Courses & Manuals
Browse the list of courses available below as part of the Highway Technician Certification Program. The current Assistant Certified Technician Program (ACT) courses include Aggregate, Hot Mix Asphalt, Portland Cement Concrete, Concrete Strength Tester, Transportation Materials Sampling, Nucdensitytec-I and Grading.*
Transportation Materials Sampling Technician (TMS)
In 2013, this course replaced Aggregate Sampling Technician, as HMA Truck Box Component was added to course materials.
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 8 hours of classroom attendance. The Federal Highway Administration requires that all sampling and testing data used in acceptance decisions on National Highway System projects be conducted by qualified personnel. This course qualifies the technician to procure samples from aggregate stockpiles, conveyor belts, aggregate roadbeds, and Hot Mix Asphalt-Truck Box Sampling. This course was previously Aggregate Sampling Technician (AGGTEC-Sampling). Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Transportation Materials Sampling (ACT-TMS) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 8 hours of classroom attendance. The Federal Highway Administration requires that all sampling and testing data used in acceptance decisions on National Highway System projects be conducted by qualified personnel. This course qualifies the technician to procure samples from aggregate stockpiles, conveyor belts, aggregate roadbeds, and Hot Mix Asphalt-Truck Box Sampling. This course was previously Aggregate Sampling Technician (AGGTEC-Sampling). Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Transportation Materials Sampling (ACT-TMS) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Course Download: Transportation Materials Sampling Manual
Aggregate Technician I (AGGTEC-I)
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 32 hours of lecture/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover Wisconsin geology, aggregate production, properties of aggregates, WisDOT standard specifications, WisDOT aggregate quality management program procedure manual, aggregate sampling, moisture content, fine and coarse sieve analysis, an introduction to determining plastic limit of soils, statistical quality control, moisture/density relationship, and fracture/elongation determination. This course was previously titled Aggregate Technician IPP. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The AGGTEC-I certification carries the TMS certification.
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Aggregate (ACT-AGG) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
This course requires 32 hours of lecture/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover Wisconsin geology, aggregate production, properties of aggregates, WisDOT standard specifications, WisDOT aggregate quality management program procedure manual, aggregate sampling, moisture content, fine and coarse sieve analysis, an introduction to determining plastic limit of soils, statistical quality control, moisture/density relationship, and fracture/elongation determination. This course was previously titled Aggregate Technician IPP. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The AGGTEC-I certification carries the TMS certification.
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Aggregate (ACT-AGG) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Aggregate Testing for Transportation Systems (ATTS)
Course Prerequisites: Aggregate Technician I (AGGTEC-I)
This course requires 24 hours of lecture/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover aggregate source (pit, quarry) quality testing. The producer will perform the following tests on their split sample portion: LA Wear, Sodium Sulfate Soundness, Freeze/Thaw Soundness, Fracture, Liquid Limit, Plasticity, Coarse Aggregate Specific Gravity & Absorption, and Lightweight Pieces. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The ATTS certification carries the AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
This course requires 24 hours of lecture/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover aggregate source (pit, quarry) quality testing. The producer will perform the following tests on their split sample portion: LA Wear, Sodium Sulfate Soundness, Freeze/Thaw Soundness, Fracture, Liquid Limit, Plasticity, Coarse Aggregate Specific Gravity & Absorption, and Lightweight Pieces. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The ATTS certification carries the AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
Course Downloads
Hot Mix Asphalt, Technician I, Production Tester (HMA-IPT)
Course Prerequisites: Aggregate Technician I (AGGTEC-I)
This course requires 40 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover types of asphalt plants, WisDOT’s QC/QA asphaltic quality management program procedures, WisDOT standard specifications, statistical quality control, and laboratory testing, such as: sampling, quartering, compaction, bulk specific gravity, rice maximum specific gravity and WisDOT 1560 asphalt extraction. This course was previously titled HMATEC-I. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The HMA-IPT certification carries the AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Hot Mix Asphalt (ACT-HMA) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
This course requires 40 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover types of asphalt plants, WisDOT’s QC/QA asphaltic quality management program procedures, WisDOT standard specifications, statistical quality control, and laboratory testing, such as: sampling, quartering, compaction, bulk specific gravity, rice maximum specific gravity and WisDOT 1560 asphalt extraction. This course was previously titled HMATEC-I. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The HMA-IPT certification carries the AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Hot Mix Asphalt (ACT-HMA) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Course Download: HMA-IPT Manual
Hot Mix Asphalt, Trouble Shooting, Process Control (HMA-TPC)
Course Prerequisites: Hot Mix Asphalt, Technician I, Production Tester (HMA-IPT)
This course requires 20 hours of classroom attendance. The course content will cover WisDOT’s asphaltic quality management program, WisDOT standard specifications, aggregate blending, Superpave hot mix asphalt design methodology; types of asphalt plants, process control/troubleshooting techniques and statistical quality control. This course was previously titled HMATEC-II. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The HMA-TPC certification carries the HMA-IPT, AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
