UofCTS Certified Stone Specialist (CSS) Test

Taking the UofCTS Certified Stone Specialist (CTS) Test is part of the requirement to earn the UofCTS “CSS” Designation.  $300.00 USD per student per test. 

***** Included with each CSS Test registration is a 30 day access to the Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone course, the Tile Installer Thin-set Standards (ITS) Verification course, and The Complete Guide on Developing Tile & Stone Specifications with Architects course so the student can prepare for the test. The student will also have 30 days to take the test.  The test includes approximately 56 questions with some as True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching.  There are also 5 Essay questions. *****

CERTIFIED TILE SPECIALIST (CSS): The UofCTS offers certification accreditation for experienced tile professionals who have a minimum of two years, full time, on-the-job experience within the tile industry.  The UofCTS Certified Stone Specialist (CSS) program covers ceramic tile, glass tile, specialty tile, and related installation products.  Employment verification must be provided.

Prerequisite: Student must have a minimum of two years, full time, on-the-job experience within the tile industry, they must have fully completed and passed the Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone course, the Tile Installer Thin-set Standards (ITS) course, and The Complete Guide on Developing Tile & Stone Specifications with Architects course. 

Note: Before issuing a Certified Specialist designation, UofCTS Certification Board will review and scrutinize the student’s results from the respective courses they took. The UofCTS Certification Board must approve the student for the respective designation. ***Student must have passed the CSS Test with a score of 80% or higher, spent a reasonable amount of time in each lesson of each course demonstrating that they reviewed every page of the course in addition to having passed the respective lesson and course.  Test results are immediate upon completing the test.  Student will be notified within 30 days after passing the CSS test whether he/she has been approved for the CSS designation.

The CSS industry professional will be required to renew their certification every two years by retaking “CSS” Test. It is very important that industry professionals review this material every two years in order to stay current with industry products, methods and standards that are continually changing and improving.  Only individuals who maintain certification are permitted to use the UofCTS designated acronym “CSS”.  *To maintain this accreditation the student must demonstrate their work ethics and integrity by being knowledgeable, honest, and forthright with their clients.  

Within two weeks after being designated as a “CSS”, UofCTS will issue a diploma and an ID card with the industry professional’s name and date in which he/she completed the UofCTS Certification program along with an expiration date.  These cards can be presented to potential customers in addition to other credentials. *Having a UofCTS Certified Specialist designation will provide added credibility for tile professionals and will give companies a competitive advantage over their competition.

*Please note: The UofCTS “CSS” certifications are not a guarantee that the certified industry professional will perform satisfactory work, nor will it be an indication of their level of competency. It is verification by UofCTS that the respective industry professional has received a passing grade on the respective UofCTS online courses covering industry products, standards and methods, and has demonstrated that they understand this information.