CWI Exam Training & Certification Prep

CWI Exam Training

Get Certified & Pass the Exam with Confidence —
Southern California’s Most Trusted CWI Course

START YOUR
JOURNEY RIGHT

Learn from an award-winning instructor with 45+ years of welding experience and over 20 years in teaching. Small class sizes, real-world examples, and visual learning help you build the skills and confidence to pass your CWI exam.

This course is built to give you the tools and preparedness to pass your CWI exam the first time. Plus, you’ll have lifetime access to support and guidance as your welding career grows.

And now, California Welding Institute is officially hosting the AWS CWI Exam in Lake Elsinore, CA – making it easier than ever to train and test with us in one place.

Proper training increases your chance of passing the exam on your first try.

The purpose of this course is to prepare welding professionals for success on the AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exam. The training emphasizes practical understanding of welding codes, blueprint reading, inspection tools, and exam strategies. Students will receive personalized attention and access to real-world examples, visual aids, and supplemental coaching.

Graduates of this course will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to pass all three parts of the CWI exam and begin or advance a career in welding inspection and quality assurance.

2025 Course Schedule:

Part A Seminar: Saturday, October 18 & Sunday, October 19th
Part C with API 1104: Friday October 24th
Part C with AWS D1.1: Saturday, October 25 & Sunday, October 26
Part B Seminar: Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2

2026 Course Schedule:

Winter:

Part A Seminar: Saturday, January 17 & Sunday, January 18
Part C with API 1104: Friday January 23rd
Part C with AWS D1.1: Saturday, January 24 & Sunday, January 25
Part B Seminar: Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1st

Spring:

Part A Seminar: Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19th
Part C with API 1104: Friday April 24th
Part C with AWS D1.1: Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26
Part B Seminar: Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3

Fall:

Part A Seminar: Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13
Part C with API 1104: Friday September 18th
Part C with AWS D1.1: Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20
Part B Seminar: Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27

Fall/Winter:

Part A Seminar: Saturday, October 31 & Sunday, November 1
Part C with API 1104: Friday November 6
Part C with AWS D1.1: Saturday, November 7 & Sunday, November 8
Part B Seminar: Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15
Part B: Friday, Dec 19 to Sunday, Dec 21

Start Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM each day

Class Size: Small group instruction (maximum 8 attendees)

Required Study Materials (not included):

AWS D1.1:2025 (required)
AWS D1.1:2025 Code Clinic
AWS A3.0:2025
AWS A2.4:2025
AWS B1.10:2016
Welding Inspection Technology
Welding Inspection Technology Workbook

This course prepares students for the AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exam. While the course itself does not issue certification, it provides the foundational training required for passing:

Part A: Fundamentals
Part B: Practical
Part C: Code Application (AWS D1.1 or API 1104)

Upon completion, students are encouraged to register for the AWS CWI exam through the AWS website. This course is not a substitute for official testing and certification but is tailored to maximize student success on the exam.

Part A Seminar: $600
Part B Seminar: $995
Part C (API 1104 or AWS D1.1): $600
Bundle Discount (All Three Parts): $1,750

Registration Fee: Included in course fee

STRF: $0

Required Publications: Sold separately and must be brought to class by each student (see Courses tab for list)

Occupational Classification Code: 51-4120 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers

Lake Elsinore, CA – May 23, 2026
Site Code: CA04626
Application Deadline: April 17, 2026

Lake Elsinore, CA – December 12, 2026
Site Code: CA11626
Application Deadline: November 6, 2026

Additional AWS CWI Exam Dates in CA, AZ, and NV:

Benicia, CA– January 10, 2026
Site Code: CA00126
Application Deadline: 12/5/2025

San Diego, CA– February 14, 2026
Site Code: CA00826
Application Deadline: 1/3/2026

Phoenix, AZ– March 14, 2026
Site Code: AZ02126
Application Deadline: 2/6/2026

Las Vegas, NV– April 18, 2026
Site Code: NV03326
Application Deadline: 3/13/2026

Sacramento, CA– May 2, 2026
Site Code: CA03526
Application Deadline: 3/27/2026

Phoenix, AZ– August 1st, 2026
Site Code: AZ06126
Application Deadline: 6/26/2026

San Diego, CA– August 15, 2026
Site Code: CA07126
Application Deadline: 7/10/2026

