Asphalt Training and Certification
The APAO offers education and certification programs in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Technology on a regular basis throughout the year. Programs change from time to time to reflect advances in technology. We typically offer a few core education courses (workshops) and six certification courses each year at various times.
Technician Certification Information
For a direct link to the Oregon Department of Transportation Technician Certification Database which lists all current Technicians and what certifications they hold, click here.
Registration
Class sizes are limited and registration will be on a first come first serve basis. Students will receive a confirmation email with study materials included in email. If you have questions please contact Libbie or Kevin at (503) 363-3858.
Certification Courses
Certified Asphalt Technician I (CAT-I)
QC/QA specifications require a CAT-I at each plant during asphalt mix production. This is not a class for inexperienced technicians. Candidates should be familiar with basic quality control practices. A CAT-I performs sampling and testing for HMAC and EAC mixtures including AC content, maximum specific gravity, sieve analysis, void measurements using a currently approved compaction device, and other tests and duties as required by current specifications for HMAC.
Prerequisite: None (CAgT skills in sampling, reducing, and washed gradation analysis of aggregates are recommended)
Certified Asphalt Technician II (CAT II)
QC/QA specifications require a CAT-II be available to each plant to evaluate mix design verification test results and to recommend necessary field adjustments to bring asphalt mixtures in compliance with specified volumetric requirements. A CAT-II is responsible for managing the volumetric properties of asphalt mixes by controlling plant operations, for troubleshooting HMAC sampling and testing processes, and for making appropriate adjustments to HMAC production and lay down procedures.
Prerequisite: CAT-I
Certified Mix Design Technician (CMDT)
Current specifications require the Contractor to produce the asphalt mix design for some categories of mix. These mix designs must be prepared and signed by a CMDT. This is not a class for inexperienced technicians. Candidates should be familiar with basic asphalt laboratory procedures including processing aggregates, compacting and measuring volumetric properties of asphalt mixtures, and testing asphalt mixes for moisture damage. A CMDT is responsible for preparing HMAC Mix Designs, including all material testing and data analysis necessary to properly complete a design. A CMDT prepares designs for both dense and open graded HMAC mixtures.
Prerequisite: None (CAgT & CAT-I strongly recommended)
Certified Aggregate Technician (CAgT)
QC/QA specifications require a CAgT to conduct quality control testing during the production of aggregate materials used in HMAC, EAC, PCC, base and shoulder aggregate, chip seals, oil mats and other highway applications. A CAgT performs a variety of tests on soils and aggregates including sieve analysis, fracture, sand equivalency and other tests and performs other duties as required by current specifications for soils and aggregate materials.
Prerequisite: None (Basic math skills and prior lab experience recommended)
Certified Embankment Technician (CEBT)
QC/QA specifications require a CEBT to conduct tests to determine the maximum density of different types of soils, soil/aggregate mixtures, and base aggregates for establishing construction density targets. The CEBT performs testing of soils and aggregates for establishing maximum density and optimum moisture for compaction of sub grade soil and aggregate bases.
Prerequisite: None (Basic math skills and prior lab experience recommended)
Certified Density Technician (CDT)
QC/QA specifications require a CDT to conduct density testing on soils, aggregates and HMAC layers using a nuclear moisture/density gauge. A CDT performs in-place density testing of soils, aggregates, and asphalt mixtures using the nuclear density gauge. In addition to certification, a CDT must possess a current Radiation Safety Card issued by an approved source.
Prerequisites: Radiation Safety Card and Film Badge are required
Greenhorn Courses
Greenhorn courses (CAgT, CEBT & CDT , CAT II) are longer than the regular courses to allow newer students additional time to practice and prepare for certification examinations. Students with little or no lab experience, with little or no exposure to ODOT contract documents, and/or those students who need to brush up on their math skills should strongly consider taking the greenhorn classes. These courses give newer students a greater opportunity to succeed. We strongly recommend taking advantage of the additional time and smaller class sizes.
Prerequisites: None (Basic math skills are recommended) *CAT II requires CAT I certification.
Combined Courses
These combined classes are intended for seasoned technicians with strong laboratory skills and a good grasp on ODOT contract administration procedures. We've combined CEBT & CDT because of the redundancy in these two certifications. It's offered as a way to obtain both certifications in the same week with one less day of total training time. This class is fast paced, has limited lab time and is intended for experienced technicians.
Prerequisites: Prior certification in one or both areas is required.
