A training guide for AIC Constructor Certification Commission exam administrators and proctors.

1. American Institute of Constructors
Constructor Certification Commission
Training for New Examination Site
Administrators and/ Proctors

2. Purpose of Training
• Provides a brief history and overview of
Constructor certification.
• Provides foundational information about the
Constructor Certification Commission.
• Provides responsibilities associated with your
specific role in the Commission.

3. Training Instructions
• Carefully view the Power Point slides and make notes
of any questions you may have.
• Complete two short assessments – one relating to
your mastery of the material presented and the
second of the session itself.
• Complete any required Commission documents.
• Contact the Commission Certification Manager at
info@professionalconstruc.org or 703-683-4999 to
obtain answers to your questions.

4. History & Overview of
Constructor Certification
• Please go to http://goo.gl/LgwUV to view the
short Power Point presentation on the history
and overview of constructor certification.
• When complete continue with this
presentation on the next slide.

5. Constructor Certification Commission
Mission and Goals
Mission - To certify Professional Constructors thorough established
standards based upon education, experience and examination process.
Goals are to:
•Provide a valid Constrictor verification process,
•Improve the image of the Constructor and the construction
profession,
•Improve the standards of the practice of construction,
•Promote the continual professional development of the Constructor.
•Promote membership into an organization of professional
constructors, the American Institute of Constructors, and
•Promote the AIC Constructor Code of Ethics.

6. Constructor Certification Commission
Objectives
The objectives of the Commission are to develop,
implement and coordinate policies and procedures
for:
•The certification process,
•A framework for the development of the
professional Constructor,
•A feedback process to higher education
construction programs and the industry, and
•Continual professional development for practicing
professionals.

7. Constructor Certification Commission
Organization
• The Commission is a semi-autonomous body
that operates under the auspices of the
American Institute of Constructors.
• The Commission is the governing body and
consists of a Board of Governors and Board of
Advisors.

8. Constructor Certification Commission
Board of Governors
• Four elected for four year terms – all must be
CPCs
• Four appointed by AIC for four year terms – all
must be CPCs and AIC members
• One Public Member elected by eight Board of
Governors
• Votes on all matters coming before the
Commission.

9. Constructor Certification Commission
Board of Advisors
• Maximum of 12 representing construction
associations and other qualified individuals
• Elected by Board of Governors with no
designated terms of office
• Votes on all issues that come before the
Commission except those concerning the
Operating Procedures, Expenditures of
Commission Funds, Employment of contractors
and specific certification issues as noted in the
respective Commission Policy.

10. Constructor Certification Commission
Committees and Subcommittees
Examination Committee - Responsible for
developing, assessing, validating, up-dating, and
formatting questions on examinations.
Examination Subcommittees:
Item Writing
Item Reviewing
Writing Skills Scoring for Level I (AC)
Examination

11. Constructor Certification Commission
Committees and Subcommittees
Skills and Knowledge Committee Responsibilities:
•Works with the AIC Professional Standards
Committee to maintain and revalidate the body of
knowledge and provide the Examination
Committee with any changes for incorporation into
future examinations.
•Prepares and maintains the criteria for evaluating
continuing professional development programs.
•Reviews the applications for certification for
compliance with certification criteria and such
other duties as the Commission may assign.

12. Constructor Certification Commission
Committees and Subcommittees
Skills and Knowledge Subcommittees:
Application Vetting
Continuing Professional Development
Audit
Finance Committee - Responsible for preparing
the annual budget, monitoring the spending of
commission funds and revenues and developing
in conjunction with the Certification Manager,
marketing plans.

13. Constructor Certification Commission
Contractors
• Management Contractor – is responsible for
administering the day to day activities and
events of the Commission.
Talley Management Group
Certification Manager – Mr. Joe Sapp
• Examination Contractor – is responsible for all
certification examination-related activities.
Professional Testing Corporation
President – Ms. Sallyann Henry

14. Constructor Certification Commission
Major Processes
Certification Examination Development - Entails
developing and reviewing of questions and
selecting them for both the Level I (AC) and
Level II (CPC) examinations. The development
process includes working with the Examination
Contractor to insure all examinations are valid,
reliable and fair through the utilization of
nationally recognized effective test
psychometric measures.

15. Constructor Certification Commission
Major Processes
Certification Examination Application and
Notification - Includes the application process,
determining eligibility to take the examinations,
scoring of the both certification examinations,
rescheduling of examinations, informing
qualificants (examinees) of their performance
on examinations and conducting appeals (when
needed).

