QUALIFIED LABOR ––––––––––––––––––––––– NTCA starts Kris Nardone on the path towards certification In the summer of ’17, Kris Nardone, owner of K_Nardone Custom Tile Work, Kennesaw, Ga., became Certified Tile Installer #1364, at a Certified Tile Installer (CTI) exam at The Tile Shop in his town. After 20 years as a tile setter – and now with over six thousand fol- lowers on Instagram @k_nardone customtilework – Nardone said he took the exam because “Being a certified tile installer adds cred- ibility to myself and my business.” But it all started when he joined NTCA in 2016. “The NTCA gave me a network of people and information that I didn’t have before,” Nardone said. “I spoke to another Certified Tile Installer about the CTI exam. I had attended a NTCA workshop in 2017 and met a local CTI exam instructor who also spoke to me about the CTI exam. “After finding out more about the test, I knew that this certification would represent my experience in the trade and allow me to network within the industry,” he added. “I’ve always used industry standards. If I can be a part of a network of peo- ple that help add knowledge to my business and con- tinuously improve my trade then I’m all for it.” Nardone spent time preparing for the exam. “I read the CTEF workbook a cou- ple times and looked at social media to make notes,” he said. “I also brought a list of key compo- nents to the test that I thought were important to track my day/prog- ress. Every minute of the hands-on test counts. Layout is key! Other than that, I set tile daily. If you can think of it, I can tile it.” His job experience made the book section of the exam rela- tively easy, but the hands-on por- tion was another story. “I thought the hands-on portion would be a breeze in the beginning, and then I heard from other certified installers not to underestimate the exam,” he said. “After taking the test, I know now that it does chal- lenge your skills and knowledge as well as your time management. Kris Nardone, owner of K_ Nardone Custom Tile Work 94 TileLetter | March 2018