Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT)

Tile and stone are permanent finishes. The appearance, performance and durability of these finishes relies on the qualifications of the tile/stone contractor, and the skills of the installers employed by the contractor. Industry certifications offer a way for the public to know if the contractor under consideration is qualified to perform the installation, and if its installers possess the necessary skills to address the complexities of the project. Trowel of Excellence is a TCAA contractor certification and Advanced Certifications (ACT) are tile installer certifications.

The Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program was created through the combined efforts of six leading organizations in the ceramic tile industry: the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF); the International Masonry Institute (IMI); the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC); the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA); the Tile Contractors' Association of America (TCAA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).

The intent of the ACT certification program is to provide a level of consumer confidence for tile installation procedures that exceed ANSI standards and TCNA guidelines for floor and wall. ACT certified installers represent the pinnacle of performance in the tile trade and maintain a level of excellence superior to non-ACT certified installers.

ACT is not a training program; it evaluates the skills and knowledge of tile installers and currently offers certifications in seven specific areas of tile installation. An installer may choose to become ACT certified in one or more of these areas. ACT certification in each area is granted upon successful completion of a written online test - designed to measure the installer's understanding of applicable ANSI specifications and TCNA recommended methods - and a field test conducted by trained, third party evaluators who assess the installer's skills under real life conditions.