Asphalt Paving Level 2 (Course & Exam)

Asphalt Paving Level 2 (CTQP)

The Asphalt Paving Level 2 course is an advanced training program designed to prepare experienced roadway technicians, private consultants, and contractor employees to inspect asphalt pavement construction 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, paver and roller operations, balancing of the paving operation, uniformity of the mat, and the components of hot mix asphalt placement — and who is able to identify trends, norms, problem areas, and best management practices, and adjust paving operations as necessary.

The objective of this qualification is to ensure personnel responsible for inspecting asphalt pavement construction (paving and compaction) are familiar with FDOT specification requirements, good construction practices, and the equipment operation necessary to place and compact a Superpave mixture that meets requirements for smoothness, texture, density, cross slope, and thickness.

Course Overview

The Asphalt Paving Level 2 training is a three-day course that emphasizes the need for uniformity and consistency of the mix, placement, and compaction operations to achieve FDOT specification requirements.

The course covers:

• Paver and roller equipment operation — proper paver operation for smoothness and proper roller operation to achieve specified density
• Balancing delivery, milling, paving, and compaction operations, with practical demonstrations
• FDOT specifications for acceptance of mix on the roadway, including the statistical approach behind the specifications and how to input data
• The use of random numbers for density sampling
• Identification of pavement problems, their possible causes, and solutions
• Recognizing problems in the paving operation and making suggestions for corrections

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

Qualification Requirements

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

• Pass the Asphalt Paving Level 2 written examination
• First-time qualifiers must possess an active Asphalt Paving Level 1 qualification at the time of taking the Asphalt Paving Level 2 written examination
• Have 90 days of experience in asphalt paving operations or asphalt roadway 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 Paving Level 2 requires passing the current written examination only — no proficiency exam, and an active Level 1 qualification is not required.

Additionally, a successful requalification of Asphalt Paving Level 2 automatically requalifies your Asphalt Paving Level 1, even if it has expired.

Important: If your Asphalt Paving Level 2 qualification expires, you will be considered a first-time qualifier and must obtain the Asphalt Paving Level 1 qualification before requalifying for Level 2. Don’t let your 60-month window close.

Who Should Take This Course

• Experienced roadway technicians with an active Asphalt Paving Level 1 qualification
• Private consultants and contractor employees inspecting FDOT paving projects
• Quality control personnel responsible for paving and compaction operations
• Engineers and project staff overseeing hot mix asphalt placement
• Technicians whose Level 2 qualification is approaching its 60-month expiration

Why This Course Matters

Asphalt pavement performance depends heavily on proper placement, compaction, and consistency. Variations in operations can lead to defects such as low density, poor smoothness, and reduced durability.

The Asphalt Paving Level 2 course equips professionals with the skills to identify and correct these issues in real time — before they impact the final product. By understanding both the technical specifications and the operational side of paving equipment, participants ensure that construction meets FDOT standards and delivers long-lasting roadway performance.

Career Benefits

The CTQP Asphalt Paving Level 2 qualification positions professionals for advanced inspection and supervisory roles on FDOT paving projects. It demonstrates the ability to interpret specifications, analyze quality control data, and manage the balance of delivery, paving, and compaction operations.

Level 2 qualified professionals are the decision-makers on the roadway — highly valued for their ability to recognize problems, recommend corrections, and keep paving operations in compliance with Florida’s strictest infrastructure standards.