CWI, because I said so.

BUT, it may be the CWEng for you.  I have no way of knowing what is better for you.

hello, i was wondering which is better to have CWI Certification OR CWEng Certification  and why ??

Hey Lawrence,
What makes the CWB qualified Weld Eng. designation superior to the AWS CWEng.?

AWS welding Engineer certification is a good platform to test and demonstrate your knowledge and ability. The only problem is that there is no standard or specification that mandate companies to have AWS certified welding engineer; therefore few companies who appreciate the value of the certification require their welding engineer to be certified. IWE and PE in principle is not better AWS CWEng; the reason they are more popular is that ISO standard requires IWE and PE is a legal requirement.
Am AWS CWEng.

Just for the record, it is the CWEng as opposed to the CWE (Certified Welding Educator) he is looking for info on.  But, I believe that is the one you were referring to, just with incorrect designation.

Brent

You may be able to search the post for CWENG or click this link to see posts with that in the text.

https://app.aws.org/forum/forum_search.pl?words=Cweng&user=&board=0&field=body&min=&max=&order=desc

Of course the info from AWS is a resource that you may already be aware of but here it is again. http://www.aws.org/certification/detail/certified-welding-engineer

Have a great day. Wish I could help you with my experience but engineer I am not. Wish I was sometimes but cant think of 4 years of welding experience I would have traded for it yet.

Welcome to the best welding forum in the world...while it lasts!

Gerald

That's where I come in, "I'm not a welding engineer, but I slept at a Holiday Express!"

I had high hopes for the AWS CWEng, but those hopes have been shattered. No one gets into the boy's club unless the degree has the right words printed on it.

Al

Hi everyone.

From all I've read here so far, no one seem to know any CWEng, which makes it more interesting for me to become 1. Well, preparation for the course is in full speed but I really need to know why IOC's prefer IIW- IWE to the CWEng?
I am a CWI, CSWIP, IWI-C, B.Tech Mechanical Engineering holder,what advantage does the CWEng give me above these....advice is well appreciated.

Thanks,
Oluwajana.

Thanks In Tension.
You've summed up why the CWEng is attractive to me, as I've never had the time or means to get a degree.
I've built a resume through wide ranging experience over the years that negates the need for a degree, including an SCWI, but I think a CWEng would be a good addition. I like the fact that I can get that cert simply be demonstrating my knowledge through passing the "Final Exam", without having to go through years of collegiate pre-requisite courses to get to that point.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that having that cert would make me qualified to start passing myself off as a PE, it's just a value adding resume addition.
The thing that concerns me about being able to pass the exam is the mathematics, which is not my strong suit. I intend to take some of the necessary collegiate math courses as part of my study regimen, but would love to discuss the exam with someone who's taken it in order to help me ensure I'm concentrating on the right things.
AWS B5.16 does a pretty good job of detailing the body of knowledge, but every little bit helps.

How about you JWInspect? Not trying to hijack your post, just adding comments, trying to drum up responses. Why are you interested in CWEng?

Tim

I've never actually met anybody with the CWEng (that I know of) and wonder what it really brings to the table for an otherwise qualified engineer... if you're otherwise qualified, the exam is exempt for PE's.  I think the main draw here is to give people who never had the time or means to gain a 4-year degree a way of expressing their qualifications/experience.  The question then remains, are employers accepting the cert in lieu of a degree?  I dunno.  As a person who will probably never finish college I'd like to think so. 
Unfortunately, I think the fact that not many of us have, or know somebody who has, the CWEng implies that it's not incredibly valuable in the marketplace.  I would think if it held considerable weight it would be more prevalent.
Compared to more college, the price is right... although the books could break the bank.

I've also been considering the CWEng cert and would appreciate any info.

Thanks,
Tim Gary

Does anyone know anything about the AWS CWEng?? Are preparatory seminars offered for the certification or do you have to pretty much buy all the codes/standards underlined in B5.16 and take your best shot..? I do not know of anyone that has this cert so any advice and info is appreciated.

A friend/mentor/colleague recently received his AWS/CWEng stamp.
He is also in possession of a Professional Eng. stamp and told me;
"A) They were both equally tough tests."
and...
"B) I don't believe you are a candidate for the CWEng exam."

True you do not need a B.S or B.A. degree to be an engineer, but it will certainly open more doors and faster if you do.

I've only met 2 individuals that actually had a Welding Engineering degree. Both graduated from LeTourneau.

If I could juggle the finances, challenging him on answer "B" might be an option.

Copied from Meriam Webster.
engineer |ˌenjəˈni(ə)r|
noun
a person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or public works.
• a person qualified in a branch of engineering, esp. as a professional: an aeronautical engineer.
• the operator or supervisor of an engine, esp. a railroad locomotive or the engine on an aircraft or ship.
• a skillful contriver or originator of something: the prime engineer of the approach.
Yes, there are "non-degreed engineers" all over out there.

I was once a "Chemical Engineer" by occupational title and had never taken a single primary or college level chemistry class in my life.
It was a really fun job though mixing zillions of gallons of highly dangerous chemicals (such as 96% sulphuric acid that was as thick as Karo Syrup), and then neutralizing the final spent cocktails to 7.0 ph.
We were like a combination of mad scientists, boilermakers and OTR truckers.

If you want to be an engineer such as the AWS CWEng., I say go for it.
A person is only limited by their own self imposed limitations.

Jeff,

My experience is elsewhere, so I can't offer any advice, but in case you haven't accessed it already, the link below has questions and answers related to the CWE exam, a Body of knowledge page, that explains the exam and subject matter, along with testing facility locations, dates, and prices, and the site gives you access to AWS B5.16.2006, which is the Specification for the Qualification of Welding Engineers...

https://www.aws.org/certification/CWEng/

Al/Brent,
A couple things. The list of responsibilities that brent posted is revealing. This is indeed the brunt of what a welding engineer will do. And these responsibilities do not require a PE nor an education of which, as I remember when I reviewed it, is the curriculum of the CWEng. It actually is more in line with the CWI curriculum (or at least as it was taught to me in the seminar I took, metallurgy, physics, power source basics, flux and coating characteristics, CCT diagrams, and such). Which is probably why so many employers turn to them. Employers are not going to pay for a PE to do these things because they would be overpaid/overpriced for these activities. And the PE would be wasting himself here.
Don't get me wrong, I think there is a great need for a CWEng type cert but that is not what is happening here. The CWEng seems to be trying move in on PE turf and that is a mistake. It is over reach. There is no need for it. Which is really why there are so few. There is however a need for a 'lesser' application but as yet AWS seems little interested in this.

And Al, I am not sure what you mean by true welding engineers. OSU churns em out like widgets. And though inexperienced, they have the foundation. A good one. Smart kids. Degreed kids. But again, so few seem to actually end up doing the things on brents list.
I don't actually know where they all go. Most of them I see end up with filler metal or power source manufacturers. Or back in academia. Some I suppose end up with the big OEM's and EPC's and such, either pigeonholed or forced to move a different direction.

What I see in industry is the employer hangs the title "welding engineer" on anyone that has the skill and knowledge to spell "weld.” Usually the individual is ill prepared for the position. Just read some of the posts here in the Forum to find examples of the exact situation I am speaking of. Just because the individual has the title, doesn't mean they actually know what they're doing. Hey, I have a brother-in-law that has the title of design engineer. He never took a college course in his life, but that doesn't stop his employer from hanging the shingle with the title on his office divider.

The CWI is the person many employers turn to because the CWI has a basic understanding of welding technology. In many case the poor CWI is in over his head, but it is the best alternative available to the employer. Whether the CWI sinks or swims is a function of his resourcefulness and willingness to do research to find viable solutions to production needs. 

True welding engineers are far and few between. Most employers don't want to pay the price to hire a person with the proper credentials. Why do employers hire welders or engineers with little training or experience? Money, the bottom line is the answer, plain and simple. They scream and holler there are no welders or (fill in the blank), when in reality, they simply are not willing to pay the wages the skilled engineer or welder, or machinist, or (fill in the blank) demands. It is easier to moan to congress and bring in cheap foreign labor.

