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Hi everyone!
I had asked the same question about becoming a CWE by passing the CWI exam... Needless to say, I called the AWS headquarters in Miami and the person I spoke with made me wonder about whether or not this person was referring to QC 5-91...
According to QC 5-91 I looked at first to levels of certification in section 2. It states; "A Certified Welding Educator (CWE) is a person certified by AWS as having met the qualification requirements of 5.1 and section 6. This shall be the only level of certification of welding educators."
So I read 5.1 and section 6 and some of the info that was explained to me did'nt make sense so maybe somebody with a better understanding can offer some clarification here...
Anywho, in 5.1 (section 5 - Education and Experience Requirements) it states: "The following applies to each applicant for certification as a Certified Welding Educator (CWE):
"5.1 The applicant shall be a high school graduate; or hold a state or military approved high school equivalency diploma." No problem there in fact, no problem with 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 or with 1. and 2. below in the Alternatives to 5.1 and 5.2 on the bottom of page 2.
Now I go on to read page 3. where one finds section 6. "Examination Requirements" Which states: "The following applies to a CWE Applicant:
"6.1 The applicant shall pass a written examination on fundamental welding principles including welding processes, nondestructive testing processes, safety, basic welding metallurgy, welding symbols, print reading, equipment, process/equipment trouble-shooting, and basic arithmetic or have passed either the CWI or CAWI Closed Book examination." No problem with that also...
Then it (QC 5-91) goes on to state in "6.2: The applicant shall pass a test on practical welding inspection including determining qualification standards from a code or specification or have passed the CWI or CAWI Practical examination." No problem with that also...
Then I read further to: "6.3 The applicant shall have a valid AWS Certified Welder ID/Certification card or its equal, or shall pass a valid AWS Certified Welder test, for the process to be taught."
This is where I had question as to whether or not the word "valid" meant current. The person from the AWS explained that this was the case so I had no problem with that either because I could easily re-certify before taking the exam but, what I told was that I could not apply for the CWI/CWE exam without having a current, effective, hence - the word valid AWS Certified Welder ID/Certification card or its equal when I applied for, and not when I take the CWI/CWE exam... Is this correct?
My other question is that if I do not have a "valid" Certified Welder ID/Certification card or its equal at the time I or anyone else for that matter, apply for the CWI/CWE exam, then what does it mean in 6.3 of QC5-91 where it states: " or shall pass a valid AWS Certified Welder test, for the welding process to be taught." at the end of 6.3?
Also, if a current CWE is teaching let's say, GTAW but, does'nt have a current or valid AWS certified welder ID/Certification card for that process, and yet is certified in another process like SMAW or GMAW, or FCAW, is'nt this person not qualified to teach the GTAW process as a CWE? I wonder how many CWE's are unaware of this if this is the case?
When I got to 6.4, I really got confused with what the person explained to me. This person explained to me that because I was disabled, and had not taught recently on a full time basis (in the last 15 months) although, I have taught on a part time basis inconsistently. Nonetheless, I could provide evidence of successful classroom and laboratory instruction from previous schools that I had taught welding technology on a full time basis. In QC 5-91 it states: "6.4 The applicant shall furnish evidence of having met the instructional methods requirements of the applicant's school, college, or training institution. Evidence shall also be furnished of successful classroom and laboratory instruction. This shall consist of written evaluation by the applicant's administrator and recommendation that the applicant be recognized as an AWS Certified Welding Educator.". Here is where I'm also confused because, nowhere does it say "valid", or "current", or "recent" as it pertains to the applicant's requirement to show evidence of successful classroom and laboratory instruction or to have met the instructional methods requirements of the applicant's school, college, or training institution... Also, as far as I understand it, nowhere does it specifically state that I have to be currently teaching at the time of my application on a full time basis either... Am I incorrect here because I cannot for the life of me, find it anywhere in QC 5-91 or in QC 1-96? Am I missing something here?
Please do not misinterpret my questions as to making direct or indirect derogatory comments towards the AWS because that is NOT my intention here! All I'm asking is for some clarification regarding the requirements necessary in applying for the CWI/CWE exam so, if someone could help me out here, I would be extremely grateful!
Respectfully,
SSBN727 Run Silent... Run Deep!!!