Last updated: June 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: If your goal is the CSWA or CSWP credential, take a course built to the exam: SOLIDWORKS CSWA prep for the associate exam and SOLIDWORKS CSWP prep for the professional. To learn the software end-to-end first, start with SOLIDWORKS Mastery.
- Best for the associate exam: SOLIDWORKS CSWA prep (4.6★, 2,087 ratings)
- Best for the professional exam: SOLIDWORKS CSWP prep (4.6★, 3,602 ratings)
- Exam fees: CSWA ~$99, CSWP ~$149 (set by Dassault Systèmes; resellers sometimes bundle a free voucher)
- Skip if: you only need a free refresher — MySolidWorks and SOLIDWORKS for Students cover the basics
See the top CSWP prep course →
A SOLIDWORKS certification is the clearest way to prove your CAD skills to an employer. The credential is run by Dassault Systèmes, the company behind SOLIDWORKS, and it ladders from associate to expert. But the certification itself is just an exam — you still have to learn the software and drill the question style before you sit it, and that is where a good course earns its keep.
We went through the most-enrolled SOLIDWORKS courses online, checked which are still maintained, and ranked them by how well they map to the actual exams and to real modeling work. Below are six we’d recommend, plus a plain-English guide to which certification is worth your time and what each exam costs.
AT A GLANCE
| Course | Best for | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOLIDWORKS CSWA Prep | Associate certification | 4.6 (2,087) |
| SOLIDWORKS CSWP Prep | Professional certification | 4.6 (3,602) |
| SOLIDWORKS Mastery | Complete beginner-to-pro path | 4.5 (943) |
| Master SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD | Learning by real-world examples | 4.8 (2,384) |
| Master SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal | Sheet-metal specialty | 4.8 (1,484) |
| SolidWorks Complete Course: 3D Modeling | Affordable all-rounder | 4.4 (891) |
1. SOLIDWORKS CSWA Prep — best for the associate exam
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The Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) is the entry credential, and this course is built squarely around passing it. It covers part modeling, assemblies, and drawings in the exact proportions the exam tests, and it works across SOLIDWORKS 2017 through 2023, so a slightly older install won’t trip you up. At 4.6 stars across 2,087 ratings (6,876 students, last updated June 2025) it is the best-maintained CSWA-specific course on Udemy. If you already know basic CAD and want the certificate to back it up, this is the most direct route.
2. SOLIDWORKS CSWP Prep — best for the professional exam
Once you hold the CSWA, the Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) is the credential employers actually scan résumés for. The CSWP exam is harder and more time-pressured — it leans on parametric modeling, advanced assemblies, and editing existing designs without breaking them. This hands-on prep course (4.6 stars, 3,602 ratings, 16,724 students, updated June 2025) walks through the three-segment exam format and drills the modify-and-recalculate question style that catches people out. It’s the most popular CSWP-specific course online and our pick for anyone targeting the professional tier.
3. SOLIDWORKS Mastery — best complete beginner-to-pro path
If you’re starting from zero and want one course that takes you all the way, this is it. Built around 500 worked examples, 20 projects, and 10 practice tests, it teaches the software by doing rather than by lecturing, which is how CAD actually sticks. At 4.5 stars (943 ratings) and last updated June 2026, it is the freshest comprehensive option on this list — a real advantage given how much the modern interface and 3DEXPERIENCE integration have changed. Use it as your foundation, then move to the CSWA or CSWP prep course when you’re ready to certify.
4. Master SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD — best for learning by real-world examples
This is the long-running bestseller in the category — 4.8 stars across 2,384 ratings, 18,402 students — and it’s beloved for teaching modeling through genuinely useful real-world parts rather than abstract shapes. The one caveat we’ll flag honestly: it was last updated April 2022, so the interface in the videos is a few releases behind. The modeling fundamentals it teaches haven’t changed, and most learners won’t notice, but if you want the current UI on screen, lead with Mastery (#3) instead and use this as a supplement.
View Master SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD →
5. Master SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal — best specialty course
Sheet metal is its own discipline inside SOLIDWORKS, and it’s a common specialty exam (CSWPA-SM) as well as a daily need for anyone in fabrication or enclosure design. This course (4.8 stars, 1,484 ratings, updated March 2026) is the most thorough sheet-metal treatment on Udemy — flanges, bends, gussets, flat patterns, and the manufacturing constraints that matter on the shop floor. It’s a focused add-on rather than a first course, but if sheet metal is your job, it pays for itself fast.
6. SolidWorks Complete Course: 3D Modeling — best affordable all-rounder
A solid, no-frills option that covers the full modeling workflow — parts, assemblies, and drawings — without the certification framing. At 4.4 stars (891 ratings, 14,090 students, updated January 2025) it’s a dependable pick if you want broad coverage at a typical Udemy price and don’t yet care about an exam. It’s the one to grab on sale when you just want to get productive in the software.