16. Constructor Certification Commission
Major Processes
Certification Examination Site Selection and
Administration - Includes the identification,
selection and maintenance of the sites,
examination site activities and the
administration of examinations.

17. Constructor Certification Commission
Major Processes
Certification Maintenance - Includes assigning of
certification numbers, maintaining one’s
certification, allowable use of the AC and CPC
credential, validation of certification
examination body of knowledge, review of
acceptability of required continuing professional
development documentation, reinstating
certification and responding to communications.

18. Constructor Certification Commission
Major Processes
Governance of Constructor Certification
Activities - Includes the responsibilities,
qualifications and selection of Commission,
Committee, Panel and Task Force members and
contractors, contractor employee job
descriptions, joint construction association
chapter activities, documentation and
document control.

19. Constructor Certification
Commission Major Processes
Governance of Constructor Certification
Activities – Also includes conflict of interest,
confidentiality, ethical conduct of Commission
members, volunteers, conractor staff and
certificants, whistleblowing, and selection,
training and assessing of Commission members,
volunteers and contractor staff.

20. Constructor Certification Commission
Major Processes
All of these processes have specific policies and
procedures with associated documents. Some
of these will be reviewed in the next portion of
the training. All Commission Policies and
Procedures along with their associated
documents can be found at
www.professionalconstructor.org.

21. Process to Apply for and Become an
Approved Commission Examination Site
Complete an Examination Site Application Form
(Commission Document No. 26) answering to the
following criteria and sign and submit it to the
Commission at least 60 days prior to administering
an examination:
A. An examination administrator and one or more
proctors will be available to conduct all of the
responsibilities associated with the administration
of the certification examinations in accordance with
Commission Policies 3.2 and 3.3.

22. Process to Apply for and Become an
Approved Commission Examination Site
B. Commitment that there will be one proctor for
every 30 applicants taking the examination.
C. Guarantee that there will be at least two
applicants taking the examination the first time the
new site will administrator the examination(s).
D. In the case of educational institutions serving as
approved examination sites, agreement that even
if there are no students from the respective
institution taking the test that it still will be
administered if there are qualificants to sit for it

23. Process to Apply for and Become an
Approved Commission Examination Site
E. Acknowledgment the there is no
remuneration from the Commission for services
rendered.
F. Agree to inform the Commission within 45
days of the scheduled examination of the
inability to host the examination in any given
test period.

24. Process to Apply for and Become an
Approved Commission Examination Site
The application letter and signed form requesting to
become an examination site is presented to the
Commission for approval.
If approved, the administrator at the examination site
will be notified and the new site will be added to the
Commission’s list of approved examination sites.
If not approved, the person submitting the request to
become a site will be so notified as to the reason(s) and
provided the opportunity to take corrective actions.
New certification examination sites must be approved at
least 45 days before the next examination date.

25. Process to Apply for and Become an
Approved Commission Examination Site
Once approved the site will retain its status on a year-to-year
basis unless said approval is removed from the Commission.
On an annual basis, the Certification Manager, with input from
the Examination Contractor Staff, will prepare a report to the
Commission on the performance of the administrator and/or
proctors at the various sites relative to fulfilling their
responsibilities in a timely and quality manner.
The report also will include the productivities of each site in
terms of number of examinations administered by certification
level for each examination site and any recommendations for
improvement.

26. Process to Apply for and Become an
Approved Commission Examination Site
In the event that negative feedback is received
concerning the performance of any examination
site it shall be submitted to the Commission for
review and action.
The decision could be to remove the site from the
list of approved ones, to continue recognizing the
site as approved with the condition of making
needed improvements in a noted time frame or
continue to recognize the site as approved without
needed conditions of improvement.

27. Process to Apply for and Become an
Approved Commission Examination Site
The security and integrity of the certification
examination booklets and information is of the
highest concern to the Commission. Failure to
properly safeguard the confidentiality of the
examination materials and process will be
grounds for the removal of the site as an
approved one.

28. Examination Site
Administrator/Proctor Qualifications
The individuals must have educational and/or
experiential qualifications in the proctoring of
examinations and be approved by the Commission.
The individuals are not to have regular contact with the
qualificants which include educators/trainers,
administrators of academic units in which qualificants
are enrolled, co-workers, and others not approved by
the Commission. Exceptions to this requirement will be
considered by the Commission in extenuating
circumstances.

