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Technician Certification Program
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The purpose of the Technician Certification Program is to develop and maintain a pool of well-trained technicians to perform field-testing of materials for both Quality Control and Quality Assurance. All technician certification programs must be approved by the Certification Advisory Committee.
All personnel responsible for performing and reporting on tests required on ODOT projects must be certified. This requirement applies to project personnel working as technicians for the State, Contractors, or Consultants on such projects. The following provides information on what the certifications are, how to get certified, and who is currently certified.
For more information on the Technician Certification Program or test procedures used in Oregon refer to ODOT’s Manual of Field Test Procedures.
Technician Certification Program Contact Information
Sean Parker, QA Training Coordinator
(for overall Program questions/issues)
(503) 986-6631
(503) 710-2562 (cell)
(503) 986-3096 (fax)
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Lori Butler, Construction Program Analyst (for cards or certification database questions/issues)
(503) 986-3007
(503) 510-2762 (cell)
(503) 986-3096 (fax)
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Greg Stellmach, P.E.
Quality Assurance Engineer
800 Airport Road SE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 986-3061
(503) 986-3096 (fax)
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Technician Certifications and Registration Information
Technicians are required to pass a written and/or a practical test demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of how to perform the specific tests. All tests shall be administered and evaluated only by evaluators approved by the Certification Advisory Committee Chair, or their designated representative.
To apply for the certification, the applicant will either register for one of the approved training classes, where the exam will be administered as part of the class, or submit an application to challenge the exam. The challenge applications will be submitted through the approved training program to facilitate scheduling. Appropriate fees will be charged for the challenge exams to cover scheduling, overhead and facility use. Applicants will be scheduled for examination through a cooperative effort between ODOT and the appropriate training program service provider.
All certifications shall be contingent upon the technicians signing a rights and responsibilities agreement. This agreement will inform the technicians of the rights and responsibilities along with the consequences of the abuse and or neglect of these responsibilities. The technician will submit a signed agreement at the time they take the certification examination. All certifications will be valid for three years from the original certification date except QCT is valid for 5 years and CSTT is valid for a 6 year period.
If an individual fails an exam after training, they will be allowed to retake the exam as outlined in the Manual of Field Test Procedures. If the individual fails the second time, the individual must retake training before they will be allowed to retake the exam. If an individual fails a challenge exam, the individual must take training before they will be allowed to take another exam.
The information below describes each certification and provides a link for registering for the training.
Certified Aggregate Technician (CAgT): A CAgT performs a variety of tests on soils and aggregates including sieve analysis, fracture, sand equivalency, and other tests and performs other duties as required by current specifications for soils and aggregate materials. Three year certification. Training is conducted through APAO. Register for training.
Certified Asphalt Technician I (CAT-I): A CAT-I performs sampling and testing for HMAC and EAC mixtures including AC content, maximum specific gravity, sieve analysis, void measurements using a currently approved compaction device, and other tests and performs other duties as required by current specifications for HMAC. Three year certification. Training is conducted through APAO. Register for training.
Certified Asphalt Technician II (CAT-II): A CAT-II is responsible for managing the volumetric properties of asphalt mixes by controlling plant operations, for troubleshooting HMAC sampling and testing processes, and for making appropriate adjustments to HMAC production and laydown procedures. Certification at CAT-II level is contingent on having successfully completed the CAT-I certification phase at least once. Three year certification. Training is conducted through APAO. Register for training.
Certified Embankment and Base Technician (CEBT): The CEBT performs testing of soils and aggregates for establishing maximum density and optimum moisture for compaction of subgrade soils and aggregate bases. Three year certification. Training is conducted through APAO. Register for training.
Certified Density Technician (CDT): A CDT performs in-place density testing of soils, aggregates, and asphalt mixtures using the nuclear density gauge. In addition to certification, a CDT must possess a current Radiation Safety Card issued by an approved source. Three year certification. Training is conducted through APAO. Register for training.
