Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician

The Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course covers the sampling and testing of asphalt mixtures, to include volumetric analysis of compacted specimens, asphalt content, and in-place density.

Course Options

There are two course options, including in-person and test only.

  1. The standard 2 ½ day in-person course is required for new technicians.
  2. The Test Only Option requires technicians to view online training modules and successfully complete an online quiz prior to the testing date. The technician will then attend an in-person testing session to complete written and performance exams.

Hot Mix Asphalt - Test Only Option

Pre-Requisite Requirements

The Basic Aggregates Testing Technician course is a required pre-requisite for the Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course.  The Hot Mix Asphalt course is not intended to provide basic training, but rather to serve as a refresher and evaluation leading to certification.  Prior to attending the course, participants should have a working knowledge of hot mix asphalt testing methods, as well as the mathematical calculations associated with those methods.  Experience in physically performing these test methods is strongly recommended.  Online review materials may also be beneficial in preparing for the class.

Hot Mix Asphalt Review Materials

Specifications

The procedures covered in this course are those prescribed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Standard Specifications for Highway Construction and related specifications, including:

  • AASHTO R 47 Reducing Samples of Asphalt Mixtures to Testing Size
  • AASHTO R 67 Sampling Asphalt Mixtures after Compaction (Obtaining Cores)
  • AASHTO R 97 Sampling Asphalt Mixtures
  • AASHTO T 30 Mechanical Analysis of Extracted Aggregate
  • AASHTO T 166 Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Saturated Surface-Dry Specimens
  • AASHTO T 209 Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures
  • AASHTO T 269 Percent Air Voids in Compacted Dense and Open Asphalt Mixtures
  • AASHTO T 275 Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Paraffin-Coated Specimens
  • AASHTO T 287 Asphalt Binder Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Nuclear Method
  • AASHTO T 308 Determining the Asphalt Binder Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Ignition Method
  • AASHTO T 312 Preparing and Determining the Density of Asphalt Mixture Specimens by Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor
  • AASHTO T 329 Moisture Content of Asphalt Mixtures by Oven Method
  • AASHTO T 331 Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Automatic Vacuum Sealing Method
  • AASHTO T 344 Evaluation of Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) Internal Angle of Gyration Using Simulated Loading
  • ARDOT 449 Determination of Asphalt Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Nuclear Method
  • ARDOT 449A Calibration of Asphalt Content Gauge Troxler 3241-C
  • ARDOT 455A Test Method for Water Sensitivity for Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
  • ARDOT 460 Test Method for Solvent Washing and Sieve Analysis of Asphalt Concrete
  • ARDOT 464 Procedure for the Determination of Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA) and Air Voids

Supplies and Equipment

All necessary equipment and supplies used in the Hot Mix Asphalt 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

Each Hot Mix Asphalt Testing course will begin at 1:00 pm on Day 1 unless otherwise stated, with check-in from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.  Classroom and laboratory instruction will be provided on Day 1 and Day 2.  Written and performance exams will be given on Day 3, with the course concluding no later than 4:00 pm on Day 3.  More information can be found in the Detailed Course Schedule.  Participants who do not attend the entire class will not be allowed to take the exams.

Exams

The Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician certification requires each participant to pass both a written and a performance exam.  The written exam is closed-book, and subject to a two-hour time limit.  In order to receive certification, a minimum of 70% of all questions must be answered correctly on the written portion of the 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 Hot Mix Asphalt Testing performance exam consists of multiple stations, including:

  • AASHTO T 166 Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Saturated Surface-Dry Specimens
  • AASHTO T 209 Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures
  • AASHTO T 308 Determining the Asphalt Binder Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Ignition Method
  • AASHTO T 312 Preparing and Determining the Density of Asphalt Mixture Specimens by Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor
  • ARDOT 449 Determination of Asphalt Content of Asphalt Mixtures by the Nuclear Method

Participants who do not pass the Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course by failure of either the written or performance exam will be required to repeat the entire course.

Certification

Upon successful completion of both the written and performance exams, participants will receive a five-year CTTP certification in Hot Mix Asphalt Testing.  Certified individuals will receive a CTTP certificate and pocket card, and will be added to the CTTP website list of Certified Technicians.  Expiration dates occur on a semi-annual basis: June 30 or December 31 after the five-year certification period.

Recertification in Hot Mix Asphalt may be achieved by either:

  1. Successful completion of the standard 2 ½ day Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician course, or
  2. Successful completion of the Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician – Test Only Option.

All policies pertaining to each of these options will apply.

Reciprocity requests will not be granted for Hot Mix Asphalt Testing Technician.

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.