aws.org for the site nearest you.
How long does it take to finish the online course?
The full bundle is about 80 hours of content, and you go at your own pace, so you can fit it around full-time work.
Do I qualify for the CWI exam?
Most candidates with a high school diploma need five years of welding-based experience. See our CWI requirements page for the full table.
Don’t wait for a class to come to your town. Start the Full CWI Bundle online today, or contact us with any questions.