QUESTION
I am a tile contractor in Georgia with four employees. We just landed our first gauged porcelain tile panel (GPTP) project. We are purchasing the tools we don’t already own and have attended several trainings and demonstrations. One thing I still can’t get a clear answer on: do we have to be “certified” to install this product?
ANSWER
Thank you for the question—and congratulations on taking on your first GPTP project. Gauged porcelain tile panels require a higher level of training, planning, and tooling than traditional tile work, so it’s smart to confirm the requirements before proceeding.
ANSI A108.19 does not use the word “certification,” but it does require qualified installers.
There is no legal requirement that an installer be “certified” to install GPTP. However, ANSI A108.19 does require that installers have documented training and qualification specific to GPTP.
ANSI A108.19.10.1 states:
“Due to the unique material characteristics and unconventional installation techniques required for gauged porcelain tiles and gauged porcelain panels/slabs, this work requires installers who are equipped with the proper tools and have acquired sufficient product knowledge and installation experience through the completion of an installer qualification program as listed in 10.2.”
ANSI A108.19.10.2 then identifies what qualifies an installer:
- 10.2.1: Installer certified through the ACT (Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers) program for GPTP. (Note: This module is planned but not currently active.)
- 10.2.2: Completion of a comprehensive installation program provided by the manufacturer of the GPTP panels or the setting materials being used on the project.
- 10.2.3: Completion of a comprehensive installation program provided by the International Masonry Institute (IMI) or the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).
Although there is no national license or mandatory certification, ANSI requires installers to have completed one of the recognized qualification programs listed above. In the field, this typically means:
- Documentation of manufacturer GPTP training for the specific panels or systems being installed
- Participation in NTCA GPTP Regional Training Programs, which align directly with ANSI A108.19
- For union contractors, training through IMI tile layer programs
Many specifications now reference “Qualified Labor” language from the TCNA Handbook. When GPTP is specified, owners and GCs often require proof that installers have completed one of the ANSI-recognized training programs. Additionally, failing to follow the manufacturer’s required training may void product and system warranties.
You do not need a standalone “certification,” but you do need documented GPTP-specific training from a source recognized in ANSI A108.19.10.2. Manufacturer training and NTCA GPTP Regional Trainings both meet this requirement and provide the product knowledge and practical skills essential for a successful installation.
If you need help locating a qualifying GPTP training program in your region or verifying what the panel manufacturer requires, please let us know. We’re here to help. Click here to connect with NTCA Training programs.
