ASME BPVC Section IX, B31.
1(Power
Piping) and B31.3 (Process Piping)
Endorsement Description
Introduction
This document, the ASME BPVC Section IX, B31.1 (Power Piping) and B31.3 (Process
Piping) Endorsement Description, provides candidates guidance in the endorsement
examination process. AWS strongly advises those who apply for the endorsement
examination to read this endorsement description, paying particular attention to the Test
Specifications and Examination References to gain better understanding of the content
covered by this exam. The examination description is subject to change.
Any applicant seeking CWI certification can take this examination as his or her initial Part
C Codebook examination. To access the CWI Examination User Guide, click HERE. The
CWI Examination User Guide contains important information on the rules, policies,
procedures, and exam content for those intending to take the CWI exams.
Endorsement Scope
The ASME BPVC examination covers select content from three standards:
❖ ASME Section IX Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications
❖ ASME B31.1 Power Piping
❖ ASME B31.3 Process Piping
AWS QC1:2016-AMD1- Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
provides for endorsements that may be added to the CWI and SCWI certifications.
Endorsements are indication of an additional knowledge, skill or ability documented in
writing and added to an individual’s certification credential(s).
Endorsement Candidate Eligibility Criteria
Existing CWIs and SCWIs who wish to obtain an endorsement which documents their
knowledge, skills, and abilities in using ASME BPVC Sect. IX, B31.1 (Power Piping) and
B31.3 (Process Piping) codes can take the examination.
Training Requirements
This endorsement has no mandatory training requirements. Candidates are encouraged
to attend training seminars or workshops related to the use of these ASME standards, or
to self-study to improve their familiarity with these standards.
Examination Requirements
Candidates seeking the ASME BPVC endorsement shall pass the ASME BPVC Sect. IX,
B31.1 (Power Piping) and B31.3 (Process Piping) examination.
Successful candidates must correctly answer at least 72% of the questions to pass the
examination. Candidates who do not pass the exam on a first attempt may retest in
accordance with the re-examination requires laid out in AWS QC1:2016-AMD1-
Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors, Clause 6.2.
Certification Dept. – Rev. 10.14.2025 Page 2 of 5
Initial Certification or 9-year Recertification Eligibility
For candidates seeking initial certification at the CWI level, this examination satisfies the
requirements of Clause 6.2.1 of AWS B5.1:2025 - Specification for the Qualification of
Welding Inspectors.
For existing CWIs and SCWIs, successful completion of this endorsement satisfies the
examination requirements for recertification under Clauses 16.2.1 or 16.3.1, as
applicable, of AWS QC1:2016-AMD1- Specification for AWS Certification of Welding
Inspectors, provided that the endorsement is taken during the immediate 9-year period.
Test Specifications
Test Specifications are a breakdown of exam content areas appearing in the examination
along with the proportion of the exam devoted to each content area.
Subject weights for each of these areas are in conformance with the Code Applications
examination requirements as expressed in Clause 8.1 of AWS B5.1:2025 - Specification
for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors.
Minimum Percent of
Content Areas
Questions on Exam
Qualification 25%
Fabrication 25%
Inspection 25%
Reports and Records 5%
Materials and Design 5%
Examination Details
The open-book examination consists of 60 four-option multiple-choice items. The first 16
test questions relate to ASME’s B31.3 standard concerning process piping. The next 18
test questions refer to the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX. The final group of
26 test questions relate to ASME’s B31.1 standard concerning power piping.
Examination Delivery
The examination is a computer-based test (CBT) delivered at Prometric Testing Centers
throughout the world.
CBT Exam Timing Information
The overall seat time allotted is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) from check-in to check-out at the
test center.
Certification Dept. – Rev. 10.14.2025 Page 3 of 5
The time that can be used to answer questions is 135 minutes (2 hours and 15 minutes).
Section of Testing Time in Minutes
Candidate Confirmation Page 2
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) 2
Introduction & Tutorials 10
Exam Question Answering 135
Finish Page 1
Total 150
Examination Reference
Most exam questions are directly answerable from the provided reference. It is to the
candidate’s benefit to use the codebook editions indicated below as exam questions are
based on the editions listed. A candidate who chooses to use a codebook edition that is not
listed does so at his/her own risk. AWS bears no responsibility for a candidate’s failure to
obtain certification as a result of this choice.
❖ ASME Section IX Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications – 2023
❖ ASME B31.1 Power Piping – 2024
❖ ASME B31.3 Process Piping – 2024
Candidates must bring printed copies of any of the three standards listed above. These
codebooks are no longer provided in PDF format. Codebooks used during the exam must
be the original or permanently bound printed copy (as by stitching or glue) or securely
fastened in its cover by fasteners that penetrate all pages. Printed Codebooks may be
annotated or tabbed, but no loose sheets of paper or sticky notes are permitted (other than
published errata).
NOTE: Candidates will not have on-screen access to the PDF versions of the three
standards during the exam.
Endorsement Fee Structure
For candidates in the United States and Canada, exam fees are due at time of registration
and are paid directly to AWS. For the AWS exam price list, click HERE.
For international (outside of the US and Canada) candidates, exam fees are due at time of
registration and paid to the International Agent representing AWS. Agents can provide
pricing information regarding international exams. At this time, the ASME BPVC Section IX,
B31.1 (Power Piping) and B31.3 (Process Piping) is only offered in English.
Endorsement Credential
Endorsements earned will be updated in each CWI or SCWI’s certification profile on the
AWS website. Status can be checked via the QR code on the back of the CWI wallet card
or via the Quikcheck .
Certification Dept. – Rev. 10.14.2025 Page 4 of 5
Renewal Requirements
If the exam was taken as an initial Part C exam and the candidate has become a CWI
eventually, the candidates is required to renew the CWI Certification every 3 years and
every 6 years and recertify every 9 years.
Once all renewal requirements have been met via the renewal application and all
administrative fees have been paid in full, the CWI Certification will be renewed. For further
information concerning the CWI Certification renewal, click HERE to review the QC1
Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors.
The endorsement does not have any requirements for renewal. It will automatically be
renewed at each CWI renewal or recertification. The endorsement will continue to be listed
in an approved manner.
Professional Development Hours
Candidates who successfully complete pre-exam training to prepare for the ASME BPVC
Sect. IX, B31.1 (Power Piping) and B31.3 (Process Piping) endorsement examination
may gain Professional Development Hours (PDHs) in accordance with QC1 clause 16.5.
Certification Dept. – Rev. 10.14.2025 Page 5 of 5