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CTEF holds classes and exams in Nashville, New Jersey – and in locations near you

The 2025 year begins with a new headquarters for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) in Nashville, Tenn. This location, as well as CTEF’s Egg Harbor City, N.J. location, will be the focus of its signature training classes for 2025.

At ceramictilefoundation.org/events, you’ll find the calendar of CTEF classes that will be offered in these locations: 

  • 100 Level Foundations course: a one-week program for apprentices and finishers. 
  • 200 Level Practical Installation course: this week-long program offers the next step in a tile installation professional’s career, skills needed to be successful in the field in years 1-3 and prepares students for the CTI test. 
  • Understanding & Installing Ceramic Tile (UICT) course: This five-day course provides basic instruction of the TCNA Handbook and ANSI specifications along with actual hands-on experience in installing tile. It is ideal for someone who is seeking an entry-level installer position with a tile contractor, a salesperson, technical service representative, or any other individual seeking a basic working knowledge of ceramic tile.
  • Comprehensive Shower courses: This three-day course focuses on the proper installation of a conventional water in/water out TCNA B415 shower receptor, including common mistakes and causes of failure. 
Scott Carothers teaches the Understanding & Installing Ceramic Tile course at CTEF’s South Carolina location. Future courses will be held in Nashville, Tenn. and Egg Harbor City, NJ.

CTEF offers a new 300 Level Dynamic Training Series. This includes these three 40-hour courses:

  • 301 – Old and New School: get a historical view of the differences between yesterday’s and today’s methods and techniques with a look at mud beds, mortars and more.
  • 302 – The Big and Small of It: Installation methods differ greatly between small and large-format tiles. Learn about the installation standards pertaining to these formats, and also gauged porcelain tile panel install requirements. 
  • 303 – ACT school: Spend a week working through Large-Format Tile, Mud Floor, Mud Wall, Shower Receptor, and GPTP ACT modules to prepare for successfully passing the ACT exam. Prerequisite is CTI Certification.

Learn more about this series here: https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/dynamic-series-300-level-professional-tile-installation

CTEF’s Brad Denny (far right) and CTI Evaluator in Training, Kristopher Duschen, CTI #1873 (second from right), with a class at CTEF’s Egg Harbor City, N.J. facility in December 2024. Antonio Martinez (fifth from left) took his 4th CTI test (and passed!) and brought six employees for a hybrid 100 and 200 level class the day after his CTI exam. Duschen brought Blake (third from right) to the class and they both helped get the facility ready for the CTI exam and subsequent class.

CTEF will take to the road with 14 Certified Tile Installer (CTI) exams this year – including an all-women CTI exam on International Women’s Day on March 8 at Carpet and Tile Warehouse in Vero Beach, Fla. Visit the calendar at ceramictilefoundation.org/events for a complete listing of CTI events throughout the year, as well as Advanced Certifications for Tile Installer exams. Most of these exams are located all around the country to make it easier for you to attend and gain your certification. Do you live near S. Jordan, Utah, Louisville, Ky., Baltimore, Md., Stockton, Ca., Cookeville, Tenn., Boise, Idaho, and Phoenix, Ariz.? Check out the calendar and sign up for a CTI exam! 

Don’t miss CTEF at industry events throughout the year: Coverings, MUD 8 – and TISE 2026.    

Editorial Director and Senior Writer | [email protected] |  + posts

Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.

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