Pendleton, SC -- The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), working in conjunction with Schluter System, LLP, recently hosted and conducted the first hands-on testing of the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program for open shop tile contractors at the Schluter headquarters in Plattsburgh, NY. The installers taking the ACT tests first had to be recognized as having successfully completed the CTEF Certified Tile Installer (CTI) testing of their skills and knowledge.
ACT testing at Schluter Systems,

Some of the installers who attended the ACT testing at Schluter Systems, LLC in Plattsburgh, NY, were (from left to right) Scott Carothers of the CTEF; Juan Sauceda of Neuse Tile Service; Mark Iosue of MI Terra; Scott Heron of Precision Tile Company; and Josh Pair of OTP Tile, Marble and Granite.

During the two day testing, the pre-qualified CTEF Certified Tile Installers demonstrated their hands-on abilities in the following skill sets: Large Format Tile and Substrate Preparation, Membranes (both sheet and liquid), Mortar Bed (Mud) Floors and Shower Receptors. Prior to taking the hands-on portion of the ACT test, each installer was required to successfully complete the online knowledge test proving their command of the test subject.

Successful ACT installers are then listed on the CTEF website, which is also linked to the ACT website, providing potential clients with a pool of talented and qualified tile installers. These installers now meet the specification requirement calling for Qualified Labor as shown in the Tile Council of America (TCNA) Handbookand many architectural specifications. The call for the use of Qualified Labor on jobsites under section 9300 Ceramic Tile specifications is growing.  The ACT certification program provides the consumer both residential and commercial with the confidence that their project will be completed correctly, the first time.

For more information, visit www.tilecareer.com.