VDOT Materials Certifications & Inspector Series Training

The Community College Workforce Alliance and VDOT are excited to announce a collaboration for certification training. Classes will be provided through CCWA. Instruction will comply with VDOT procedures and specifications. Accreditations will also be provided by VDOT. Our VDOT Hotline is 804-523-2290. Eligible Virginia residents can receive a 66% discount on the inspector courses!

2023 Inspector Certification Courses

Plan Reading for Inspectors

Starting 09/05/23 | $600 ($200 FastForward price for eligible Virginia residents)

This 3-day course provides an overview of plan reading as it pertains to road construction and is designed for the highway construction inspector. This course will cover how to utilize VDOT standards and specifications, identify plans and include sheets, terms, symbols, and use of a scale to determine distance and lengths on a set of plans by applying basic math concepts and computing earthwork quantities from cross-section sheets. Passing of the final exam (>70%) is required to receive certification, which is provided by VDOT.

Roadway Construction and Drainage for Inspectors

Starting 09/19/23 | $795 ($265 FastForward price for eligible Virginia residents)

This 4-day course is designed for highway construction inspectors. The course will cover road construction development, funding and bidding, resources available, use of plans, specifications, standards, contracts and the basics of inspection for roadway construction and drainage. Passing of the final exam (>70%) is required to receive certification, which is provided by VDOT.

Documentation and Record Keeping for Inspectors

Starting 10/03/23 | $600 ($200 FastForward price for eligible Virginia residents)

This 3-day course is designed for the highway construction inspector. The course will cover the importance of contract documents, bids, proposals and contracts, plans, specifications and standards and an overview of good documentation practices, including use of math to document construction activities and complete inspection forms. A basic introduction to SiteManager software is also included. Passing of the final exam (>70%) is required to receive certification, which is provided by VDOT.

Surveying for Inspectors

Starting 10/17/23 | $624 ($208 FastForward price for eligible Virginia residents)

This 2-day course is designed for highway construction inspectors. The course will cover road construction surveying topics such as determination of elevation, benchmarks, sources of information, use of field notebooks, proper use and accuracy of equipment and how to read the rod. The course includes a field exercise using a surveying level set. Passing of the final exam (>70%) is required to receive certification, which is provided by VDOT.

New Structures and Bridges for Inspectors

Starting 10/31/23 | $750 ($250 FastForward price for eligible Virginia residents)

The objective of the New Structures Bridges course is to cover the general and critical inspection points that an Inspector needs to know to ensure that a contractor is meeting VDOT standards and specifications requirements when building a new structure or bridge in Virginia.

Bridge Preservation for Inspectors

Starting 11/14/23 | $600 ($200 FastForward price for eligible Virginia residents)

The objective of the Bridge Preservation course is to cover the general and critical inspection points that an inspector needs to know to ensure that a contractor is meeting VDOT standards and specifications and requirements when preserving or restoring an existing structure or bridge in Virginia.

VDOT Intermediate Work Zone Traffic Control (WZTC) Certification

Starting 08/15/23 and 11/15/23 | $402 ($134 FastForward price for eligible Virginia residents)

The Intermediate course is required for all persons with duties that include inspection of work zone traffic control, supervisory responsibilities, VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Coordinator responsibility, Traffic Control Supervisors and personnel with responsibility for the development of work zone safety policies and procedures. VDOT requires WZTC training every four (4) years.

2023 Materials Certification Courses

Central Mix Aggregate Plant

Starting 09/12/23

This two day program with certification testing on the 3rd day will encompass testing of aggregates, job mixes, specifications, production sampling and stockpiling, automated data processing forms, pay quantities, titration, quality assurance and modified acceptance programs.. Students must pass a proficiency examination to be certified.

For Central Mix Aggregate Plant Certification Proficiency Exams, please email emcgarry@ccwa.vccs.edu for more information.

Concrete Plant

Starting 10/26/23 | $250

This 1.5 day program with certification testing on the afternoon of the 2nd day will encompass components of concrete, ACI Concrete Mix Design, moisture content and batch weight calculations, requirements for inspection of plant and equipment, responsibilities of producer’s Quality Control Technician and VDOT Monitor, automated data processing. Calculator is required.

Pavement Marking | $250

The online class is as a self-paced/self-study class and is equivalent to an instructor-led program. It is intended to be a self-directed independent study program — no classroom time. The program involves instruction regarding layout and pre-marking materials, application, quality control testing, visual inspection and troubleshooting of pavement markings and markers. Once registered, study materials and online class information will be emailed. * Please allow 14 business days to receive your study materials and online link to the Pavement Marking course.

Soils and Aggregate Compaction

Starting 09/18/23 and 10/10/23 | $350

This 3-day program with certification testing on the 4th day will encompass nuclear density testing, one-point proctor testing, "Speedy" moisture testing, construction and testing of embankments and subgrade, pipe installation, roller patterns and reports. A separate fee and registration for a proficiency exam is required for full VDOT certification.