Whether the candidate can justify the time and cost of seeking the CWEng credential is questionable. In my humble opinion, the individual would be better served to earn a P.E. in a recognized engineering discipline. I find it hard to believe a potential employer will pay the CWEng a salary differential that is much more than an engineer with a traditional P.E. That makes me question whether the CWEng is worth pursuing. After all, in the big picture, it is about the money.

Many years ago, a large New England utility contacted me and asked if I would consider taking a position with them as a "welding engineer." I actually laughed when the interviewer told me what the salary was. I was making more money with my welding helmet than what they were offering. The interviewer countered my comment with "It will be a great resume builder!" I told the interviewer that with his comment in mind, it appears the job opportunity was short term and politely declined the invitation.

Best regards - Al

Not that you need this JS, but for any others including the OP I thought they might get a better picture of the program. 

" The welding engineer is a person who determines weld requirements which may be governed under a specific code, contract,
drawing, specification, purchase order, or other documents. The welding engineer either prepares or reviews written
instructions for the production of welded joints. The welding engineer must be thoroughly familiar with various
codes, specifications, other standards, base materials, filler materials, heat treatment, mechanical properties, welding and
joining processes, procedures, weld joint design, welding equipment, thermal cutting, inspection methods, acceptance
criteria, tests, welding qualification requirements, fabrication tolerances, and other aspects of fabrication and assembly.
The welding engineer shall also prepare and produce reports which accurately reflect professional judgment. For the
welding engineer to be effective, the activities they perform must be consistent with specified requirements, technical
and ethical principles. The welding engineer must be able to work with management representatives, inspection personnel,
welders and support crafts, and should be able to understand the role of each in the development of weldments.
It is recommended that an individual pursue certification as a Welding Engineer by a recognized authorized body. Certification
is defined as the act of determining, verifying, and attesting in writing to the qualification of personnel in accordance
with specified requirements."  From B5.16-2006

For myself, I understand it to be an enhancer to ones credentials if in a position of setting up job parameters.  Things like materials to be used and generate the PO properly for their delivery.  WPS's and/or PQR's for the work including choosing the process(s) to be used, consumables, etc. 

The CWEng cert would provide an employer with added verification on ones abilities to accomplish these kinds of tasks in addition to knowledge of applicable AWS Codes.  As Al mentioned, in many ways the SCWI will document the same abilities but not all.

It is not a PE and it also is not a CWI and especially not an SCWI.  But, just as the CWS and other programs, it can have it's usefulness beyond just another certification on your resume.  Especially if there were a seminar that would assist with information geared toward the work expected of the position. 

He Is In Control, Have a Great Day,  Brent

I think the bottom line is that the CWEng certification has no value or use at this time except perhaps to look pretty on a resume'.
But to who?
Again, it is not a PE, and it is not related to what the great majority of welding engineers actually do.
So for it to have meaning it needs to find its place. Other than as another revenue stream for AWS.

As to the OP and also some of the sidebar discussions, AWS and others need to do a little self examination and learn from one another. 

Having recently taken the ICC exams for Bolting and Welding and the LA City Deputy Inspector exam and previously taken the AWS CWI and also the AWS Bolting Endorsement and now taking courses to add some ASNT certs, I think I have the beginnings of an understanding of several organizations and their methods of touting their own cause. 

The AWS needs to look into changes in their system that would encourage more use with even more respect.  Part of that would be to offer courses that would enhance knowledge prior to testing for the CWEng, SCWI, and some others.  At the very least, the AWS Website needs much more info in order for self study and enhanced skills and knowledge.  There are many things each one could learn from the others that would assist all inspectors in doing their jobs more efficiently.  

