Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1 (Course & Exam)

Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1 (CTQP)

The CTQP Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1 course (ECI Level 1) is a foundational FDOT training program for the QC technician qualified to perform earthwork acceptance tests — such as nuclear density tests, Speedy moisture, sampling soils, and reporting results in the Earthwork Records System (ERS) — on Florida Department of Transportation highway and bridge construction projects.

Per the FDOT Construction Training and Qualification Manual (CTQM), a qualified ECI Level 1 technician should safely and effectively sample soil materials from the roadway, take earthwork density readings, and record and store data into the Department’s ERS database. Personnel who test earthwork to verify material quality, resolve disputes, or perform Independent Assurance (IA) must also possess this qualification.

The qualification requirements are designed to be completed by a newly hired employee with minimal guidance — making ECI Level 1 the entry point into FDOT earthwork inspection.

ECI Level 1 Course Overview

The Earthwork Level 1 training is a one and one-half day course covering the Florida Methods (FM) and systems used in earthwork acceptance testing:

• FM 1-R 090 — Sampling Aggregates
• FM 1-T 238 — Density of Soils and Bituminous Concrete Mixtures in Place by the Nuclear Method
• FM 5-507 — Determination of Moisture Content by Means of a Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Moisture Tester (the “Speedy Moisture Test”)
• Overview of the Earthwork Records System (ERS)

On the second day, the written examination and the proficiency examination are administered. Training course attendance is encouraged but not required for qualification — however, the proficiency exam is a hands-on demonstration with a checklist, and structured instruction is the best preparation for passing on the first attempt.

CTQP ECI Level 1 Qualification Requirements

There are three requirements for the Earthwork Level 1 qualification:

• Hold a valid nuclear radiation safety certificate (FDOT employees who have completed the Safety and Control of Equipment with Radioactive Materials Course, ST-06-0001, satisfy this requirement; applicants must certify this on the application)
• Pass the Earthwork Level 1 written examination
• Pass the Earthwork Level 1 proficiency examination

ECI Level 1 Written Examination

• 2 hours, multiple choice, administered on the second day of the course
• Minimum passing score of 70%
• Electronically graded by the CTQP Administrator and posted in the Training Qualification Database System (TQDBS) — allow two weeks for grading and posting

ECI Level 1 Proficiency Examination

• Hands-on demonstration of the Florida Methods: FM 1-T 238 (nuclear density), FM 5-507 (Speedy Moisture Test), and reporting results in ERS Forms 675-020-27 and 675-020-28 (technicians using Electronic ERS must still demonstrate proficiency filling out the forms)
• A checklist is used for each area; the trainee has up to two opportunities on the same day to demonstrate all items — two failures in one area constitutes failure of the proficiency examination
• Anyone failing may apply for a future proficiency examination with a new application and fee

Once both examinations are passed, the qualification date is added to the training database. The ECI Level 1 qualification is valid for five years (60 months) from the date both exams are passed.

ECI Level 1 Requalification

With an active qualification, requalification requires passing the written examination only. If the qualification is allowed to expire, the technician must pass both the written and proficiency examinations again.

Plan ahead: the requalification application should begin after month 54, and extensions past the 60-month expiration date are not granted. Renewing on time saves you the full proficiency exam.

Who Should Take This Course

• QC technicians performing earthwork acceptance testing on FDOT projects
• Verification Testing (VT) and Independent Assurance (IA) personnel
• Contractor and private lab employees performing nuclear density and moisture testing
• Newly hired inspectors entering FDOT earthwork construction
• Professionals pursuing the ECI Level 2 qualification, which requires passing the Level 1 written and proficiency exams

Why This FDOT Certification Matters

Embankment, subgrade, backfill, and granular base are the foundation of every roadway. Inaccurate density or moisture testing leads to settlement, pavement failures, and costly disputes.

The ECI Level 1 course ensures technicians perform every test per the Florida Methods and record results correctly in the ERS — protecting quality from the ground up on FDOT highway and bridge projects.

Career Benefits

The CTQP ECI Level 1 qualification is the required first step in the FDOT earthwork career path and a prerequisite for Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 2, which adds ERS certification, Standard Specifications, and density theory. It is one of the most in-demand entry qualifications in Florida roadway construction.