Tommy
5.2.1 Shall be a high school graduate, or hold a state
or military approved high school equivalency diploma
(e.g., GED).
5.2.2 Shall have a minimum of five (5) years experience
in an occupational function that has a direct relationship
to welded assemblies fabricated to national or
international standards and be directly involved in one or
more of the areas listed under 5.5.
     [5.5 Qualifying Experience. Candidates shall submit
verifiable documentation of experience in an occupational
function with a direct relationship to weldments
fabricated to national or international standards and directly
involved in:
5.5.1 Experience in the development of plans, drawings,
procedures, inspection requirements, acceptance
criteria, and specifications for weldments.
5.5.2 Experience in planning, control, supervision,
and application of base metals and filler metals in the
preparation and completion of production weldments.
5.5.3 Experience in fabrication, construction, and supervision
of personnel in erection of welded assemblies
or subassemblies.
5.5.4 Experience in the detection and measurement of
weld discontinuities by application of visual or other nondestructive
evaluation processes to a written procedure.
5.5.5 Experience in supervision of personnel engaged
in material and weld examination.
5.5.6 Experience in repair welding, or supervision of
personnel performing weld repairs.
5.5.7 Experience in the preparation of written procedures
for welding, nondestructive evaluation, or destructive
tests.
5.5.8 Experience in the qualification of welders or
welding procedures to various codes, standards and
specifications.
5.5.9 Experience in welding design functions, as specified
in the applicable code, standard or specification.
5.5.10 Experience in operational techniques and
activities used to fulfill quality control requirements for
weldments.
5.5.11 Experience using a quality system.
5.5.12 Experience in teaching the occupational skill
of welding or subjects related to welding; its application,
control, materials, and processes.]

5.2.3 Alternatives to 5.2.1 and 5.2.2, with supporting
documentation (e.g., copies of transcripts or letters of
reference specifying earned credit hours of training) may
be substituted as follows:
5.2.3.1 Eighth grade level schooling with a minimum
of 9 years work experience in any of the welding
functions as defined under 5.5.
5.2.3.2 Less than an eighth grade level schooling
with a minimum of 12 years work experience in any of
the welding functions as defined under 5.5.
5.2.3.3 A maximum of two (2) years of post-high
school education may be substituted for an equal number
of years of the required five years experience, provided
studies are relevant to any of the functions as defined
under 5.5. Credit is given as follows:
(1) Associate or higher degree. Two years maximum
if the degree is in engineering technology, engineering,
or physical sciences.
(2) Engineering/Technical School Courses. Two
years maximum, and only for successfully completed
courses* in a curriculum that can be (or could be) applied
to (1) above.
(3) Trade/Vocational Courses. One year maximum,
and only for successfully completed courses* in a curriculum
related to welding that can be (or could be) applied
to (1) above.
*Note: “Courses in a curriculum” means courses within
a program toward a degree, diploma, or certificate, to be
applied to item (1) above. “Successfully completed
courses” means a completed quarter or semester with
credit in that course. Documentation of the number of
actual hours completed is necessary prior to notification
of actual credit allowed.
This gives the requirements
http://files.aws.org/certification/docs/b5.1-2003-errata.pdf
Here is the CWI Program Package
http://files.aws.org/certification/CWI/CWI_Exam_only_pkg.pdf
Good Luck

Tommy
It is a decision that requires some investigation. We can say a lot of things but it may not benefit you.
To fill the Inspection role independently you would need other certs of NDT to round out the clients requests.
You could get your CWI and hire on with an Inspection firm and get the ndt experience and possibly schooling.
Then with 5-10 years under your belt and additional certs you could spread your wings.
With a CWI cert. you could find a fair Inspection\QC  job with a fabricator and possibly get the ndt experience and possibly schooling. But Employers are trying to get the most for their bucks and more and more hire the experienced multi-certified person cutting their costs.
Good Luck
Marshall