CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

To borrow from the original Fab Four, money won't buy you tile certification.  Rather it's your experience and skill as a tile setter that allows you to validate your tile installation skills as a Certified Tile Installer.

That's according to Mike McLawhorn CTI #188 and Territory Sales Manager for HB Fuller. 

Mike is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on an article in TileLetter.com titled Mike McLawhorn: CTI credentials are confirmation of tile setter knowledge that money can’t buy.

Horrified about subpar tile installation? Become a Certified Tile Installer. That's according to John Trent CTI #277, a former tile installer, and now a territory manager for Schluter Systems since 2012. He was one of those subpar installers who now encourages all installers he meets to become Qualified Labor.

John is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on an article in TileLetter.com titled John Trent: Certification - fighting the good fight against sub-par installations.

As you might imagine, we love celebrating milestones especially when they reflect hard work and appreciation for the importance of installing tile correctly the first time, adhering to tile installation standards and methods, and generally making Qualified Labor meaningful.

Here's a perfect example: Alex Smith who, after not completing the hands-on portion of the Certified Tile Installer program test in 2015, returned, passed and became CTI #1500. That's a milestone from many perspectives.

We caught up with Alex to learn more about him and his love of tile installation.

If you're serious about installing tile as a profession, you'll become a Certified Tile Installer. That's according to Bill Baptista CTI #834, who feels strongly about certification as a differentiator.

Bill is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on an article in TileLetter.com titled Bill Baptista: “Don't Be Left Behind; Get Certified”

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.