Asphalt Plant Level 2 (Course & Exam)

Asphalt Plant Level 2 (CTQP)

The Asphalt Plant Level 2 course is an advanced training program designed for experienced plant technicians, private consultants, and contractor employees responsible for operating or inspecting asphalt production operations in accordance with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) specifications and CTQP requirements.

Per the FDOT Construction Training and Qualification Manual (CTQM), this qualification is for the professional who is knowledgeable in specification requirements, stockpiling, cold feeds, blending and adjustments, interpreting quality control charts, plant calibration, inspection and operation, temperature control, and load out — and who is able to identify trends, norms, problem areas, and best management practices related to uniform mix production.

The objective of this qualification is to ensure personnel operating or inspecting an asphalt production operation are familiar with FDOT specification requirements, proper materials management, and the equipment operation necessary to produce a Superpave mixture that meets the mix design criteria and mix production requirements.

Course Overview

The Asphalt Plant Level 2 training is a three-day course that emphasizes the need for uniformity and consistency of asphalt mix materials — from the properties of component materials, blending, heating, drying, and mixing, to loading and transporting the mixture to the roadway.

The course covers:

• Proper stockpiling and loading of aggregates into the cold feed bins
• Blending and adjustment of blends based on test results
• FDOT specifications for acceptance of mix at the plant, including the statistical approach behind the specifications and how to input data
• Interpretation of quality control charts to recognize problems and make changes in operation
• The theory and use of random numbers for obtaining samples
• Plant calibration, inspection, and operation
• Proper loading, scale checks, and mixture weighing
• The need for uniformity of materials, proportions, temperature, and quality control

Training course attendance is encouraged, but it is not required for qualification. However, the 4-hour examination covers specification requirements and plant operations in depth — structured instruction significantly improves your chances of passing on the first attempt.

Qualification Requirements

To obtain the CTQP Asphalt Plant Level 2 qualification, all trainees must:

• Pass the Asphalt Plant Level 2 written examination
• First-time qualifiers must possess an active Asphalt Plant Level 1 qualification at the time of taking the Asphalt Plant Level 2 examination
• Have 90 days of experience in asphalt plant operations or asphalt mix testing

Written Examination

• Open book, multiple choice
• 4 hours in duration, administered in the second half of the third day of the course
• Minimum passing grade of 70%
• Electronically graded by the CTQP Administrator — allow two weeks for grading and posting of results

Once all requirements are met, the trainee’s qualification date is recorded in the CTQP training database. The qualification is valid for five years (60 months) from the date the last qualification examination requirement was satisfied.

Requalification

Requalification for Asphalt Plant Level 2 requires passing the current written examination only — an active Asphalt Plant Level 1 qualification is not required.

Important: Unlike the Asphalt Paving track, a successful requalification of Asphalt Plant Level 2 does not automatically requalify your Asphalt Plant Level 1. Each plant-level qualification must be renewed independently. Any technician who fails to requalify by the 60th month becomes disqualified on the last day of the 60th month and must reapply for qualification.

Who Should Take This Course

• Experienced asphalt plant technicians with an active Asphalt Plant Level 1 qualification
• Private consultants and contractor employees operating or inspecting asphalt production facilities
• Quality control personnel responsible for plant-level mix acceptance on FDOT projects
• FDOT personnel inspecting asphalt production operations
• Technicians whose Plant Level 2 qualification is approaching its 60-month expiration

Why This Course Matters

Asphalt pavement quality begins at the plant. Inconsistencies in stockpiling, blending, temperature control, or calibration can produce non-uniform mixtures that lead to premature cracking, rutting, and reduced pavement life.

The Asphalt Plant Level 2 course equips professionals with the tools to interpret quality control data, recognize production problems, and make operational changes in real time — keeping every ton of mix within FDOT specification limits before it ever reaches the roadway.

Career Benefits

The CTQP Asphalt Plant Level 2 qualification positions professionals for supervisory and inspection roles in asphalt production on FDOT projects. It demonstrates mastery of plant operations, materials management, and statistical quality control.

Level 2 qualified professionals are the decision-makers at the plant — valued for their ability to keep production uniform, compliant, and efficient, and a natural step toward the Asphalt Mix Designer qualification for those pursuing the top of the asphalt career path.