The NBTC process
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 at least six months of testing experience before attempting to achieve certification. It is also recommended that candidates have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Once the technician decides to pursue certification, he or she first needs to complete an application form. An AI representative will then contact the technician to schedule attendance at an upcoming certification course. Examinations and certification courses 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 will consist of approximately 50 questions of different forms including multiple choice, calculation, and open response covering various knowledge areas. The examination must be completed in two hours. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass.

The written exam will include randomly selected questions from each knowledge area, designed to adequately cover the certification topics. As such, the written examination will include 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 will evaluate 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 a certification course that prepares the technician to take the certification exams.

The certification course will cover in detail all of the standard AASHTO M320 tests and laboratory procedures in a 2-day instructional period.

When will the certification program begin?
AI will offer the first certification courses and exams in March 2008 in Lexington, Kentucky. Additional offerings of the courses and exams will be held in Lexington and at other off-site locations later in 2008.

Cost of certification
The expected cost for certification courses and exams may change depending on the location – with courses and examinations held at the Asphalt Institute expected to be the least expensive. The course manual MS-25 Asphalt Binder Testing is available now for purchase from the Asphalt Institute for $130 (visit AI's online store at www.asphaltlnstitute.org) or call 859- 288-4961. Note that MS-25 is included in the certification course as the class text.

For certification courses and examinations held at the Asphalt Institute, the total cost is $1,450 per student. Class size is typically 4 - 10 students. Application for the NBTC Program and the class text, MS-25, are included in the total cost.

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

Mike Beavin
Asphalt Institute
Technical Training Coordinator
(859) 288-4973
mtbeavin@asphaltinstitute.org

Mike Anderson
Asphalt Institute
Director of Research and Lab Services
(859) 288-4984
manderson@asphaltinstitute.org

For more information about MS-25 Asphalt Binder Testing: Technician's Manual for Specifi cation Testing of Asphalt Binders , as well as other AI products, training seminars and courses, please visit our website www.asphaltinstitute.org.

Click Here for the background of the National Binder Certification Program

Certification Request Form (This form can be filled out in Adobe Reader, saved, and then printed and then faxed in) Download a brochure about the NBTC Program by clicking here.