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NTCA resources at your fingertips!

Every year, NTCA expands its in-person workshop and regional training programs to bring education and training to your neighborhood. And, if you’re an NTCA member, you can email [email protected] for technical assistance or visit the NTCA Tile Pro Network Community at nationaltilecontractors.connectedcommunity.org to post a question or view the range of resources available there. 

But the information offered by NTCA isn’t limited to these options. Check out these other resources to help shore up your knowledge.


NTCA Reference Manual

Turn to the NTCA Reference Manual for PROBLEM/CAUSE/CURE formats for many installation challenges as well as documents, white papers and letters you can use with designers, GCs and clients.

This industry publication is an essential complement to the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation, and the ANSI Manual. The NTCA Technical Committee meets twice a year (these meetings are open to the public!) to confer about topics included in the NTCA Reference Manual; new documents are added each year and existing chapters are updated each August. It identifies recurring installation challenges, recognizes potential problems, and offers expert solutions plus the popular Problem/Cause/Cure format for many situations as well as example letters, white papers and documents that can be shared with GCs and clients. Each NTCA member receives a copy, and you can order additional copies of the current print version by visiting the NTCA Online Store at www.tile-assn.com/store/default.aspx? to order a pdf version.

Trowel and Error – How to Set Tile the Right Way

This new version of NTCA’s Trowel and Error video launched on YouTube at the end of 2024 and promotes NTCA-approved best practices and proper techniques for successful tile installation.

Got 7.5 minutes? That’s all it takes to view this NEW version of NTCA’s Trowel and Error video that launched on YouTube at the end of 2024. This video promotes NTCA-approved best practices and proper techniques for successful tile installation. Learn essential skills, from correct trowel use to ensuring full tile coverage which will empower professionals to achieve long-lasting, high-quality results. Major kudos to Custom Building Products for their crucial role in the production of this video. Find it on NTCA’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbtfWQXG5DY. Don’t speak English? Find the original Trowel & Error video in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3GMUkUC; Russian: https://bit.ly/3XxVKsM; and https://bit.ly/3koXCpg for French Canadian. 

NTCA University

NTCA University is your ticket to online learning 24/7 anywhere anytime! This online platform has tile installation courses that can be used as part of your training or apprenticeship program. Ensure your learner is taught by-the-book methods and standards before they learn how to do a skill in hands-on or on-the-job learning. Sales associates or other industry professionals can also benefit by understanding how and why tile is installed following industry methods and standards. The curriculum includes business courses for the small business owner. Access it from a computer, tablet, or smartphone at your convenience.

Primary NTCA contractor member account holders receive free access to NTCA University with their membership each year. Yearly subscriptions for other employees can be purchased for a small fee through the NTCA Store.

NTCA Webinars 

Mockup image of a woman using laptop with blank screen on wooden table. Female writer keyboarding on computer while working on her new article

Are webinars your preferred learning style? NTCA offers two opportunities a month for you to learn about pertinent industry topics through its NTCA Webinars. Participate from your device at your convenience and have your questions answered by the webinar presenter. 

Miss a topic? No worries, watch the replay on NTCA’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/NationalTileContractorsAssociation. Topics include popular subjects such as proper substrate prep, installation, construction specifications, design challenges, waterproofing options, crack isolation, and much more. Each webinar is presented by an industry expert from one of our generous sponsor companies, in collaboration with an NTCA host. Additionally, many NTCA Webinars offer AIA CEU credit codes for professionals in the A&D community. Head over to https://www.tile-assn.com/page/ntca-webinars to see deets on upcoming webinars or access past NTCA Webinars.

TileTV

Back in 1992, Bruce Springsteen sang about “57 Channels and Nothin’ On” on his Human Touch album. But you’ll never have that problem with NTCA TileTV – your always-on, at-your-convenience television “channel.” This online educational opportunity is a series of short videos on various tile installation topics under the “Videos” tab at NTCA’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/NationalTileContractorsAssociation. Recent topics have been off-site mockups, basic tile layout 101, best practices for removing bond breakers, and an NTCA Reference Manual update – with many, many more episodes to choose from. 

Support your knowledge, skill, professionalism and success with any – or all – of these NTCA opportunities. Start 2025 out strong!   

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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