- What Is an ACI Sponsoring Group?
- How to Find a Test Site Near You
- Fee Structure and Financial Assistance
- What Happens at the Test Site
- The 7 Domains You Will Be Tested On
- Written Exam Mechanics
- Performance Exam Mechanics
- PPE Requirements and Day-Of Logistics
- A Domain-by-Domain Study Schedule
- Frequently Asked Questions
- ACI exams are administered exclusively in person through 135+ Sponsoring Groups - no remote or computer-based option exists.
- Fees vary by Sponsoring Group; expect $450-$660+, with a $250 veteran rebate available through the ACI Foundation.
- The written exam has 55 questions across 7 ASTM domains; you must score at least 60% on each domain AND 70% overall to pass.
- The performance exam requires hands-on demonstration of 6 ASTM tests plus an oral description of C172 Sampling - closed book, no exceptions.
What Is an ACI Sponsoring Group?
The American Concrete Institute does not run its own standalone testing centers the way a commercial certification body might. Instead, the ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade I certification is delivered entirely through a decentralized network of Sponsoring Groups - organizations that have been authorized by ACI's Farmington Hills, Michigan headquarters to host, administer, and score both the written and performance examinations.
Sponsoring Groups come from a wide range of organizations: local ACI chapters, state and regional concrete associations, state transportation departments (DOTs), universities, and trade organizations. Each Sponsoring Group sets its own exam schedule, its own registration process, and - critically - its own exam fee. This means the candidate experience can look quite different depending on where you test.
With more than 135 active Sponsoring Groups across the United States and internationally, most candidates can find a site within reasonable driving distance - but availability in rural areas can be limited. Understanding this network structure is the first practical step in your certification journey.
How to Find a Test Site Near You
ACI maintains a searchable Sponsoring Group directory on its website (concrete.org). The search tool allows you to filter by state or region and returns contact information, upcoming exam dates when listed, and a link to each group's individual registration page.
Step-by-Step Lookup Process
- Navigate to concrete.org and locate the "Certification" section.
- Select "ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade I" from the certification list.
- Use the Sponsoring Group locator to filter by your state or nearest major city.
- Note the contact email or phone number for each group - exam schedules are often posted on the group's own website, not ACI's central site.
- Confirm the next available exam date, registration deadline, and fee directly with the Sponsoring Group before assuming availability.
If you are serving or have recently separated from the military, it is worth contacting multiple Sponsoring Groups to compare scheduling flexibility. The exam is reimbursable under the GI Bill, but processing varies by group, and you will want to confirm GI Bill procedures before submitting your registration.
Fee Structure and Financial Assistance
Because each Sponsoring Group independently sets its exam fee, there is no single national price for the ACI Grade I exam. Fees typically fall in the range of $450 to $660 or more. To give a concrete example: ACI SoCal charges $610 for members and $660 for non-members as of recent exam cycles.
| Sponsoring Group Type | Typical Fee Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local ACI Chapter (member rate) | $450-$610 | ACI membership may reduce cost |
| Local ACI Chapter (non-member) | $550-$660+ | Verify before registering |
| State DOT / University Programs | Varies widely | Contact directly for current pricing |
| ACI Foundation Veteran Rebate | −$250 | Applied after exam; submit documentation |
Veterans should note that the ACI Foundation offers a $250 rebate specifically for veterans taking the exam. This is separate from the GI Bill reimbursement pathway, and both may potentially be combined depending on individual eligibility - consult the ACI Foundation directly for current documentation requirements.
What Happens at the Test Site
When you arrive at your Sponsoring Group's exam location, you will encounter a two-part process: the written exam and the performance exam. These may occur on the same day or on separate days depending on the Sponsoring Group's format.
Neither component is computer-based or remotely proctored. Both are administered in person, and both are closed book. The only reference aid permitted for the written exam is a simple four-function calculator with square root capability. You will not be permitted to bring a smartphone, scientific calculator, or any calculator with programmable memory. For full details on what is and is not allowed, see our guide on ACI Exam Calculator Rules: What You Can Bring 2026.
