NRMCA Training & Certifications


WACA offers a variety of NRMCA training and certifications.  Certification sessions are based on an "as needed" basis.  For more information on how to schedule a class, please contact the Association office at 206-878-1622.  

The session offerings are the following:
NRMCA Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification
NRMCA Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP)
NRMCA Concrete Sales Professional (CSP) 


NRMCA'S PERVIOUS CONCRETE CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION 

Registration and Work Experience forms

Three levels of certification are available:

  • A Pervious Concrete Technician is a person who demonstrated knowledge by successfully completing a written exam about proper procedures to place, compact, finish, edge, joint, cure, and protect pervious concrete pavements but who lacks the requisite field experience to qualify as a pervious concrete Installer or Craftsman. The Technician level is intended for contractor and non-contractor personnel to learn the proper techniques of installing pervious concrete.  It is assumed that contractor personnel who are certified as technicians will be supervised by an individual with a higher level of certification, and they will upgrade to the higher levels when they achieve the work experience criteria for Installer and Craftsman levels to qualify to install pervious without supervision. This level is also intended for any non-contractor persons such as ready mixed concrete personnel, testing labs, inspectors, admixture personnel, specifiers, and engineers that need to understand the pervious concrete system. This certification level is also recommended for individuals who are knowledgeable about pervious concrete and who intend to participate in training programs for local sponsoring groups. 
  • A Pervious Concrete Installer is a person who has demonstrated the ability to place, compact, finish, edge, joint, cure, and protect pervious concrete pavements and has documented limited project-based field experience in placing pervious concrete. The Installer level is intended for contractor personnel who have achieved this intermediate level of certification by completing the installation of work as indicated by the certification criteria. Installers are expected to assume leadership roles when installing pervious concrete and make decisions on placement conditions and procedures. It is anticipated that contractor personnel will upgrade to the Craftsman level when they achieve the work experience criteria for that level.
    • Pervious Concrete Installer:

      Personnel achieving the following criteria will obtain certification as a Pervious Concrete Installer.

      • Pass the NRMCA Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification Written Examination with a score of 75% or greater administered by a Local Sponsoring Group approved by NRMCA.
         
      • Complete a Performance Evaluation administered by a Local Sponsoring Group approved by NRMCA. 
         
      • Provide project experience documentation of successful construction of a minimum of 3 projects with a total area exceeding 10,000 square feet (1000 m²) – Form PCC8 or PCC9 (recertifying) required.
  • A Pervious Concrete Craftsman is a person who has demonstrated the ability to place, compact, finish, edge, joint, cure, and protect pervious concrete pavements and has documented a higher level of field time-based experience in placing pervious concrete. The Craftsman level is intended for contractor personnel who have achieved this highest level of certification by completing the work experience as indicated by the certification criteria. Craftsman are expected to lead an installing crew, work with the concrete supplier to ensure the mixture is appropriate for the installation, designate duties and assignments to the crew, evaluate site and placement conditions, and make decisions when the pour needs to be stopped or re-scheduled.
    • Pervious Concrete Craftsman:

      Personnel achieving the following criteria will obtain certification as a Pervious Concrete Craftsman.

      • Pass the NRMCA Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification Written Examination with a score of 75% or greater administered by a Local Sponsoring Group approved by NRMCA.
      • Possess a current ACI Flatwork Finisher Technician or Craftsman certification at the time of application.

      Work Experience:

      • OPTION A: Complete a Performance Evaluation administered by a Local Sponsoring Group approved by NRMCA and document work experience constructing pervious concrete pavement exceeding 1500 hours – Forms PCC10 or PCC11 (recertifying) and Craftsman Documented Work Experience and Education Worksheet, respectively.

        OR
         
      • OPTION B: Provide documentation of work experience constructing pervious concrete pavements exceeding 3000 hours – PCC10 or PCC11 (recertifing) and Craftsman Documented Work Experience and Education Worksheet, respectively. Work experience shall be documented in hours and square footage on a standard spreadsheet.  Documentation shall include the project and contact, preferably an owner, who can verify the conduct of the work.  The craftsman applicant shall document a minimum of 3 problems they have had on pervious concrete jobs and how they resolved these problems.  The craftsman application shall be reviewed and approved by a minimum of a 3-member certification committee established by the Local Sponsoring Group.

For more information on this program, please visit the NRMCA website HERE. 

Other Available Links/Downloads:
NRMCA Website
National Database of NRMCA Pervious Concrete Certified Technicians, Installers, & Craftsmen


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NRMCA CONCRETE DELIVERY PROFESSIONAL (CDP) 

WACA offers the opportunity to take the next step in professional development through the National Ready Mix Concrete Association's (NRMCA) Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP) program.

  • CDP was developed by mix drivers and ready-mix companies FOR the ready-mix industry. This program allows you to learn more about the technical aspects of the ready mix industry, your profession, and successful customer service support skills.

This practical, easy-to-use program is designed to be a self-study program and applies to seasoned professionals as well as younger, less experienced drivers. CDP is also designed to support existing internal company driver training as well as reinforce company policy and procedures when instances occur.

