CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

Why should a tile installer consider becoming a Certified Tile Installer (CTI)? We asked the community to weigh in on Facebook, so you can read about some of their reasons - in their own words - for becoming certified and Qualified Labor.

We've organized their responses into the following 10 themes.

Did you have a chance to witness the first ever CTI Challenge? It took place during Coverings 2018 in the Installation Experience space, pitting two intensely passionate Certified Tile Installer teams to complete an ambitious installation over three days. The installation had to meet tile industry standards and guidelines.  

Here's a recap.

According to Steve Brace CTI #1152, becoming a Certified Tile Installer has delivered value not just to his customers, but also to his business.

Steve is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on an article in TileLetter.com titled "Certification translates directly to increased business, fees and knowledge about details of the trade."

Are you on the fence about whether to become a Certified Tile Installer? In this article, Eric Tetreault CTI #708 offers you seven reasons for not looking back and validating your skills as a tile setter.

What sets Certified Tile Installers apart is a deep passion and commitment for setting tile by the book. The TCNA Handbook that is, along with its companion references, the ANSI Standards and the NTCA Reference Manual.

Jason McDaniel CTI #1273 of Stoneman Construction LLC in Portland, Oregon is a perfect example.  He's also next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor. 

Wondering why tile installation certification is necessary for your tile business? Robert Davis CTI #1246 provides five good reasons why a tile installer should become a Certified Tile Installer (CTI).

Robert is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor  based on an article in TileLetter.com titled "Becoming a Certified Tile Installer: a way to measure progress" by Terryn Rutford.

For Dave Karp CTI #220, becoming a Certified Tile Installer (CTI) meant standing out as a professional tile setter. Not only did it provide him with enough confidence to open his own tile shop - Tile Fusion - but it has also set him on a path that allows him to hone his high-end, detail-focused residential tile installation business.

Dave is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor  based on articles in TileLetter.com. 

>> See Certification: a standard to validating professionalism, skills and willingness to excel

Edwardo Martinez CTI #1239 describes becoming a Certified Tile Installer as, “I did it backwards. No studying, no prep work. I filled a spot last minute. I did it to test my skill and knowledge.”

He is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor  based on articles in TileLetter.com. 

>> See Certification provides confidence; shows commitment and excellence

Shon Parker CTI #999 compares becoming a Certified Tile Installer to going to college for computer programming and obtaining a degree. It increases your worth to employers and clients and signals your commitment to learning everything you can about installing tile correctly the first time. 

Shon Parker is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor  based on articles in TileLetter.com. 

>> See CTI exam tests and teaches Hawthorne Tile’s project manager Shon Parker learns from the Certified Tile Installer evaluation

We are frequently asked why someone who has been laying tile for twenty or more years should bother becoming a Certified Tile Installer.

>> See Certification: providing a bridge to the larger tile community for Charles Nolen, Miller’s Flooring America