29. Responsibilities of Administrators
and/or Proctors
1. Have read and understand the following Commission Policies:
3.1 – Identification, Selection and Maintenance of
Certification Examination Sites
3.2 – Examination Site Activities
3.3 – Administration of Certification Examinations and Document
11 – Commission Test Administration Policies and Procedures
5.6 – Ethical Conduct of Commission Members, Volunteers and
Contractor Staff
2. Complete all responsibilities in a timely and quality manner.
3. Sign a Certification Examination Administrator and/or Proctor
Statement (Commission Document No. 31).

30. Examination Site Activities
Within 8 weeks of the administration of the certification examination, the
Examination Contractor Staff will communicate with each examination site
administrator informing them of the upcoming examination and requesting
that they verify the exact location where the examination will be held, the
name or names of the proctors and specific contact information.
In addition, a deadline will be provided by which the requested information is
to be submitted to the Examination Contractor Staff. The deadline is usually
six weeks prior to the date of the administration of the certification
examination (s).
In the event the requested information is not received in a timely manner,
the Examination Contractor Staff will follow up with the respective
examination site administrator(s).

31. Examination Site Activities
Approximately ten (10) business days prior to the administration of the
examination(s), the certification examinations and other documents will be
sent to the various examination sites by the Examination Contractor Staff. A
separate notice will also be sent to the examination site administrators
informing them of the shipment and requesting that upon receipt they
conduct an inventory of the materials to be sure they are complete in
quantity and in good condition.
In addition, the examination site administrators will be asked to notify the
Examination Contractor Staff of the receipt of the materials, that they
completed the inventory and if any items are missing or in bad condition.
This notification is asked for within five (5) business days prior to the date of
the examination(s).

32. Examination Site Activities
Included with the materials sent to each examination site will be a copy of the
Commission’s Test Administration Policies and Procedures (Commission
Document No. 11) for the site administrator and proctor(s) to use for all
activities associated with preparing for, administering and following up after
the examination.
These individuals must read the material prior to the day of the administration
of the examination(s) and refer any questions to the Examination Contractor
Staff.
All examination site administrators and proctors are also provided the name of
a designated Examination Contractor Staff person and a 800 telephone
number they can call in case they have any questions or encounter any
problems on examination day.

33. Examination Site Activities
Following the administration of the examination(s), a member of the
Examination Contractor will contact the examination site administrators to
remind them to return the materials as per the instructions provided to
them.
In the event the Examination Contractor does not receive the completed
examinations and other materials in a timely manner the Examination
Contractor Staff will follow up with the respective examination site
administrators to determine the reason(s) and work to rectify the situation.
This information is also provided to the Certification Manager who may need
to assist the Examination Contractor staff. In addition, this information
serves as feedback when assessing the performance of examination site
personnel as required by Commission Policy 3.1.

34. Activities Prior to the Administration of the
Examinations – Admission of Qualificants
1. All candidates should present an Admission Notice from the
Professional Testing Corporation and a photo I.D. The Admission Notices
are to be checked by the Proctor for the correct examination level and
testing center. Collect the Admission Notices at the afternoon session and
return with the other materials.
2. If a candidate does not have an Admission Notice, check the name
against the Examination Roster. If the candidate’s name is on the roster
and presents a valid photo I.D., proceed with the admission process.
3. Each candidate is required to sign in on the line indicated on the
Examination Roster.
4. A candidate who arrives after the official start time will be allowed
entrance after full verification of identification and the completion of a
Late Candidate waiver. By signing the waiver, the candidate understands
he will not be given extra time. Any candidate who refuses to sign the
waiver should not be permitted to sit for the exam and should be
instructed to contact the AIC Constructor Certification Commission to
reschedule.

35. Activities Prior to the Administration of the
Examinations – Admission of Qualificants
5. Any candidate admitted late will NOT be given extra time to complete the
exam.
6. NO visitors are permitted in the testing room.
7. Any irregularities should be noted on the Incident Report.
8. The booklet numbers should be recorded on the Examination Roster. Also,
candidates should initial when they receive the exam materials and when
they return the exam materials in the appropriate spaces on the Examination
Roster.

36. Activities Prior to the Administration of the
Examinations – Test Security
Security of test materials is the single most important factor for any
professional testing program. It is the chief responsibility of the Examiner to
safeguard all test materials from the time of receipt until they are returned.
Tests must be kept in a locked, secure area.
Check shipments of test materials within 24 hours of receipt to verify that the
full shipment has arrived and is free from tampering or damage. Report
receipt of test materials and any irregularities to Professional Testing
Corporation by e-mail to Richard Healy (rhealy@ptcny.com) or telephone
(212-356-0668 ).

