Advanced Tile Certifications (ACT) Gives Top Billing to Skilled, Highly-Trained Installers

JOURNAL: ISSUE 4 - 2014

ACT, which stands for Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers, is a new set of certifications developed by a consortium of tile industry organizations including BAC and IMI that distinguish tile installers who have exhibited and proven their advanced knowledge and skills relative to one or more specialty areas of the tile installation craft.

“Because tile is a permanent finish, the lowest bid should not be the driving factor but rather who is the most qualified to perform the scope of the work specified.” 
—2013 TCNA HANDBOOK

ACT is the product of the growing recognition among major tile industry organizations of the importance of qualified installers and their integral role in the success of commercial and residential tile projects. While the two major tile contractor associations, TCAA and NTCA, each have respective contractor certification programs, those certifications are held by the contractor, not the installer. In contrast, ACT certifications are held by the individual installer. Recent editions of the TCNA Handbook (see quote, below) and Arcom MasterSpec recommend requiring qualified tile installers. The ACT program provides an important avenue for tile installers to hone their competitive edge in a demanding industry.

By factoring in quality to a project’s bottom line, it’s not surprising that interest in ACT among BAC craftworkers is growing as they become more aware of the program.

Gavin Collier, Tile Instructor at the Illinois District Council Training Center and one of the first authorized ACT certifiers, says more than 25 ADC 1 of IL members have been certified since
2013 and that the number of members wanting to pursue certifications is growing.

“It definitely helps BAC members distinguish themselves as highly-skilled installers who are capable of providing top quality of work,” Collier said. “I keep getting phone calls asking for ACT information, and I’ve noticed that the number of certifiers in the BAC-IMTEF training community is going up.”

Another ACT certifier, Lupe Ortiz, Tile Coordinator of Local 3 California, has been involved with ACT as one of the program’s document creators, editors and evaluators.

“With the training available at our training centers and with the support offered through IMTEF, our installers are without question the best hands in the business,” Ortiz said. “ACT certifications help set us apart. For contractors, they’re an investment in their business. For installers, it is an investment in themselves.” IMTEF National Apprenticeship and Training Director Bob Arnold says that 13 Local and ADC programs are ACT certified to evaluate BAC members. More than 200 BAC members are in the testing phase at this point.

Currently, ACT certifications apply to five specific areas: Large Format Tile & Substrate Preparation; Membranes; Mortar (Mud) Floors; Mortar (Mud) Walls; and Shower Receptors.

Grout Certification and Thin Panel Tile Certifications will be available in early 2015. An installer may choose to become ACT certified in one or more of these areas. Certification in each area requires successful completion of an online written test on applicable ANSI specifications and TCNA recommended methods, and a field test conducted by trained, third party evaluators who assess the installer's skills under real life conditions.

To learn more about the ACT program, visit: www.imiweb.org/training/certifications/act/index.php.