CONCRETE CERTIFICATION RETEST OPTIONS IN MICHIGAN

Nobody feels great walking out of a testing room knowing they came up short. If that just happened to you, take a breath first. Failing a certification exam happens to skilled, experienced people all the time, including contractors and plant operators who have been placing and finishing concrete for years. A written test or a field performance exam measures a different skill than the job itself, and a rough day, an unfamiliar question format, or one missed step is often all it takes to fall short.

Here is the part worth holding onto. A failed attempt is not the end of your certification path. The Michigan Concrete Association offers a clear retest process for its in-house ACI certification programs and MCA certifications. Many ACI certifications can also be retested anytime year-round through an independent testing network called ProMetric. This page covers your retest window, your options for scheduling, and who to contact for each path.

Your Retest Window: One Year From Your First Exam

If you do not pass a certification exam, you have up to one year from the date of your first attempt to retake it. That window applies to the certification exam itself, and it is the candidate's responsibility to schedule the retest within that one-year grace period rather than waiting for a reminder.

Mark your calendar as soon as you know you need a retest. If you have questions about your specific deadline or which exam you are eligible to retake, contact MCA or call the office directly.

MCA-Sponsored Retest Options

The Michigan Concrete Association sponsors retest sessions for the following certification exams:

• ACI Level 1 Closed Book Exam
• MCA Level 1 Fundamentals Open Book Exam
• MCA Level 2 Technician Certification
• ACI CST Closed Book Exam
• ACI ATT Closed Book Exam
• ACI Self-Consolidating Concrete Closed Book Exam
• ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher Certification
• MCA Exterior Finisher Certification

MCA holds nearly all of its certification and retest sessions at the MCA Training Center, located at 3130 Pine Tree Road in Lansing, just off Jolly Road near the US-127 and I-96 interchange. Some sessions may also be scheduled at regional locations depending on the program, so it is worth confirming your exact class location when you register.

These sessions follow MCA's own testing calendar rather than being available on demand, so the sooner you reach out, the more scheduling options you are likely to have within your one-year window. Call for additional information on retest options and upcoming dates.

Retesting Through Prometric Testing Centers

Most of these retests are also offered year-round through Prometric testing centers, which gives candidates more flexibility than waiting on MCA's own testing calendar alone. Prometric currently offers the following exams:

• ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician, Grade I
• ACI Self-Consolidating Concrete
• Concrete Strength Testing Technician
• ACI Aggregate Testing Technician
• ACI Flatwork Finisher Certification

To arrange training or schedule a retest through Prometric, contact Exam Registration at (800) 722-2857 or visit the Prometric ACI test search to find a testing center and available dates near you.

Choosing Between MCA and Prometric

If your certification is one of the exams MCA sponsors directly and you are comfortable working within MCA's testing calendar, scheduling through MCA keeps you connected to the same organization that issued your original exam. If you need a specific date sooner than MCA's calendar allows, or your certification is one of the exams offered through Prometric, its year-round availability at testing centers across the state is often the faster path to a retest.

How to Prepare for a Stronger Second Attempt

Preparation matters more the second time around because you now know exactly where you struggled. Review the specific exam section that gave you trouble, whether that means revisiting written material or practicing the field techniques covered in a performance portion. Talking with a supervisor or a colleague who already holds the same certification can also help, since they can often point out small habits or details that are easy to miss when studying alone.

Requesting ADA Accommodations for a Retest

If you need accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act for your retest, MCA has a dedicated ADA accommodations process. Who you contact depends on which organization is sponsoring your session. For an ACI-sponsored class, contact the ACI Certification Department directly. For an MCA-sponsored class, contact MCA. Reach out before your retest date so accommodations can be arranged in time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do I have to retake a failed exam?

You have up to one year from the date of your first exam attempt to retake it. Scheduling the retest within that one-year window is the candidate's responsibility, so it is worth reaching out to MCA or Prometric as soon as you know you need a retest.

What retest options does MCA offer?

MCA sponsors retest sessions for the ACI Level 1 Closed Book Exam, MCA Level 1 Fundamentals Open Book Exam, MCA Level 2 Technician Certification, ACI CST Closed Book Exam, ACI ATT Closed Book Exam, ACI Self-Consolidating Concrete Closed Book Exam, ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher Certification, and the MCA Exterior Finisher Certification.

Some of these are also available year-round through Prometric testing centers.

Who do I contact to schedule a retest?

For MCA-sponsored retests, call the MCA office. For Prometric testing centers, contact Exam Registration at (800) 722-2857 or use the Prometric ACI test search on their website to find a location and available date.

You Are Closer Than You Think

A failed exam feels bigger in the moment than it turns out to be once you have a plan. You have a full year to schedule a retest, two paths to choose from, and a clear phone number for each one. You already have the field experience. The next attempt just needs the right preparation and a date on the calendar.

To schedule your retest with MCA, contact our office or call 517.347.7720. To schedule through Prometric instead, call (800) 722-2857 or search available test dates directly through Prometric.

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 517.347.7720 IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON RETEST OPTIONS

MOST OF THE RETESTS ARE ALSO OFFERED YEAR-ROUND AT PROMETRIC TESTING CENTERS