There are no prerequisites for education or experience. ACI explicitly states that certification is not training - candidates are expected to arrive with working knowledge of the test methods already in hand. If you are new to concrete field testing, plan your preparation accordingly and use practice tests to identify knowledge gaps before exam day. You can start building that foundation right now with our free ACI practice tests.
The 7 Domains You Will Be Tested On
The entire ACI Grade I examination is built around seven ASTM test methods. Every written question and every performance task maps back to one of these domains. Knowing which domain each question belongs to is not just academic - the scoring rules require a minimum 60% on each individual domain, which means a weak area cannot be rescued by strength elsewhere.
Domain 1: ASTM C1064/C1064M - Temperature
Candidates must understand equipment requirements, placement of the thermometer in the concrete mass, minimum immersion time, and allowable temperature ranges for fresh concrete.
- Temperature measurement intervals and equipment calibration concepts
- Maximum allowable time between sampling and temperature reading
Domain 2: ASTM C172/C172M - Sampling
This is the only domain tested orally in the performance exam rather than through a hands-on demonstration. Candidates must be able to describe the correct composite sampling procedure, number of increments, time limits, and prohibited sampling locations.
- Prohibited sampling at the beginning and end of a discharge
- Time limits between first and final increments
- Combining and remixing composite samples
Domain 3: ASTM C143/C143M - Slump
The slump test is one of the most field-recognized procedures in concrete quality control. Candidates must know rod sizes, tamping procedures, mold dimensions, and how to correctly measure and record slump.
- Number of rodding strokes per layer
- Mold placement, filling sequence, and striking off
- Measurement from original height to displaced center
Domain 4: ASTM C138/C138M - Density, Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric)
Candidates must understand how to calculate unit weight, theoretical air content from density measurements, and yield calculations. This domain is math-intensive relative to others.
- Container calibration and tare weight procedures
- Rodding vs. vibration consolidation criteria
- Formula application for yield and gravimetric air content
Domain 5: ASTM C231/C231M - Air Content (Pressure Method)
The Type B pressure meter is the most commonly used air meter in the field. Candidates must know how to calibrate the meter, introduce the aggregate correction factor, and read the gauge correctly.
- Aggregate correction factor determination and application
- Pumping water above the petcock and eliminating air pockets
- Equipment not suitable for lightweight aggregate or highly porous aggregate concrete
Domain 6: ASTM C173/C173M - Air Content (Volumetric Method)
The rollameter is used when aggregate characteristics make the pressure method unreliable. Candidates must understand the fill sequence, rolling procedure, and reading the graduated tube.
- Correct use of isopropyl alcohol and its quantity
- Rolling and inversion cycle requirements
- When this method is preferred over C231
Domain 7: ASTM C31/C31M - Making and Curing Specimens
This domain covers cylinder and beam fabrication, initial and standard curing procedures, and documentation requirements. It is often the domain with the most content volume in the CP-1 study guide.
- Rodding vs. vibration criteria based on slump
- Initial curing temperature ranges and time windows
- Transportation and handling requirements before final curing
Written Exam Mechanics
The written exam consists of 55 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. Questions are distributed across the 7 ASTM domains at approximately 5-10 questions per domain. The dual passing standard - 60% per section and 70% overall - is what makes targeted preparation essential. Passing overall while failing a single domain means failing the written exam entirely.
Every question is drawn from the CP-1 (41st Edition) study guide, which serves as the official reference for the examination. Candidates who attempt the exam without working through CP-1 thoroughly are at significant disadvantage, as question phrasing often mirrors the language of the standard directly.
Performance Exam Mechanics
The performance exam requires candidates to physically demonstrate correct execution of six ASTM test methods and to provide an oral description of ASTM C172 sampling. Examiners score each step of each procedure as either performed correctly or not - there is no partial credit structure; it is pass/fail at the task level.
