The National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP) offers a certification review session and exam for each of the following preservation treatments: chip seal, slurry systems, and crack treatment. Each session includes a 3-4 hour review of technical material with a written guidebook provided to all participants. At the conclusion of the review, an exam will be administered that is 50 questions for agency personnel and 80 questions for contractor personnel (with the exception of the crack treatment contractor exam which is 50 questions). The exam is closed book/closed note and a score of 70% or higher is needed to pass. The exam tends to take participants 45 to 90 minutes to complete. Individuals who pass the exam will receive an electronic certificate which is valid for three years from the date it was issued and will be recognized by all states requiring NCPP preservation treatment certification. Their name and expiration date will also be added to a searchable database on the NCPP website. In addition to participating in the review session, examinees are strongly encouraged to take the Web-Based Training before sitting for the exam (https://www.tsp2.org/certification-information/web-based-training-courses/).
The intent of the certification program is to have knowledgeable agency employees (project engineers and inspectors) and knowledgeable contractor employees (superintendents, foreman, and operators) who work together to achieve consistently high-quality preservation treatments. With the implementation of performance measures through MAP-21 and the FAST Act, states are going to be held accountable for the condition of their road network. These performance measures offer a tremendous opportunity to expand the use of preservation treatments since preservation has proven to be a cost-effective method of improving the network pavement condition. If treatments are not properly placed; however, their use may be reduced or eliminated since agencies cannot afford to have failed preservation treatments.
For more information about the certification process, please call NCPP at 517-432-8220.
Purchase a Replacement Certification Card – $10
Future Exam Dates and Locations
Online Certification Exam – Follow the instructions on this page after registration.
Cancellations/Refunds – subject to a 15% administrative fee.
In-Person Certification – Available locations and times will be shown on the registration page.
Cancellations/Refunds – cancellations within 10 days of the exam are subject to a 15% administrative fee.