SolidWorks certifications enable mechanical design professionals to confirm their skills and expertise in using the software.
The certifications are created to cover various aspects of SolidWorks functionality and are categorized based on different proficiency levels.
Online exam
An online exam is required to obtain these certifications; some may need prior experience or recommended training courses. The duration of each exam can vary depending on the type of certification.
You can book an exam directly from the SOLIDWORKS Certification Program page, you have a list of different levels to choose from, so complete the purchase and download TesterPro Client where you will get the instructions for the exam, you also need SolidWorks to be installed on your local machine.
And remember to have a stable internet connection throughout the exam as they are online.
Different SolidWorks certifications
There are four SOLIDWORKS certifications: Associate, Professional, Professional-Advanced, and Expert. And each level has more than one certification.
Associate certification CSWA
The CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate) is the type of certification that is aimed at beginners and entry-level users. it covers basic skills in parts, assemblies, and drawings. Also, it has four different sub-levels:
- CSWA for mechanical design.
- CSWA electrical.
- CSWA additive manufacturing.
- CSWA simulation.
Professional certification CSWP
The CSWP (Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional) is a more advanced certification focusing on skills beyond the CSWA level. it can be a way harder and also Includes advanced part modeling, assemblies, and drawings.
- CSWP–Mechanical Design.
- Model-based Definition (CSWP–MBD).
- CSWP-API: Automate SOLIWORKS using VBA programming.
- CSWP-CAM.
- CSWP–Simulation.
- CSWP-Flow.
Professional-Advanced certification CSWPA
CSWPA (Certified SolidWorks Professional Advanced) has various exams, each focusing on a specific area such as sheet metal, weldments, surfacing, and drawing tools:
- CSWPA-SM: sheet metal.
- CSWPA-WD: for Weldments.
- CSWPA-SU: for surfacing.
- CSWPA-DT: for drawings.
- CSWPA-MM: for Mold Making.
Expert certification CSWE
SWE (Certified SolidWorks Expert) is meant for advanced users with extensive experience in using SolidWorks, Requires passing multiple advanced exams in areas like surfacing, sheet metal, weldments, and more:
- CSWE–Mechanical Design ( sheet metal, weldments, surfacing, drawing tools, mold making)
- CSWE–Simulation.
The cost of Solidworks certification
As of December 2023, the cost of SolidWorks certifications ranges from 20$ to 149$. here is the complete list of the price of each certificate:
CSWA
- CSWA Mechanical design: 99.00 USD
- CSWA Electrical: 19.95 USD
- CSWA Additive manufacturing: 49.95 USD
- CSWA Simulation: 49.95 USD
CSWP
- CSWP-MBD: 49.95 USD
- CSWP-Simulation: 49.95 USD
- CSWP–Mechanical Design: 33.00 USD for each segment (3 required)
- CSWP-API: 49.95 USD
- CSWP-CAM: 49.95 USD
- CSWP-Flow: 49.95 USD
CSWPA
- CSWPA-Drawing Tools: 19.95 USD
- CSWPA-Mold Making: 19.95 USD
- CSWPA-Sheet Metal: 19.95 USD
- CSWPA-Surfacing: 19.95 USD
- CSWPA-Weldments: 19.95 USD
CSWE
- CSWE–Mechanical Design: 149.00 USD
- CSWE-Simulation: 149.00 USD
The Total cost of all Solidworks certificates is 965.35 USD.
Duration of each exam
The duration of Solidworks exams ranges from 60 minutes to 4 hours:
CSWA
- CSWA Mechanical Design: 3 hours.
- CSWA Electrical: 60 minutes.
- CSWA Additive manufacturing: 60 minutes.
- CSWA Simulation: 120 minutes.
CSWP
- CSWP-MBD: 90 minutes.
- CSWP-Simulation: 90 minutes.
- CSWP–Mechanical Design: segment 1: 70 minutes, segment 2: 50 minutes, segment 3: 80 minutes.
- CSWP-API: 120 minutes.
- CSWP-CAM: 180 minutes.
- CSWP-Flow: 90 minutes.
CSWPA
- CSWPA-Drawing Tools: 100 minutes.
- CSWPA-Mold Making: 90 minutes.
- CSWPA-Sheet Metal: 90 minutes.
- CSWPA-Surfacing: 90 minutes.
- CSWPA-Weldments: 120 minutes.
CSWE
- CSWE–Mechanical Design: 4 hours.
- CSWE-Simulation: 3 hours.
Important Notes!
Before passing any SolidWorks certifications, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Here are some of them:
- Keep in mind that you have only one attempt when passing each exam, you must purchase another exam credit for the re-test.
- There is a minimum 14-day waiting period between every attempt.
- The minimum passing grade is different from one exam to another. It is usually between 70% and 80%.
- Some certifications require Exam Prerequisites, for example:
- To pass the CSWE–Mechanical Design exam you will need to have the following certification:
- CSWP–Mechanical Design.
- At least four of the CSWPA topic exams (Sheet Metal, Weldments, Surfacing, Mold Tools, and Drawing Tools)
- For the CSWE simulation, you will need to have in hand:
- CSWP-Mechanical Design certification.
- CSWA-Simulation certification.
- CSWP-Simulation certification.
- To pass the CSWE–Mechanical Design exam you will need to have the following certification:
- Note that Training Courses are recommended before passing any exams, some of the advanced certifications are not easy to get, you can consult the Solidworks official site to get some of the training they have.
- You will need to use a relevant new version in order to pass the exam correctly because some of the older versions will result in the inability to access some of the needed functionality. Please always check the recommended version before passing each exam as they can change over time.
Are the Solidworks certifications worth it?
Getting SolidWorks certifications can be beneficial, but their value varies depending on your career goals and the industry you’re in. While the certification isn’t a guarantee of success in an interview, it certainly doesn’t hurt and can help prove you know the software, it would give testament to you knowing the software more than simply saying so.
It’s important to note that certification should not be considered the be-all and end-all; instead, it complements your overall skill set. The SolidWorks program has a lot to offer, and working with it allows you to learn something new each week, but very few users have scratched the surface.
For those in school or recent graduates, reaching out to the mechanical engineering department may provide access to free vouchers for exams like CSWA and CSWP. These certifications help establish your SolidWorks knowledge and put you ahead in the job hunting.
In the professional realm, over time experience and thoughtful use of CAD are more valued over certifications, as the SolidWorks program continually offers opportunities for learning beyond what certifications can offer.
Finally, it’s crucial to recognize that SolidWorks is a tool, not a job – not all companies will place the same value on these certifications. The CSWE and CSWPA can demonstrate the depth of your expertise, but it’s essential to remember that using SolidWorks doesn’t automatically translate to designing quality products.