The WACA / CDP program enhances your existing professional experience, demonstrates your commitment to personal growth and personal achievement, as well as demonstrates a higher level of driver and company commitment to overall quality to Customers, Specifiers, Regulators, and the Motoring public. As a company team, the program will improve communications and understanding between drivers and quality control, dispatchers, customers, and sales.

This Self Study program reviews 5 key subject areas that drivers use every day on every delivery:

  • Product Knowledge
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Customer Relations
  • Safety
  • Vehicle Maintenance and Operations

Topics will be facilitated by qualified WACA personnel in each subject area, with a practical review and discussion session for each topic.  Following the completion of all 5 subject areas, the certification exam process will be scheduled. The certification process involves 2 steps:

  1. Successful completion of a written exam comprised of multiple-choice questions and
  2. A Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection exam

The Pre-Trip exam will be administered by representatives of the Washington State Patrol and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. This provides you with professional access to important law enforcement and safety professionals. We learn more about their role in our profession, and they learn more about your role and professional development as a Concrete Delivery Professional.

Depending on the pace of self-study and internal company presentations, the program takes approximately—12 weeks to complete. Once prepared, the Association will conduct a local review session for drivers designed to help prepare for testing and administer the tests. Testing is in 2 elements: a written test and a vehicle inspection and walk-through.

To help facilitate anticipated testing and to allow each company the flexibility to schedule their own in-house sessions, the Association will conduct quarterly review and testing sessions. Quarterly dates are subject to participation.

All modules are contained in one 3-ring binder designed especially for industry drivers. The cost of the Driver binder is $150 each ($195 for non-members) and may be ordered through the Association offices. Additional exam or administration fees may apply.

RECOGNITION
Drivers successfully completing both parts of the program will receive the following:
Certification of Achievement endorsed by NRMCA

  •  A magnetic vehicle CDP insignia that goes with you and your vehicle
  •  A CDP shirt/jacket patch recognizing your achievement
    (please note: this is an optional elective by the company)

BENEFITS TO YOU:
Drivers are one of the keys to a successful bottom line for company performance, service, and reputation.

  • Increase customer satisfaction with professional representatives for your company.
  • Decrease delivery and quality control problems with improved knowledge of delivery and production processes.
  • Reduce regulatory confusion and increase environmental awareness and compliance through improved knowledge.
  • Reduce fleet and truck risk through increased focus on vehicle maintenance and safety.
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NRMCA CONCRETE SALES PROFESSIONAL (CSP) 

By completing the program and earning the CCSP designation, individuals earn greater recognition as effective, highly qualified sales specialists. Certification also offers improved opportunities for career and financial growth and a broader range of career opportunities within the industry.

TECHNICAL / PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

  • Fundamentals of Concrete and Component Materials
  • Admixtures
  • Proportioning Concrete Basics: The Salesperson's Role in Specification
    Review: Mix Design Submittals and the Pre-Pour Conference
  • Batching, Mixing, and Delivery - ASTM C-94 Specification
  • Handling, Conveying, Placing and Finishing Concrete
  • Basic Concrete Troubleshooting

CUSTOMER BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

  • The Homebuilder Overview: Working with Vendors and Subcontractors
  •  The Organized Builder and the Building Process
  •  Commercial and Governmental Construction Industry Overview
  •  Construction Documents (Reading Blueprints)
  •  Project Planning and Scheduling; Estimating Construction Projects

TEST PROCEDURES
The one-hour written examination is a "closed book" and consists of 55 multiple-choice questions. There are five (5) to ten (10) questions on each of the ASTM Standards. To pass the written examination, both of the following conditions must be met: (a) at least 60% correct for each of the required standards and (b) a minimum score of 70% overall.

The performance examination is also a "closed book" and requires an actual demonstration of six of the required ASTM Standards plus a verbal description of Sampling, ASTM C 172. The examinee is judged on his/her ability to correctly perform or describe all of the required procedures for each standard.

GENERAL BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

  •  Basic Accounting and Financial Management for Ready Mixed Concrete Salespeople
  •  Fundamentals of Pricing
  •  Break-Even Analysis
  •  Construction Finance
  •  Legal Issues
  •  Advanced Management Topics

PROFESSIONAL SALES SKILLS

  •  The Changing Role of the Professional Salesperson
  •  Discovering Customer Needs
  •  Developing Presentation Skills
  •  Responding to Buyer Concerns and Completing the Sale
  •  Creating a Sales Plan, Time and Territory Management
  •  Finding Potential Buyers

Module I: Product Knowledge (Concrete 101): Focuses on Concrete fundamentals, component materials, Proportioning of Mix designs, Batching / Mixing / Delivery, Handling and Placing and Finishing, and Basic Concrete Troubleshooting.

Module II: Customer Knowledge: a better understanding of your customers' needs and the role you play. Focuses on:
Homebuilder residential building process, Commercial and Governmental Construction industry Overview, Construction documents and reading blueprints, Principles of estimating, Project planning and scheduling,

Module III: General Business Knowledge: Focuses on Basic Accounting, Financial Management and Cost Analysis, Fundamentals of pricing principles, Construction Finance, and Legal Issues

Module IV: Professional Selling Skills: Focuses on an overview of the selling and butting process, finding potential buyers, creating a Sales Plan, Presentation Skills, Discovering Needs, overcoming objections, and Closing the sale.

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