QUALIFIED LABOR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Let’s start with certification Certification identifies an install- er as being a dedicated and knowl- edgeable professional whose com- petence in installing tile has been verified to meet specific tile indus- try standards. In the case of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) pro- gram is a rigorous program that tests expertise, how well the install- er keeps up with the fast-changing world of tile – from thin tile to very large-sized tile to new installation materials and tools – and how knowledgeable he or she is about tile installation best practices. The Advanced Tile Installer Certifications (ACT) take tile instal- lation expertise and knowledge to an even higher level. Both certifications help separate talented and expert tile installers from those who create the type of situations described in How Not to Install Tile on Floors, Walls and in Showers. Why tile installation certification matters to a homeowner To a homeowner, hiring a certi- fied tile installer means peace of mind that an elegant bathroom wall or sophisticated kitchen back- splash with wood-look floor tile installation will be done right the first time and looks spectacular for years to come. Why it matters to an architect or designer For an architect or designer, having a Certified Tile Installer exe- cute your vision for a ceramic tiled space means that the vision will not only come true, but it will also have structural integrity and func- tion as a testament to your exper- tise and design sensibility. 52 TileLetter | November 2017