I do understand the growing criticism about arrogance.  Many have attributed that to myself and others here.  So be it.  If knowing where to find answers and being available to share that is arrogance then I'm guilty.  Where I have problems is when the very young and inexperienced get 'Certified' and are suddenly unerring experts who have extreme god complexes that try to force 'their' opinion on every situation they are involved in.  When challenged to back up the opinion from codes, the standard answer is 'I said so and I'm the CWI' or something to that effect.  At the same time, not backing down from good interpretation of proper procedures from code derived sources with research to back it up is not arrogance. 

Bottom line is that non of us is perfect and no one system is perfect.  Each has it's place and usefulness.  Each of us then needs to determine what will best fit our needs and goals for the job resume we want to have in order to provide for our family's needs financially.  And while you will always run into detractors and nay sayers, always do your best and try to be constructive and not destructive. 

Every state, county, city will have different standards of acceptance for qualifications to be met for work performed.  That needs to be the starting place, What do I need for the Local Building Authorities with Jurisdiction to be satisfied with my credentials?  Second would be, What do I need to be comfortable with the knowledge and skills at my disposal to know I am doing my due diligence to provide safe, secure, properly completed inspections? 

If the CWEng endorsement will do that for you, then go for it.  Some people just like to have certs to add to their resume.  If you have the money, time and inclination, go for it. 

He Is In Control, Have a Great Day,  Brent

As for the OP...
A friend of mine with a BS in Mech. Eng. took his CWEng and Texas State PE exams a week apart. He was awarded both prestigious credentials and I consider that quite an accomplishment considering that time frame. He is also in possession of a CWI, a couple of API certs (510 and 570) if memory serves me correctly, and is working on his Master's in Mech. engineering. Obviously a very intelligent man. He advised me in no uncertain terms (having worked together on a couple of jobs) that I was probably not yet a candidate for the CWEng exam. His thoughts were that the CWEng test was every bit as tough as the PE exam. And that there are only about 1500 CWEngs worldwide??? So yes it would be a highlight on any resume to have in my opinion.
He is running a job now that is so big, they are making the hand railing out of 10".................

Lawrence,
I am looking at Ed's well worn book on Mig Welding sitting on my bookshelf as I type these words. I am not sure I agree with everything Ed argues but I am indebted to him for the very things of which you indicate. A little skepticism on bells and whistles, and gases. And he is a brilliant guy.
In the context of STT and other technologies it is not that these technologies do not have value and have not improved applications. The problem is the over aggressive/panacea marketing that follows after its introduction. I have no doubt it drives him as crazy as it does myself.
It is also an interesting coincidence that just yesterday I had lunch with a good friend that spends a great deal of time researching welding technology and he clued me in to even more problems with new technologies and applications wherein the machines of yesterday simply kick the new machines azzes.
Don't get me wrong, as in another thread wherein I stated my support for the CWEng certification with limitations, I herein support STT/RMD or whatever, with a sober understanding of what the technology is able, and unable, to do.

Al,
As I stated above, though I have been critical of the CWEng program, I think it could have great value.

I personally think perhaps that AWS should not be quite so ambitious. Target the CWEng to a level that the bulk of the industry is practicing. More than a CWI but less than a PE. More than looking at stuff, but less than running design calculations (I mean really. How many welding engineers are actually doing this?). Share a little from CWI. Share a little from PE. And fill in the gap. That is the niche IMO.

The term P.E. is protected as you pointed out JS. It is for that reason AWS cannot award anyone the title P.E.

As noted by others, many states have bought into the idea that only individuals that have the P.E. credential can sell their services as "Engineers."

In some respects I agree with much of what you have said. However, there are a few individuals that have P.E.s in Welding Engineering that are protecting their "title" at every twist and turn. I agree that the AWS credential will probably never have the recognition factor as the P.E. credential and that being the case, the CWEng is an uphill battle. Personally, I would get P.E. in a recognized discipline, i.e., mechanical engineering, civil engineering, etc. if I am going to invest the time and money to prepare for a strenuous examination.

Al

CWEng's.... do they have an engineer's belt buckle too?

I suppose AWS will tell you if your experience is good enough, I dont know.

