MCA EXTERIOR CONCRETE FINISHER CERTIFICATION
Improperly finished concrete leads to early deterioration, surface defects, and costly repairs. Getting your crew MCA-certified sets you apart in the market. Certified finishers deliver higher quality work with fewer callbacks, saving time and money on rework. Agencies can improve quality and accountability by requiring certification in specifications for exterior concrete.
The MCA Exterior Concrete Finisher Certification evaluates contractors on their ability to properly place, finish, and cure concrete—ensuring they meet industry standards for long-lasting, durable results.
This certification program has been developed by the MCA to test the basic knowledge on best practices for placing and finishing exterior concrete. The goal of certification is to ensure that knowledgeable contractors are selected to install exterior concrete including local roads and streets, driveways and sidewalks as well as mainline paving. This certification is designed to aid in minimizing or eliminating the potential for distresses resulting from improper installation practices. These distresses may include: scaling, plastic shrinkage cracking or random cracking.
What the Certification Covers
- Concrete required for exterior flatwork
- Placing and finishing concrete
- Joints
- Curing concrete
- Types of surface problems and their causes
Certification Criteria
- Attended a training course by the MCA
- Successfully completed the open book written exam with a passing score of 70%
- Completed a performance evaluation during an installation of exterior concrete
Note: the performance evaluation must be completed within 6 months of passing the written exam.
What the Certification Applies To
Certification is good for 5 years and applies to:
- Roads
- Sidewalks & driveways
- Parking lots
- Curb and gutter
Attendees receive a certification card upon completion of both the written exam and the performance evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take the MCA Exterior Concrete Finisher Certification?
Any contractor or crew installing exterior concrete flatwork — local roads and streets, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, curb and gutter, and mainline paving. It is also written with agencies and specifiers in mind: requiring MCA certification in a specification is a direct way to raise quality and accountability on exterior concrete work.
How is this different from the ACI Flatwork Finisher certification?
They cover similar ground — placing, finishing, jointing, and curing — but they are assessed differently and aimed at different work. The MCA Exterior Concrete Finisher certification requires a hands-on performance evaluation on an actual exterior installation, alongside an open book written exam. The ACI Concrete Flatwork program MCA offers is the written route: a closed-book, two-hour exam of roughly 50 multiple-choice questions leading to ACI Concrete Flatwork Associate certification. MCA does not administer ACI’s performance examination, so finishers who want their field work evaluated take the MCA certification. ACI Associate holders can later upgrade to Advanced Finisher through documented work experience or by taking ACI’s performance exam. The scope differs too: the MCA certification is written for exterior concrete — local roads and streets, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, curb and gutter, and mainline paving — while the ACI course centers on slabs-on-ground and includes topics such as floor flatness and levelness. Both certifications are valid for five years.
How do you become MCA Exterior Concrete Finisher certified?
Three steps. Attend an MCA training course, pass the open book written exam with a score of 70% or better, and complete a performance evaluation during an actual installation of exterior concrete. The performance evaluation must be completed within 6 months of passing the written exam.
How long is the certification valid?
Five years. It applies to roads, sidewalks and driveways, parking lots, and curb and gutter.
Is the written exam open book?
Yes. The written exam is open book, and the passing score is 70%.
What does the two-day class schedule look like?
Day 1 is classroom instruction, starting at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at approximately 3:30 p.m. Day 2 is the hands-on portion, starting at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at approximately noon.
Can MCA teach this course at our facility?
Yes. The course can be taught on demand at your location, with a minimum class size of 15 students. Contact the MCA main office at 517.347.7720 to arrange it.
What happens after I pass?
Attendees receive a certification card once both the written exam and the performance evaluation are complete. Passing the written exam on its own does not finish the certification — the performance evaluation on a real installation is required as well.
Related MCA Resources
- All MCA and ACI certification classes — the full training schedule.
- Cold Weather Concreting — placing and protecting flatwork below 40°F.
- Hot Weather Concreting — the other end of the season.
- Technical Support — talk to MCA about a specific placement.
If you have questions please contact our office at 517.347.7720.
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
ECF UPCOMING CERTIFICATION DATES
CLASS INFORMATION:
DAY 1: ALL CLASSES WILL START AT 8:30AM and will end approximately at 3:30PM
DAY 2: (HANDS ON) CLASS WILL START AT 8:30AM and will end approximately at noon.
LOCATION: VARIOUS LOCATIONS - CLICK REGISTRATION LINK FOR MORE INFO
LANSING, MI
OCTOBER 20-21, 2026
3130 PINE TREE RD, LANSING 48911
TRAVERSE CITY, MI
NOVEMBER 4-5, 2026
3600 Rennie School Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685
PORTAGE, MI
JANUARY 12-13, 2027
333 Peterman Ln, Portage, MI 49002
Note: This course can be taught on demand at your facility. Minimum class size is 15 students. Please contact our main office for more information.