The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation exists for one purpose: to expand access to credible methods and standards-aligned training and certification so more tile projects are installed right the first time. In 2025, that mission has shown up in three clear ways —
1) more opportunities to certify, 2) more places to train, and 3) more capacity to serve the trade.
CTI: measuring what matters, building confidence
Through July, 123 installers attempted the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program’s written and hands-on exams; 52 earned certifications. Those outcomes are by design: the CTI is intentionally rigorous. Passing means an installer proved repeatable, method-driven skill under pressure – exactly what specifiers, builders, employers, and owners expect. Looking ahead, we have 10 more CTI dates scheduled for the year with ~50 more installers registered for year-end testing as of September 1.
This spring we also celebrated a milestone: CTI #2000, a reminder that verified craftsmanship is increasingly valued across residential and commercial markets.
Inclusion in action: all-women CTI test
A highlight of the year was an all-women CTI test, organized to coincide with International Women’s Day. Same standards. Same pace. Same pressure. The result was what we already know: women make excellent tile installers. We’ll continue supporting outreach that broadens the pipeline and brings new talent — and strong new leaders — into our craft.
ACT: advanced competencies, clearer differentiation
For installers who want to prove advanced, specialty skill sets, Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) is still the industry’s benchmark. In July alone, we completed seven ACT tests across four categories — with a 100% pass rate. ACT gives the market an objective way to find pros who can deliver on task for specific skills: membranes, mud work, large-format tile/substrate prep, shower receptors, grouts, and thin porcelain tile, where detail and discipline are non-negotiable.
Training where installers are: focus on Tennessee (with Northeast access)
Access drives growth, which is why CTEF is executing training from two hubs, led by Mount Juliet, Tenn., just outside of Nashville. This site became our new headquarters after closing the Pendleton, S.C., location. Nashville hosts frequent CTI opportunities alongside a steady cadence of 100- and 200-level classes and focused workshops (Understanding and Installing Ceramic Tile/UICT, Comprehensive Shower Class/CSC) that strengthen fundamentals and improve jobsite performance. The central location reduces travel issues–with BNA airport nearby–and connects us to a broader network of hosts and partners. Visiting a ceramic tile factory while at a CTEF event is highly likely!
Our Egg Harbor City, N.J., campus continues to serve the Northeast with core courses and testing opportunities. It’s the practical choice for installers from New England through the Mid-Atlantic who need hands-on time and a clear path to the CTI.
Be sure to keep an eye out for 300-level classes. These groundbreaking courses will connect traditional mud to foam technologies, offer tools for success with tile sizes from mosaics through GPTP, and prepare installers to take the next step in their careers with ACT-level training.
Capacity to serve: training new evaluators
To keep opportunities fulfilled while grading consistently across the country, we expanded our evaluator bench in 2025. Marc Mularoni, Tom Kaade, Eric Blumer, and Nick Hofmann completed evaluator training this year. Building evaluator capacity shortens wait times, increases geographic coverage, and makes it easier for hosts to bring CTI to their communities. It also gives seasoned contractors and industry professionals a meaningful way to give back to the trade.
Inspector pathway: class now, certification later this year
CTEF is also addressing a growing need on the quality-assurance side of the market: ceramic tile inspection. Our Certified Ceramic Tile Inspector (CCTI) effort begins with a class that imparts deep industry methods and standards-based investigative skills—how to review specs, evaluate assemblies, document conditions, and communicate findings. The formal certification program is slated to launch late this year, with knowledge and skills assessments designed to reflect real-world casework. This pathway supports manufacturers, contractors, and owners who need neutral, well-trained professionals to evaluate finished installations and help prevent repeat failures.
December fundraiser: Online Auction, December 8 – 14
The CTEF Online Auction runs December 8 – 14. These events keep installer pricing accessible while helping cover the true costs of national delivery. We’re grateful to every manufacturer, distributor, contractor, and individual who contributes tools, materials, and experiences — your support directly sustains important nonproprietary education and certification.
What growth looks like (and why it matters)
Growth at CTEF isn’t just “more classes” or “more tests.” It’s about measurable outcomes that reduce failures and callbacks and improve project lifecycles:
- Quality over quantity: The CTI’s rigor is the point. A credential that’s hard-won means something to the market.
- Neutral, non-proprietary training: We align with ANSI standards and TCNA methods and help installers apply evolving manufacturer guidance without cutting corners.
- A clearer pathway: Foundational 100-level training → 200-level training → CTI → ACT → and soon, Ceramic Tile Inspector certification.
- Capacity to deliver: More evaluators, more hosts, a Train the Teacher program, and smarter scheduling make certification and education attainable without sacrificing standards.
By the numbers (YTD highlights)
- CTI to July: 123 tested / 52 passed / 41 DNF
- ACT in July: 7 tests across four categories, 100% pass
- Remainder of 2025: 10 CTI dates scheduled, ~50 registered as of Sept. 1
- New Evaluators (2025): Marc Mularoni, Tom Kaade, Eric Blumer, Nick Hofmann
New Chairman announced
Back in September, Noah Chitty was named the new Chairman of the Board of Directors for CTEF.
Chitty, Vice President of Sustainability & Technical Services at AHF Products (formerly Crossville), succeeds Mark Shannon–also formerly with Crossville–whose distinguished service as Chairman from 2020 through 2025 has been instrumental in guiding CTEF through a period of growth, innovation, and resilience.
Chitty brings more than 25 years of experience in the tile industry. A graduate of Clemson University’s Ceramic Engineering program, he has held leadership positions with Crossville, StonePeak Ceramics, and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA). In his current role with AHF Products, he oversees sustainability initiatives for all AHF brands and technical services for the tile division. Chitty also chairs ISO/TC 189, the international committee responsible for ceramic tile standards, further reinforcing his global technical expertise.
Chitty’s appointment continues a strong legacy of leadership at CTEF. From Svend Hovmand, former President of Crossville and a founding leader who helped establish the CTI program, to Mark Shannon, who guided CTEF through innovation and expansion, and now to Chitty, whose technical expertise and commitment to sustainability bring fresh vision, CTEF has been shaped by leaders dedicated to advancing qualified labor and strengthening the tile industry.
Call to action
If you’d like to host a CTI test or training week—or explore ACT or Inspector at your location—we’d love to talk.
If you’re an installer on the fence about certification, ask around: those who’ve earned a CTI credential will tell you that the preparation improves everyday work, and the credential opens doors.
At CTEF, we don’t hand out all the answers. We equip professionals with the tools to find them—on the job, by the book, and with the discipline that makes great tile work last. Join us through sponsorship to make our future shine brightly!
Brad Denny
Brad Denny CTI #1190 has been intensely active in the tile industry for many years. He has served as Region 6 Director for the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), received the NTCA Dedication to Membership award – a recognition specially created just to honor his passion for methods, standards, and the internet – and chaired the NTCA’s Social Media Subcommittee as well as moderated the Tile Geeks Facebook group.
Brad also served as the Co-Chairman of the NTCA Training and Education Committee with Sam Bruce of Visalia Tile for 2020 and 2021.
In 2021, Brad received the prestigious NTCA Tile Person of the Year Award. This award is given to someone who has positively impacted NTCA through participation in the Association's programs.
Before becoming Executive Director for CTEF, Brad was vice president and COO of Nichols Tile & Terrazzo Co, Inc., a family-owned tile contractor business located outside of Nashville, Tenn., and NTCA Five-Star Contractor Member of the NTCA.
