Level I Standards

TM-101, Quality Control Technician/Inspector Level I & II Training Manual, is the study text used for Level I certification. Topics include:

  • Quality control principles
  • Inspection and record keeping
  • Concrete curing
  • Conventional reinforcement
  • Water/cementitious ratio
  • Plant practices
  • Shop drawings
  • Quality control testing and sampling procedures

Level I Required Skills and Knowledge

Candidates for PCI Level I certification should be familiar with:

  • precast plant equipment, precast concrete construction tolerances, formwork and associated casting surfaces and
  • precast project specifications, precast setups, placement, sizes and dimensions of block outs and cast-in items.

Candidates for PCI Level I certification should have experience:

  • reading shop drawings, checking dimensions on precast products and precast setups, performing fresh concrete tests, and verifying concrete strength prior to detensioning operations and stripping product from forms,
  • identifying, marking and documenting the disposition of products, reviewing products in storage for damage, and
  • recording all records for materials testing, concrete placing, curing, inspection of finished products, camber, member dimensions and concrete strength.

Candidates for PCI certification must have the knowledge of basic math and algebra. Additional resources to help candidates assess their knowledge and access refresher training are available on the Basic Math Skill Requirements section, under Policies and Procedures.

Level I Requirements

Candidates for Level I certification must meet the following requirements:

  • Submit a signed and endorsed Level I certification application
  • Hold a valid ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician – Grade I certification
  • Meet one of the following experience/education requirements:
    • Six (6) months of experience in a precast concrete plant
    • Twelve (12) months of experience in a related field
    • Bachelor of science degree in civil engineering or related field
    • Associate degree in concrete technology
  • Pass a PCI Level I certification examination

Level I Certification Examination

The Level I exam is a closed-book examination with 40 multiple-choice questions. The examinee is allowed one hour (60 minutes) to complete the examination, and a final score of 70% is required to pass the examination.

Level I Recertification

Level I certification is valid for a period of five years from the examination date. Recertification requires meeting all of the above requirements for initial certification. Recertification with examination is required every five years until the individual has taken three exams over a 10-year period. Individuals who have passed three (3) Level I exams over a 10-year period and have been continuously certified at Level I for 15 years no longer have to meet the examination requirement.

Recertification without examination requires completion of a certification application and submittal of the request for exam exemption. The individual’s certification application must include evidence of current ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade I certification and acceptable continuing education and/or training every five (5) years.  Continuing education or training must include one of the following:

  1. Attend a PCI approved QC school (without taking the examination);
  2. Pass the certification examination administered by proctor;
  3. Submit evidence of fifteen (15) hours (total for five (5) years) of continuing education or training in the field of quality control, design, concrete, prestressing, finishing or other topics relevant to the precast concrete industry; or
  4. Submit evidence of 36 months, (total for five (5) years) of continuing work experience in the field of quality control, engineering or production in the precast industry.

Failure to recertify within ninety (90) days after the expiration date shall require re-examination. Failure to recertify within six (6) months after the expiration date shall require re-examination and the individual’s certification records will reflect a gap in certification.