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Concrete Field
Concrete Field Course Options:
  • Concrete Field Tester
  • Concrete Field Inspector
  • Concrete Field Tester Recertification (eLearning)
  • Concrete Field Inspector Recertification

Concrete Field Tester: 
The Concrete Field Tester Certification (CFTC) is required for anyone who performs Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA), or Independent Assurance (IA) field sampling and testing of plastic concrete. Procedures include plastic air content, slump, casting cylinders and beams, temperature, unit weight, and calibration of test equipment. People who have and use this certification work at/for MnDOT (in QC, QA, and IA roles), local agencies (counties and cities), consultants, and contractors (the private businesses who are contracted to do construction work) and producers (such as concrete plants that supply the materials).

In 2017, MnDOT shifted to use the ACI Concrete Field-Testing Technician Grade 1 certification for individuals performing field tests on plastic concrete. ACI certification is obtained at the discretion of American Concrete Institute (ACI) and maintained by the certified individual. While the MnDOT Technical Certification program will document the certification, it is the responsibility of the individual to be aware of their certification expiration dates. In addition to the MnDOT Technical Certification ID card, the ACI certification card must be shown to any MnDOT project personal or Independent Assurance Inspector upon request.

This 2-day introductory course focuses on fundamental information about plastic concrete materials and the key methods used to sample, conduct test procedures, and document test results to ensure these materials meet roadway and bridge construction quality requirements.

Instruction includes lecture, demonstration, discussion, practice activities, and hands-on lab experiences with the testing procedures. Quizzes, course resources, and content reviews are included to help participants prepare for the written and lab-based performance exams.

Expiration and recertification: This certification expires after five seasons. A recertification must be completed before the end of the fifth season. Once a certification is expired, you must complete the full certification course again to be certified.

Learning mode: in person
Professional development hours (PDHs): 12
Lake Superior College course credits possible: 1 (you must complete an LSC course credit form)


Concrete Field Inspector:
The Concrete Field Inspector Certification (CFIC) is required for agency/owner personnel acting as an Inspector on concrete projects such as paving, curbs and gutters, medians, and sidewalks.
People who have and use this certification work as Inspectors at MnDOT and local agencies (counties and cities).

This advanced 3-day course focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to serve as an Inspector on concrete projects, working to ensure concrete materials meet roadway and bridge construction quality requirements. Topics include Inspector roles and responsibilities; concrete material properties; materials technology and construction techniques required by MnDOT specifications; concrete paving, forming, and curing; and joint reconstruction.

Instruction includes lecture, demonstration, discussion, and practice activities. Quizzes, course resources, and content reviews are included to help participants prepare for the written exam.
Note: Depending on participants’ prior knowledge and experience, they may want to do additional practice and review before taking the class and/or the exam.

Prerequisites:
  • You must be certified in Concrete Field Tester (CFTC) before this certification will be awarded to you.  
  • If you earned an ACI Concrete Field Technician Grade 1 certification directly through an ACI program, you need to send a copy of your ACI certification card or test result letter so we can update your records in our database.

Expiration and recertification: This certification expires after five seasons. A recertification must be completed before the end of the fifth season. Once a certification is expired, you must complete the full certification course again to be certified.

Learning mode: in person
Professional development hours (PDHs): 18
Lake Superior College course credits possible: 2 (you must complete an LSC course credit form)


Concrete Field Tester Recertification: 
This recertification course reviews core knowledge and skills from the initial certification course and provides information on any recent changes to the relevant specifications and test procedures. This course is a non-Instructor led self-study course available from November until May for each year.

People taking the eLearning course will have from November to May to complete the lessons and take the exam. The course exam is not included with this course and will be available by going to the Technical Certification webpage: mndot.gov/technical-certification 

People who have had little or no experience working with their certification since their prior class will want to either:
1) Review the course content before taking the eLearning recertification class.
2) Take an instructor led recertification course instead.

The recertification course is not a complete re-teaching of the content but a review with updates for people who have a solid base of the required knowledge and skills.

Learning mode: eLearning
Professional development hours (PDHs): 6
Lake Superior College course credits: 0


Concrete Field Inspector Recertification:
This 1-day Concrete Field Inspector Recertification (CFIR) course reviews core knowledge and skills from the initial inspector and tester certification courses and provides information on any recent changes to the relevant specifications and test procedures. Students who complete this Inspector Recertification course will also be recertified with a MnDOT (not ACI) Concrete Field Tester Certification.
  • If you only need a MnDOT Concrete Field Tester certification (not ACI and not Inspector), take the Concrete Field Tester Recertification eLearning (new in 2023-2024).
  • If you need ACI Concrete Field-Testing Technician Grade 1 certification, you must retake the full ACI Concrete Field Tester initial certification class.  
Instruction includes lecture, demonstration, discussion, and practice activities. Participants will also have an opportunity to discuss lessons learned in the field. Quizzes, course resources, and content reviews are included to help participants prepare for the written exam.

The recertification course is not a complete re-teaching of the content but a review with updates for people who have a solid base of the required knowledge and skills.  People who have had little or no experience working with their certification since their prior class will want to either 1) review the course content before taking the recertification class or 2) take the initial certification course instead.

Prerequisite: Your Concrete Field Inspector Certification must still be current for you to take the recertification course. If your certification has recently expired and you have relevant work experience, you may apply to regain MnDOT certification through a Recently Expired Certification Exam. Otherwise, you must take the initial certification course again to regain certification.

Expiration and recertification: This certification expires after five seasons. A recertification must be completed before the end of the fifth season. Once a certification is expired, you must complete the full certification course again to be certified.

Learning mode: live virtual via Zoom
Professional development hours (PDHs): 6
Lake Superior College course credits: 0
 
If a date shows (Waiting List) that means the class is full. You can put yourself on the waiting list and if there is a cancellation, we'll let you know! We may also open a new section of the class if there are enough people on the waiting lists. If we do, we'll notify everyone on the waiting lists.





 
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Concrete Field Tester - St. Paul - #: CFTC-044  ID: 20255-39  Section: 05.22.2025 Waiting List
Start Date: 5/22/2025
Days: Th, F
Time: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Contact Hours: 12
Sessions: 2
Location: Arranged
Lake Superior College
$625.00
Location(s):
Arranged

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Once registered, you should receive an immediate email confirmation (please check your spam folder). If you do not receive an email confirmation or need additional assistance, please contact Iris Hiemenz at iris.hiemenz@lsc.edu or call 218-733-7680.

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Cancellations: The college reserves the right to cancel classes with insufficient enrollment; payment is then automatically refunded. If we have to cancel your class, you can request a full refund of your tuition or transfer to another course of your choice, space permitting.
To Register: Click on a program category above and select your class, or use the "search" feature at top of page.
Refund Policy: (Also applies to purchase orders) Full refunds will be given to any student/company canceling within the required timeframe set for each class. For specific timeframe please check the class description and/or your registration confirmation email. Student and/or companies will incur all charges with no refund if student does not drop the course within the required timeframe.