ACT Certifications to include unique programs at Coverings

[Orlando, Fla.] The Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program will be administering four unique certification field tests during this year’s Coverings 2015 in Orlando, Florida, April 14-17th.

Six professional installers will be scrutinized by thousands of attendees at Coverings. On-line written tests (which comprise 50 percent of the certification score) have already been completed leaving final field testing to take place over three days during the exposition. Two of these four certification tests were unveiled at the most recent Total Solutions-Plus, which took place last October.

The first newly introduced program, Thin Porcelain Tile (TPT) will instruct installers on proper handling, installation techniques, cutting and achieving maximum coverage of thin set materials, and, choosing the proper application for the sizes and thicknesses.

The Grouting Applications Certification, the second program recently unveiled, will validate the knowledge and skills needed to successfully mix, apply, tool and detail four different types of grouting.

Other ACT Certifications taking place at Coverings include:  Large Format Tile & Substrate Preparation and Membranes.

Bart Bettiga, executive director of the National Tile Contractors Association said, “We are determined to continue certifying hundreds of installers and educating architects and specifiers on the importance of insisting upon well-qualified installers through the ACT Program.”

Scott Carothers, director of certification and training for of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation added, “The ACT program focuses on providing the consumer with a pool of talented installers who possess unique installation skills. These skills are now beginning to be included in specifications calling for qualified labor as provided by the MasterSpec.  Architects, design professionals, and specifiers are including this qualified labor language in their specifications which includes ACT Certified installers.”

According to ACT, the intent of the certification program is to provide a level of consumer confidence for tile installation procedures that exceed ANSI standards and TCNA guidelines for floor and wall.