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Exam Review

Key Facts: ACI Tilt-Up Technician Exam

80+

Exam Questions

ACI Tilt-Up Policy, Section 2.05

70%

Passing Score

ACI Tilt-Up Policy, Section 2.08

2 hours

Time Limit

ACI Tilt-Up Policy, Section 2.06

5 years

Validity Period

ACI Tilt-Up Policy, Section 1.05

$360

Exam-Only Fee

ACI chapter pricing (2024-2026)

The ACI Tilt-Up Technician exam is a closed-book written test of at least 80 multiple-choice/true-false questions administered over a 2-hour period. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass. There are no work-experience prerequisites, and the credential is valid for 5 years. The official study reference is The Construction of Tilt-Up (2nd Edition, 2016), published by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association.

Sample ACI Tilt-Up Technician Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ACI Tilt-Up Technician exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In tilt-up concrete construction, wall panels are typically cast in which location before being lifted into place?
A.At an off-site precast plant and trucked to the jobsite
B.Horizontally on the building's own slab-on-grade or a temporary casting bed
C.Vertically inside temporary formwork at the final wall location
D.Inside insulated steel molds at a ready-mix concrete plant
Explanation: Tilt-up is a site-cast construction method where wall panels are cast horizontally, face-down, directly on the project's floor slab or on a temporary casting slab adjacent to the building. After curing, a crane tilts (lifts and rotates) each panel into its final vertical position. This differs from precast concrete, where panels are cast off-site in a plant and trucked in.
2A bond breaker is applied to the casting surface before concrete placement. Its primary purpose is to:
A.Increase the bond between the panel and the casting slab to prevent cracking
B.Prevent the panel from bonding to the casting slab so it can be lifted cleanly
C.Seal the casting slab to prevent moisture absorption during curing
D.Act as a curing compound for the casting slab concrete
Explanation: A bond breaker is a chemical or physical release agent applied to the casting surface to prevent the freshly cast panel from bonding to the slab-on-grade or casting bed. Without a proper bond breaker, the panel cannot be lifted without damaging both the panel face and the casting slab. Bond breakers must be compatible with both the casting surface and any subsequent panel finishes or coatings.
3Bond breakers are commonly classified into two broad categories. Which pair correctly identifies these?
A.Reactive (chemically active) and non-reactive (membrane/film forming)
B.Water-based and oil-based
C.Epoxy and polyurethane
D.Penetrating sealer and topical sealer
Explanation: Per ACI 551.1R and TCA practice, bond breakers are generally grouped as reactive (chemically active) or non-reactive (membrane/film-forming). Reactive bond breakers chemically react with free lime in fresh concrete to form a soap-like barrier; non-reactive types leave a physical film on the slab. Choice of type affects compatibility with panel finishes, stains, and paints.
4When a building's own floor slab is used as the casting surface for tilt-up panels, the slab is sometimes referred to as:
A.A waste slab
B.A casting bed or casting slab
C.A mud slab
D.A subbase
Explanation: The surface on which panels are cast — whether the permanent floor slab or a temporary slab poured just for casting — is commonly called the casting slab or casting bed. Using the permanent floor slab is economical because it eliminates the need to demolish the casting surface after the project is complete.
5Before placing a bond breaker on the casting slab, the slab surface should be:
A.Kept saturated with water
B.Clean, dry, and free of dust, oil, and curing compound residues
C.Coated with a heavy epoxy sealer
D.Lightly dampened and dusted with cement
Explanation: Bond breakers must be applied to a clean, dry slab that is free of dust, debris, oil, laitance, and any residual curing compounds that could interfere with adhesion. Moisture, dust, or incompatible products trapped under the bond breaker can cause sticking, pinholing, or panel-face staining. Most manufacturers publish minimum drying times and compatibility notes.
6Which of the following is typically used to form the perimeter edges of a tilt-up panel during casting?
A.Only the adjacent panels already cast
B.Wood or steel edge forms secured to the casting slab
C.Plastic sheeting held down with sandbags
D.The slab's sawcut control joints
Explanation: Panel edges are formed with wood (typically dimensional lumber) or steel edge forms anchored to the casting slab along each side of the panel footprint. The forms establish the panel thickness, define its outline, and hold the concrete until it sets. Form joints are usually gasketed to prevent paste leakage, which would leave fins and honeycombs.
7Edge forms for tilt-up panels are normally beveled or chamfered at the top to:
A.Make the form easier to strip and to create a clean, chip-resistant panel arris
B.Increase the panel thickness at the edges for strength
C.Seat the lift inserts
D.Reduce the amount of rebar required at the panel edge
Explanation: A beveled or chamfered edge on the formwork produces a panel edge with a small chamfer rather than a sharp 90-degree arris. Sharp arrises are brittle and chip easily during handling, erection, and service. The bevel also helps release the form cleanly when stripping.
8During rebar placement in a tilt-up panel, the rebar is tied and supported to maintain proper:
A.Cover and spacing as shown on the panel drawings
B.Color coding by bar size
C.Continuity with the slab reinforcement only
D.Alignment with the lift inserts only
Explanation: Rebar in a tilt-up panel must be placed and supported so that it maintains the concrete cover, spacing, and position shown on the engineered panel drawings. Cover protects the steel from corrosion and fire; spacing and position are sized for the lifting stresses and the in-service loads. Chairs, bolsters, and dobies are used to keep bars at the correct elevation in the panel thickness.
9A rebar marked with the designation #5 has an approximate nominal diameter of:
A.3/8 inch
B.1/2 inch
C.5/8 inch
D.1 inch
Explanation: In U.S. customary rebar sizing, the bar number is the diameter in eighths of an inch. A #5 bar is 5/8 inch diameter, a #4 bar is 4/8 = 1/2 inch, and a #3 bar is 3/8 inch. #4 and #5 bars are commonly used for mat reinforcement in tilt-up panels.
10Lap splices in tilt-up panel reinforcement must be made:
A.At any convenient location using two tie wires
B.In accordance with ACI 318 and the lengths shown on the panel drawings
C.Only with mechanical couplers — lap splices are prohibited
D.By welding every bar intersection
Explanation: Lap splice lengths for tilt-up panel reinforcement are determined by ACI 318 requirements and are shown on the engineered panel drawings. Lap length depends on bar size, concrete strength, bar spacing, and cover. Tilt-up crews must follow the drawing notes — the temporary lifting stresses on a panel make proper splices critical.

