Pendelton, S.C. -- The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), which provides education and installer certification for professionals working in the ceramic tile and stone industry, will be conducting Certified Tile Installer (CTI) demonstrations during The International Surfaces Event (TISE) January 28 to February 2 in Las Vegas, Nev.

During the entire show, CTEF will be providing ongoing demonstrations of the CTI and the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) testing programs. This will include step-by-step procedures for both the installer taking the test and the evaluation process. CTEF Regional Evaluators (REs) will conduct CTI program demonstrations while also training new REs onsite.

Additionally, CTEF, working with the International Union of Brick and Allied Craftworkers, will be presenting all aspects of the ACT Large Format Tile and Substrate Preparation test and evaluation process. Throughout the show schedule, hands-on demonstrations will be presented covering: substrate preparation; layout considerations; mortar coverage; grout installation; sealant joint application; and forensic analysis of installed tile.

“It is incumbent on the CTEF to provide good solid information about the tile industry standards and best practices to the thousands of show attendees; that is our job,” Scott Carothers, director of certification and training at CTEF. “Likewise, it is imperative that manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and contractors become aware of the necessity of having ceramic and porcelain tile products installed correctly the first time by qualified labor. We have all seen the horrific work that has been done by ill-trained and unqualified tile placers. We can’t call them installers because they do not possess the necessary skills. Tile is a beautiful and long-lasting product which, when properly installed, lasts a lifetime.”

The CTI program is the only third-party assessment of installer skill and knowledge which is recognized by the tile industry. It offers property owners, both residential and commercial, peace-of-mind that their tile installer has the right skills to complete a successful tile installation. The CTI designation identifies the professional installer who has reached a level of proficiency to independently and consistently produce a sound tile installation that displays good workmanship. Certification is the validation of the skills and knowledge of the men and women who presently are installing tile successfully in the U.S.

To qualify for the CTI Program, installers must have at least two years of experience as the lead installer setting ceramic tile on a full-time basis. This means having full responsibility for substrate prep, layout, coordinating with other trades along with properly installing underlayment, tile, grout and sealant materials.

“The CTI program is strictly a test of the installer’s skills and knowledge; it offers no instructional classes,” said Carothers. “However, many installers who have completed the CTI tests say that studying the written materials was very valuable and assisted in the completion of the hands-on test. Also, the CTI Manual provided the correct methods for tile installation which may not have been the way they installed tile in the past.”

The CTI program includes two separate tests. The first is an online open-book exam which is taken at home or the office as the installer’s schedule allows. The second is a hands-on test which is conducted at regional locations across the U.S. The hands-on portion of the test begins at 7:09 a.m. and must be completed by 4 p.m. Installers should arrive at 6:30 a.m. in order to get their tools set up and be ready to start the test at 7:09 a.m.

The CTEF, which sponsors the CTI program, is supported by all segments of the ceramic tile industry, and will be at at booth #4727 during TISE.

For more information, visit www.ceramictilefoundation.org.