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1
MATERIALS DIVISION
MEMORANDUM
GENERAL SUBJECT:
Revision of Materials MOI Chapter 1 General Instructions
NUMBER:
MD 359-13
SPECIFIC SUBJECT:
Revision of Materials MOI Section 115 Materials
Certification Schools Program
DATE:
6/19/2013
DIRECTED TO:
District Materials Engineers
SIGNATURE:
Charles A. Babish, PE
Signature on original copy of memorandum
This Memorandum notifies the users of the Materials Division Manual of Instructions that Section 115 is
now replaced with the following revised Section 115. The revisions incorporate changes to bring the
section up to date with the current guidelines of the Materials Certification Schools.
2
SECTION 115 MATERIALS CERTIFICATION SCHOOLS PROGRAM
The Materials Certification Schools (MCS) Program is offered by the Virginia Department of Transportation
(VDOT) for individuals who wish to receive training and certification in the areas of Concrete, Asphalt
Concrete, Soils, Aggregate, Pavement Marking, Slurry Surfacing and Surface Treatment. The goal is
to provide on-going training in materials technology for industry and VDOT employees for the purpose
of providing a competent workforce. These workers are involved in the production, utilization, acceptance,
testing and inspection of materials used in the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure.
To attain this goal the Certification Programs objectives are:
Provide technical training to VDOT and industry personnel.
Enhance the teamwork and efficiency of VDOT, Industry, Municipalities, Testing/Inspection Agencies,
and Consultants by training all individuals together.
Support VDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Programs through provision of appropriate training.
Support VDOT’s Quality Control and Quality Assurance Programs.
Sec. 115.01 Specification Requirements
VDOT specifications require that the Contractor have present during the production, placement and testing of
some materials a Certified Materials Technician. The following activities and the corresponding technicians
summarize these specifications. Refer to the Virginia Department of Transportation Road and Bridge
Specifications or the project contract documents for the actual specifications.
The production of Central Mix Aggregate requires the presence of a Certified Aggregate Plant Technician.
The Contractor shall have a Department-certified Asphalt Mix Design Technician for designing and
adjusting mixes as necessary. The Asphalt Mix Design Technician or Asphalt Plant Level II Technician
may perform testing of asphalt mixes.
The Contractor is responsible for having a Certified Concrete Plant Technician available during
batching operations.
The Contractor shall have an Asphalt Field Level II Technician present during paving operations.
The placement of Slurry Surfacing requires the presence of a Certified Slurry Surfacing Technician.
The placement of Concrete requires the presence of a Certified Concrete Field Technician.
The placement of pavement markings requires the presence of a Certified Pavement Marking Technician.
The placement of Surface Treatment requires the presence of a Certified Surface Treatment Technician.
Sec. 115.02 Certification Application
All candidates for Certification in the VDOT Materials Certification Schools Program must read and sign an
Application for Certification found in Appendix E.
3
Sec. 115.03 Certification Titles
School
Certification Title
Asphalt Field Level I Asphalt Field Level I Technician
Asphalt Field Level II Asphalt Field Level II Technician
Slurry Surfacing Slurry Surfacing Technician
Surface Treatment Surface Treatment Technician
Asphalt Plant Level I Asphalt Plant Level I Technician
Asphalt Plant Level II Asphalt Plant Level II Technician
Asphalt Plant Mix Design Aggregate Properties Mix Design Technician
Asphalt Plant Mix Design Asphalt Mix Design Technician
Concrete Field Concrete Field Technician
Concrete Plant Concrete Plant Technician
Central Mix Aggregate Plant Central Mix Aggregate Technician
Soils and Aggregate Field Soils Compaction Technician
Pavement Marking Pavement Marking Technician
Sec. 115.04 Steps Required for Certification
To obtain certification in a selected program, the applicant has a choice of two procedures. The first procedure
would be to attend a full school in the area they wish to become certified, pass a written examination and
successfully complete a Proficiency Examination if required.
Approximately 2 – 3 weeks after passing the written examination, grades will be posted in VDOT University.
Upon successfully passing the written exam, a Proficiency Examination must be completed. Every
certification class with the exception of Asphalt Field Level I & II, Concrete Plant, Pavement Marking, Slurry
Surfacing and Surface Treatment has a hands-on Proficiency Examination. The Concrete Plant and Pavement
Marking Proficiency Examinations are in the form of a written examination.
