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The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) offers the only 3rd party assessment of installer skills and knowledge recognized by the Tile Industry.

Your Source for Tile Education & Certified Tile Installation Professionals

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Why Should You Care About Tile Installation Certification?
The CTI Program

Why Should You Care About Tile Installation Certification?

The Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program is a rigorous program that tests expertise, how well the installer keeps up with the fast-changing world of tile - from thin tile to very large-sized tile to new installation materials and tools - and how knowledgeable he or she is about tile installation best practices.

  • If you're a homeowner, don't you want the  peace of mind that the installation can be done properly?
  • If you're a Specifier, aren't you concerned about how good the finished installation looks, how well it performs, and how long it lasts? That is all in the hands of the installer.
  • If you're a Dealer or Distributor, don't you want your homeowner customers to be delighted for many years to come instead of calling you back for repairs? 
  • If you're a contractor, don't you want to have a tile industry-endorsed third-party validation that proves to homeowners, architects, and designers that you offer true craftsmanship and the ability to perform something that will last a lifetime? 
CTEF Training

Start Your Career in Tile Installation Here!

CTEF uniquely offers extended training classes to address the education needs of tile installation professionals, ceramic tile inspectors, architects and designers, ceramic tile sales teams, and DIYers.

Whether you need a refresher, want to start at the beginning, or want to broaden your horizons, CTEF has intense hands-on training options or can custom-tailor a program for you.  

 

 

Start Your Career in Tile Installation Here!
Tile Industry-Endorsed

Hear Why the Ceramic Tile Industry Values Certification

The Certified Tile Installer (CTI ) Program is a National Standard for Tile Installation to ensure that ceramic tile gets installed correctly the first time.  

Read what members of the tile industry say about installation certification.

ARDEX is fully committed to proper installation techniques, training, and education of Tile Installation Professionals. 

As you know, we are based in Germany. The trades in Germany require installers to be certified from Apprentice up through Master Craftsman in their trade. Their skill level demands the best products and technology. In the Americas, we have a wide gambit of skills and no way for homeowners, building owners, property managers, etc. to know the skill level of an installer outside of known references. We fully support the CTI Program and ongoing training/education.

ARDEX has established ARDEX Academy training facilities at each of our manufacturing locations. We continue to expand with future sites in Canada and Mexico.  At pre-pandemic levels, 10,000+ professionals were trained at an ARDEX Academy location. In addition, ARDEX Sales and Technical Services Professionals conduct hundreds of in-field trainings annually at contractor and distributor locations.

ARDEX aligns with the committed installation professional and we provide innovative technology formulated to make their work easier, faster, and more reliable, and it is fully supported and backed by ARDEX.  We feel that CTEF aligns with our mission and commitment to excellence."

Says Tile Industry Materials Supplier Russ Gaetano

Russ Gaetano
Russ Gaetano
Senior Marketing Manager Tile & Stone Installation Systems; ARDEX Americas

You don't become a tile installer or a business owner overnight. It takes time, enthusiasm, pride, reliability, respectfulness, a willingness to learn, and dedication.

No two jobs are the same; each one has its own unique nuances. As a qualified installer, you need to be able to communicate how to deal with those nuances and qualify yourself to not only meet but exceed expectations. 

Being qualified will exponentially increase your value and you will have endless opportunities."

Says Certified Tile Installer #923 Mike Corona

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Mike Corona CTI #923
Corona Marble and Tile

Having each of my installers become Certified Tile Installers was the single biggest thing I could do to prove to homeowners and architects and designers that my company offers true craftsmanship and the ability to perform something that will last a lifetime."

 

Tile Contractor Dan Welch

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Dan Welch, CTI #1
Welch Tile & Marble

Look for CTEF at the Following Industry Events:

 

Coverings 2024 from April 22-25 in Atlanta, GA

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Total Solutions Plus 2024

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TISE - The International Surface Event 2025, Las Vegas, NV

 
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Tile installation is an unregulated trade with no requirements for formalized training.

The CTI program tests knowledge and skills to determine if tile installers understand industry standards, whether they are current and up-to-date on best practices, and the correct way to install tile.

It provides consumers with a method for selecting a tile installer who will meet their needs and install tile properly the first time."

Tile Industry Trade Association President Bart Bettiga

Bart-Bettiga
Bart Bettiga
NTCA Executive Director

As an importer, distributor and retailer, we don't do tile installation. We rely on independent contractors to install all the tile we sell."

Programs like this educate our contractor base so things get installed properly and the homeowners are happy with the installation for many years to come, not just right after it's done."

 

Says Tile Distributor Brian Knies

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Brian Knies
Tile America

The end beneficiary of tile installation certification is the end-user - the homeowner, the building owner."

They get a stamp of approval from an installer who has gone through an educational process and are getting the best quality work possible.

The entire tile industry embraces the CTI program."

Tile Industry Manufacturer Art Mintie

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Art Mintie
Laticrete
Wondering What Poor Tile Installation Looks Like?
BE an Educated Customer

Wondering What Poor Tile Installation Looks Like?

It's horrendously awful and cringe-worthy. If you aren't sure if you've experienced it before, check out this real-life example.

 

Meet Talented Certified Tile Installers and Their Designer Collaborators

Discover Coverings-sponsored collaborations between CTIs and Designers. Witness the magic that happens when truly talented and Certified Tile Installers collaborate with brilliant designers in the Installation Design Showcase to complete fully tiled spaces.

 

Meet Talented Certified Tile Installers and Their Designer Collaborators
From the blog

Recent CTEF Blog Posts

 

Frequently Asked Questions

About CTEF, tile installation training, and certification.

Where do CTEF Training and Certification take place?

CTEF Training takes place either at CTEF Headquarters in Pendleton, SC or in Egg Harbor City, NJ. Check the Training Registration page for specific information.

For the Certified Tile Installer hands-on test, you'll find events scheduled in locations around the country. Check the Certification Registration page for specific details.

Are there any scholarships available for tile installation training?

Anyone entering the tile industry for the first time or with less than one year of experience may seek a scholarship through the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) for the 100 Level Foundations course, the 200 Level Practical Training course, the Understanding & Installing Ceramic Tile (UICT), and/or the Mortar Shower Base & Waterproofing (MSB) training classes.

How can I learn more about the Certified Tile Installer program?

To learn more about the Certified Tile Installer program, explore these resources:

 

How can I learn more about CTEF?

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Arto

 

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