AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng)
American Welding Society
Practical uses
- 01
Perform code-quality welds on structural, pipe, or fabrication work.
- 02
Pass employer weld tests for fabrication shops and construction crews.
- 03
Take on independent repair and custom metal jobs.
How to get it
- 1.
Verify that you meet the education and experience prerequisites. AWS typically requires an engineering degree plus substantial welding-related work, or a combination that satisfies its equivalency rules.
- 2.
Submit your application, transcripts, and professional experience documentation to AWS for review.
- 3.
Schedule the two-part exam once your application is accepted: Part A covers welding fundamentals, processes, and inspection; Part B covers design, codes, metallurgy, and economics.
- 4.
Prepare using AWS-recommended references such as the Welding Handbook, AWS D1.1, and ASME codes.
- 5.
Pass both exam parts and receive your Certified Welding Engineer credential, valid for five years and renewable through continuing education or re-examination.
Study tips
- Do not under-prepare for the metallurgy and heat-affected-zone questions; they separate technicians from engineers on this exam.
- Practice interpreting WPS/PQR packages and code tables — the exam assumes you can translate a procedure into production requirements.