The individual has until December 31st of the year in which they passed the written examination to
successfully complete the Proficiency Examination. After successfully completing the Proficiency
Examination, a Certification will be awarded. The Certification is valid for five years. The Certification card
has the expiration date printed on it. Expiration is five years from December 31st of the school year that the
individual attended class. Students may print their own certification cards from VDOT University. The web
address is: https://VirtualCampus.VDOT.Virginia.gov/External.
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If an individual attended a full school, and fails the written exam or the Proficiency Examination they may
retake the part, or parts failed, ONE TIME ONLY. This must be done before December 31st of the current
school year. After December 31st the individual must come back to the full school and pay the full fee again.
The second procedure for obtaining Certification is as a Self-Study student. The individual would take the
examination and any required Proficiency Evaluation without attending a full school. The full course fee still
applies. If the student fails to pass either examination on the first attempt, he/she must pay the full
course fee and attend a full school in the area they wish to become certified prior to retesting.
The Certification belongs to the individual, not their employer. Upon change of employment or location, the
Materials Certification Schools Staff should be notified to update the student’s record.
5
Proficiency Examination Requirements
Materials Certification Title
School
Proficiency Requirements
Contact
Information
Aggregate Properties
Technician
Asphalt Plant Mix
Design
ASTM D4791, ASTM D5821,
AASHTO T176, AASHTO
T304, AASHTO T84,
AASHTO T85, AASHTO T19
MCS Program
Office
Asphalt Field Level I
Technician
Asphalt Field
Level I
No proficiency examination
required
No proficiency
examination
required
Asphalt Field Level II
Technician
Asphalt Field
Level II
No proficiency examination
required
No proficiency
examination
required
Asphalt Plant Level I
Technician
Asphalt Plant
Level I
No proficiency examination
required
MCS Program
Office
Asphalt Plant Level II
Technician
Asphalt Plant
Level II
AASHTO T30, AASHTO
T166, AASHTO T209,
AASHTO T269, AASHTO
T312, VTM-102
MCS Program
Office
Asphalt Plant Mix Design
Technician
Asphalt Plant Mix
Design
ASTM D4791, ASTM D5821,
AASHTO T176, AASHTO
T304, AASHTO T84,
AASHTO T85, AASHTO T19,
AASHTO T30, AASHTO
T312, VTM-102, AASHTO
T209, AASHTO T166,
AASHTO T283
MCS Program
Office
Central Mix Aggregate
Technician
Central Mix
Aggregate Plant
AASHTO T2, AASHTO T11,
AASHTO T19, AASHTO T27,
AASHTO T248, AASHTO
T255, AASHTO T89,
AASHTO T90
MCS Program
Office
Concrete Field Technician
Concrete Field
ACI Concrete Field Level I
(ASTM C172, ASTM C1064,
ASTM C143, ASTM C31,
ASTM C231, ASTM C173,
ASTM C138 )
Virginia Ready-
Mix Concrete
Association
(VRMCA)
(434) 977-3716
Concrete Plant Technician
Concrete Plant
Written proficiency
examination required.
Part of written
examination
Pavement Marking
Technician
Pavement
Marking
Written proficiency
examination required.
Part of written
examination
Slurry Surfacing Technician
Slurry Surfacing
No proficiency examination
required
No proficiency
examination
required
Soils Compaction
Soils and
AASHTO T217, VTM-10,
MCS Program
6
Technician
Aggregate
Compaction
VTM-12, ASTM D4959
Office
Surface Treatment
Technician
Surface
Treatment
No proficiency examination
required
No proficiency
examination
required
Sec. 115.05 Recertification
In order to recertify, technicians must complete an on-line Recertification Program and a Proficiency
Examination in the particular subject area prior to their certification expiration date; this should be done some
time during the last year of their current certification period.
Refer to the Recertification Requirements table on the following page for the specific requirement for each
certification.
It is the responsibility of the individual to complete the appropriate recertification requirements prior to the
expiration of their certifications.
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Recertification Requirements
Materials Certification Title
School
Online
Recertification
Course
Requirement
Proficiency Requirements
Contact
Information
Aggregate Properties
Asphalt Plant
Mix Design
Level II
Yes
ASTM D4791, ASTM
D5821, AASHTO T176,
AASHTO T304, AASHTO
T84, AASHTO T85,
AASHTO T19
MCS Program
Office
Asphalt Field Level I Technician
Asphalt Field
Level I
Yes
No proficiency examination
required.