I would qualify to take the test under 1 (or more) of the criteria, but I would have to study for a year or 2 to have a chance in hell of passing the math and physics stuff

I personally dont feel the need to have a PE license or the CWEng either, at least in my current role.

Given the lack of an ABET accredited exam, we probably need some sort of professionally recognized PE-like certified individual.  Currently, the AWS exam is probably the best bet, but I am not sure that it is working in a way that generates CWEng's.

Education and Experience Requirements for Access to the Examinations
Each individual for qualification as an AWS CWEng shall possess one of the following combinations of education and relevant experience to be eligible for the AWS CWEng examination. You must meet one of the conditions below in order to gain entrance to the examination.

1.Individuals with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in engineering and a minimum of one (1) year of related experience.
2.Individuals with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in engineering technology and a minimum of two (2) years of related experience.
3.Individuals with other related Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees and a minimum of five (5) years of related experience.
4.Individuals with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and a minimum of ten (10) years of related experience.
5.Individuals who have successfully completed high school or an equivalent program and a minimum fifteen (15) years of related experience

This just gets you in the door.  you will still have to go through the application to see just what parts of the CWEng exam you must take.

If you have passed your EIT,or have previously passed parts 1 & 2,  you get to skip part 1 and 2 of the CWEng exam and just take the last 2 parts, otherwise, take all 4 parts.

As far as PE status, AFAIK, Ohio was the last state to offer the PE exam for welding engineering, and they stopped a few years back.  Seems like I heard the ABET would not authorize a new exam unless something like 10 states decided to offer it.  Never gonna happen, so it looks like no more welding PE's ever.

Here in TX, you are not supposed to put the word engineer in your title, unless you are a PE or EIT.  They have sent a legal notice in the past to this effect.

Al,
My experience with it is that I gathered the materials pertaining to the CWEng when I was considering taking the test. And though the math was daunting since I had been out of school for a long time, I was not generally impressed and saw little use for the effort. This may be AWS's problem.
IMO much of the CWI course study should actually be a part of CWEng (metallurgy, CC diagrams, process physics, etc.)since it pertains to what the great majority of welding engineers actually do and actually very little of what CWI's actually do. And welding engineers are not mechanical engineers, and vice versa, though many high level welding engineers have mechanical engineering degrees.
I think the basic idea that the CWEng can replace the PE is at best severely misguided and at worst could end you up in jail. I mean, is a CWEng going to put a stamp on a pressure vessel calculation or a structural design? If not then they are not interchangeable. If so what grounds would there be to do so?
Its best that the program carves out its own space, though this admittedly has not worked well for AWS. The skill and knowledge set of which no amount of study for a CWEng test will prepare you is required for PE activities.
If AWS is thinking of moving in on this terf my response would be, "are you kidding?".
And I would hope that even though AWS may be administering the test it is still a PE test and not a CWEng test. That to me would be the epitome of stupidity.
My original motivation for CWEng consideration was to lend credibility to my autodidactic efforts of the last 20 years since I am not a degreed engineer. But credibility in the industry has not been successful. I think the idea of CWEng is a good one. I just don't think AWS has done it right. And thinking of competing with PE is not it. They need to go the other way and horn in on the CWI curriculum.
To put it succinctly, the great majority of welding engineers ARE NOT Omer Blodgett's. They are WPS designers and filler metal specifiers. That is where CWEng should concentrate. Who actually are the welding engineers.

Sorry JS, you are way wrong regarding the CWEng examination.

If my memory serves me correctly, one must have passed the Engineering Fundamentals Examination before sitting for the  Part B AWS CWEng examination. If the applicant has not passed the fundamentals examination elsewhere, they have to take the Part A of the AWS examination which is the fundamentals examination.

It is my understanding that the Welding Engineering PE is no longer offered by the State of Ohio. That test is now administered by AWS, but since the term PE is copyrighted, AWS can not use it. 

Best regards - Al

The CWEng regime is not even close to the PE regime.
The CWEng regime is essentially a CWI with some math.
Of course, if jon were here he would take me to task for saying such.