Certified Mix Design Technician (CMDT): A CMDT is responsible for preparing HMAC and EAC Mix Designs, including all material testing and data analysis necessary to properly complete a design. A CMDT prepares designs for both dense and open graded HMAC mixtures. Three year certification; two year recertifications. Training is conducted through APAO. Register for training.
Concrete Control Technician (CCT): A CCT is responsible for proportioning concrete mixtures to meet job requirements and for making adjustments to the mix design and mix production as necessary to provide a concrete mixture of the quality required by specifications. A CCT certification may be obtained through a program conducted through Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (OCAPA). Three year certification. Register for training.
Concrete Strength Testing Technician (CSTT): A CSTT is responsible for testing the compressive or flexural strength of hardened concrete cylinders or beams. The duties of a CSTT include proper capping of specimens (bonded and unbonded), correct operation of breaking device and visual evaluation of broken specimens. Also, the CSTT is responsible to insure the proper handling, mold removal, logging and curing of field fabricated samples upon arrival at the laboratory. A CSTT certification may be obtained through a program conducted by ACI. In order for ODOT to process the certification, a Rights and Responsibilities document must be completed and submitted to the ODOT Construction Program Analyst. Fill out the form and submit a scanned copy by e-mail to Lori Butler. Five year certification. Register for training.
Quality Control Technician (QCT): A QCT performs testing of fresh Portland cement concrete including sampling, concrete temperature, slump, unit weight, air content, and fabrication of specimens for strength testing and performs other duties including calculating cement content and water-cement ratio as required by specifications. QCT certification may be obtained through the ACI certification program, with Oregon Supplement, conducted through OCAPA. Five year certification. Register for training.
Documentation of Certification
Upon the successful completion of the examination(s), the participant’s name, home address, and/or company affiliation will be registered in the official registry of certified technicians for the appropriate certification. The official registry is maintained by the ODOT Construction Section and can be accessed on the internet at the following address:
www.highway.state.or.us/techserv/operatns/techcert/techcertDynamic/Index1.cfm
It is anticipated that many technicians will hold multiple certifications. Each certified technician will be given a laminated wallet-size identification card, which indicates all areas of certification, and official letter(s) indicating certification(s) held.
Recertification
Recertification is necessary after the original certification expiration date. Certified Technicians must obtain recertification before the expiration date of the certification. Recertification may only be obtained by passing the written and/or practical test required for that particular certification. A Certified Technician must apply for the appropriate certification. The Certified Technician is responsible for scheduling his/her own written and/or practical comprehensive examination.
It should be noted that should a technician fail to successfully complete a Certification renewal in a specialty area, the technician will be considered disqualified in that area, only, until the requirements for Certification renewal have been successfully met, subject to the limitations set forth in this document.
Rights and Responsibilities Agreement
This document affirms that __________________________________, hereinafter the Technician, desires to be certified by the Oregon Department of Transportation as a ______________________________________.
This certification carries inherent rights and responsibilities. These rights include being exclusively sanctioned along with others so certified by ODOT to perform sampling, testing, and reporting of test results for quality control and quality assurance programs. These responsibilities include performing and reporting tests with the accuracy and precision expected of the Technician in accordance with the required test procedures.
Abuse of these rights and responsibilities shall be penalized upon recommendation by the Certification Advisory Committee Chair. Penalties, as prescribed herein, may be assessed for abuse of the rights and prerogatives conferred upon the Technician by this certification. Abuse is defined as intentional deviations from approved procedures. A finding of abuse shall result in a one year suspension of certification. Any subsequent instance of abuse shall result in permanent revocation of certification. Permanent revocation of certification shall result in that person being ineligible for any ODOT certification at any level.
I, ________________________________, have read, understand and agree to abide by the rights, responsibilities and penalties and affirm that this warrant expires no later than three (3) years from the date of execution.
(Date) _____________ (Signature) ______________________________________
Additional Links:
Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon (APAO)
Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (OCAPA)
Certified Technician and Inspector Database
Comments/Suggestions/Request for Information
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