Concrete Strength Testing Technician - Test Only Option

The CTTP Concrete Strength Testing Technician – Test Only Option course covers the same specifications and testing requirements as the Concrete Strength Testing Technician course. However, no instructor-led training course is offered prior to the written and performance examinations. This option is beneficial to participants who routinely perform hardened concrete testing and are familiar with the associated specifications.

Pre-Requisite Requirements

In order to be eligible for CTTP Concrete Strength 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 Concrete Strength Online Modules and Final Quiz 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 % 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 Strength Testing Technician, or equivalent, and have experience with concrete strength testing.
  4. Technicians should spend adequate time studying and practicing before attending the testing session.

Concrete Strength Review Materials

Specifications

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

  • AASHTO T 22 / ASTM C39 Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
  • AASHTO T 22 / ASTM C1231 Use of Unbonded Caps in Determination of Compressive Strength of Hardened Concrete Cylinders
  • AASHTO T 24 / ASTM C42 Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete 
  • AASHTO T 97 / ASTM C78 Flexural Strength of Concrete 
  • AASHTO T 106 / ASTM C109 Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortar (Using 50-mm or 2-in. Cube Specimens) 
  • AASHTO T 148 / ASTM C1542 Measuring Length of Drilled Concrete Cores 
  • AASHTO T 231 / ASTM C617 Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens

Supplies and Equipment

All necessary equipment and supplies used in the Concrete Strength 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, participants 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 Strength Testing Technician course, beginning at 8:30 am unless otherwise stated.  No classroom or laboratory instruction will be provided.  Exams will begin at 8:30 am, and will conclude no later than 2:00 pm.

Exams

The Concrete Strength 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, a minimum of 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.

Performance exams must be performed individually, and are graded on a “pass/fail” basis.  Participants must perform all methods correctly in order to pass the performance portion of the course.  Two attempts are allowed at each station.  The Concrete Strength Testing performance exam consists of multiple stations, including:

  • ASTM C617 Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
  • ASTM C39 & C1231 Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens & Unbonded Caps
  • ASTM C78 Flexural Strength of Concrete

Participants who fail either the written or performance exam may re-take the failed exam within one year of the date of the original attempt, as allowed by ACI policies.  If both 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 participant may re-test without attending the full course.  However, pass rates are higher for participants 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 Strength 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 Strength Testing if a technician currently holds the Concrete Strength Testing Technician certification from the American Concrete Institute.  However, the Basic Aggregates pre-requisite requirement must also be met.  The CTTP certification will be granted only after the successful completion of the Basic Aggregates course, and proof of ACI certification is provided to CTTP.  No CTTP certification for this course will be granted without successful completion of the Basic Aggregates course.

Recertification in Concrete Strength Testing may be achieved by either:

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

All policies pertaining to each of these options will apply.

Registration

ARDOT employees may register for this course by contacting Dorothy Rhodes at dorothy.rhodes@ardot.gov .  All others should Click Here to Register.  Applicable fees will be assessed.