ACI AGGREGATE BASE TESTING TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

2025/2026 ACI AGGREGATE Base TESTING TECHNICIAN

Please review the class schedule and recommendations below.

  1. Day 1 - Class will begin at 8:30 am and end at 4:00 pm. The first half of the test methods will be reviewed for the written exam, then in the afternoon there will be laboratory practical practice time.
  2. Day 2 - Class will begin at 8:30 am and end at 4:00 pm on Day Two. The second half of the test methods will be reviewed for the written exam, then in the afternoon there will be laboratory practical practice time.
  3. Day 3 will begin at 8:30am and will be the ACI written exam followed by the lab practical examination.
  4. Each student must select which Aggregate Base Testing Technician certification they require: choose certification for either ASTM or AASHTO test methods.
  5. This is a certification course and not a complete training class. Students are expected to be familiar with the course material and how to perform the tests before arriving to the certification course.
  6. The First 2 days of class will be a review of the standards, followed by a laboratory practice session. Students who don’t regularly work in an aggregate laboratory environment should do a thorough review of the materials and test methods prior to class.
  7. Be prepared to test aggregates – wear safety boots or shoes, clothes that you don’t mind getting dirt and dust on, and safety glasses. Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.
  8. The sessions will be limited to 12 students.
  9. The MCA will have disposable masks and gloves available if needed.
  10. Each student will receive their classroom materials, including the ACI Aggregate Base Testing Technician Certification workbook (in your chosen test methods ASTM or AASHTO), approximately 2 weeks before the exam.
  11. Lunch will be provided. Pre-packaged snacks and beverages will be available throughout the course .
  12. Doors to the certification center will be open 15 minutes prior to the class starting.
  13. Prior to attending class, if you need ADA accommodation, are sick or have other disabilities, or have physical limitations, you must comply with ACI pre-certification qualification before being granted any special exceptions to the program. You must contact ACI Certification at aci.certification@concrete.org before attending class!

PLEASE NOTE- THIS CERTIFICTION IS FOR LAB TECHNICIANS THAT NEED TO COMPLY WITH ASTM 1077 OR AASHTO LAB REQUIREMENTS FOR PERFORMING AGGREGATE BASE TESTING. TYPICALLY THIS IS FOR FEDERAL PROJECTS (AMRL/CCRL/AASHTO Lab Accreditation, Army Corp, Dept of Defense, Dept of Energy, FAA).THIS COURSE DOES NOT CERTIFY TECHNICIANS TO PERFORM DENSITY TESTING FOR MDOT PROJECTS.

If you have questions, please contact our office at 517.347.7720.

 

REGISTRATION OPENS IN OCTOBER EACH YEAR

The 2026 Class will take place March 30, 2025 - April 1, 2025

TOPICS COVERED

The program requires a working knowledge of the following AASHTO and/or ASTM standards:

  • AASHTO R 90-18/ASTM D75-14—Sampling Aggregates
  • AASHTO T 248-11/ASTM C702-98(03)—Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
  • AASHTO R 58-11/ASTM D421-85(07)*—Dry Preparation of Disturbed Soil and Soil-Aggregate Samples for Test
  • AASHTO T 89-13/ASTM D4318-10e1—Determining the Liquid Limits of Soils
  • AASHTO T 90-00(08)/D4318-10e1—Determining the Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils
  • AASHTO T 88-13/ASTM D422-63(07)e2—Particle Size Analysis of Soils
  • AASHTO T 265-12/ASTM D2216-10—Laboratory Determination of Moisture Content of Soils
  • AASHTO T 180-10/ASTM D1557-12e1—Moisture-Density Relations of Soils Using a 4.54-kg (10-lb) Rammer and a 457-mm (18-in.) Drop
  • AASHTO T 99-10/ASTM D698-12e2—Moisture-Density Relations of Soils Using a 2.5-kg (5.5-lb) Rammer and a 305-mm (12-in.) Drop

certification requirementS

ACI will grant certification only to those applicants who meet both of the following requirements:

  1. A passing grade on the ACI written examination, and
  2. Successful completion of the ACI performance examination.

The two-hour written examination is open-book and consists of approximately 88 multiple-choice questions. There are 8 to 12 questions on each of the standards.

To pass the written examination, both of the following conditions must be met:

  1. At least 60% correct for each of the required standards, and
  2. A minimum score of 70% overall.

The performance examination is closed-book and requires actual demonstration of the required standards. The examinee is judged on his/her ability to correctly perform or describe all of the required procedures for each standard.

Certification is valid for a period of five years from the date of successfully completing all requirements.