18 credential programs ladder toward this occupation. Median wage on completion: $54,660 · projected growth +1.8%. See full occupation profile →
Certification
Adhesive Anchor Installer
American Concrete Institute
Install adhesive anchors in concrete substratesPrepare and clean anchor holes per specificationsDispense adhesive materials for anchor installationVerify anchor embedment depth and alignmentKnowledge of adhesive anchor installation procedures
Short-Term Certificate
Apprenticeship Cement Mason
Emily Griffith Technical College
Certification
Cement Physical Tester
American Concrete Institute
Fabricate and test hydraulic cement mortar cube specimens for compressive strength per ASTM C109 including mixing procedures, batch proportions, mold filling, curing, demolding, and compression machine testingCalculate and report compressive strength results for hydraulic cement mortar specimens including cube preparation, curvature checks, and permissible tolerances per ASTM C109Prepare and measure hydraulic cement mortar bar specimens for expansion testing including mixing, mold preparation, initial and ongoing storage, length comparator measurements, and length change calculations per ASTM C1038Determine air content of hydraulic cement mortar by preparing specimens, performing flow tests, filling and weighing 400-mL cups, and calculating and reporting air content per ASTM C185Determine normal consistency of hydraulic cement paste by mixing, molding, and performing consistency determinations with correct timing and water requirement calculations per ASTM C187Determine time of setting of hydraulic cement using the Vicat needle method including specimen preparation, timing requirements, initial and final set determination, and interpolation per ASTM C191
Course
Commerical Hardscape Installer
Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
Apply advanced knowledge of segmental concrete paver systems including materials components and installation methods to support field leadership and commercial sales activitiesApply advanced knowledge of segmental retaining wall systems including design options materials and installation requirements to support commercial project recommendationsIdentify and target specific commercial hardscape markets by developing specialized job plans ideas and sales strategies aligned with customer needs and project typesEvaluate a wide range of hardscape applications to recommend appropriate paver and retaining wall system solutions for commercial project scopesInterpret commercial hardscape project plans and specifications to support accurate and competitive field leadership and sales decision-makingApply expert industry knowledge to differentiate segmental concrete paving and retaining wall system options for commercial customers and project stakeholders
Certificate
Concrete Finisher
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
Apply safety requirements for concrete construction and finishing operationsIdentify properties of concrete including mix design characteristics and behavior to support finishing workSelect and use tools and equipment for concrete placement and finishingPrepare the site and subbase for concrete placementPlace and finish concrete including screeding floating and troweling operationsCure and protect concrete after placement to achieve required strength and surface quality
Certification
Concrete Flatwork Associate, Finisher, and Advanced Finisher
American Concrete Institute
Place and consolidate concrete for flatworkFinish and texture concrete slab surfacesInstall control and construction joints in flatworkCure and protect concrete flatworkKnowledge of concrete flatwork construction procedures
Certification
Concrete Pump Operator
American Concrete Pumping Association
Conduct pre-operation inspections of the concrete pump and truck including engine oil, hydraulic oil, radiator, outriggers, safety covers, gauges, and placing line components before leaving the yardSelect and use required PPE including hard hat, safety glasses, work gloves, rubber boots, and breathing protection appropriate for concrete pump operationsSet up the concrete pump on the job site by positioning the unit, deploying outriggers, and verifying stability before commencing pumping operationsIdentify and maintain safe distances from energized power lines using dedicated spotters and applying ACPA minimum clearance requirements during boom operationsCommunicate placement directions using the 14 standardized ACPA safety hand signals and establishing a single designated signal person for boom movementPrime the placing line with appropriate slurry or lubricating mix prior to pumping to prevent plugging and ensure proper lubrication of the system
Certification
Concrete Pump Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Select required materials for the job site based on daily work needs and equipment requirementsSelect appropriate PPE according to job‑specific safety requirements and environmental conditionsGather personal provisions in anticipation of weather conditions, job duration, and number of poursPerform pre‑trip truck inspections (DVIR) using FMCSA requirements and observational skillsInspect pump components by checking safety pins, fluid levels, leaks, and stowed equipment during pre‑operational checksPlan travel routes by considering pump size, weight, permits, road restrictions, and traffic patterns
Course
Construction Site Preparation and Foundations
Career and Technical Education, Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)
AL
