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Under ACI 318 Chapter 17, which installation orientation triggers the requirement that an adhesive anchor resisting sustained tension be installed by an ACI-certified Adhesive Anchor Installer?

Vertical-down only

Horizontal or upwardly inclined (overhead)

Any orientation with a torque wrench

Only underwater installations

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Exam

Written Exam Questions

ACI CP-80 Installer Workbook

90 min

Written Exam Time

ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Program

74%

Passing Score

ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Program

Closed book

Exam Format

ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Program

5 years

Certification Validity

ACI

$525

Typical Sponsoring-Group Fee

ACI sponsoring groups

The ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer written exam is 75 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes, closed-book, with a 74% minimum passing score. Candidates must also pass a two-part performance exam: Part 1 (vertical-down) and Part 2 (overhead using the piston-plug method with clear tubes). Typical sponsoring-group fee is $525, and certification is valid for five years. Recertification requires retaking both the written and performance exams. The credential is mandated by ACI 318 Chapter 17 for horizontal and upwardly inclined adhesive anchors carrying sustained tension — a direct response to the 2006 Big Dig ceiling collapse.

Sample ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under ACI 318 Chapter 17, which installation orientation triggers the requirement that an adhesive anchor resisting sustained tension be installed by an ACI-certified Adhesive Anchor Installer?

A.Vertical-down only

B.Horizontal or upwardly inclined (overhead)

C.Any orientation with a torque wrench

D.Only underwater installations

Explanation: ACI 318 Chapter 17 requires adhesive anchors installed in horizontal or upwardly inclined orientations (including overhead) to resist sustained tension loads to be installed by personnel certified by the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer program. The code singles out these orientations because gravity works against the bond during cure, and the 2006 Big Dig I-90 tunnel ceiling collapse — in which adhesive anchors failed under sustained overhead tension — made this a life-safety concern. Vertical-down installations are gravity-favored and do not trigger the certification mandate by themselves.

2The 2006 ceiling collapse in Boston's I-90 Connector tunnel (Big Dig) that killed a motorist was caused primarily by what failure mechanism?

A.Corrosion of stainless steel anchors

B.Creep failure of adhesive anchors under sustained overhead tension

C.Fatigue cracking of steel plates

D.Fire damage to the ceiling panels

Explanation: The July 2006 Big Dig ceiling collapse was caused by creep failure of epoxy adhesive anchors installed overhead in sustained tension. Under constant long-term load, the polymer adhesive crept (deformed progressively) until the anchors pulled out, dropping concrete ceiling panels onto a vehicle and killing the passenger. The investigation directly motivated ACI 318's addition of Section 17.11 sustained-tension provisions and the creation of the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification.

3The Manufacturer's Printed Installation Instructions (MPII) govern every certified adhesive anchor installation. Which statement BEST describes the installer's obligation regarding the MPII?

A.Follow the MPII only when it agrees with the contractor's preferred method

B.Keep the MPII on site and follow it exactly, including hole-cleaning sequence and cure times

C.Use any similar manufacturer's instructions if the specific product's MPII is unavailable

D.Rely on memory from a previous project using the same adhesive

Explanation: The MPII must be physically present on the jobsite and followed exactly. It contains product-specific hole-cleaning sequences, brush specifications, air pressures, minimum/maximum substrate temperatures, gel time, cure time, and fixture loading time. ACI 318 and IBC Chapter 17 special inspection both reference the MPII as the authoritative procedure. Substituting one manufacturer's MPII for another is never permitted — even within the same brand family, products such as Hilti HIT-HY 200 and HIT-RE 500 V3 have different hole-cleaning and cure requirements.

4A typical hole-cleaning sequence required by the MPII for a hammer-drilled adhesive anchor hole in dry concrete is BEST described as:

A.Blow once and insert the anchor

B.Brush, blow, brush, blow, brush, blow to full depth

C.Wipe with a damp rag and insert the anchor

D.Vacuum only, no brushing required

Explanation: Most adhesive anchor MPIIs specify a sequence similar to brush-blow-brush-blow-brush-blow, with each step reaching full hole depth. The brushing dislodges dust bonded to the hole wall and the compressed-air blowing evacuates it from the hole. Skipping steps or failing to reach full depth leaves a dust film that prevents the adhesive from bonding to sound concrete, dramatically reducing pull-out capacity. Hole cleaning is the single most important — and most commonly skipped — installer responsibility.

5Why is the brush used in the hole-cleaning sequence required to be the manufacturer-approved wire brush and not a generic brush of approximately the same size?

A.Manufacturer brushes are cheaper

B.The approved brush has the correct outside diameter and bristle stiffness to scour the hole wall effectively

C.Generic brushes corrode faster

D.Approved brushes are color-coded for the project manager

Explanation: Manufacturer-approved brushes are sized so their outside diameter exceeds the nominal hole diameter enough to provide firm wall contact and scouring action. A brush that is too small passes through the hole without touching the wall, leaving the dust film that the brushing step is supposed to remove. Bristle stiffness is also specified. Using a worn or undersized brush is one of the most common causes of adhesive anchor failure and is specifically called out in MPIIs and ACI CP-80.

6Compressed air used for hole blowing during adhesive anchor installation must be:

A.At least 150 psi from any source

B.Oil-free and reach the bottom of the hole

C.Heated above ambient temperature

D.Delivered by a vacuum pump

Explanation: MPIIs require oil-free compressed air because residual oil from a lubricated compressor will coat the hole wall and destroy adhesive bond. The air stream must also reach the full depth of the hole — an extension nozzle is typically used for deep holes. Many products specify a minimum air pressure (commonly 90 psi). A standard shop compressor with an oil separator/filter, or a dedicated oil-free compressor, satisfies the requirement.

7ACI 355.4 classifies qualified post-installed adhesive anchors into categories based on:

A.Color of the cartridge label

B.Sensitivity to installation and in-service conditions

C.Cost per cartridge

D.Date of manufacture

Explanation: ACI 355.4 (Qualification of Post-Installed Adhesive Anchors in Concrete) categorizes anchors by their sensitivity to installation and in-service variables such as hole cleaning, hole drilling method, moisture condition, and temperature. Category 1 has the lowest sensitivity, Category 3 the highest. A lower category results in a less aggressive strength reduction in design (higher phi factor). Certified installers should understand this because Category 2 and 3 products demand even more rigorous adherence to MPII procedures.

8During overhead adhesive anchor installation, what device is commonly required to keep the anchor from sliding out of the hole before the adhesive cures?

A.A second layer of adhesive applied externally

B.A piston plug, wedge, or other retention device specified by the MPII

C.A magnetic clamp

D.A plastic cap glued to the concrete

Explanation: Overhead installation works against gravity — both the fluid adhesive and the anchor element tend to slide out of the hole before cure. MPIIs for overhead-qualified adhesives require a retention device such as a piston plug (tube plug that anchors below the surface and injects bottom-up), a wedge, retention cap, or taped support. The ACI performance exam Part 2 specifically tests overhead injection with clear tubes and piston plugs so examiners can see the adhesive displace air from the back of the hole.

9What is the correct way to dispense the FIRST portion of adhesive from a freshly installed cartridge and static mixing nozzle?

A.Inject it directly into the first hole to save material

B.Discharge it to waste until the adhesive appears uniform in color and consistency

C.Mix it manually with a stick

D.Store it for later use

Explanation: The first several strokes of a new cartridge produce unmixed or improperly mixed adhesive because the static mixer has not yet blended the two components. This initial material must be discharged to waste until a uniform color and consistency appears (no streaks of resin or hardener). Only then is the adhesive acceptable for use in a structural hole. Using unmixed adhesive results in zero bond strength in the portion of the hole filled with it.

10Per the MPII, the static mixing nozzle supplied with an adhesive cartridge must be:

A.Reused until the adhesive stops flowing

B.Replaced whenever the cartridge is changed or the adhesive begins to gel in the nozzle

C.Cleaned with solvent and reused

D.Cut shorter for faster flow

Explanation: The static mixing nozzle is a single-use consumable. It must be replaced when installing a new cartridge, when the adhesive in the existing nozzle begins to gel (typically after the open/gel time expires, or after an interruption in work), or when the MPII-specified mixing length has been compromised. Static mixers work by forcing the two components through a series of internal baffles — shortening, reusing after gel, or cleaning and reusing can leave the mixer partially occluded and result in improperly mixed adhesive.

About the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Exam

The ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification is a life-safety credential required by ACI 318 Chapter 17 for installers placing adhesive anchors in horizontal or upwardly inclined (overhead) orientations under sustained tension. The program emerged after the 2006 Big Dig I-90 tunnel ceiling collapse in Boston, in which overhead adhesive anchors crept and failed, killing a motorist. Certification requires a 75-question closed-book written exam (74% passing) and a two-part hands-on performance exam covering vertical-down and overhead installation with piston-plug injection.

Assessment

75-question closed-book written exam (90 min) + two-part performance exam (Part 1 vertical-down, Part 2 overhead piston-plug)

Time Limit

90 minutes (written)

Passing Score

74%

Exam Fee

$525 (typical sponsoring group; varies $525–$800) (American Concrete Institute)

ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Exam Content Outline

25%

Hole Cleaning & MPII Procedure

Brush-blow-brush-blow-brush-blow sequence, manufacturer-approved brush OD/wear, oil-free compressed air depth, hand-pump limits, dry vs. wet hole conditions, and why cleaning is the dominant failure cause

20%

ACI 318 Chapter 17 Code Requirements

Certified installer trigger (horizontal/upwardly inclined, sustained tension), 0.55 sustained-load factor, continuous special inspection under IBC Ch 17, edge distance/spacing, supervision of uncertified workers

15%

ACI 355.4 Qualification & Product Selection

Category 1/2/3 sensitivity, cracked vs. uncracked concrete, seismic qualification, ICC-ES Evaluation Service Reports (ESRs), approved hole-drilling methods per product

15%

Adhesive Injection & Anchor Insertion

Static mixer priming and replacement, bottom-up injection, 1/2–2/3 fill, slow-rotation insertion, gel time, past-gel-time recovery, streaked adhesive troubleshooting

15%

Curing, Temperature & Overhead Installation

Substrate temperature vs. cure time, cold-weather cartridge conditioning, piston-plug overhead method, retention devices, drip test, proof-load testing

10%

Documentation, PPE & Disqualifying Factors

MPII on site, installation log fields, cartridge expiration, epoxy sensitization PPE, disqualifying conditions (low temp, wet concrete, wrong brush, oversized hole), RFI/stop-work duties

How to Pass the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 74%
Assessment: 75-question closed-book written exam (90 min) + two-part performance exam (Part 1 vertical-down, Part 2 overhead piston-plug)
Time limit: 90 minutes (written)
Exam fee: $525 (typical sponsoring group; varies $525–$800)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the brush-blow-brush-blow-brush-blow cleaning sequence and why each step exists — it is the single most tested topic on the exam

2Know the ACI 318 Chapter 17 trigger phrase exactly: horizontal or upwardly inclined orientations under sustained tension require a certified installer

3Understand ACI 355.4 anchor categories 1/2/3 and why Category 1 gets the most favorable design factor

4Practice reading an actual MPII (e.g., Hilti HIT-HY 200 or Simpson SET-XP) so you recognize where hole diameter, gel time, and cure time tables appear

5For the performance exam Part 2, practice the piston-plug overhead method with clear tubes so you can demonstrate void-free back-to-front filling

6Remember that past gel time, low substrate temperature, wet holes, wrong brush, and expired cartridges are all disqualifying — the certified installer's job is to stop and flag them

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification required?

ACI 318 Chapter 17 requires it for adhesive anchors installed in horizontal or upwardly inclined (overhead) orientations under sustained tension. The certification was created after the July 2006 I-90 Connector Tunnel (Big Dig) ceiling collapse in Boston, in which overhead epoxy adhesive anchors crept and failed, dropping concrete ceiling panels onto a vehicle and killing a motorist. The certification ensures that installers understand how MPII compliance, hole cleaning, cure time, and orientation interact to prevent that exact failure mode.

What is on the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer exam?

The written exam is 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, closed-book, with a 74% minimum passing score. The performance exam has two parts: Part 1 is a vertical-down installation (drill, clean, inject, set) and Part 2 is an overhead installation using the piston-plug method with clear tubes so examiners can verify void-free filling. Both parts must be passed within one year of the written exam.

How much does the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification cost?

The typical sponsoring-group fee is around $525 and usually includes the CP-80 workbook, DVD, classroom review, and both the written and performance exams. Some sponsoring groups charge up to $800 depending on location and whether a hands-on practice day is included. Verify the exact fee with the local ACI chapter before registering.

How long is the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification valid?

The certification is valid for five (5) years. Recertification requires retaking and passing both the written exam (75 questions, 74%) and both parts of the performance exam. ACI does not accept continuing education credits in lieu of retesting for this credential.

Can an uncertified worker install adhesive anchors under a certified installer's supervision?

Yes, but only under continuous, direct supervision of a certified ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer. The certified installer must be physically present and actively observing the work — periodic check-ins or phone supervision do not satisfy ACI 318 Chapter 17. This is different from ACI Concrete Field Testing supervision rules and reflects the life-safety nature of overhead sustained-tension anchors.

What is the most common cause of adhesive anchor failure in the field?

Hole cleaning. Industry forensic investigations consistently identify inadequate cleaning — wrong brush diameter, skipped brush-blow cycles, short blow depth, or use of a dry-only product in a wet hole — as the dominant failure mode. That is why the written exam and both performance exam parts weight hole cleaning heavily, and why MPIIs specify a brush-blow-brush-blow-brush-blow sequence to full hole depth.