Structural Steel (D1.1) endorsement: is it worth it?
Quick answer
Is the CWI D1.1 structural steel endorsement worth it?
For anyone inspecting structural steel in buildings, bridges, or general fabrication, the D1.1 endorsement is the default and usually worth it: it maps directly to the code most structural work is inspected to. If your work is pipeline or piping instead, an API 1104 or ASME endorsement fits better.
- Code covered
- AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code, Steel
- Industries unlocked
- structural steel fabrication, buildings, bridges (with D1.5)
- Format
- open-book written
- Satisfies 9-year recert
- Yes
The D1.1 endorsement ties your Certified Welding Inspector certification to AWS D1.1, the Structural Welding Code for steel. It is the most common endorsement because so much fabrication, from buildings to general structural steel, is inspected to D1.1.
When it is worth adding
- You inspect structural steel in buildings, general fabrication, or (paired with D1.5) bridges.
- Your employer or a contract specifically calls for inspection to D1.1.
- You want the endorsement to double as your nine-year recertification, since passing it within eleven months of expiry can satisfy recert.
When to look elsewhere first
If your day-to-day work is pipeline (look at API 1104) or power and process piping (look at the ASME piping endorsement), those codes fit your work better than D1.1. Confirm the current fee and the pinned code edition on the endorsement matrix before you register.
Compare every endorsement on the endorsement matrix, or match one to your industry with the recommender.