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Key Facts: ACI Decorative Flatwork Exam
~50
MC Questions
ACI Decorative Flatwork Program
2 hours
Exam Time
ACI Decorative Flatwork Program
70%
Passing Score
ACI Decorative Flatwork Program
Closed book
Exam Format
ACI Decorative Flatwork Program
5 years
Certification Validity
ACI
$150-$300
Typical Exam Fee
ACI sponsoring groups
The ACI Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Associate credential validates knowledge of decorative concrete placement and finishing. The exam is closed-book, approximately 50 multiple-choice questions, with a 70% passing score and a 2-hour time limit; there is no performance exam. Prerequisites are current ACI Concrete Flatwork Associate or ACI Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher certification. The Finisher level additionally requires 1,500 hours of placing and finishing experience including 250 hours each of coloring, stamping, exposed finishes, and stairs, plus 40 hours of cleaning and sealing. Certification is valid 5 years.
Sample ACI Decorative Flatwork Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ACI Decorative Flatwork exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which ACI document is the primary technical reference for material covered on the ACI Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Associate written examination?
2What is the passing score for the ACI Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Associate written examination?
3Which credential is the required prerequisite for the Decorative Concrete Flatwork ASSOCIATE level?
4Is the ACI Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Associate exam open-book or closed-book?
5For the Decorative Concrete Flatwork FINISHER level, what is the minimum number of on-the-job placing and finishing hours required in stamping work?
6What is the PRIMARY function of a release agent in stamped concrete?
7Which type of release agent typically requires the LEAST cleanup with a pressure washer after stamping?
8When is the correct time to begin placing stamps on freshly placed concrete?
9What is the recommended order of operations when starting a stamping job?
10Why are stamping mats numbered or labeled in a typical stamp pattern set?
About the ACI Decorative Flatwork Exam
Knowledge-only ACI credential for finishers who place and decorate concrete flatwork. Closed-book written exam of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions with a 70% minimum passing score and 2-hour time limit. There is no performance component — the candidate must already hold ACI Concrete Flatwork Associate (Associate path) or ACI Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher (Finisher path). Content is drawn from ACI CCS-5 Decorative Concrete Reference and CP-12 craftsman workbook and covers stamping, integral and dry-shake coloring, acid and water-based stains, exposed aggregate, polished concrete fundamentals, cementitious overlays, sealers, surface preparation, and decorative repair.
Questions
50 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$150-$300 (ACI via local sponsoring groups)
ACI Decorative Flatwork Exam Content Outline
Stamping & Pattern Layout
Form layout, squaring the slab, pattern selection, stamping window, pre-wetting stamps, powder and liquid release agents, stamp sequence and overlap, texture skins, touch-up of seams, and removal/cleanup of release residue
Acid & Water-Based Staining
Reactive (acid) stains that chemically react with calcium hydroxide vs non-reactive water-based stains that bond mechanically; surface prep, neutralization, application methods, residue removal, mottling, color variability, and stain-sealer compatibility
Integral & Dry-Shake Coloring
Integral pigment dosed at the batch plant per pigment-cement ratio, dry-shake color hardener broadcast in two or three passes, floating to consolidate, application rate (typical 60-100 lb per 100 ft²), color uniformity, and limitations of each method
Exposed Aggregate & Polished Concrete
Seeded vs as-cast exposed aggregate, top-surface retarder application, wash and brush timing, polished concrete grit progression (metal-bond to resin-bond), densifiers, and gloss levels
Micro-Toppings & Overlays
Cementitious overlays, stampable overlays, self-leveling overlays, polymer-modified mixtures, substrate moisture and bond, ICRI Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) selection, and recommended thickness limits
Sealers & Curing
Acrylic, urethane, and epoxy sealers; solvent vs water-based acrylics; curing compounds vs cure-and-seal products; recoat windows; non-slip additives; and re-sealing maintenance intervals
Surface Preparation & Safety
Substrate evaluation for overlays and stains, ICRI surface profile chips, mechanical prep (shot blasting, grinding, scarifying), HEPA dust control, OSHA silica Table 1, acid PPE, and decorative jobsite safety
Patterns, Joints & Repair
Decorative saw-cut joint placement and timing, joint integration with stamp patterns, dry-cut vs wet-cut techniques, joint sealants, and repair methods for chipped or discolored decorative surfaces
How to Pass the ACI Decorative Flatwork Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 50 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours
- Exam fee: $150-$300
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 Decorative Flatwork Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACI Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Associate certification?
It is a knowledge-only credential administered by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for finishers and craftsmen who place and decorate concrete flatwork. Candidates take a single 50-question closed-book written exam. Those who hold ACI Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher and meet the experience hours earn the Decorative Finisher level; those holding only the ACI Concrete Flatwork Associate earn the Decorative Associate level. Content is based on ACI CCS-5 Decorative Concrete Reference and the CP-12 craftsman workbook.
What is the passing score for the ACI Decorative Flatwork exam?
A score of 70% is required to pass the written examination. The exam is closed-book, contains approximately 50 multiple-choice questions, and the time limit is 2 hours. There is no separate performance examination for this program — the Decorative Flatwork credential is knowledge-only.
What are the prerequisites for the ACI Decorative Concrete Flatwork exam?
Candidates must already hold either the ACI Concrete Flatwork Associate certification (for the Decorative Associate path) or the ACI Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher certification (for the Decorative Finisher path). The Finisher level also requires 1,500 hours of on-the-job placing and finishing work including 250 hours each in coloring, stamping, exposed finishes, and stairs, plus 40 hours in cleaning and sealing.
Is the ACI Decorative Flatwork exam open book?
No. Unlike many ACI inspector and technician exams, the Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Associate exam is closed-book. Candidates cannot bring CCS-5, CP-12, or any other reference into the testing room. All terminology, application rates, and procedures must be memorized.
How long is the ACI Decorative Flatwork certification valid?
The certification is valid for 5 years from the date all requirements are completed. Recertification requires passing the then-current written examination. There is no continuing education credit pathway in place of retesting, and the underlying Flatwork Associate or Advanced Finisher certification must also remain valid.
What is the difference between integral color, dry-shake color hardener, and release agent?
Integral color is pigment added to the concrete at the batch plant so the color runs through the entire thickness of the slab. Dry-shake color hardener is a pigmented cement-aggregate blend broadcast onto the fresh surface and floated in; it produces brighter colors and a denser wear surface but only colors the top layer. Release agent is a powdered or liquid material applied between the concrete and the stamp to prevent sticking; pigmented release agents also act as an antiquing accent color after the stamp is removed and the surface is washed and sealed.