About the ACI Tilt-Up Technician Exam

The ACI Tilt-Up Technician certification is an entry-level, knowledge-based credential jointly administered by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA). It recognizes workers who have demonstrated a solid understanding of site-cast tilt-up wall panel construction through a closed-book written exam. Unlike the Tilt-Up Supervisor credential, the Technician credential does not require documented work experience, making it ideal for crew members and construction professionals who want to validate their tilt-up knowledge before accumulating supervisory hours.

Exam sponsor: American Concrete Institute. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

80 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$360

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: N/A. ACI does not publish pass rates for the Tilt-Up Technician exam. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~10%

Tilt-Up Construction Overview

Site-cast wall panels, precast vs cast-in-place, sequence, and terminology

~10%

Casting Bed and Bond Breakers

Slab preparation, reactive and non-reactive bond breakers, stack-casting

~10%

Formwork and Edge Forms

Wood and steel edge forms, chamfers, blockouts, form liners

~12%

Reinforcement and Dowels

Rebar placement, cover, lap splices per ACI 318, welded wire mesh, trim bars

~15%

Lift Inserts and Embeds

Proprietary inserts, factor of safety, embedment depth, weld plates, coil inserts

~13%

Concrete Placement, Finishing, and Curing

Consolidation, slump, exposed aggregate, form-liner finishes, curing methods

~15%

Panel Lifting and Temporary Bracing

Rigging, spreader beams, suction, pipe braces, deadmen, brace removal

~15%

Safety, Weather, and Quality Checks

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Q, ACI 305/306, field-cured cylinders, pre-lift inspection

Preparing for the ACI Tilt-Up Technician Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 80 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $360 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ACI Tilt-Up Technician: Suggested Study Strategy

1Start with The Construction of Tilt-Up (TCA, 2nd Edition) — it is the only study reference ACI policy names directly
2Memorize the lift-strength rule (2,500 psi or 75% of f'c) and the 5-year certification validity
3Know the difference between reactive and non-reactive bond breakers and why compatibility with finishes matters
4Drill on the OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Q requirements for exclusion zones, rigging, and brace removal
5Work all 100 free practice questions until you can hit 85%+ consistently before sitting the exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the ACI Tilt-Up Technician and Tilt-Up Supervisor?

Both credentials take the same closed-book written exam on The Construction of Tilt-Up. The Technician only needs to pass the written exam — no work experience is required. The Supervisor must pass the same exam AND document 5 years (7,500 hours) of construction experience with at least 3 years (4,500 hours) in tilt-up and 2,000 hours in supervisory roles. A Technician can upgrade to Supervisor at any time during the 5-year certification period once the experience is accumulated, with no retest required.

What does the ACI Tilt-Up Technician exam cost?

The exam-only fee is approximately $360 through most ACI chapters, though package pricing that includes the ACI workbook and a prep workshop can run to $560-$660. Pricing varies by ACI chapter and may be updated annually — always confirm the current fee with your local chapter before registering.

How many questions are on the ACI Tilt-Up Technician exam?

Per ACI certification policy, the written exam consists of at least 80 multiple-choice and/or true/false questions. You have 2 hours to complete it, and a minimum score of 70% is required to pass. The exam is closed book — no notes, reference materials, or electronic devices are allowed in the exam area.

How long is ACI Tilt-Up Technician certification valid?

ACI Tilt-Up Supervisor and Technician certification is valid for 5 years from the date of completion. Recertification can be accomplished by retaking the written exam or by documenting continuing education hours accepted by ACI under the then-current recertification policy.

What is the best study guide for the ACI Tilt-Up Technician exam?

The official study reference is The Construction of Tilt-Up, 2nd Edition (2016), published by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA). ACI certification policy specifies that the content of the written exam is derived directly from this book. Our 100 free practice questions are mapped to the nine content areas drawn from ACI 551, TCA practice, ACI 305/306 weather guidance, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Q.

How hard is the ACI Tilt-Up Technician exam?

The exam is considered moderate. Crew members with 1-2 years of tilt-up field experience who also study The Construction of Tilt-Up and a solid bank of practice questions typically pass on the first attempt. The most common pitfalls are lift-insert terminology, bond-breaker compatibility, and the brace-removal/lateral-system sequence — all areas where our practice set focuses heavy coverage.