Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification Program

Program Summary

With increasing interest in pervious concrete, an NRMCA task group has developed a certification program for contractors qualified to place pervious concrete. The goal of this certification program is to ensure that knowledgeable contractors are selected to place the product and thereby minimize the chance for failure.

The NRMCA Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification is modeled after ACI ‘s Flatwork Finisher Certification. The program is designed to be administered locally by local sponsoring groups in conjunction with planned training sessions or demonstrations of pervious concrete placement. NRMCA will only provide certification exams to approved Local Sponsoring Groups for administering the certification. At least 20 local groups have expressed interest in administering the certification program. For the current list, click here.

 Two levels are possible:

1)  Pervious Concrete Technician, which requires passing a written exam.  A Pervious Concrete Technician is a person  who is knowledgeable about proper procedures to place, consolidate, finish, edge, joint, cure and protect pervious concrete pavements, but who lacks sufficient work experience to qualify as a concrete craftsman.

2)  Pervious Concrete Craftsman, which requires passing the same exam plus some level of work experience and/or passing a performance exam component. A prerequisite is the ACI Flatwork Finisher certification which ensures that the craftsman knows the basic level of care needed for flatwork construction.

Pervious Concrete Craftsman is more knowledgeable because he/she not only meets the Technician requirements but also has earned ACI Flatwork Finisher Certification and, through documented work experience, can demonstrated the ability to place, consolidate, finish, edge, joint, cure and protect pervious concrete pavements.

Scope and Knowledge 

The program requires knowledge in the following areas of concrete construction:

1)      Basic concrete technology

2)      Pervious concrete materials and mix proportioning

3)      Proper use of tools and equipment

4)      General design principles of pervious concrete pavements

5)      Pervious concrete construction

6)      Maintenance and troubleshooting

NRMCA Publication #2PPCRT Text Reference: Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification will serve as the reference material for the written test. The reference text was developed through funding by the RMC Research Foundation. View the text outline of the Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification.

Certification Requirements 

Pervious Concrete Craftsman

- Prerequisite – Current Certification as ACI Flatwork Finisher Certification

  Successful completion of written Pervious Concrete Contractor exam – 70% passing score

AND

1. Documentation of 3,000 hours of work experience in all aspects of placing pervious concrete pavement

OR

1. Documentation of 1,500 hours and successfully complete the NRMCA performance examination

    Documentation of work experience must be reported on form PCC8 Craftsman Work Experience Affidavit.

Pervious Concrete Technician

Successful completion of written Pervious Concrete Contractor exam – 70% passing score.

Exam Information

The two-hour written examination is "closed book," consisting of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions. The passing grade for the written examination is 70%

During the performance examination, each examinee must demonstrate procedures for placing, consolidation, finishing, edging, jointing and beginning curing a pervious concrete slab. The examiner will observe and evaluate the techniques used and record passing or failing grades on the various individual procedures. A passing grade is defined as "no significant variation from proper procedure and no more than two variations from proper technique in the use of the tools."

The work experience must include placing, consolidation, finishing, edging, jointing and curing of pervious concrete. Verification of the amount and range of work experience by the applicant's employer(s) is required and should be submitted on PCC8 Craftsman Work Experience Affidavit. Craftsman Work Experience Affidavit Form.

Recertification 

Recertification is required every five years and requires successful completion of a written examination.

If a previous craftsman certification has been expired by more than six months, recertification will require completion of both the performance/work experience affidavit and the written exam.

For groups who would like to host the Pervious Concrete Contractor, download the  Local Sponsoring Group information and forms.