Joint Training and Certification Program (JTCP)

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What is the JTCP?
Training & Certification
Certification Details

Recertification
Certification Extensions
JTCP/ACI Equivalency
JTCP FAQs

Program Documents and Links
News, JTCP Advisory Council, Registration

The Joint Training and Certification Program (JTCP) was established by a Caltrans-Industry partnership to make the certification process more efficient and ultimately to obtain consistent, reliable, and quality highway construction materials testing. The need to build a proficient materials testing workforce to efficiently manage an ever-increasing workload is highlighted with the recent passing of Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1). Through the JTCP, technicians will receive training, gain proficiency and become Caltrans Independent Assurance (IA) certified to sample and test highway construction materials.

The JTCP offers training and certification in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), Soils & Aggregates (S/A), and Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) through a partnership with California State University Long Beach (CSULB), San Jose State University (SJSU), and the American Concrete Institute (ACI). The in-person, hands-on training for HMA and S/A modules are conducted on the campuses of CSULB and SJSU. PCC modules are typically held in the Sacramento and San Bernardino regions at ACI-sponsored sites.

The JTCP is managed by an Advisory Council of approximately 12 members consisting of Caltrans, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Industry organizations and Academia. The council meets semi-annually to address issues, concerns and results, with a focus on continuous program improvement. Advisory Council membership and meeting minutes can be found here.

Training & Certification

JTCP enrollment is managed through a CSU Long Beach website which includes password-protected profile registration and guidance on attending each module. Upon registration at the website, you will be required to complete a few minor steps, such as a safety quiz and a prerequisite test, prior to enrolling in a session. The JTCP schedule will always include sessions for each module and start/end dates at each campus or ACI-sponsored location.

The JTCP offers training and certification in the following modules (click on module to see complete list of tests):

Training and certification through JTCP are required for all technicians to receive or maintain Caltrans IA certification in the test methods offered through these modules (some exceptions apply, see JTCP FAQs). Register for JTCP training at the following website:

CSULB | Caltrans - Joint Training & Certification Program

NOTE: The PCC module provided through the JTCP is intended for Caltrans employees only. If you are not a Caltrans employee but require certification in ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician – Grade I, please contact your local ACI chapter for available certification sessions.

NOTE: If currently employed with Caltrans, for all enrollments you will also need to register in Caltrans LMS (Staff Central) for the same session. The LMS registration is intended to verify supervisor approval and to assure the session will appear on your training record.

Certification Details

Caltrans IA Certification

The final day of each session is “examination day” where you will apply your training to written and practical exams administered by Caltrans IA. Upon successful completion of these exams, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from CSULB or SJSU confirming your participation in the program, and you will receive a formal Caltrans IA certification. Caltrans IA certification includes a new or updated profile in the Statewide Independent Assurance Database (SIAD ) where highway project personnel can verify your materials testing credentials.

For those attending the PCC module, written and practical exams will be administered by ACI personnel. Upon successful completion, ACI will provide a formal certification in the 7 associated ASTM test methods and Caltrans JTCP staff will automatically provide CT / ACI Equivalency certifications through the SIAD. If you have completed ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician – Grade I directly through ACI, please see equivalency request information here.

Opting Out of Test Methods

Enrollees may opt out of test methods included in the JTCP with the exception of CT 105 (HMA I and S/A) and CT 201 (S/A). An opt-out declaration, if needed, will be provided on the day of examination. Please note that the PCC module does not have a test method opt-out provision.

Recertification

Recertification modules are 2-day sessions where Day 1 is a full review of module-related test methods and Day 2 is exam day. Similar to regular JTCP sessions, attendance is required for the entire review day to qualify for recertification. Please note that the PCC module does not offer alternate recertification sessions.

Enrollment Qualification: To qualify for a recertification session, you must meet the following 2 conditions:

You have enrolled in a recertification session that occurs before or within 45 days after your certification expiration date.
You attended the full training on your last module certification.

If you enroll in a session that occurs more than 45 days after your certifications have expired, it must be a regular JTCP session rather than a recertification session. The JTCP recommends that qualified technicians enroll in a recertification session that occurs as near as possible to their expiration date to avoid any risk of losing a recertification option and to avoid potential certification expiration. If you enroll in a recertification session that occurs more than 45 days after your certification expiration, you will be contacted and be required to change the enrollment to a regular session. Exceptions will be made if you are enrolled in a session that is cancelled or postponed.

If you opted out of training for on your last module recertification (attended exam day only), you will be required to attend a regular JTCP session for recertification. If you enroll in a recertification session, you will be contacted and be required to change the enrollment to a regular session.

Qualified Test Methods: All test methods will be available for certification regardless of a previous opt-out and regardless of the session type (regular or recertification).

Certification Extensions

Caltrans IA will grant extensions to existing JTCP certifications for technicians who have enrolled in a session that will occur within 45 days after their certifications have expired. Extensions will not be provided automatically. Technicians needing an extension must contact Caltrans JTCP personnel at JTCP@dot.ca.gov with subject line "Extension Request".

The maximum extension that may be provided is 45 days unless you are enrolled in a JTCP session that has been cancelled or postponed. If the session has been cancelled or postponed, you will be required to enroll in the next available session and your certifications will be extended to the related exam date.

JTCP / ACI Equivalency

The JTCP offers equivalent 500-series California Test method certifications to technicians with a valid ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician – Grade I certificate. To obtain these equivalent certifications, please submit a ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade I/CT Equivalency Request Form (TL-0116) (PDF) to JTCP@dot.ca.gov.