This course requires 20 hours of classroom attendance. The course content will cover WisDOT’s asphaltic quality management program, WisDOT standard specifications, aggregate blending, Superpave hot mix asphalt design methodology; types of asphalt plants, process control/troubleshooting techniques and statistical quality control. This course was previously titled HMATEC-II. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The HMA-TPC certification carries the HMA-IPT, AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
Course Download: HMA-TPC Manual
Hot Mix Asphalt, Mix Design, Report Submittals (HMA-MD)
Course Prerequisites: Hot Mix Asphalt, Technician I, Production Tester (HMA-IPT)
This course requires 32 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The mix design will provide participants with a working knowledge of the mix design process using Superpave. The five-day program will be divided into classroom and laboratory sessions to combine technical knowledge with actual Superpave mix design preparation and evaluation. The course will also cover the latest version of the WisDOT quality management program specifications related to the Superpave mix and design system. This course was previously titled HMATEC-III. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The HMA-MD certification carries the HMA-IPT, AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
This course requires 32 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The mix design will provide participants with a working knowledge of the mix design process using Superpave. The five-day program will be divided into classroom and laboratory sessions to combine technical knowledge with actual Superpave mix design preparation and evaluation. The course will also cover the latest version of the WisDOT quality management program specifications related to the Superpave mix and design system. This course was previously titled HMATEC-III. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The HMA-MD certification carries the HMA-IPT, AGGTEC-I and TMS certifications.
Course Download: HMA-MD Manual
Concrete Strength Tester (CST)
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 8 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover capping cylindrical specimens, compressive strength of cylindrical specimens and rate of loading, flexural and split tensile strength testing, use of unbounded caps in determination of compressive strength of hardened concrete cylinders (with neoprene supplemental) and obtaining and testing drilled cores and sawed beams of concrete. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Concrete Strength Tester (ACT-CST) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
This course requires 8 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover capping cylindrical specimens, compressive strength of cylindrical specimens and rate of loading, flexural and split tensile strength testing, use of unbounded caps in determination of compressive strength of hardened concrete cylinders (with neoprene supplemental) and obtaining and testing drilled cores and sawed beams of concrete. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Concrete Strength Tester (ACT-CST) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Course Download: Concrete Strength Tester Manual
Portland Cement Concrete Mix Design Certification (PCC-MDC)
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 8 hours of classroom attendance. This course steps through the review and approval process of a Portland Cement Concrete mix design and the documentation required with a mix design to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The course content will review fundamentals of concrete, step through a checklist of documents and specifications tied to reviewing and approving the concrete mix design. Upon successful completion of this course, you will earn 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
This course requires 8 hours of classroom attendance. This course steps through the review and approval process of a Portland Cement Concrete mix design and the documentation required with a mix design to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The course content will review fundamentals of concrete, step through a checklist of documents and specifications tied to reviewing and approving the concrete mix design. Upon successful completion of this course, you will earn 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Portland Cement Concrete Technician I (PCCTEC-I)
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 20 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. This course will discuss fundamentals of concrete, concrete paving, random sampling, sampling and testing of freshly mixed concrete, air pressure meter calibration, casting and curing concrete cylinders, quality control charts, latest quality management program specifications for bridge decks and other structural members along with mainline pavements. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Portland Cement Concrete (ACT-PCC) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
This course requires 20 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. This course will discuss fundamentals of concrete, concrete paving, random sampling, sampling and testing of freshly mixed concrete, air pressure meter calibration, casting and curing concrete cylinders, quality control charts, latest quality management program specifications for bridge decks and other structural members along with mainline pavements. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Portland Cement Concrete (ACT-PCC) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Course Download: PCCTEC-I Manual
Portland Cement Concrete Technician II (PCCTEC-II)
Course Prerequisites: Portland Cement Concrete Technician I (PCCTEC-I)
This course requires 32 hours of classroom attendance. This course will cover aggregate correction factor, coarse and fine specific gravity and absorption, dry rodded unit weight, cementitious materials, admixtures, combined aggregate gradation, proportioning of concrete mixture, hot/cold weather concreting, statistical analysis, record keeping, current quality management program specifications, curing/concrete, and depth probing. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The PCCTEC-II certification carries the PCCTEC-I certification.
