If you are a CSWIP or BGAS-CWSP certificate(s) holder, please read this short guide on how to renew your certifications:
Why do I need to renew my certification?
Your Certification must be renewed before its validity expires (5 years) in order to demonstrate "Compliance through Competence".
When should I apply for renewal or certification?
A renewal or recertification application may take several weeks to process, so candidates are encouraged to submit their application with complete documentation as early as 6 months before the expiry of their certificate to avoid any lapse.
Do I need to submit evidence of work activities covering the certification period?
Yes.
A CSWIP and BGAS-CSWIP schemes require the submission of verified evidence (signed log sheets) of work activities over the certification period, as well as details of CPD (Continuous Professional Development).
Regularly updating your logbook is the easiest way to demonstrate your work experience and CPD activities.
Is there an alternative and easy way to gain access to CPD activities?
Membership in The Welding Institute, either directly or via the Registration Scheme offers access to CPD activities.
Details about membership(s) can be found here.
Who are the concerned certificate holders?
Welding: Inspectors, Supervisors, Instructors, Examiners, Quality Control Coordinators, Technical Representatives; Review of Welding Procedures; Heat Treatment; NDT: Inspectors, Operators and Interpreters; BGAS-CSWIP, Plant Inspectors; Cathodic Protection; Visual Inspectors for Upstream Oil and Gas; Protective Coatings; Plastic Welding Inspectors; Blasting and Painting Operatives.
Five-year renewal
Certificate holders are required to submit their renewal form:
- A verified work experience record covering at least 4 out of the 5 years that your certificate is valid (can be recorded in your CSWIP/BGAS-CSWIP Log Book)
- A record of your continuing professional development (CPD), of at least 35 hours per year (can be recorded in your CSWIP/BGAS-CSWIP Log Book)
- A record of professional experience form (can be recorded in your CSWIP/BGAS-CSWIP Log Book)
- One recent passport-size photograph
- A copy of the CSWIP or BGAS-CSWIP certificate
- A recent eyesight test certificate to the standards detailed in the relevant scheme document, taken within the last 2 years or 1 year for NDT (can be recorded in your CSWIP/ BGAS-CSWIP Log Book)
Additions:
- Radiographic Inspectors must hold a current recognised radiation safety qualification, in addition to the above
TWI Certification Ltd assesses the submission once it is received and a certificate will be issued if successful.
Please note that certificates can take several weeks to be issued.
Exceptions:
- Review of Welding Procedures certifications may only be recertified by examination every 5 years – please see the 10-year recertification process below
- Radiation safety certifications may only be recertified by examination every 5 years – please contact trainexam@twitraining.com directly to arrange your exam
Ten-year recertification
All certificate holders are required to sit an examination at the 10-year point.
- Certificate holders must complete a recertification application request online.
- For further inquiries, you may email twicertification@twi.co.uk.
- The relevant renewal documentation will be sent to you once TWI Certification Ltd receives your application
- Certificate holders are required to submit the same documentary evidence as requested in the 5-year renewal with their renewal application
Once received, the submission is assessed by TWI Certification Ltd. If approved, the certificate holder is notified that they can sit their recertification exam(s) and should contact trainexam@twitraining.com to arrange their examination(s).
Upon successful completion of the exam(s), a notification will be sent to TWI Certification Ltd, who, upon receipt of this notification, will issue a notice of examination results.
Once received, the submission is assessed by TWI Certification Ltd. A certificate (with a new certificate number) will be issued if successful.
Please note that certificates can take several weeks to be issued from receipt of the initial notification by the examination body.
Exceptions:
- CSWIP NDT Level 3 certificates may be recertified at the 10-year point through the structured credit system. For more information on this process, please contact twicertification@twi.co.uk.
Additional references:
Certification Scheme, the CSWIP website, accessed on 22 March 2023, <https://www.cswip.com/renewal>
Getting ready for your renewal or registration on 6 February 2023, Accessed on 22 March 2023, <https://www.cswip.com/press-releases/2023/getting-ready-for-your-renewal-or-registration>