SOLIDWORKS certification levels explained — and which one is best
The single most common question we see is simply “which SOLIDWORKS certification is best?” The honest answer: the right one depends on where you are in your career, because the credentials are a ladder, not a menu. Here is how they stack up.
| Certification | Level | Typical exam fee |
|---|---|---|
| CSWA — Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate | Entry / student | ~$99 |
| CSWP — Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional | Working designer | ~$149 |
| CSWE — Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert | Senior / elite | Higher; requires CSWP first |
| CSWPA — Professional Advanced (Sheet Metal, Weldments, Surfacing, Drawing, Mold, Simulation) | Specialty add-on | Per discipline |
For most people the answer is the CSWP — it’s the level that signals genuine working competence and is the one recruiters in mechanical and product design recognise. Get the CSWA first if you’re a student or career-changer who needs a foot in the door; it’s cheaper, easier, and a natural stepping stone. Reserve the CSWE for when you’re aiming at senior or specialist roles. Exam fees are set by Dassault Systèmes and vary by region and reseller, so treat the figures above as a guide; some authorised training providers bundle a free exam voucher with their courses, which can offset the cost entirely.
A quick note on exam format, since it shapes how you should study. The CSWA is a single timed session covering part modeling, basic assemblies, and reading drawings — manageable in a weekend of focused prep if you already know the software. The CSWP is split into three separately-purchasable segments, is more time-pressured, and lives or dies on one skill: modifying an existing model and recalculating mass or dimensions correctly. That modify-and-recompute pattern is exactly what the prep courses above drill, and it’s why a generic “learn SOLIDWORKS” course alone often isn’t enough to pass. SOLIDWORKS certifications do not expire, so once you pass, the credential is yours for good.
How to choose the right SOLIDWORKS course
Four things separate a course that gets you results from one that wastes a weekend:
- Goal match. If you want a credential, pick an exam-aligned course (CSWA or CSWP prep). If you just need to be productive, a general modeling course is a better use of money.
- Recency. The interface and 3DEXPERIENCE integration have changed enough that a course filmed before ~2023 will look dated. Check the “last updated” date — we’ve flagged it for every pick above.
- Hands-on projects. CAD is a motor skill. Courses built around worked examples and practice files (like Mastery’s 500 examples) beat lecture-heavy ones every time.
- Instructor track record. Rating count matters more than the rating itself — 4.6 across 3,000+ ratings is a stronger signal than 4.9 across 40.
Course or certification first?
If you’re new to CAD entirely, don’t book an exam yet. Spend a few weeks learning the software properly — modeling parts, building assemblies, producing drawings — with a comprehensive course like Mastery or Master SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD. Once that’s second nature, switch to an exam-specific prep course to learn the question style and time management, then sit the CSWA or CSWP. People who skip the foundation and jump straight into exam prep tend to fail on the modeling speed the test demands. If you already use SOLIDWORKS at work, you can usually go straight to prep and certify in a couple of weeks.
What SOLIDWORKS skills are worth in the job market
SOLIDWORKS is the dominant mid-market CAD package in mechanical engineering, product design, industrial design, and manufacturing, so the skill is broadly transferable across hardware companies, contract design shops, and maker-economy startups. Typical roles that list it include mechanical designer, CAD technician, design engineer, and product development engineer. We won’t quote a single salary figure — pay varies enormously by country, industry, and seniority, and most “average salary” numbers floating around online are unsourced. What we can say from the job postings is consistent: a verified CSWP plus a portfolio of real models is a stronger combination than either alone, and the credential helps most early in a career when you don’t yet have years of shipped work to point to.
Free ways to learn SOLIDWORKS
You don’t have to pay to get started. MySolidWorks hosts free introductory tutorials and self-paced lessons directly from Dassault Systèmes. SOLIDWORKS for Students provides free or heavily discounted software access if you’re enrolled at a participating school, and the low-cost 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers license is aimed at hobbyists. There’s also a deep bench of free YouTube tutorials. The trade-off is structure: free resources are great for dabbling, but a paid, exam-aligned course is what gets most people certified on the first attempt — which is why the picks above lead this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which SOLIDWORKS certification is best?
For working designers, the CSWP (Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional) carries the most weight with employers. Students and beginners should start with the CSWA (Associate) as a stepping stone, and only the most senior users need the CSWE (Expert). Specialty CSWPA exams matter only if that discipline — sheet metal, weldments, simulation — is your specific job.
How much does a SOLIDWORKS certification cost?
The CSWA exam typically runs about $99 and the CSWP about $149, with the CSWE costing more. Fees are set by Dassault Systèmes and vary by region and reseller. Some authorised training providers include a free exam voucher with their course, so check before paying separately.
Can I learn SOLIDWORKS on my own?
Yes. SOLIDWORKS is very learnable through self-study, especially with a structured online course plus practice files. Most people reach job-ready competence in a few months of consistent practice, and an exam-aligned course shortens the path to certification considerably.
Is a SOLIDWORKS certification worth it?
For mechanical, product, and manufacturing design roles, yes — it’s an objective, vendor-backed signal that you can model competently, which helps most when you don’t yet have a long portfolio. For senior designers with a strong body of work, the portfolio matters more, but the credential still helps clear résumé filters.
How long does it take to learn SOLIDWORKS?
Most learners reach comfortable working competence — modeling parts, assemblies, and drawings — in roughly two to three months of consistent practice alongside a structured course. Reaching CSWA level can happen faster if you practise daily; the CSWP usually takes additional weeks of targeted prep because of its harder, time-pressured format.
Which SOLIDWORKS version should I learn?
Learn on the most recent version you can access, but don’t worry about an exact match — core modeling tools are stable across releases, and the CSWA/CSWP exams are version-agnostic for several years at a time. A course filmed on SOLIDWORKS 2023 or later will show an interface close enough to current that nothing important is missing.
Related guides
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