I have them(AWS) in my briefcase, in my truck on every job, along with my procedures for API 1104, lab results, pee tests, insurance papers. Have AWS, API and ASME books(old) and try to read, learn when I have time and when I have my laptop in the truck the books are with me too.
Was not trying to offend CWI's across the world, merely stating to OP that it would be easier to talk to a lab, CWI as it would be easy for a CWI to whip something basic(carbon steel) up for D1.1 than it would be to write procedures for welding titanium for a rocket and from my vantage point it was not that difficult to get the required documents, just cost a bit of money but well worth it in the long run.
But yes, you do have to at least have an understanding of what it all means, perhaps a course in tech schools to educate young welders to be on the basics of welding code, pqr, wps, yada, yada.....yada....
Cheers