AWS B5.1:2025

This standard establishes the requirements for qualification and defines the body of knowledge applicable to welding inspection personnel.

Levels.

There are three levels of qualification: Associate Welding Inspector (AWI), Welding Inspector (WI), and Senior Welding Inspector (SWI).

Responsibility.

Qualification of AWI/WI/SWI personnel to the requirements of this standard does not eliminate the need of an employer to determine the ability of the individual to perform the duties involved in a particular welding inspection assignment.

Employer.

This standard is intended to supplement the requirements of an employer, code, or other documents, and shall not be construed as a preemption of the employer’s authority to assign an individual for the work or for the performance of the work.

Terminology Definitions.

As used in this standard, the word shall denotes a requirement, the word should denotes a guideline, and the word may means it is permissible. As used in this specification the word welders includes welding operators, brazers, and brazing operators.