Background
In the early 90s, the transition to the Superpave PG asphalt binder system represented a significant step forward in our industry's ability to characterize asphalt performance properties. Now, after more than ten years of practical laboratory experience in PG testing, lab technicians have mastered techniques that yield excellent repeatability. However, repeatable results are not necessarily accurate results. Likewise, precise results in one lab may not be reproducible in other lab environments. In one lab setting there may be no reason to question established techniques, but when results are compared between laboratories, variability may occur. Without a means to ensure consistent laboratory best-practice from state to state and region to region, this variability and the resulting challenges it presents is unlikely to improve significantly.  Regional certification programs, such as the New England Transportation Technician Certification Program ( NETTCP ), have proven to be effective within the participating states. However, there was no common technician certification program for all states and regions. The NBTC program is designed to address this recognized national need for expanded training in PG testing. This program provides a consistent means of ensuring that asphalt binder technicians are knowl­edgeable and fully qualified to produce valid specification compliance and quality assurance data.

How to become a Certified Binder Technician
To become a Certified Binder Technician, a technician needs to have work experience with the testing of asphalt binders for compliance with the PG specification (AASHTO M320). Candidates must have either six (6) months of experience or sixty days working directly under an NBTC certified technician before attempting to achieve certification.   Candidates must have at least a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

Once the technician decides to pursue certification, he or she first needs to complete an application form . If qualified, an Asphalt Institute (AI) representative will then contact the technician to schedule attendance at an upcoming certification course. Certification courses and examinations will be conducted at the Asphalt Institute Laboratory in Lexington, Kentucky and at numerous other locations throughout the United States and Canada.

Why other locations? AI recognizes the travel difficulties faced by user agencies, so it is logical to offer a program that can be mobile. Any lab that is used for the laboratory proficiency examination must be AASHTO-accredited for the PG asphalt binder tests.

Certification is achieved once the technician passes both a written examination and a laboratory proficiency examination.

Once certification is achieved, it is valid for five years. After that time, re-certification may be achieved by attending a re-certification course and successfully passing the examination. This continuing education component, which is used by many states as a requirement to renew the license of professional engineers, ensures that the technician is current with the most recent changes in asphalt binder testing procedures and laboratory practices.

What are the exams like?
The written certification examination is intended to test the knowledge of the technician about asphalt binder testing procedures and proper laboratory practices required to effectively conduct testing for the AASHTO M320 (PG) specification. Because no technician operates, or should operate, without access to standards and other laboratory documents, the examination will be open-book and open-note.

The written exam consists of approximately 50 questions in different format including multiple choice, calculation and open response covering various knowledge areas. Questions cover both procedural and conceptual elements.  The procedural questions are intended to evaluate the technicians knowledge of the published standards, while those covering concept gauge the technician's ability to recognize suspect data. The examination must be completed in two hours. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass.

The written exam includes randomly selected questions from each knowledge area, designed to adequately cover the certification topics. As such, the written examination has many different versions.  

The laboratory proficiency examination is a hands-on demonstration by the student that he/she can properly conduct the AASHTO M320 asphalt binder tests and use good laboratory practices. This portion of the exam is a one-on-one demonstration performed by the student for the certification examiner. The examiner evaluates the student's performance of each lab procedure against a set of minimum performance criteria. The student must adequately demonstrate each procedure to pass.

Preparing for the exams
There are several avenues available to the technician to prepare him or her for the written and laboratory proficiency exams.

The Asphalt Institute's manual MS-25 Asphalt Binder Testing: Technician's Manual for Specification Testing of Asphalt Binders provides a detailed description of the AASHTO M320 tests and associated lab procedures. Additionally, AI has partnered with Dr. Dave Anderson, a lead architect of the Superpave PG Binder system, to develop the prerequisite  Advanced Binder Technician Course that prepares the technician to take the certification exams.

The Advanced Binder Technician Course covers in detail all of the standard AASHTO M320 tests and laboratory procedures in a 2-day instructional period and promotes a consistent laboratory best-practice.

Cost of certification
NBTC courses and exams are a total fee of $1,450 per student. Capacity is 6 - 10 students.

The total fee for the NBTC Program includes the course manual MS-25 Asphalt Binder Testing , the written exam, the laboratory proficiency exam, lunch and refreshments, and instructor travel for those programs conducted at other locations. 

Contacts
For more information about the Asphalt Institute National Binder Technician Certification Program, please contact: