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Women tile installers prepare to rock the CTI exam on International Women’s Day

Come March 8, 2025 – International Women’s Day – 14 professional women tile installers will descend upon Vero Beach, Fla., ready, willing and able to tackle the first-ever, women-only Certified Tile Installer (CTI) hands-on exam. 

The exam is being conducted by the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), and hosted by Carpet and Tile Warehouse in Vero Beach. 

Deby Winter, co-owner of the store, helped organize this event. She and her husband have hosted other CTI exams at her facility. But she was inspired to grow the number of women CTIs through this exam by a post Michelle Winters made in the Women of the Flooring Business group on Facebook. After setting the auspicious date for the test, she reached out to industry movers and shakers to make it happen. 

Scott Carothers and Brad Denny of CTEF had an immediate positive response to her email, and the idea grew. Winter contacted potential sponsors including Schluter System’s Shannon Huffstickler, who suggested a Mind Your Business Class for March 6-7, in addition to the company picking up the hotel rooms for the women’s entire length of stay for the test. 

At Coverings 2024, Winter met with a team from NTCA and CTEF, including NTCA Women in Tile Chairperson Elizabeth Lambert, and the support solidified.

“Prior to the meeting, Elizabeth combed through the entire list of CTIs and discovered there were only ten females,” Winter said. “Less than 1% of all CTIs are female. Our goal is to double that number in March.”

Lambert remarked, “NTCA Women in Tile are so excited to support the All Women’s CTI test and Schluter Mind Your Business class. We have assembled a great group of women tile installers from all over the United States – and all of them are either in leadership positions or have their own tile installation company. We feel strongly that bringing all the women together in one location to install the hardest 25 square feet of tile during the CTI test and to take the Schluter Mind Your Business class will begin the foundations of women supporting women, which is what our initiative is all about. 

“NTCA Women in Tile’s goals for the future include introducing more women to potential careers in the tile industry,” Lambert added. “This event wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of our sponsors, Schluter Systems, Daltile, LATICRETE and QEP.

A band of women

Dawn Marie Davis of Strong Work Renovations has learned a lot in the industry after taking her first CTI test a few years ago. She is testing herself again in March and also is leading up the Facebook Group that is helping the women prepare for the exam.

Under the auspices of Colorado renovator and tile contractor Dawn Marie Davis, co-owner of Strong Work Renovations, the attendees have banded together to form the “CTI Prep for March 7-8, 2025” study group on Facebook to get to know each other, offer support and encouragement. For instance, when several group members admitted difficulties with reading or reading comprehension, group members stepped up to offer to read chapters for others. CTEF Executive Director Brad Denny came up with a unique idea that allowed group members to listen to test prep chapters while working or driving. 

Davis, who started the Facebook group, is consistently providing encouragement and support and upbeat perspectives. And in a group Zoom meeting in early December, Denny went over the orientation video to give a preview of the test and allowed participants to forge connections.

Kelly Krantz of Knockout Tile & Flooring LLC is excited to meet other female tile installers in person – and gaining a certification that helps set her apart from competition in Lafayette, La.

The women’s whys

Kelly Krantz, of Knockout Tile & Flooring LLC in Lafayette, La., has been eager to take this exam to test herself on skills she’s learned for the past 11 years in the tile industry. “There aren’t any ‘certifications’ tile installers need to work in my area so I think this would definitely set me apart and show that I truly care about the right installation methods,” she said. 

Natalie Hall of Artistry in Tile was one of two women at the Artisans Revolution in Tile training last summer in Milwaukee. She’s taking the CTI test on March 8.

This is the second time Natalie Hall of Artistry in Tile, Hudson, Wis., will take the CTI exam. “I’m taking this test (again) to prove to myself that I can succeed, even though I have failed in the past. It’s less about the number for me and more about the satisfaction of knowing that I finally did the damn thing.” 

Davis is also taking the test a second time. “Having waited a few years before retesting while continuing in my career, I’ve learned quite a few things I could have done differently,” she said. “In general I can come to my decisions faster than before, and this time instead of cleaning my work area as I go, I’ll certainly be leaving that for after I’ve completed my installation.” For Davis, professional accreditation is an important part of a business growth plan. 

R&R Tile and Renovations’ Rachel Overby is traveling from Anchorage to take the test. “As a woman in the trades, it’s often necessary to prove your competency and commitment, so having certifications in your field can help show your ability, skill, and seriousness,” she said.

Rachel Overby, owner of R&R Tile and Renovations, is traveling from Anchorage, Alaska, for the exam. “There aren’t many certifications you can get to prove you’re invested in being a tile setter,” she said. “Also as a woman in the trades, it’s often necessary to prove your competency and commitment, so having certifications in your field can help show your ability, skill, and seriousness.”

She also points out the rapidly-changing nature of the trade mandates ongoing education to keep up with standards. “There are always new ways to do waterproofing, new products to learn about, and new techniques that can keep you current,” she said. “This can feel overwhelming at times, but focusing on the national standard of how to prep, set and apply tile is a great place to start and master. I’m excited about honing my skills around the standard way of doing things, and expanding from there.”

The women are also excited about building a community of women tile installers.

“I haven’t ever met another female installer in person, and I am so excited to be able to meet other like-minded women!!” Krantz said. 

“When I heard there was going to be a women-only test I was SO EXCITED,” Hall said. “This industry needs more female installers, and what better way to show the tile world how empowered and badass we are than to come together as a group and become CTIs together?” 

Overby added, “I’m very excited about this program being an all women’s group. I’ve worked in the trades almost my whole life, and working with women is never about ego, or toughness. It’s often about humility, learning, and kindness. This group has already shown that it’s okay to ask questions, and not gatekeep our knowledge.”

The women have words of gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of support the industry has shown them.

“I want to thank everyone involved with putting this together for us! It really does seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I feel lucky to be a part of it!!” Krantz said. 

“I’d like to express my immense gratitude to the sponsors and organizers of the test!!” Hall said. “Deby has been working tirelessly putting this together for us and I can’t thank her enough. The sponsors are generously allowing my son to travel with me, and will be providing daycare during the test… I am just blown away by the amount of support we’re receiving for this. It definitely adds to the pressure, but also fuels the fire to pass.” 

CTEF’s Denny has the highest respect for these tile professionals and as they test their mettle with the CTI. “The installers taking the test at the International Women’s Day CTI Test are passionate tile professionals. They have proven to be sharp, inquisitive, and thorough! I have been impressed with the spark they give the industry to better it today and tomorrow by paving the way for young women to choose to be a skilled tradesperson and business leader. Personally, I will be taking my teenage daughter to witness the event and gain the inspiration I have received from this brave Band of Sisters!”   

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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