The Joint Training and Certification Program (JTCP) is a training and certification program developed by Caltrans and the California State University, Long Beach to ensure uniform testing standards across government agencies and private contractors. The program aims to improve consistency, reduce disputes, and foster collaboration through standardized training modules in soils, asphalt, and concrete testing. Courses are held at CSU Long Beach and San Jose State University, with concrete testing provided elsewhere. The program is overseen by an advisory council and aims to continuously refine its delivery and certification tracking system.

1. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 1
Joint Training and
Certification Program
Jeremy Peterson-Self
Caltrans Program Manager
Dr. Shadi Saadeh
CSULB Program Manager

2. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 2
Outline
 Joint Training and Certification Program (JTCP)
 What is JTCP?
 Program Goals
 Background
 Program Scope
 Program Details
 Closing / Web Links
 Questions

3. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 3
What is the Joint Training and
Certification Program (JTCP)?
JTCP is a training and certification
program developed to ensure that
agency and private sector personnel
demonstrate comparable minimum
proficiency in materials testing.

4. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 4
Program Goals
 Uniformity and consistency in training/certification/testing
 Satisfy Title 23 CFR 637
 Improve the reliability and repeatability of test results
 Foster an environment of collaboration and mutual respect
 Develop an efficient, sustainable training and certification
process
 Reduce material testing construction contract claims

5. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 5
Background
 1992 - 2013 – Numerous formal and
informal discussions
 May 2014 – Industry letter to California
State Transportation Agency Secretary
 July 2014 – Response letter from Caltrans
Director to Executive Director CalAPA
 November 2014 – Caltrans - Industry
develop JTCP Proposal
 November 2015 – Phase I Interagency
Agreement – Curriculum Development
 June 2017 – Phase II Interagency
Agreement – Curriculum Delivery

6. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 6
Program Scope
 Administration
 Program delivery by California State
University, Long Beach (partnered with
San Jose State University and American
Concrete Institute - ACI)
 Caltrans program management within
METS/ORMT with Independent
Assurance Program certification

7. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 7
Program Scope
 Modules:
 Soils and Aggregate
 Hot Mix Asphalt I
 Hot Mix Asphalt II
 Portland Cement Concrete (ACI)

8. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 8
Program Scope
 Training
 Pre-requisite curriculum
 Classroom session
 Laboratory session
 Evaluation
 Written exams
 Practical exams
 Training completion certificate
 Certification
 Valid for 3 years (HMA I, HMA II and
Soils and Aggregate)
 Valid for 5 years (PCC/ACI)

9. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 9
Program Details
 Laboratory Setup
 Two laboratories
o CSU Long Beach
o San Jose State University
 Six laboratory stations
o HMA I
o Soils and Aggregate
o 4 technicians each station
 One laboratory station
o HMA II
o 8 technicians
 PCC/ACI provided at various concrete
producers/plants throughout CA

10. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 10
Program Details
 Student Scheduling Strategy
 Require JTCP attendance when due for recertification in test
methods covered by the JTCP
 Schedule tailored around existing certification expiration dates
 2-3 year transition period based on current certification
expiration dates

11. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 11
Program Details
 Student Scheduling Strategy
 Exceptions/extensions must be
approved through processing an
extension request form.
 Must be signed up for upcoming
class
 Form provided on the JTCP
website:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/
Translab/ormt/IA_reports/JTCP/
index.htm
 Priority given to new
certifications

12. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 12
Program Details
 Certification Tracking
 Extensions and completed
certifications tracked and
managed in the Statewide
Independent Assurance
Database (SIAD):
https://sia.dot.ca.gov/index.php

13. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 13
Program Details
 Implementation
 IA Manual Amendment invokes
JTCP requirement
 Identifies test methods covered
by the program
 Provides guidance on the policy
 Identifies dispute resolution
process
 Available here:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/T
ranslab/ormt/IA_reports/index.
htm

14. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 14
Program Details
 Implementation (cont.)
 ACI equivalency request
 Equivalent CT / ASTM table
 Verification of existing ACI
certifications
Equivalent CT and ASTM Methods
CA Test
Method
Quality Characteristic
ASTM Test
Method
CT 540 Making / Curing Specimens ASTM C31
CT 518 Density, Yield, and Air Content ASTM C138
CT 556 Slump ASTM C143
CT 539 Sampling (Concrete) ASTM C172
CT 543 Air Content (Volumetric) ASTM C173
CT 504 Air Content (Pressure) ASTM C231
CT 557 Temperature of Concrete ASTM C1064

15. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 15
Program Details
 Program Oversight
 Oversight provided by JTCP
Advisory Council
o JTCP Advisory Council
Charter
o Caltrans and industry
membership
o Meets biannually
o Reviews program feedback
o Continuous improvement
o Future Technical committee
support

16. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 16
Program Details
Schedule
 Delivered Classes
 HMA I: 2
 HMA II: 2
 S & A: In Process
 Upcoming Classes
 ~70 classes in S&A, HMA I
and HMA II planned through
FY 18/19
 Open new sessions as the
existing sessions fill
 Currently booking classes
that take place in June/July

17. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 17
Program Details
Enrollment
 Visit CSULB JTCP website
 https://web.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/jtcp/
index.php
 Create a login
 Sign a FERPA release form
 Complete a Safety Presentation and Quiz
 Select Course and Pass the Prerequisite Test
 Enroll in the class
 Payment is due within 24 hours of course
enrollment.
 Student will be dropped automatically if
payment is not received.
 15 day drop policy

18. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 18
Program Details
 Cost
 Hot Mix Asphalt I: ~$1500
(4 day course, 24 students)
 Hot Mix Asphalt II: ~$2500
(3 day course, 8 students)
 Soils and Aggregate: ~$1500
(4 day course, 24 students)
 Portland Cement Concrete
(ACI): Check with local ACI
Chapter

19. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 19
Program Details
 Frequently Asked Questions
 Developed to address many of
the reoccurring questions
 CT Program FAQ’s:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/Tr
anslab/ormt/IA_reports/JTCP/JTC
P_FAQ.pdf
 CSULB Enrollment FAQ’s:
http://web.csulb.edu/colleges/co
e/jtcp/help.php

20. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 20
Program Details
 Further Refinement
 Fine tune delivery based on classroom
feedback
 Refining laboratory demonstrations
 Efficiency
 Optimize class size
 Optimize availability of equipment
 Optimize class schedule
 Continue Instructor Search
 Always on the lookout for qualified
instructors

21. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 21
Closing
 How can you help?
 Understand the impacts to your staff and projects
 Sign up your technicians that need
those certifications covered by JTCP
 Volunteer for technical committees
when requested
 Support the JTCP
 Spread the word
 Provide Feedback
http://web.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/jtcp/feedback.php

22. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 22
Web Links
 Caltrans JTCP Website:
 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/Translab/ormt/IA_reports/JTCP/index.htm
 Statewide IA Database (SIAD)
 https://sia.dot.ca.gov/index.php
 CSU Long Beach JTCP Website:
 http://web.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/jtcp/index.php

23. JOINT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 23
Questions
Feedback or comments?
Contact Caltrans JTCP at JTCP@dot.ca.gov
Contact CSULB JTCP at JTCP@csulb.edu