No proficiency
examination
required
Asphalt Field Level II
Asphalt Field
Level II
Yes
No proficiency examination
required.
No proficiency
examination
required
Asphalt Plant Level I Technician
Asphalt Plant
Level I
Yes
MCS Program
Office
Asphalt Plant Level II
Asphalt Plant
Level II
Yes
AASHTO T30, AASHTO
T166, AASHTO T209,
AASHTO T269, AASHTO
T312, VTM-102
MCS Program
Office
Asphalt Plant Mix Design
Technician
Asphalt Plant
Mix Design
Yes
ASTM D4791, ASTM
D5821, AASHTO T176,
AASHTO T304, AASHTO
T84, AASHTO T85,
AASHTO T19, AASHTO
T30, AASHTO T312,
VTM-102, AASHTO T209,
AASHTO T166, AASHTO
T283
MCS Program
Office
Central Mix Aggregate
Technician
Central Mix
Aggregate
Plant
Yes
AASHTO T2, AASHTO
T11, AASHTO T19,
AASHTO T27, AASHTO
T248, AASHTO T255,
AASHTO T89, AASHTO
T90
MCS Program
Office
Concrete Field Technician
Concrete
Field
Yes
ACI Concrete Field Level I
(ASTM C172, ASTM
C1064,
ASTM C143, ASTM C31,
ASTM C231, ASTM C173,
ASTM C138 )
Virginia Ready-Mix
Concrete
Association
(VRMCA)
(434) 977-3716
Concrete Plant Technician
Concrete
Plant
Yes
Written proficiency
examination required.
MCS Program
Office
Pavement Marking Technician
Pavement
Marking
Yes
VTM-94
Done online
MCS Program
Office
Slurry Surfacing Technician
Slurry
Surfacing
Yes
No proficiency examination
required.
No proficiency
examination
required
Soils Compaction Technician
Soils and
Aggregate
Compaction
Yes
AASHTO T217, VTM-10,
VTM-12, ASTM D4959
MCS Program
Office
Surface Treatment Technician
Surface
Treatment
Yes
No proficiency examination
required.
No proficiency
examination
required
8
Sec. 115.06 Extensions
Extension of certifications will be considered on a case by case basis and approved by the State Materials
Engineer.
Sec. 115.07 Suspension of Certification
Certification is deemed to be a privilege that has been earned by an individual and may be suspended at any
time if, in the opinion of the VDOT Technician Certification Review Board, an individual is thought to have
knowingly committed acts that are detrimental to the integrity of the Certification Program or to the industry
in general. All cases of potential certification suspension will be reviewed by the VDOT Technician
Certification Review Board and they will recommend to the State Materials Engineer any action deemed
appropriate. The State Materials Engineer will then make the final decision on what action will be taken, if
any. The VDOT Technician Certification Review Board will be comprised of the following:
• The District Materials Engineer or designee (from District in which the incident occurs)
• The District Construction Engineer or designee (from District in which the incident occurs)
• The Materials Certification Schools Program Manager or designee
A suspension will be for a definitive amount of time as deemed appropriate based on the nature and severity of
the infraction. Any individual who has their certification suspended will have to attend the appropriate
Certification School and pass all required examinations to have their certification reinstated.
Acts that may result in suspension of certification include, but are not limited to the following:
• Falsification of field or quality control tests results and/or records
• Submitting false information that can be used for field or quality control test results
• Failure to perform specified duties
• Failure to follow appropriate testing or sampling procedures
• Display of any dishonest behavior during certification or re-certification
Any suspected inappropriate actions by an individual should be reported to the District Materials Engineer
(DME) in the District in which the incident occurs. The DME has the authority to temporarily suspend an
individual’s certification pending review by the VDOT Technician Certification Review Board. The DME
will notify the Materials Certification Schools Program Manager, who will convene the VDOT Technician
Certification Review Board. The Board will meet to review the incident as soon as practical. The individual
will appear before the Board at that time.
Suspension of one Certification may be considered grounds for suspension of all Certifications held by the
Technician. Further, any suspension of a Technician’s Certification in any other jurisdiction may result in the
VDOT Technician Certification Review Board taking the same or other action, against a Technician’s
Certification in Virginia.