CWE= Certified Welding Educator
CWEng = Certifed Welding Engineer
The difference in the abbreviation has caused me many headaches.
I have not taken the exam, but it is something that I have considered many times. It could be a prestigious accomplishment. I heard that at one time the powers that be were considering it to be equivalent to PE since PE does not cover welding.
If you take it and pass both parts I would be interested in hearing your story.

Don't know much about the CWEng.

No, the cost of the books in not refundable.  But, I strongly recommend buying them for self study before the seminar.  Just give your duplicates to someone who can use them or sell them here on the forum.

Have a Great Day,  Brent

There is some good info here and I am contemplating the CWEng certificate as well. 

Ie: "The" Ohio State came about bc back in the day the school tried to sue someone for making ohio state shirts, hats etc, only to find they never copyrighted their own name, so this guy did. They then copyrighted "The Ohio State University" and officially licensed products must say "The..." Or so the story goes.

Hi all and thanks in advance for any info that you decide to share.

First about the CWEng:

Do many companies recognize this certificate, or do they prefer degreed engineers? Ie: is it worth the time/effort/cost?

Second am I eligible? The AWS site says 7 years experience with an AAS in engineering or 5 years with a bachelors in science.  I have 7 years total experience 6 as a boilermaker on the railroad, and 1 year in aerospace, where I currently am. I have an AAS in Electrical Engineering Technologies and a Bachelors of science in Business Management.

Is there any practice tests available to see what areas I should focus my studies on? 

I have just began to research this designation and would like as much info as possible about it.

My current company wants a more "technical" background for their managers, hence my thinking on taking the CWEng exam as well as the CWI.

For the CWI is the purchase price of books refundable from the seminar price? I plan on buying the books and studying for a couple months before the exam, but I read the books are included in the seminar/exam price.

Try using the welding schools locator here at the AWS website.  You are most likely to find a community college that offers an AS degree.  But, you could get that degree, and then transfer to a school with another BS in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, and get as many welding credits as possible.  It is also possible to take the AWS CWEng exam without a BS as long as you have enough years of work experience -- but this test is no walk in the park.

http://www.aws.org/w/e/

The AZ Section of the AWS will be host to one CWI Seminar and Exam in 2013.

The date will be July 14th through July 19th, 2013, for the seminar with the CWI Exam to follow on Saturday, July 20th, 2013.  The site will be at the Hilton Garden Inn; 11460 W. Hilton Way; Avondale, AZ 85323.  (This is just south of I-10 and just east of the 101.

The room cost for those scheduled for the seminar/exam through AWS is $99. 

You can take any of the AWS offered exams on Saturday following the CWI seminars.  Bolting, BluePrint Reading, CWS, CWEng, and many more. 

The seminar instructor will be Ken Jobes. 

Remember to get registered by six weeks prior to the seminars.  The deadline for this seminar is June 10, 2013.  The deadline for Hotel Reservations is June 13, 2013.

CWEng is almost useless. CWI is far prefferable and can provide a good income. Neither come close to preparing for a PE exam.
And you don't need a degree for any of it, but the remaining quals are more robust.

I am 24 years old. I have an ABET accredited B.S. degree from Montana State University in mechanical engineering. After spending 4 years of schooling and 2 years in a cubical doing paper work, welding has really caught my interest. I'm looking for work that is more hands on in the fabrication industry. My schooling didn't consist of very much welding or machining experience.

In order to take the AWS Welding Engineer Exam, it says I need to have "a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in engineering and a minimum of one (1) year of related experience."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way that I understand it is that I don't need to have a degree in Welding Engineering to become a certified welding engineer. I just need to have any kind of engineering degree? What qualifies as related experience? I would prefer that my related experience was in welding and not in designing. If I found an entry level welding job to get the required experience, would I be wasting my time?

Which certification has a greater job opportunities, CWEng or CWI? Which one is more useful? Money aside, which one would you rather have?

