American Welding Society

What American Welding Society does

American Welding Society (AWS) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional organization founded in 1919 and headquartered in Doral, Florida, that sets welding standards and certifies welders, inspectors, supervisors, educators, engineers, and technicians worldwide. Its core offerings are ten-plus professional certifications, anchored by the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential and a stack of complementary credentials (SCWI, CWS, CWE, CWEng, CRWT, CRI, CRAW, CAWI, CWSR, CWP), supplemented by CWI endorsements covering structural steel, aluminum, bridge, railroad, aerospace, and pipeline codes. AWS has authored more than 350 welding standards, including D1.1, D1.5, D1.2, D1.8, D15.1, and D17.1, that function as compliance references across U.S. fabrication, construction, and infrastructure projects.

AWS operates a certification ecosystem built on proprietary digital infrastructure, including the My AWS portal for application, exam scheduling, and credential management, and WeldCert Pro (developed with Codeware) for QC47 compliance and welder credential documentation. The AWS Certification QuickCheck and National Registry of Certified Welders (NRCW) provide free online credential verification. Delivery is global: exam delivery uses more than 450 Prometric testing centers worldwide; in-person seminars run across 14 U.S. cities; and international agents serve candidates outside the United States. The organization also publishes Welding Journal, Inspection Trends, and Spraytime, runs co-located or partnership events such as FABTECH USA and the Welding Summit, and administers the AWS Foundation's $2M+ annual scholarship program.

AWS makes money through five recurring and transactional streams: (1) certification and exam fees (pricing tiers range from roughly $300 for endorsements to $2,000+ for full CWI packages, with member discounts and multi-year renewals); (2) individual and corporate membership dues, including bundled-with-non-member-pricing; (3) publications and standards sales via pubs.aws.org; (4) training and education programs delivered in person, online-instructor-led, and self-paced (39 courses total); and (5) conferences and events. Customer segments span entry-level welders, inspectors and quality professionals (the primary segment), welding supervisors and managers, welding educators, welding engineers, and robotic welding technicians, with industry reach across manufacturing, construction, aerospace, automotive, energy, marine, and shipbuilding. AWS is governed by more than 1,500 volunteers serving on over 300 boards and committees.

Name

American Welding Society

Legal name

American Welding Society

Website

https://aws.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

American Welding Society is a nonprofit professional organization, founded in 1919, that sets welding standards and certifies welders, inspectors, supervisors, educators, and engineers worldwide through CWI and related credential programs delivered at 450+ Prometric testing centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Welding Certification & Standards

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding Inspection, QA/QC & NDT Prep Training (e.g., CWI) (EDAOADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arc Welding (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/GTAW) Training (EDAOADAA), Structural Steel Welding & Erection-Focused Training (EDAOADAC), Pipe Welding & Industrial Piping Fabrication Training (EDAOADAB), Aluminum, Stainless & Specialty Metals Welding Training (EDAOADAL), Welding Inspection & QA/QC (NDT, PWHT, Weld Procedure/Qualification) (EUAEAHAD)

Keywords

• Welding certification programs
• Welding standards publishing
• Welder qualification testing
• Professional welding credentials
• Welding inspection training

Headquarters

HQ city

Doral

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Certification and Exam Fees: AWS generates primary revenue through certification and examination fees for credentials including Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Senior CWI (SCWI), Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS), Certified Welding Educator (CWE), Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng), Certified Resistance Welding Technician (CRWT), Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW), Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI), and Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI). Fees range from approximately $300 to over $2,000 depending on the certification type and membership status.
2. Membership Dues: AWS generates revenue from individual memberships (Individual, Early Career, Student), corporate memberships (Affiliate, Supporting, Sustaining, Welding Distributor, Educational Institutions), and partner programs. Non-member pricing for certifications includes a bundled membership period.
3. Publications and Bookstore: Revenue from AWS Bookstore (pubs.aws.org) selling codes, standards, guides, handbooks, and technical publications. AWS publishes award-winning magazines including Welding Journal, Inspection Trends, and Spraytime.
4. Training and Education Programs: Revenue from AWS training seminars, courses, and preparatory programs including CWI 1-Week and 2-Week seminars, CWI 8-Week online seminar, Train the Trainer program, and custom corporate training. Training formats include in-person, online instructor-led, and self-paced online.
5. Conferences and Events: Revenue from conferences and events including FABTECH USA, FABTECH Canada, Welding Summit, ASME Section IX Decoded workshops, and International Brazing and Soldering Conference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

American Welding Society (AWS) is a nonprofit professional organization that administers welding certification exams (CWI, SCWI, CWS, CWE, CWEng, CRWT, CRI, CRAW, CAWI, CWSR, and Certified Welder Program), publishes more than 350 welding standards and technical publications, and delivers training, education, and industry events for the global welding workforce. AWS also provides facility accreditation programs and digital platforms (WeldCert Pro, My AWS Portal) to support credential management and code compliance.

