Fact sheet F3 · Exam cost
How much does the CWI exam cost?
The CWI exam costs $1,255 for AWS members and $1,520 for non-members, all three parts, for US and Canada candidates (AWS CWI page, checked October 2026). That's the whole CWI certification cost at AWS for a first attempt. The non-member price includes a three-year AWS Individual Membership.
- Exam
- CWI
- Checked
- October 2026
- Source
- AWS CWI page
Initial CWI exams, AWS member
$1,255
Parts A, B and C for candidates in the US and Canada. Non-members pay $1,520, which includes a three-year AWS Individual Membership. AWS notes that prices are subject to change without notice.
Source: AWS CWI page, checked October 2026
F3.1AWS fees by route
| Route | Member | Non-member |
|---|---|---|
| Initial CAWI/CWI exams, all three parts | $1,255 | $1,520 |
| Initial exams with Part B training | $2,000 | $2,265 |
| Upgrade from CAWI to CWI | $325 | $590 |
| CWI by reciprocity (CWB or INWC) | $670 | $935 |
| CWI by IIW waiver | $830 | $920, with a 1-year membership |
| Each endorsement exam at Prometric, later on | $445 | $540 |
Prices from the AWS CWI page (checked October 2026). Applications go through the online portal; AWS stopped taking paper applications on January 15, 2026 (AWS endorsements page, checked October 2026). Student and Early-Career memberships don't qualify for the member price. The endorsement price excludes Structural Drawing Reading.
F3.2What the fee covers
The exam price already reflects the Prometric seat fees: $60 per part for A or C, $120 for both (AWS CWI page, checked October 2026). Full payment goes in with the application, and AWS won't process an application without it. The booking steps that follow are on the CWI exam dates page.
Training is optional for a first attempt. The $2,000 line bundles AWS's Part B training with the exams. Seminars and other prep are priced side by side on CWI prep compared.
Outside the US and Canada you apply and pay through an AWS International Agent, and the Agent sets the price. The American Welding Society publishes no international figure, so there isn't one here.
The CAWI uses the same initial price because it's the same exam with a 60% line per part. Moving up later costs the upgrade fee in the table; CWI vs CAWI covers when that applies. Renewal at years 3 and 6 is billed separately, see CWI renewal. Extra codes and skills added after you're certified are priced per exam on CWI endorsements.
F3.3Sources
- AWS CWI page — price table and seat-fee footnote (checked October 2026)
- AWS CWI Examination User Guide, September 2026 — International Agents (checked October 2026)
- AWS Policies and Fees, November 2022 — cancellation and reschedule terms (checked October 2026)
Next step: practice
Our CWI prep app has practice questions for iPhone and iPad. Use it when you're away from a screen.