Welding Inspector/Examiner Career Path

• The shortest and easiest step to begin a career as an inspector is to obtain the CSA Level 1 Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) accreditation; (see Box A)
  • Note 1: if code experience is insufficient, it is recommended to take the Introduction to ASME Codes course as the first step*;
  • Note 2: jumping steps in this career path by going directly to the Alberta Welding Examiner (WE) or API Inspector certification programs are much larger steps that require considerable thought before attempting them; please contact CASTI customer support staff for further discussion to assist you with this decision;
• there is a 2-year waiting period for a CSA Level 1 CWI before challenging their Level 2 CWI exams; during this 2 year period, the Alberta WE certification can be obtained, which typically can take 12 to 18 months; (see Box B)
• the Alberta WE certification typically takes about 1 to 1.5 years to complete;
• since there is some overlap between CSA Level 1 CWI and the Alberta WE certifications, the individual will be better prepared for challenging the WE program after achieving the CSA Level 1 CWI status, particularly if they have multiple code endorsements;
• during the 2 year waiting period between the CSA Level 1 and Level 2 CWI programs, the inspector can continue their career development by also obtaining other code endorsement certifications, since CSA W178.2 limits inspection work to the code that was written during the initial examination; (see Box A1)
• with this career development path, since there is a significant overlap between the Alberta WE and CSA Level 2 CWI programs, the inspector will be better prepared to challenge the CSA Level 2 CWI exams; (see Box D)
• with the CSA Level 2 CWI certification, by recognition, the inspector can become an AWS CWI; (see Box C)
• to strengthen professional credentials and create more job opportunities, the inspector can continue their career development by also obtaining other code endorsement certifications, since the AWS CWI and CSA W178.2 certifications limit inspection work to the code that was written during the initial examination; (see Box C1 and D1)
• after 2+ years with the above CASTI career development path, the individual will have obtained the following three certifications:
  • CSA Level 2 (with multiple code endorsements),
  • AWS CWI, and
  • Alberta Welding Examiner.

API Pressure Equipment Inspector Career Path

• Now that the welding inspector/examiner has experience with various codes and writing exams, the next step in their career development is to follow the API pressure equipment inspector career path, which will be a smoother and more natural progression;
• the first API inspector step is to become an API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector since it is mandated in Alberta by the Pressure Equipment Safety Regulation (PESR, which is the law) that only certified in-service inspectors are permitted to inspect pressure vessels, which provides job opportunities; (see Box E)
• with the API 510 certification, the individual can then write the Alberta In-Service Pressure Vessel Inspector certification exam; (see Box H)
• although there are no other PESR requirements for API inspectors, most companies require piping and storage tank inspectors to be certified as:
  • API 570 Piping Inspector, and (see Box F)
  • API 653 Storage Tank Inspector; (see Box G)
• after becoming either an API 510, 570, or 653 inspector, the inspector can further their career development by obtaining the three API supplementary certifications: (see Box E1, E2, and E3)
  • API 571 Damage Mechanisms
  • API 577 Welding Inspection and Metallurgy
  • API 580 Risk-Based Inspection.

This CASTI career development path will achieve the status of a "complete pressure equipment inspector" having obtained:

• CSA Level 2 Welding Inspector
• AWS Certified Welding Inspector
• Alberta Welding Examiner
• Alberta In-Service Pressure Vessel Inspector
• API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector
• API 570 Pressure Piping Inspector
• API 653 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector
• API 571 Supplementary Certification
• API 577 Supplementary Certification
• API 580 Supplementary Certification

Although it is not necessary to achieve all of these certifications to be employed as a welding or pressure equipment inspector, the more certifications one can achieve, the more employable they become.