The APAO offers education and certification programs in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Technology on a regular basis throughout the year. Programs change from time to time to reflect advances in technology. We typically offer a few core education courses (workshops) and six certification courses each year at various times.
Technician Certification Information
For a direct link to the Oregon Department of Transportation Technician Certification Database which lists all current Technicians and what certifications they hold, click here.
Registration
Class sizes are limited and registration will be on a first come first serve basis. Students will receive a confirmation email with study materials included in email. If you have questions please contact Libbie or Kevin at (503) 363-3858.
Certification Courses
Certified Asphalt Technician I (CAT-I)
QC/QA specifications require a CAT-I at each plant during asphalt mix production. This is not a class for inexperienced technicians. Candidates should be familiar with basic quality control practices. A CAT-I performs sampling and testing for HMAC and EAC mixtures including AC content, maximum specific gravity, sieve analysis, void measurements using a currently approved compaction device, and other tests and duties as required by current specifications for HMAC.
Prerequisite: None (CAgT skills in sampling, reducing, and washed gradation analysis of aggregates are recommended)
Certified Asphalt Technician II (CAT II)
QC/QA specifications require a CAT-II be available to each plant to evaluate mix design verification test results and to recommend necessary field adjustments to bring asphalt mixtures in compliance with specified volumetric requirements. A CAT-II is responsible for managing the volumetric properties of asphalt mixes by controlling plant operations, for troubleshooting HMAC sampling and testing processes, and for making appropriate adjustments to HMAC production and lay down procedures.
Prerequisite: CAT-I
Certified Mix Design Technician (CMDT)
Current specifications require the Contractor to produce the asphalt mix design for some categories of mix. These mix designs must be prepared and signed by a CMDT. This is not a class for inexperienced technicians. Candidates should be familiar with basic asphalt laboratory procedures including processing aggregates, compacting and measuring volumetric properties of asphalt mixtures, and testing asphalt mixes for moisture damage. A CMDT is responsible for preparing HMAC Mix Designs, including all material testing and data analysis necessary to properly complete a design. A CMDT prepares designs for both dense and open graded HMAC mixtures.
Prerequisite: None (CAgT & CAT-I strongly recommended)
Certified Aggregate Technician (CAgT)
QC/QA specifications require a CAgT to conduct quality control testing during the production of aggregate materials used in HMAC, EAC, PCC, base and shoulder aggregate, chip seals, oil mats and other highway applications. A CAgT performs a variety of tests on soils and aggregates including sieve analysis, fracture, sand equivalency and other tests and performs other duties as required by current specifications for soils and aggregate materials.
Prerequisite: None (Basic math skills and prior lab experience recommended)
Certified Embankment Technician (CEBT)
QC/QA specifications require a CEBT to conduct tests to determine the maximum density of different types of soils, soil/aggregate mixtures, and base aggregates for establishing construction density targets. The CEBT performs testing of soils and aggregates for establishing maximum density and optimum moisture for compaction of sub grade soil and aggregate bases.
Prerequisite: None (Basic math skills and prior lab experience recommended)
Certified Density Technician (CDT)
QC/QA specifications require a CDT to conduct density testing on soils, aggregates and HMAC layers using a nuclear moisture/density gauge. A CDT performs in-place density testing of soils, aggregates, and asphalt mixtures using the nuclear density gauge. In addition to certification, a CDT must possess a current Radiation Safety Card issued by an approved source.
Prerequisites: Radiation Safety Card and Film Badge are required
Greenhorn Courses
Greenhorn courses (CAgT, CEBT & CDT , CAT II) are longer than the regular courses to allow newer students additional time to practice and prepare for certification examinations. Students with little or no lab experience, with little or no exposure to ODOT contract documents, and/or those students who need to brush up on their math skills should strongly consider taking the greenhorn classes. These courses give newer students a greater opportunity to succeed. We strongly recommend taking advantage of the additional time and smaller class sizes.
Prerequisites: None (Basic math skills are recommended) *CAT II requires CAT I certification.
Combined Courses
These combined classes are intended for seasoned technicians with strong laboratory skills and a good grasp on ODOT contract administration procedures. We've combined CEBT & CDT because of the redundancy in these two certifications. It's offered as a way to obtain both certifications in the same week with one less day of total training time. This class is fast paced, has limited lab time and is intended for experienced technicians.
Prerequisites: Prior certification in one or both areas is required.