This course requires 32 hours of classroom attendance. This course will cover aggregate correction factor, coarse and fine specific gravity and absorption, dry rodded unit weight, cementitious materials, admixtures, combined aggregate gradation, proportioning of concrete mixture, hot/cold weather concreting, statistical analysis, record keeping, current quality management program specifications, curing/concrete, and depth probing. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The PCCTEC-II certification carries the PCCTEC-I certification.
Course Download: PCCTEC-II Manual
Grading Technician I (Grading)
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 32 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover random sampling methods, basic soil types, moisture-density relationship, The Atterberg Limits, WisDOT’s grading quality management program, WisDOT standard specifications, and statistical quality control. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Grading (ACT-Grading) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
This course requires 32 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. The course content will cover random sampling methods, basic soil types, moisture-density relationship, The Atterberg Limits, WisDOT’s grading quality management program, WisDOT standard specifications, and statistical quality control. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Grading (ACT-Grading) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Nuclear Density Technician I (Nucdensity)
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires 16 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. Upon completion of this course, the student should understand the operation of the nuclear density gauge on asphaltic concrete, crushed aggregate base course, and on non-cohesive and cohesive soils. The student will also become familiar with random sampling methods, WisDOT standards and special provisions review, radiation safety, calibration and correlation of nuclear density gauges, and troubleshooting techniques. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Nucdensity (ACT-NUC) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
This course requires 16 hours of classroom/laboratory attendance. Upon completion of this course, the student should understand the operation of the nuclear density gauge on asphaltic concrete, crushed aggregate base course, and on non-cohesive and cohesive soils. The student will also become familiar with random sampling methods, WisDOT standards and special provisions review, radiation safety, calibration and correlation of nuclear density gauges, and troubleshooting techniques. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Note, there is an available Assistant Certified Technician - Nucdensity (ACT-NUC) certification option for those needing to be certified for the calendar year that are hired as an intern/coop or hired after the 3-year certification training has ended. For additional information regarding the ACT Program please reference the Assistant Certified Technician Program webpage.
Course Download: Nuclear Density Technician I Manual
Profiler Technician I (Profiler)
Course Prerequisites: None
Upon completion, you should understand the fundamental use of the profiler and be able to operate the profiler on a project. You will become familiar with:
-Principles of profiler
-Computer printout review/examples
-Standard Specification and special provision review
-Field work layout and computer set-up
-Hands-on operation and maintenance
Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Upon completion, you should understand the fundamental use of the profiler and be able to operate the profiler on a project. You will become familiar with:
-Principles of profiler
-Computer printout review/examples
-Standard Specification and special provision review
-Field work layout and computer set-up
-Hands-on operation and maintenance
Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Course Download: Profiler Manual
Materials Coordinator Training (MCT)
This training is a requirement for active December 2016 lettings and foward (Reference 2017 Standard Specifications 106.1.2 Project Materials Coordinator)
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires online materials/exam attendance. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Course Prerequisites: None
This course requires online materials/exam attendance. Upon successful completion of this course you will earn 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).