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MDOT Class 3 certification concludes the MDOT QC/QA Concrete Technician Certification series. It is required for personnel who design concrete mixes, make field adjustments to mixes, and/or conduct various laboratory procedures and tests of concrete and aggregates. Technicians needing this certification may include employees of MDOT, contractors, testing labs, material suppliers, and consultants.

Class 3 is a two and one-half day program. The first and second days are dedicated to classroom instruction and include a visit to the MDOT Central Laboratory. The course concludes with the written examination on the morning of the final day.

Class 3 certified technicians are qualified to conduct certain field and laboratory tests on aggregates and concrete, and to design and make field adjustments to concrete mixes. The program covers the following:

• Unit Weight & Voids in Aggregate (AASHTO T19)
• Specific Gravity & Absorption of Fine Aggregate (AASHTO T84)
• Specific Gravity & Absorption of Coarse Aggregate (AASHTO T85)
• Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory (AASHTO T126)
• Capping Cylindrical Concrete Specimens (AASHTO T231)
• Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens (AASHTO T22)
• Use of Admixtures
  a. MDOT's Special Provision No. 907-631-08 - Flowable Fill
  b. MDOT's Special Provision No. 907-803-11 - Drilled Shafts
• Cementitious Materials
• Principles of Mix Design
• Standard Specifications for Ready Mix Concrete (AASHTO M157)
• MDOT's Special Provision No. 907-804-13 - Concrete for Bridges & Structures
• Data Management

Study materials, including copies of applicable AASHTO standards, are mailed to registrants in advance, and some review of these materials is strongly recommended. All candidates for Class 3 certification should be aware that this fast-paced curriculum is intended for the advanced-level technician who is proficient in mathematics, including basic algebra, and is already somewhat familiar with various laboratory procedures. Technicians who are not confident with their mathematics proficiency should complete a refresher course before undertaking Class 3 certification.

In addition to the mailed study materials, other reference and handout materials are distributed during the class. Certification candidates should bring these references and mailed study materials, pencils, erasers, and a calculator to class with them. Additional reference materials not included in the program's registration fees are PCA's Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 13th Edition, and MDOT Standard Specification, 1990 (English) & 1996 (Metric) Editions. These are available at the school if you wish to purchase copies.

The open-book written examination includes individual sections on each of the related AASHTO standards and other classroom topics. Students have three hours to complete the test. Passing requires an overall score of at least 80, with no individual section score below 70. You will have one opportunity to re-test on any failed test section(s) within 60 days.

The Class 3 certificate requires and is contingent upon current MDOT Class 1 (ACI Grade 1) and MDOT Class 2 certification.

Programs for both of the required class 1 and 2 certifications are conducted each spring and fall. Technicians who do not have certifications for classes 1 and/or 2 but wish to take the class 3 program may do so, but will not receive certificates for class 3 until the prerequisite certifications have been completed.

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