Byron,
Use the search function in the forum here.
Just type in things like CWI test, CWI Exam, CWI Training.
You will find many hours of reading and advice given to folks who have asked exactly the same excellent questions you are asking.
Alot of it has to do with what kind of work you want to do... some is driven by econonomics... Some is driven by what you already have the most experience with.
Lots of the best experts around are right here... when your questions get more and more specific.. keep bringing em here!
BryonLewis,
Here is JMHO, on which code to use. Now it has been said that one should consider long term goals when choosing the code you will test to. This is spot on. Now I am by no means saying that one is easier than the other, nor is one less important than the other.
I personally feel that one gets a better knowledge of how to correctly and sucessfully read codes from testing to D1.1 and this has been a benifit to me, as after using D1.1, most other codes are a cakewalk to read correctly. Again, this is JMHO, and everyone is differant.
Having said that, if you plann on doing pipe and nothing else, API 1104.
If you plan on delving into many differant codes in your inspection career, AWS D1.1
Good Luck, and keep me posted, I am working in Dallas.
jrw159