The six demonstrated tests are: Temperature (C1064), Slump (C143), Density and Unit Weight (C138), Air Content by Pressure Method (C231), Air Content by Volumetric Method (C173), and Making and Curing Specimens (C31). The C172 oral description replaces a hands-on demonstration for sampling because conducting a true composite sample requires an active concrete truck discharge - not always logistically feasible at every test site.
Candidates who have spent time on structured ACI practice questions covering the procedural steps of each test method tend to perform better on both components, since the written exam frequently tests the exact procedural details that examiners evaluate in person.
PPE Requirements and Day-Of Logistics
Personal protective equipment is mandatory for the performance exam. Candidates who arrive without proper PPE may be turned away without a refund at the discretion of the Sponsoring Group. Required PPE includes:
- Safety-toe shoes (steel-toe or composite-toe; athletic shoes are not acceptable)
- Long pants (no shorts or exposed lower legs)
- Sleeved shirt (no tank tops or sleeveless shirts)
- Safety glasses
Equipment for the performance exam is typically provided by the Sponsoring Group. Confirm this in advance - a small number of groups ask candidates to bring their own tools. Arrive early enough to become familiar with the specific equipment on site, as minor equipment variations (e.g., different pressure meter brands) can cause momentary confusion if you have only practiced with one type.
A Domain-by-Domain Study Schedule
Because the 60%-per-domain passing floor creates real risk for candidates who spread preparation evenly without regard for their existing knowledge gaps, a structured approach tied to the actual domains outperforms generic study habits. The following four-week framework assumes roughly 8-10 hours of weekly study time and uses spaced repetition principles applied specifically to CP-1 content.
Foundations: Temperature, Sampling, and Slump (Domains 1-3)
- Read CP-1 sections for C1064, C172, and C143 in full
- Practice oral description of C172 out loud - this is the performance exam format for sampling
- Complete domain-specific practice questions for all three; note any section scoring below 60%
Math-Heavy Domain: Density and Air Content (Domains 4-6)
- Work through C138 calculations multiple times with your approved simple calculator
- Distinguish when C231 vs. C173 is the correct method - a common written exam question type
- Physically review the equipment differences between a pressure meter and a rollameter if possible
High-Volume Domain: Making and Curing Specimens (Domain 7)
- C31 has the most procedural steps of any domain - allocate disproportionate time here
- Memorize curing temperature ranges and time windows; these appear consistently on the written exam
- Practice the rodding vs. vibration decision criteria until it is automatic
Full Simulations and Weak Domain Reinforcement
- Take timed 55-question practice exams and score by domain - identify any domain still below 60%
- Dedicate remaining time to lowest-scoring domains only
- Review calculator rules and PPE checklist the day before the exam
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Registration is handled entirely by individual Sponsoring Groups, not through a central ACI portal. You must identify your nearest Sponsoring Group using the directory at concrete.org and register through that group's own system. Deadlines, fees, and scheduling vary by group.
This varies significantly. Some Sponsoring Groups in major metro areas hold monthly events and have rolling registration, while groups in less populated regions may host the exam only two or three times per year. Contact your preferred group as early as possible - waiting until a few weeks before an exam date risks a closed registration.
Retake policies are set by individual Sponsoring Groups. Many allow candidates to retake only the component they failed within a defined window, but you should confirm this with your specific group before exam day. Do not assume a universal retake policy applies.
No. The $250 rebate is offered by the ACI Foundation as a direct post-exam rebate for veterans and is a separate program from VA GI Bill education benefits. Both may potentially apply depending on your specific eligibility and the Sponsoring Group's GI Bill processing capacity - confirm both pathways before registering.
The official study guide is the CP-1, 41st Edition, published by ACI. Both the written and performance exams are based on content in CP-1. The exam is closed book, so you must know the material from memory on exam day - you cannot bring CP-1 or any notes into the testing room.
Ready to Start Practicing?
Our ACI-specific practice tests are organized by domain so you can pinpoint exactly which of the 7 ASTM sections need more work before you walk into your Sponsoring Group's exam room. Start free - no account required.
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