Would I have the opportunity to work under a P.E. as a CWEng or CWI and gain relative experience to apply for the P.E. exam?

Thanks for your time and advice.

You might start by checking out this link to the Engineer Certification requirements.  There is more information available there as well.

http://www.aws.org/certification/CWEng/

Have a Great Day,  Brent

Hello all experts,

i'm going to apply for AWS-CWEng. , Is anybody can guide me or send me some study material even if to buy it.

mstrego632

First Welcome to the American Welding Society Online Forum

In regards to certification #

http://www.aws.org/w/a/certification/search.html

How to interpret the Certification number to determine the level of certification:
Last Digit Key
1 = CWI
2 = CAWI eligible for upgrade*
3 = cwi by upgrade*
4 = CAWI
5 = CWI through CWSIP
7 = CWI through Reciprocity
8 = SCWI
E = CWE
G = CWENG
I = SIE/Endorsement
N = CRI
O = CRAWO
R = CWSR
S = CWS
T = CRAWT

QC1-2007

http://www.aws.org/certification/docs/QC1-2007.pdf

11.2.3 Neither falsely represent current status nor seek
to misrepresent the certification level (SCWI/CWI/
CAWI) by modification of certification documents or
false verbal or written testimony of current level or status.

12. Revocation
12.1 Committee. The Committee shall have the power to
suspend, refuse renewal, or revoke the SCWI’s, CWI’s,
or CAWI’s certification for misrepresentation of facts
regarding personal qualifications, status, assignments,
etc., relating to SCWI’s, CWI’s, or CAWI’s certifications whether such misrepresentation was made at the
time of application or on subsequent applications
(renewal, etc.). The Committee may place on probation
or reprimand a certificate holder, if found guilty of any
unauthorized practice (as outlined in 11.6 Unauthorized

Again Welcome to the Forum

Marshall

The AZ Section of AWS will be host to two CWI Seminars and Exams in 2012. 

The first will be March 11-16 with the exam on the 17th. 

The second will be July 8-13 with the exam on the 14th. 

Both will be held at the FourPoints (Innplace) by Sheraton Phoenix North;  10220 N. Metro Parkway East;  Phoenix,  AZ  85051.

For those attending the seminar and registering through the AWS the hotel cost per night is $108.  It appears the July cost will be considerably cheaper (possible $79/night, I'll check further).

The instructor for the March seminar is Lynn Sturgill.
The instructor for the July seminar is Ed Bohnart.

Don't forget to register by six weeks ahead of the seminars.

Remember, you can take ANY of the Code Endorsement exams, CWS, CWEng, Bolting, BluePrint Reading, etc. at any Exam location.  Just fill out the appropriate application and enter the proper numbers for your choice.

Phoenix in March is pretty nice.  We hope you choose our Section's seminars and exams to expand your credentials, knowledge, and skills.

Hope some still check when new posts show up here to follow up.

Just got back from the exam in Phoenix.  Pretty comfortable with my performance.  Had plenty of time to study and had plenty of resources thanks to posters here in this thread.  Had a reasonable amount of experience to add to the book knowledge. 

Overall I felt it was handled very well.  Personally I would have thought the people monitoring the exam should have had a bit more knowledge and understanding about how to handle the code book exams. 

Also,  I never did get EXACT information about what documents could be used IN the exam.  I only used the 13th ed AISC with RCSC Bolting and Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.  Was able to answer all the questions on MY exam from those documents.

But Joe Kane had mentioned that there 'could' be questions in the bank of questions for the exam that covered info from the ASTM's on bolting items.  AND, several of the other exams, SCWI, CWEng, CWS (supervisor), etc are allowed to take any reference material they think can assist them on the exam.

I went back through the AWS website 'Certification' section, the info sent with my confirmation, info on this thread, and I could not find anything about what I was able or not able to take into the exam and use as reference material.

I really think this is important information.  If I don't get an answer on this question on the forum I will start back with phone calls and e-mails to the people who contributed previous information.  I may have taken, and hopefully passed, the exam but this should be readily available information for others.