Demonstrate the mechanical drawing process used in designing agricultural structuresResearch and summarize local building codes affecting the construction of buildingsCalculate equipment and workspace requirements for building agricultural structuresIdentify factors to consider in selecting building materials for agricultural structuresFormulate a bill for materials for a specific agricultural structureIdentify characteristics which make building sites desirable or undesirable for various types of structures
Certification
Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Associate
American Concrete Institute
Place and finish decorative concrete flatworkApply stamping and texturing techniques to concreteExecute coloring and staining of concrete surfacesCure and protect decorative concrete finishesKnowledge of decorative concrete finishing methods
Certification
Exterior Flatwork Finisher
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Knowledge of Concrete Requirements for Exterior FlatworkPlace and Finish Concrete Per Standard ProceduresKnowledge of Joint Types and Applications in Concrete FlatworkCure Concrete Per Standard ProceduresIdentify Types and Causes of Concrete Surface Problems
Certificate
Mason
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
Apply safety practices to protect workers during masonry operationsSelect and use tools and equipment for masonry construction applicationsApply measurements and read drawings and specifications to support masonry installationIdentify and apply masonry materials including brick block and mortar for construction applicationsInstall masonry units including layout coursing and joint toolingInstall reinforcing components in masonry construction to meet structural requirements
Certification
Masonry Field Testing Technician
American Concrete Institute
Sample and test brick and structural clay tiles in compliance with ASTM C67 specimen selection, quantity, and identification requirementsSample and test concrete masonry units by removing loose materials, obtaining received weights, and following specimen selection and identification procedures per ASTM C140Evaluate field mortars using ASTM C780 procedures including sampling, mixing, preparation, and batch-to-batch variation assessment for both pre-construction and construction phasesPerform mortar consistency testing using the cone penetration method per ASTM C780 Annex A1 with appropriate apparatus and reporting requirementsAssess mortar consistency retention per ASTM C780 Annex A2 to evaluate workability over time during constructionDetermine mortar aggregate ratio in the field using ASTM C780 Annex A4 procedures and required apparatus
Certification
Residential Concrete Foundation Technician
American Concrete Institute
Apply building codes including IRC and ACI 332 requirements to determine minimum concrete strengths, prescriptive design criteria, and exceptions for frost protection and waterproofingEvaluate soil types and excavation conditions including expansive, compressible, and frozen soils to determine appropriate foundation design requirements and corrective proceduresConduct soil testing and assess soil bearing capacity to verify acceptable conditions for footing and foundation constructionApply excavation safety requirements including benching, slope, spoil clearance, egress, and equipment standoff distances to protect workers during foundation constructionDesign and specify continuous, isolated, and wall footings using prescriptive tables and load calculations to meet minimum code requirements for depth, width, and bearing capacityDetail footing reinforcement including placement, cover, lap splices, and connection to walls in compliance with applicable code requirements for seismic and standard loading conditions
Course
Residential Hardscape Installer
Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
Apply advanced knowledge of segmental concrete paver systems including materials components and installation methods to support residential field leadership responsibilitiesApply advanced knowledge of segmental retaining wall systems including design options materials and installation requirements for residential project applicationsEvaluate a wide range of residential hardscape applications to recommend appropriate paver and retaining wall system solutions based on site and project requirementsDevelop specialized job plans and recommendations targeting specific residential hardscape markets aligned with crew lead and foreman responsibilitiesInterpret residential hardscape project plans and specifications to support accurate field leadership and installation decision-makingApply expert industry knowledge of paver and SRW systems to differentiate system options and guide installation decisions for residential hardscape projects
Certification
Shotcreter (Dry-Mix Process)
American Concrete Institute
Operate dry-mix shotcrete equipmentApply dry-mix shotcrete to prepared surfacesControl water addition at nozzle during applicationPerform shotcrete finishing and curing proceduresKnowledge of dry-mix shotcrete process standards
Certification
Shotcreter (Wet-Mix Process)
American Concrete Institute
Operate wet-mix shotcrete equipmentApply wet-mix shotcrete to prepared surfacesControl nozzle technique for wet-mix applicationPerform shotcrete finishing and curing proceduresKnowledge of wet-mix shotcrete process standards
Certification
Specialty Commercial/Industrial Concrete Flatwork Finisher
American Concrete Institute
Place and consolidate commercial concrete flatworkFinish industrial concrete floor surfacesInstall joints in commercial concrete slabsApply surface treatments and curing compoundsKnowledge of commercial/industrial flatwork finishing standards