Concrete Field Testing Technician - Test Only Option

The Concrete Field Testing Technician course covers the sampling and testing of fresh concrete, including slump, temperature, density, air content and making cylinders/beams.  This course follows the format of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) certification for Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade 1, and also provides the nationally recognized ACI certification.

Pre-Requisite Requirements

In order to be eligible for CTTP Concrete Field Testing Certification - Test Only Option, technicians must meet the following pre-requisite requirements:

  1. Technicians must hold a current certification in Basic Aggregates Testing Technician.
  2. Technicians must pre-qualify for the Test-Only option by successfully completing the Online Concrete Refresher Modules at least one week prior to the testing date.  A minimum score of 70% must be achieved on individual section knowledge checks, as well as a passing score of at least 80 percent on the Final Quiz.

The following pre-requisite conditions are also recommended:

  1. Technicians should feel confident that they can successfully complete both the written and performance exams.
  2. The technician’s supervisor should agree that the technician is adequately prepared to successfully complete both the written and performance exams.
  3. Technicians should have been previously certified in the ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician, or equivalent, and have at least 10 years of experience with concrete field testing.
  4. Technicians should spend adequate time studying and practicing before attending the testing session.

Concrete Field Review Materials

Specifications

Specifications and methods included in the Concrete Field Testing Technician course include:

  • ASTM C31 (AASHTO T 23) Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
  • ASTM C172 (AASHTO R60) Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
  • ASTM C138 (AASHTO T 121) Standard Test Method for Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete
  • ASTM C143 (AASHTO T 119) Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
  • ASTM C173 (AASHTO T 196) Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
  • ASTM C231 (AASHTO T 152) Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
  • ASTM C1064 Standard Test Method for Temperature of Freshly Mixed Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
  • ARDOT 52 Sampling Fresh Concrete

Supplies and Equipment

All necessary equipment and supplies used in the Concrete Field Testing Technician course will be furnished by CTTP.  A course notebook and pencil is provided to each participant.  Calculators may be borrowed from CTTP; however, students are often more comfortable bringing a calculator with which they are familiar, and routinely use.  Other items that may be useful include a straightedge or ruler, pen, pencil, and highlighter.

CTTP course participants are required to wear applicable personal protective equipment in the laboratory, including long pants, closed-toe shoes, and safety glasses.  Safety glasses, gloves, and other personal protective equipment may be borrowed from CTTP during the class.

Course Schedule

Generally, Test Only sessions are held in conjunction with a full Concrete Field Testing Technician course, beginning at 8:00 am unless otherwise stated.  No classroom or laboratory instruction will be provided.  Exams will begin at 8:00 am, with the course concluding no later than 4:00 pm.

Exams

The Concrete Field Testing Technician certification requires each participant to pass both a written and a performance exam published by the American Concrete Institute.  The written exam is closed-book, and subject to a one-hour time limit.  In order to receive certification, 70% of all questions must be answered correctly on the entire written portion of the exam, and at least 60% of the questions must be answered correctly within each section of the written exam.  Also, a passing score must be achieved on each section of the performance exam.  Each component of the performance exam will be given at a test station, where individual course participants will be observed by test proctors.  The performance exams will be graded on a “pass / fail” basis, such that each participant will have two opportunities to achieve a passing grade.  All testing requirements are subject to the regulations of the American Concrete Institute.  The Concrete Field Testing performance exam consists of seven stations, including:

  • ASTM C31: Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
  • ASTM C138: Standard Test Method for Density, Yield, and Air Content of Concrete
  • ASTM C143: Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
  • ASTM C172: Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete
  • ASTM C173: Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method
  • ASTM C231: Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method
  • ASTM C1064: Standard Test Method for Temperature of Freshly Mixed Hydraulic-Cement Concrete

Participants who pass the performance exam but do not pass the written exam may re-take the written exam within one year of the date of the original attempt, as allowed by ACI policies.  Participants who pass the written exam but not the performance exam may re-take the entire performance exam within one year of the date of the original attempt, as allowed by ACI policies.  If the written and performance components are not successfully completed within one year of the original attempt, then both the written and performance exams must be repeated.  Note that for this certification, a student may re-test without attending the full course.  However, pass rates are higher for students who attend the entire class when re-testing.

Certification

Upon successful completion of both the written and performance exams, participants will receive a five-year certification in Concrete Field Testing from CTTP, as well as a five-year certification from the American Concrete Institute.  Certified individuals will receive a CTTP certificate and pocket card, and will be added to the CTTP website list of Certified Technicians.  Expiration dates will be determined according to ACI policy.

CTTP will grant reciprocal certification in Concrete Field Testing if a technician currently holds the Concrete Field Testing Technician – Grade 1 certification from the American Concrete Institute.  However, the Basic Aggregates pre-requisite requirement must also be met.  The CTTP card and certificate will be granted only after the successful completion of the Basic Aggregates course, and proof of ACI certification is provided to CTTP. 

Recertification in Concrete Field Testing may be achieved by either:

  1. Successful completion of the standard 2 ½ day Concrete Field Testing Technician course, or
  2. Successful completion of the Concrete Field Testing Technician – Test Only Option.

All policies pertaining to each of these options will apply.