Have a Great Day,  Brent

bozaktwo1
CWE stands for Certified Welding Educator.
CWEng may be what you meant to write
If you were thinking Certified Welding engineer?
Marshall

The State of Ohio has PE registration in Welding Engineering. When I took it it was an 8-hour essay style exam not the multiple-choice that the balance of examinees now take. Each year there are only a handful of peole taking the exam.  It is not uncommon that a PE (mechanical) will go back and take the WE PE exam.  I work for a company that is building projects for EU customers that require either an IWE or a AWS CWEng or a PE in Welding Engineering.

Tom,

Based upon my own experience, I would recommend that your son continue on a path to become a licensed professional engineer in civil engineering.  If he wants credentials in welding, I would recommend that he get certification as a CWI rather than a CWEng.  To do that he will, of course, have to have the qualifying experience set forth in paragraph 5.5 of AWS B5.1 - Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors.  The necessary experiance is not trivial, but he should be able to collect that experience if he seeks it out while working as a civil engineer for a few years.

The P.E. license establishes a person as an "engineer" in the eyes of the law.  That is important if your son should ever want to open his own engineering company in the future or if he would want a senior position with a consulting engineering firm.  There is a path to the P.E. via the Ohio principles and practice exam in welding engineering, but I don't recommend it if you can more easily get a P.E. license in some other discipline.  If you want to take the P.E. exam in welding engineering, the Ohio board will put a few obstacles in your path if you don't have Welding Engineering degree from the Ohio State University.  You can overcome those obstacles, but at the end of the day you may wonder why you bothered to jump through all their hoops.  The Ohio P.E. license does not specify in which field of engineering the license holder is qualified to practice.

The AWS CWEng credential may have value someday, but at present it is rare (there are only about 30 CWEngs worldwide) and not widely in demand.   I got my CWEng after passing Ohio's welding engineering exam.  The welding industry understands the CWI credential (there about 20,00 active CWIs worldwide).  I got my CWI credential after recognizing that very few people in the welding industry knew what the CWEng was.

Hope this helps explain your sons options,

Ed Fritsch, P.E., CWEng., CWI

  Hi Joe,

  As for the experience he has welded since he was about 16 after school, weekends and through the summer, up until he graduated college. He already has his Pennsylvania FE. After some opionions he has decided against the CWeng but he said he may go for the CWI. He said thanks for your opinion and and wants the PE, but after starting to work he has a hard time finding the time to study.

Thanks,
  Tom

Tom

Your son would be better off taking the State of Ohio Professional Engineering Exam in Welding Engineering.  It is administered by the AWS for the State of Ohio.  The AWS CWeng is actually almost a full EIT fundamentals exam coupled with a glorified welding technician exam.  The fundamentals exam is tough. I feel that it is the equivalent of the State of Ohio Fundamentals Examination (EIT).

I would think that a PE would be more acceptable than the AWS CWeng.  The CWI is also an option, but how does your Son get the required experience?

Joe Kane

A couple of answers for you.

When you take the CWI exam you can choose which code you will use during the test, API - 1104 or D1.1.  This is only for the code portion of the test the other two exams remain the same.  I guess what I am saying is when you take one exam you are really qualifying to be a CWI and therefore you should have the neccesary knowledge to use both API and D1.1.  In my professional life as a weld engineer and a CWI I use both codes as well as ASME. AS/NZS, BS, DIN, ISO, etc. 

What type of civil engineer is your son?  He will need more than engineering skills to pass the CWeng, he should know the requirments of the test prior to taking it.  I have not taken the CWeng and have yet to be asked to do so.  I have never applied for a position that has asked for it nor do I think taking this test will make someone into a weld engineer.  In every case my experience was the deciding factor.  Having the CWI was more important than the CWeng.  Also, these two things are both different.  A person who takes the CWeng is not a CWI and vice versa.  I would suggest the CWI and if that becomes something he is interested in then I would suggest the CWeng.

As for ASME I don't have to deal with the insurance side of things, my company does so I can't help you there.