Technical Certification Program (TCP)

Most aggregate, asphalt or concrete project will have some certification requirements. 

1. Individuals working on QC/QA Asphalt Paving Projects All projects listed as QC/QA require that the individual running the QC lab during aggregate production and running either the QC or QA field lab during asphalt mix production be certified through the NDDOT TCP. The individuals must be certified as an Aggregate Field Lab Tester or Aggregate Mix Designer and Asphalt Mix Tester. Additionally on QC/QA projects both QC and QA are required to have an individual certified as an Asphalt Pavement Inspector on the project at all times during asphalt mix production. Contractors (QC) and the Engineer (Q/A) are required to have an individual on the project at all times that is certified as an Asphalt Mix Controller. Reference Sections 106.10 and 430.04 of the 2014 Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and Section430 of the Field Sampling and Testing Manual. “Project Certification Requirements” is a link that can be found on the TCP web page. Project Certifications

2. Individuals sampling or testing on projects on the National Highway System or the State Highway System. Any individual that performs sampling or testing for acceptance on a project on the National Highway System (NHS) or the State Highway System is required to be certified in the area they are working. Certification is required for the areas of soil, concrete, aggregate and asphalt mix. Individuals may have a 5-year certification or a 1-year certification. If the project is a QC/QA project individuals running the field lab must hold 5-year certification for aggregate testing and asphalt testing. 

For a map of the NHS system in North Dakota, see this link. This map includes all state roads including the NHS. 

Certifications are obtained by attending classes during the fall/winter training season. Classes are scheduled through the NDDOT Materials and Research office. The NDDOT and Dakota Asphalt Pavement Association work together to provide training for aggregate testing, asphalt testing, asphalt pavement inspection and asphalt mix controller.

Additionally, the NDDOT offers classes for certification in soil field testing. 

In some cases reciprocal certification is allowed. See the section titled, Does ND allow reciprocity – or acceptance of certifications from other states? All certifications must either be obtained through the NDDOT by completing classes or allowed by the NDDOT through an approved reciprocal request. Certifications obtained by completing classes are generally valid for 5 years.

In some situations a district may be able to certify an individual in the field on a 1-year basis. However, that is not a guarantee and is entirely dependent upon the availability of the District Materials Coordinator. 

It is highly recommended that individuals are certified before any project begins. A 1-year certification is NOT a substitute for the requirements of the QC/QA program as an Aggregate Field Lab Tester or Asphalt Mix Tester. 

Individuals with 1-year certification may assist a QC or QA tester. However, the individual designated as the QC or QA tester must remain in the lab at all times and is responsible for all work performed.

It is the responsibility of the individual to maintain their certifications. If certifications have expired you will be required to repeat the classes to regain certification. 

Yes. Individuals that do not test but may occasionally obtain aggregate samples from a project may request certification as an Aggregate Sampling Technician or Asphalt Mix Sampler. 

The certification can only be obtained through the NDDOT.

If a project is in city limits, and is a route designated on the National Highway System the requirements for certification apply.

Also, are individuals working on county projects required to be certified? County projects do not fall under the scope of the Technical Certification Program. Some counties may require NDDOT certification. Always check with the local county to determine project requirements.

Are there projects where there are no certification requirements? Yes, at this time, maintenance projects do not have certification requirements.

Quality Control (QC) is the responsibility of the contractor. Quality Assurance (QA) is the responsibility of the “Engineer”. 

The "Engineer" is the NDDOT. The individual working as QA may be a representative from NDDOT or someone hired by the NDDOT to perform the responsibilities of QA. Quality assurance testing/results may at times be referred to as “verification testing/results”. 

On QC/QA projects testing is completed by both the contractor and the Engineer but at different frequencies. The contractor test results are used for acceptance. The Engineer’s test results are used to compare or “verify” the contractor’s test results.

Requirements for QC/QA pertain to asphalt paving projects. That includes aggregate production. QC/QA projects are designated under Specification 430.

The requirements are the same for a subcontractor as those of the Contractor. If a subcontractor is hired to perform any portion of the project that requires certification, they are required to hold a current certification obtained through the North Dakota Technical Certification Program. 

It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that individuals working in the roles of the asphalt mix controller, asphalt inspector, aggregate tester or asphalt mix tester have current ND TCP certification.

Individuals that do not currently hold certifications may assist in a field lab. However they must be under direct supervision of a certified tester. That certified tester must remain in the lab at all times. If the non-certified individual performs any portion of a test or procedure the certified individual is responsible for the accuracy of the work and must verify (sign) test reports.

For example, if your card says Valid thru 2023, you have the winter of 2023-2024 to complete renewal requirements.

Yes, reciprocity or acceptance of certifications from other states may be possible. Individuals who plan to work on a project but do not currently have the necessary certification in North Dakota may request reciprocity. 

Reciprocity is allowed one time and for one calendar year. A single attempt at passing the written reciprocity exam is allowed. A passing grade is 70% on the exam. 

Certifications must be current in the originating state and must not be considered “provisional”. Each request is reviewed and then verified with the originating state. 

If a reciprocity request is approved, the applicant must complete additional steps to complete the process. For testing certification, a written and performance exam is required. 

After the one–year certification, individuals must complete the (new-student) classes in North Dakota to continue their certification. 

American Concrete Institute Field Testing Technician – Grade 1 is equivalent to Concrete Field Tester certification. No additional testing is required. 

The form for requesting acceptance of out-of-state certifications/reciprocity is available at this link below. http://www.dot.nd.gov/forms/sfn50854.pdf