Burlingame, CA– September 26, 2026
Site Code: CA07926
Application Deadline: 8/21/2026

Long Beach, CA– October 10, 2026
Site Code: CA08126
Application Deadline: 9/4/2026

Las Vegas, NV– November 7, 2026
Site Code: NV09426
Application Deadline: 10/2/2026

Sacramento, CA– November 21, 2026
Site Code: CA10026
Application Deadline: 10/16/2026

Meet Your Instructor

Learn from an award-winning instructor with 48 years of welding experience. A Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI), AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng), and AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE), he is widely recognized for his expertise and commitment to the welding profession. He has served as a technical expert on the AWS D17 Committee, led the AWS Los Angeles/Inland Empire Section, and represented the United States as a delegate to the ISO TC44 SC14 Aerospace Committee.

Named AWS Private Instructor of the Year in 2021, his teaching is known for being thorough, passionate, and career-focused. From classroom preparation to ongoing career mentorship, he is dedicated to helping every student become a confident, qualified Certified Welding Inspector.

Advance to one of our 24-week programs

Hear from the people who’ve trained with us, hired us, and built their futures with California Welding Institute

Lolo L.

18:12 07 Apr 25

I attended the Intro to welding course over this weekend and really enjoyed it. All of the instructors were encouraging and friendly. I would definitely recommend!

Cadence E.

23:29 22 Mar 25

I did the Tig course here, it was great, George and Mariana are great instructors and they know what they’re talking about. They were even able to help get me a job right out of school where i’m working 50+ hr weeks. Only thing I would say is make sure you have money for tools and material. Other than that I highly recommend.

J A.

05:41 28 Feb 25

Had previously taken the CWI part B a few times and wasn't quite getting over the hump so I decided to give Advaced Weldtec a try for my training hrs and it was great. Lots of questions were answered and things clarified. I liked the seminar so much I decided to get a private train session to shore up things I was still on the fence on as I didn't want to repeat the process and exam AGAIN. George is old school and extremely knowledgeable, Mariana is a killer highly skilled, both are tough but friendly. you can tell they're both very smart really know their stuff and take this very seriously. If you're on your journey to CWI I'd highly recommend the seminar in whole or part and privates if needed. Education well worth the investment. Oh yeah I passed my part B and now a CWI.

cody Y.

23:40 08 Jan 25

Amazing school. Good equipment and extremely knowledgeable teachers. This place teaches you a lot more then just welding but on the job tips and advice as well

vianka E.

21:58 12 Jul 24

I was here for a short while but I enjoyed it ! I took the motorsport bundle (mig tig stick) and I eventually enjoyed tig more than any other process. I now have a career out of welding for a motorcycle exhaust company and I couldn’t have done it without starting at this school. George and Mariana gave me great opportunities during and after school and i’m highly greatful! 😁

Danielle P.

13:45 30 Jun 24

This school changed my life to say the least and George and Mariana are excellent! I took their aerospace course back in 2019! Those 6 months were some of the hardest, yet most rewarding months of my life. They push you to do your best and always make sure you know there is room for improvement! They help you find work if needed and opportunities to gain more certifications are always a priority. The way George and Mariana have taught me is something I will forever be grateful for and the way they continue to help me when needed is so amazing!

Brooke C.

22:11 07 Jun 24

great place to get prepared for your welding career!

Megan S.

19:28 06 Jun 24

Attending California Welding Institute was such a different experience and brought me out of my comfort zone, but it was definitely worth it. The instructors, George and Mariana, have taught me everything that I know, and I am now a certified welder. I can tell you one thing, this school is NOT for the weak! They mean business when you walk in those gates and everything is very straight foward. They have so much knowledge and experience, I would not have gained what I know anywhere else. I appreciate everything they've done for me and continue to do for me even a year later. I cannot thank you guys enough for giving me a complete future in the welding industry and starting me off with a professional stand point! Thank you so much!

Ryan W.

18:05 06 Jun 24

I’m forever grateful for the skills I learned during my 6 months at California Welding Institute. The facility is always improving and I was able to get a higher paying job in welding because of the technical skills I learned here. The high-structure/real life format is unlike most welding schools and that’s why it stands out. I would recommend this school for future welders and welders looking to take their career to the next level. Worth every penny!