37. Activities Prior to the Administration of the
Examinations – Test Security
The examination material is confidential. No one is permitted to review the
examination contents except the candidates at the time of the testing
session. Copying, transcribing, or removal of test materials is strictly
prohibited. Any breach of security must be reported at once to Professional
Testing Corporation.
All test booklets must be returned in accordance with procedures outlined in
the manual, never later than two days after the test administration.

38. General Directions to Proctors
1. For questions on the day of the examination, please call Richard Healy at
201- 936-2228.
2. All directions in this manual must be followed exactly to ensure that
candidates in all testing centers are tested under the same conditions.
3. NO books or other reference materials may be taken into the
examination room.
4. CALCULATORS: Calculators must have trigonometry functions without
alpha programmable capabilities. Hand-held battery or solar operated
calculators are permitted. Calculators with printing or programming
capabilities, alpha keyboards, or part of cell phones or Blackberry type
devices are not allowed. Candidates can bring small bags containing items for
personal use such as tissues, medications, wallets, and bottled water.

39. General Directions to Proctors
5. A wall clock should be available for candidates to view. The time
remaining on the examination should be posted or announced at regular
intervals.
6. NOISE: The testing room must be a quiet, comfortable environment
without distractions. Any disturbance that may affect performance of
candidates should be noted on the Examiner's Report.
7. EXHIBIT BOOKLETS: The exhibit booklets are printed in a double-sided
format. Candidates may have to unfold the pages to view certain
exhibits.
8. DEFECTIVE BOOKLETS: If a candidate has a defective booklet, the
Examiner should replace it. The number of the defective booklet and the
replacement booklet should be noted on the Examiner's Report.

40. General Directions to Proctors
9. RESTROOM BREAKS: Candidates must obtain permission to leave the
examination room for a restroom break during the actual testing time by
raising their hand. They must turn in their test booklet, exhibit, answer sheet,
and cell phone before leaving the room. Only one candidate will be permitted
to leave the room at a time. Note should be made on the Examiner’s Report if
any candidate is out of the testing room for any unusual length of time.
10. SMOKING is prohibited in the testing room.
If a candidate completes the exam early and leaves the testing room, the
candidate will not be allowed to re-enter the room.
11. CELL PHONES: Examiners/proctors (and candidates) should not use cell
phones or laptops while in the testing room.

41. General Directions to Proctors
12. COMMENT FORMS: Examiners/proctors should not, at any time,
attempt to answer any candidate’s questions regarding exam content.
Candidates should be advised to answer the exam question to the best of
their ability and then note their concern on the Question Comment Form.
Comment Forms should be distributed at the start of the morning session,
secured during the lunch break, and collected at the end of the afternoon
session. Comment forms are double-sided; candidates can use one side for
morning and the reverse for afternoon.
13. Under no circumstances is the examination room to be left unattended
by a member of the testing staff.

42. General Directions to Proctors
14. ID NUMBERS: Candidate ID Numbers are listed on the Examination
Roster for candidates who do not bring their Admission Notices. They should
be allowed to test as long as they included on the candidate roster.
15. CHEATING: Do not directly accuse any candidate of cheating. If cheating
is suspected, have another staff person verify your suspicion. If verification is
made, move the candidate to another seat. Note the candidate’s name and
ID. Number on the Incident Report along with the names and ID. Numbers of
all other involved candidates.
16. ILLNESS: If a candidate becomes ill and has to leave the exam, note the
candidate’s name on the Incident Report provided. Make sure you tell the
candidate that the answer sheet will be scored and the score reported to
both the candidate and entered into the AIC Constructor Certification
Commission’s records.

43. General Directions to Proctors
17. EXAMINEE SURVEYS: Examinee Satisfaction Surveys should be
distributed and collected before the start of the Afternoon Session.
Candidates are asked to complete the survey while remaining in the
examination room. They should not be allowed to leave without turning in
the survey. The surveys should be returned with the answer sheets in the
Express Mail envelope provided.
18. PROCTOR SURVEYS: Examination Site Surveys should be completed by
the test examiner or proctor. Please return the Examination Site Survey with
the answer sheets and Examinee Satisfaction Surveys in the Express Mail
envelope provided.
19. ANSWER SHEETS: Every candidate should use two (2) answer sheets: 1
for the morning session and 1for the afternoon session.

44. General Directions to Proctors
20. The Examiner or proctor should walk around the room frequently to
guard against cheating, the copying of questions and answers, the removal
of any pages from the test booklet, etc. Proctors should be highly visible
during the examination. They should move around the room periodically to
observe any irregularities that may occur. Any of the above irregularities
must be noted on the Incident Report.