Sec. 115.08 Program Instructors
Instructors for the program come from VDOT’s Learning Center, Materials Division, Traffic Engineering,
Regional Construction Quality Improvement Program and private industry. Although instruction must comply
with VDOT procedures and specifications, we welcome and encourage the participation of industry in all parts
of the program.
9
The Materials Certification Schools Staff assists instructors by providing visual aids, instructor training,
videotape production, writing/editing of manuals and presentations, grading of examinations and maintenance
of the program’s database.
Sec. 115.09 Program Evaluation
Examinations
Written examinations are all “open book”, proficiency examinations are “closed book.” A valid photo ID
must be presented prior to taking any examination.
The Materials Certification Schools Staff grades all examinations. The examination results of each class are
compiled and analyzed. Frequently missed questions are evaluated and addressed by some combination of
clarifying the question, highlighting the information in the manuals, asking the instructor to highlight the
information or revising the question.
Advisory Teams
At the end of each season, the teaching teams meet with the Materials Certification Schools Staff to discuss
and evaluate the past year’s schools. Included in this meeting are various subject matter experts, both VDOT
and Industry. Student evaluations and test results are compiled prior to this time and are presented at the
meeting. From this information and the advice of the instructors, action plans are formed to adjust the
teaching, curriculum, manuals and tests to best meet the needs of the students and VDOT.
Sec. 115.10 Study Guides
Study guides are revised and printed annually. Instructor teams meet at the end of each school season to ensure
the study guides contain accurate and up to date information. Changes or corrections are incorporated into the
study guides before the next school season. Study Guides are available for downloading on the Materials
Certification School web page at: http://www.virginiadot.org/business/matschools.asp.
Sec. 115.11 Scheduling
Scheduling is done by the Materials Certification Schools Staff. Classes are generally held between January
and the middle of April.
Scheduling of the schools is usually completed by early September. Districts in which schools will be held are
determined according to estimated attendance. During the school year, registration numbers are monitored to
determine if additional schools are needed.
Schedules may be obtained from the Materials Certification School web page at:
http://www.virginiadot.org/business/matschools.asp.
.
Sec. 115.12 Class Cancellations
Every effort will be made to hold classes; however, weather conditions or low registrations may be
justification for cancellation of a class. The Materials Certification Schools Staff will make every attempt to
contact the students in the event of a cancellation. If the District Office closes due to inclement weather, the
10
class will be cancelled also. If this happens contact the Materials Certification Schools Staff to make other
arrangements. Cancellations will also be posted on the Materials Certification Schools Information Line (1-
866-527-8656).
Sec. 115.14 Fees for Schools
Fees for schools are subject to change. Current fees for Certification Schools may be found in the Materials
Certification School Brochure. The fee includes course attendance, manual and other materials, the
examination and one retest for full schools.
Students may, if they feel qualified, take the examination without attending a full school. The full course fee
still applies; with this option, no retest is allowed.
Sec. 115.15 Refunds
Full refunds are allowed only if notification is received at least five business days before the start of the class.
Contact the Materials Certification Schools Staff.
To process a refund the following information is needed:
Individuals Name, Company Name, Company address, Federal I.D. number of company (W-9), Name of
class, Date(s) of class, District in which class was held, amount to be refunded, and a copy of the original
payment transaction.
Sec. 115.16 Alternate Certifications
VDOT will recognize NICET Construction Materials Testing Level II Certification in Soils. Individuals
possessing a current NICET Construction Materials Testing Level II Certification in Soils will not need to
obtain a VDOT Soils and Aggregate Compaction Certification. Similarly, VDOT will recognize NICET
Construction Materials Testing Level II Certification in Concrete. Individuals possessing a current NICET
Construction Materials Testing Level II Certification in Concrete will not need to obtain a VDOT Concrete
Field Certification. Individuals not possessing a current NICET certification described above, have the option
of obtaining the prescribed NICET certification or the applicable VDOT certification.
cy: Commissioner
Chief Engineer
Chief of Operations
Division Administrators
Residency Administrators
District Materials Engineers
11
District Construction Engineers
District Maintenance Engineers
Areas Construction Engineers
Virginia Asphalt Association
Virginia Transportation Research Council
Virginia Ready-Mixed Concrete Association
Precast Concrete Association of Virginia
Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance
Virginia Dept. of Minority Business Enterprise
Federal Highway Administration
American Concrete Paving Association
NE Chapter, Southern Region
Old Dominion Highway Contractors Association