Product overview

The American Welding Society (AWS) operates a platform-plus-portfolio model centered on professional welding certifications, industry standards, and education. The core product line consists of professional certifications — Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI), Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS), Certified Welding Educator (CWE), Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng), Certified Resistance Welding Technician (CRWT), Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI), Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW), Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI), Certified Welding Sales Representative (CWSR), and the Certified Welder Program (CWP) — supplemented by CWI Endorsements for specialized inspection domains. AWS complements its certifications with expert-developed education and training (in-person seminars, online instructor-led, and self-paced formats), over 350 published standards (including D1.1, D1.5, D1.2, D1.8), award-winning publications (Welding Journal, Inspection Trends, Spraytime), conference events (Welding Summit, FABTECH), facility accreditation programs, and digital platforms including the My AWS Portal for certification management and WeldCert Pro (co-developed with Codeware) for QC47 digital compliance. AWS does not offer a public or partner-facing API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) The flagship AWS certification credential assessing a candidate's ability to determine if a weldment meets acceptance criteria, handle qualification records, oversee non-destructive testing, and ensure proper materials are available during testing. The credential is valid for nine years and requires passing three exam parts (A, B, C) with a minimum score of 72% each.
• Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) The highest-level welding inspection certification offered by AWS, recognizing inspectors with advanced knowledge in welding codes, procedures, qualification practices, quality systems, and supervision. As of April 1, 2025, the credential is earned by completing four stackable CWI endorsements.
• Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) A certification recognizing individuals who possess the knowledge and skills to effectively manage welding activities, covering welding safety, quality control, production, cost control, and supervisory and leadership skills. Valid for three years with renewal options at years three and six.
• Certified Welding Educator (CWE) A certification for welding industry professionals who demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to direct and perform operations associated with welder training and classroom instruction. Valid for four years and requires passing Part A (Fundamentals) and Part B (Practical) exams.
• Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) A certification granted to candidates who have documented training and qualifying work experience per AWS B5.16:2006 and received a passing exam score. Valid for five years with indefinite renewal upon continued education (80 contact hours every five years).
• Certified Resistance Welding Technician (CRWT) A benchmark certification for the evaluation of demonstrated skills and abilities in resistance welding principles, processes, and equipment through a combination of education, experience, and examination. Requires passing a single 100-question exam with a minimum score of 60%; recertification every five years by reexamination.
• Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI) A credential validating the candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities to utilize radiographic film and related media for welding indications, and use acceptance criteria as expressed in the AWS, API, and ASME codes.
• Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW) A certification program allowing operators and technicians in various welding sectors to measure themselves against occupational standards and signify their capability of working with various codes, standards, and specifications for robotic and automated welding.
• Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) A credential developed for young professionals who aspire to a career in welding inspection but still need to meet the minimum work experience requirement to become a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
• Certified Welding Sales Representative (CWSR) A credential indicating an individual is a valued source of technological, welding product, and sales distribution information, serving as the conduit between manufacturers, distributors, and their customer base.
• Certified Welder Program (CWP) A performance-based welder certification program with no prerequisite courses or certifications required. Final certification provides transferable credentials that welders may take with them wherever they go.
• AWS Education and Training Expert-developed training resources in multiple formats including dual format (combined in-person and online), in-person seminars, online instructor-led courses, and self-paced online learning, covering preparation for all AWS certification exams. Includes 39 in-person or virtual welding courses.
• Train the Trainer Program An AWS program designed to equip trainers with the skills necessary to teach welding and certification techniques effectively, preparing trainers to lead and educate the next generation of welding professionals.
• AWS Standards Library More than 350 standards authored by AWS for welding practices and procedures, including D1.1 Structural Welding Code-Steel, D1.5 Bridge Welding Code, D1.2 Structural Aluminum Code, D15.1 Railroad, D17.1 Aerospace, and pipeline (API 1104) standards.
• AWS Publications — Welding Journal, Inspection Trends, Spraytime Award-winning AWS publications providing industry news, technical articles, product information, and technology updates for welding professionals, distributed through subscriptions and the AWS Bookstore.
• Facility Accreditation Programs AWS accreditation programs for organizations including Accredited Test Facilities (integral to the AWS Certified Welder program), Certified Welding Fabricators, and Certified Robotic Arc Welding Testing Centers.
• WeldCert Pro A digital platform built in collaboration with Codeware to simplify paperwork, reduce errors, and make it easier to stay compliant with QC47: Specification for the Certification of Welders and Accreditation of Test Facilities.
• AWS My Portal / Certification Application Portal AWS's online portal serving as the central hub for certification management, allowing users to submit applications, register for seminars and courses, make payments, verify credentials, and access exam scheduling through Prometric.
