How long should a WPS review take?

An experienced CWI reviews a routine WPS in 5–10 minutes. A complex or novel WPS — multi-process, non-prequalified, CVN-required — can take 30–60 minutes including PQR cross-check.

What's the single most-found deficiency?

Across hundreds of audits, the most common is citation mismatch between the WPS edition and the table numbers referenced. WPSs cite 'AWS D1.1:2025' but reference 'Table 6.5' (the 2020 number for what is now 6.6).

Should the CWI sign WPSs they didn't write?

Yes, if they reviewed and approve. The signing CWI takes professional responsibility for the document's compliance, not for authoring it. Many shops separate author (engineer) and approver (CWI) roles intentionally.

CWI WPS review: a step-by-step checklist

What a CWI actually looks for when reviewing a new WPS — and the order experienced inspectors do it in to catch the most findings in the least time.

A Certified Welding Inspector's WPS review has two goals: confirm the document is internally consistent and confirm it complies with the cited code. Experienced CWIs work through both in a predictable sequence. Here is that sequence as a checklist.

Pass 1 — identification and structure (2 minutes)

✅ WPS number present and unique to the library
✅ Revision number and date present
✅ Code edition cited (e.g., "AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025")
✅ Scope statement defines what production work this WPS covers
✅ Prequalified-vs-qualified-by-test path is declared
✅ Supporting PQR number listed (or Clause 5 statement)
✅ Signatures present with credentials and dates

A WPS missing any of these is sent back without further review.

Pass 2 — code edition consistency (2 minutes)

The most common audit finding. Verify that every code reference inside the WPS matches the edition cited in the header:

2025 edition uses Table 6.6 (PQR essentials), 6.7 (ESW/EGW), 6.8 (CVN supplementary)
2020 edition used Table 6.5, 6.6, 6.7
Pre-2020 used Table 4.5
2025 base-metal groups are in Table 6.9; 2020 used Table 3.1

A 2025-cited WPS with 2020 table numbers is internally inconsistent. Reject.

Pass 3 — base metal and Group (1 minute)

✅ Specific ASTM (or equivalent) specification listed, not "A36 or equivalent"
✅ Group number cited matches the 2025 Table 6.9 for the listed material
✅ Thickness range and diameter range present, with units
✅ If multiple specifications listed, all are in the same Group

Pass 4 — filler metal and matching (2 minutes)

✅ AWS classification fully specified (E71T-1C, not "T-1")
✅ Hydrogen designator present for low-hydrogen filler
✅ Diameter range listed
✅ Storage rules present for low-hydrogen consumables
✅ Filler matches base metal group per Table 5.4 (for prequalified WPSs)
✅ Gas-shielded classification suffix matches the gas declared

Pass 5 — joint and position (1 minute)

✅ Joint sketch embedded (not just label)
✅ Joint type matches Annex B detail (for prequalified)
✅ Position(s) listed match the qualified position range
✅ Progression specified for vertical positions
✅ Backing, backgouging, root opening dimensioned

Pass 6 — electrical and parameters (2 minutes)

✅ Current type (DC, AC) declared
✅ Polarity declared (DCEP, DCEN, AC)
✅ Transfer mode declared (for GMAW)
✅ Amperage given as a RANGE, not a single value
✅ Voltage given as a range (except SMAW)
✅ Travel speed given as a range
✅ Heat input calculated or qualified range listed
✅ Parameters consistent with declared transfer mode

Pass 7 — preheat and interpass (1 minute)

✅ Minimum preheat at or above Table 5.8 for material × thickness × hydrogen
✅ Maximum interpass listed
✅ Method of measurement specified
✅ Location of measurement specified
✅ For CVN work: Table 6.8 supplementary essentials cross-referenced

Pass 8 — shielding (gas processes, 30 seconds)

✅ Gas composition with percentages
✅ Flow rate range listed
✅ For pipe open-root GTAW: back-purge requirements present
✅ Wind protection for field WPSs

Pass 9 — technique and revision history (1 minute)

✅ Bead style specified (stringer or weave with max width)
✅ Cleaning between passes specified
✅ Revision history table present and current
✅ Signature block lists credentials and credential numbers

Pass 10 — PQR cross-check (3–10 minutes, when applicable)

For qualified-by-test WPSs:

✅ Supporting PQR number exists in the PQR library
✅ PQR is signed and dated
✅ Lab accreditation certificate on file with the PQR
✅ Every essential variable on the WPS falls inside the qualified range from the PQR
✅ Test results meet code minimums (tensile UTS, bend acceptance, CVN energy)

This is where a rule engine pays for itself — the cross-check that takes 10 minutes by hand runs in 200 milliseconds in software.

Total time

Routine prequalified WPS: 5–10 minutes through all ten passes.

Complex qualified-by-test WPS with CVN supplementary: 20–60 minutes including PQR review.

The order matters. Doing pass 2 (edition consistency) before pass 10 (PQR cross-check) prevents wasted time on documents that will fail the early check anyway.