To sign up for Soils and Aggregate Compaction Proficiency Exam, select your date:

Chester Campus Brightpoint CC, Chester, VA 10/20/2023, 10/24/23, 10/27/23, 10/31/23, 11/3/23,

Parham Campus Reynolds CC, Glen Allen 10/12/23, 10/19/23, 10/26/23; 11/2/23, 11/9/23, 11/16/23, 11/30/23, 12/14/23

CCWA is now offering virtual Soils and Aggregate Compaction Proficiency Exams. Please email emcgarry@ccwa.vccs.edu for more information. To register for a virtual exam, complete registration for the date selected and then send an email requesting a virtual exam to emcgarry@ccwa.vccs.edu

Registration Information

Tuition must be paid at the time of online registration by VISA or MasterCard.

Online Registration

Enrollment and payment for all personnel in the Materials Certification Schools must be done online. Click on a date next to a location to register.

Registration Assistance

Call 804-523-2290 or email us at vdothelp@ccwa.vccs.edu for assistance.

Refunds

Participants may withdraw and receive a full refund provided a written request is received at least five business days before the class is scheduled to begin. No refunds are provided after this time. Withdrawals may be completed by notifying CCWA in writing by email to vdothelp@ccwa.vccs.edu. Refund checks are distributed by the Virginia Department of the Treasury and may take up to six weeks for processing.

Canceled Classes

Each course is offered on the condition of adequate enrollment; CCWA reserves the right to cancel or discontinue any course because of low enrollment or for other reasons deemed sufficient. Necessary changes in this schedule may be dictated by enrollment, personnel requirements, or availability of facilities.

Continuing Education Options

All classes in this schedule offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Education (CPE). The number of CEUs awarded depends upon successful course completion and varies according to course length.and; For each hour of actual instruction 0.1 CEU is awarded. For CPEs, students simply need to request them from CCWA before class.

Mailing Lists

To request more information or to unsubscribe from the mailing list, please write to vdothelp@ccwa.vccs.edu.

Miscellaneous Notes

Full attendance is required.
Study materials are supplied on the first day of the course.
A valid Photo ID must be presented to take all examinations.
Students must successfully complete a written exam and any required hands-on proficiency examinations to be certified.
All students must have an account on VDOT University to access grades and certification credentials.
Class attendance for general knowledge is permitted, but preference will be given to those needing certification to perform their job duties.
Certifications are intended for personnel performing materials acceptance sampling/testing or those required by VDOT specification to be certified.
All classes start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. Schedule updates and weather cancellations available at:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for a VDOT certification course at CCWA?: You must access our website www.ccwatraining.org and create a profile, which will allow you to add courses to your cart and check out using a credit card. Additionally, you may contact us at the VDOT hotline (804-523-2290) to set up third-party billing.

Where is my VDOT certification/transcript?: VDOT University is the location to access a copy of your official VDOT transcript/certification. It can be found here: www.virginiadot.org/business/virtualcampus.asp

How do I set up my test?: To schedule a test for either a self-study course or a VDOT certification retest, email vdothelp@ccwa.vccs.edu We will reply with a list of testing centers that you can contact to either use their open hours or make a reservation if the site accepts them. THEN, you must contact us again no later than 7 days ahead of your scheduled test time so that we can make arrangements for your test.

I failed my exam LAST YEAR; do I need to pay the fee again THIS YEAR in order to retake the test?: Yes, certifications are offered on a yearly basis, you must either attend a scheduled course, or purchase the self-study option in order to sit for an exam.

Must I attend an in-person instructor-led course in order to sit for an exam?: No, Self-study becomes available in the Spring, which includes a copy of the book and an opportunity to sit for the exam. The fee is the same as an in-person course.

I have a large group of people at my business that need the certifications, do you offer on-site, or custom dates?: Yes, if you are interested in this option, please contact Caleb LaMont at 804-523-2289.

What is required for certification?

A certification candidate must score a 70 or above on the proctored computer-based examination and complete the proficiency tests by December 11th of the current calendar year. No extensions will be given. Failure to complete all certification requirements by December 11th will result in non-certification. Soils Proficiency examinations may be taken up to December 11th, but must be scheduled by December 1st. No extensions will be given. ACI proficiency tests are not offered by CCWA. Proof of certification must be submitted to VDOT by December 31st.

**All testing and proficiencies must be completed in the same calendar year.**

What is a Self-Study Course?: Self-study courses are designed for persons with industry experience who desire certification and do not wish to attend an instructor-led course. Self-study courses are not recommended for persons without industry experience. It only includes a copy of the book and an opportunity to sit for an examination, there is no online learning component or additional content available.

Helpful Documents

VDOT Central Mix Aggregate Plant Manual

VDOT Concrete Plant Manual

VDOT Pavement Marking Manual

VDOT Soils and Aggregate Compaction Manual