• AWS Certification QuickCheck / National Registry of Certified Welders (NRCW) A free online verification service enabling employers and individuals to verify current AWS certification credentials and Certified Welder certification numbers in real time.
• Welding Summit 2026 An AWS conference focused on applying ASME, AWS, and API requirements across a single scope of work, bringing together industry professionals for education and networking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% of the welding workforce supplements their education with AWS Certifications
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FANUC America CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026FANUC America has partnered with AWS, Miller Welding, and Hypertherm to launch a new robotic welding exhibition featuring CRX-10iA collaborative robots at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference. FANUC is also donating LR Mate 200iD/7LC Clean Room robots and its Certified Education Training program to SkillsUSA member schools. AWS supports this initiative to establish groundwork for a future robotic welding competition at SkillsUSA.
• Miller WeldingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Miller Welding partnered with AWS, FANUC America, and Hypertherm to launch a new robotic welding exhibition at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta. The exhibition features CRX-10iA collaborative robots and is designed to establish groundwork for a future robotic welding competition at SkillsUSA.
• HyperthermcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Hypertherm partnered with AWS, FANUC America, and Miller Welding to launch a new robotic welding exhibition at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference. The exhibition featuring CRX-10iA collaborative robots is designed to support the development of in-demand technical skills across manufacturing and establish groundwork for a future robotic welding competition.
• SkillsUSAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026AWS partners with SkillsUSA to deliver national and state welding competitions, including the SkillsUSA State Welding Competition and SkillsUSA National Welding Competition. AWS also supports WorldSkills USA Welding Competition. SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference is a key workforce development platform for the welding industry.
• American Institute of Nondestructive Testing (AINDT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2025The American Welding Program formed a strategic partnership with AINDT enabling AINDT to offer AWP's welding courses to NDT students and professionals. This collaboration aims to deepen students' understanding of welding as a complement to their nondestructive testing training. The CEO of AINDT stated these additional resources will benefit students by complementing their NDT training.
• CodewarecoreTechnology or IntegrationAWS collaborated with Codeware to develop WeldCert Pro, a digital platform for QC47 compliance and welder credential management. This platform simplifies paperwork, reduces errors, and makes it easier for facilities to stay compliant with QC47: Specification for the Certification of Welders and Accreditation of Test Facilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME): ASME is a peer nonprofit standards-setting and professional certification body covering mechanical engineering, including BPVC Section IX welding qualification standards referenced in AWS CWI endorsements. AWS collaborates with ASME on the Section IX Decoded workshop, making it a direct comparable in the engineering certification ecosystem.
• American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT): ASNT is the primary US professional body for nondestructive testing, overlapping directly with AWS's CRI (Certified Radiographic Interpreter), MT, PT, and NDE Coordination endorsements. It serves a similar inspector/technician base with comparable certification, training, and standards products.
• International Institute of Welding (IIW): IIW is the global federation of welding societies, offering international welding engineer/technologist/specialist diplomas that compete with and complement AWS's CWEng and CWI programs. It is the most direct international peer in welding credentials.
• Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB): CWB is the dominant welding standards and certification body in Canada, offering CSA W47.1/W47.2 welder certifications and company accreditation comparable to AWS's CWI, CWP, and facility accreditation programs. AWS recognizes CWB via CWI reciprocity.
• TWI Global (The Welding Institute): TWI is a UK-based welding research, training, and certification organization providing welding inspector, engineer, and NDT qualifications comparable to AWS's portfolio. It serves Europe and the Middle East with overlapping certification and standards development.
• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research): NCCER provides craft certification programs for the construction industry, including welding credentials that compete with AWS's CWP for entry-level welder certifications in trade school and apprenticeship programs.

Broad incumbents

• ASTM International: ASTM is a much larger broad-based standards organization covering materials testing and welding-related material specifications. It complements rather than directly competes with AWS but competes for standards-embedding influence in welding-adjacent specifications.
• Lincoln Electric: Lincoln Electric is the largest welding equipment and consumables manufacturer globally and operates its own welding schools and training programs. While not a direct certification competitor, it overlaps in training delivery and could expand into proprietary credentialing.

Others

• FANUC America: FANUC is a core AWS partner for robotic welding education and SkillsUSA exhibitions. It is adjacent rather than competitive, but its Certified Education Training program overlaps with AWS's CRAW credential in the robotic welding operator market.
• AWS-Accredited Test Facilities (ATF Network): AWS's own network of Accredited Test Facilities conducts Certified Welder performance qualification tests on AWS's behalf. While not an independent peer, this channel structure is analogous to third-party test delivery networks used by competing standards bodies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/videoaws
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanWeldingSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-welding-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanweldingsociety
• TikToktiktok.com/@americanweldingsociety
• Xx.com/AWSHQ

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments22 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Welding Society