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NICET Construction Materials Testing Soils Level I — Requirements & Free Practice

US · License preparation

200 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

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NICET Construction Materials Testing Soils Level I

NICET Level I certification for laboratory and field technicians engaged in construction materials testing of soils, awarded after examination, relevant work experience and supervisor-verified performance.

Licensing authority: National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies · Application information

Initial by examination
Construction Materials Testing, Soils, Level I
Claim Ids
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Optional Hands On
Separate hands-on performance examinations are optional and are not additional required examination leaves.
Other Certification Requirements
Level I does not require a personal recommendation or major project. NICET evaluates the experience application and issues certification only when all requirements are met; passing the knowledge exam alone does not award certification.
Performance Verification
A supervisor must verify repeated satisfactory performance of all Level I Group A activities (0209-1101 through 0209-1120) and at least 8 of the 12 Level I Group B activities (0209-1121 through 0209-1132). Group A includes attending safety training (0209-1102).
Registration
Create or log into the NICET portal, select the exam, accept the affidavit and payment choice, obtain NICET authorization, and confirm a Pearson VUE appointment in the six-month testing window. Level I can be in person or via OnVUE for individuals residing/living in the United States. Online candidates must complete the system test before signing up, meet the published equipment, environment and identification requirements, and accept the NDA. Accommodations require NICET contact/approval before scheduling.
Training
No particular books, training, or education programs are required or endorsed for certification; safety-training performance verification remains required.
Work Experience
Provide complete detailed position descriptions and time allocations demonstrating at least 6 months full-time-equivalent direct involvement in construction materials testing: at least 3 months full-time soils testing, and up to 3 months full-time concrete, asphalt and/or other related construction materials testing.

Construction Materials Testing, Soils, Level I

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
English computer-based knowledge examination; selected responses, multiple-answer questions and picture-click responses as described by NICET; test-center or eligible OnVUE delivery.
Exam questions
Total questions: 110.
Time limit
230 minutes; appointment time is 10 minutes longer for the introductory tutorial.
Passing score
Scaled score of 500 on the 0–700 scale.
Examination outline

The authority publishes percentage ranges for each content area. The practice percentages below use the midpoint of each range, normalized to 100%; they are not exact percentages published by the authority. Practice question counts may differ slightly because of rounding.

  • Personal and Worksite Safety — Official range: 1–9% (Practice allocation: 5%)
    • Determine and wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • Inspect equipment.
    • Identify unsafe conditions.
    • Apply job safety analysis.
  • Plans and Specifications — Official range: 5–15% (Practice allocation: 10%)
    • Relate plans to the field (e.g., find location on plan, establish relative elevation).
  • Sampling of Soils — Official range: 15–25% (Practice allocation: 20%)
    • Obtain samples.
    • Document sample locations.
    • Transport samples back to lab.
    • Identify type of materials of samples.
    • Log sample or I.D. the sample for lab testing (i.e., tracking).
  • Soils Sample Preparation — Official range: 5–15% (Practice allocation: 10%)
    • Reduce sample to test size.
    • Dry the sample.
    • Weigh the sample.
    • Process through sieve.
    • Moisture-condition the sample.
  • Field Density Testing — Official range: 18–28% (Practice allocation: 23%)
    • Identify where to take the test.
    • Determine the number of tests.
    • Identify type of material.
    • Document test location.
    • Document results.
    • Document limitations.
    • Perform assigned field density test.
  • Laboratory Testing of Soils — Official range: 17–27% (Practice allocation: 22%)
    • Perform Atterberg limit tests.
    • Perform Proctor tests.
    • Perform sieve analysis.
    • Perform Washed -No. 200 sieve.
    • Perform moisture content test.
  • Communication of Results — Official range: 1–9% (Practice allocation: 5%)
    • Inform client of presence.
    • Give verbal report of observations to supervisor.
    • Complete test forms.
  • Equipment Calibration and Maintenance — Official range: 1–9% (Practice allocation: 5%)
    • Verify equipment calibration.
Examination sources