Installer Tile Specialist (ITS) Installation Standards Verification Course

Become an “Installer Tile Specialist” (ITS) – The Installer Tile Specialist (ITS) Installation Standards Verification course provides a certificate of completion to those who complete and pass the course.  If the student is and has worked full time within the tile and stone industry for at least 1 year, and has taken the current ITS course, they can use the ITS acronym next to their name that stands for Installer Tile Specialist.

Being ITS Verified demonstrates that the tile installer knows the current industry standards.  Being ITS Verified can help installers gain more work, charge more for their work, and avoid costly problems.

***This is also a DYI How to Install Tile course***

This course instructs installers on industry standards and proper installation methods for tile thin-set applications that apply to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, stone tile, glass tile, and other types of adhered tile materials.  This course is also meaningful to architects, general contractors, consultants, inspectors, and owners who want to be aware of the industry installation standards and methods.

Tile installers can earn a biennial (two year) certificate of completion documenting that they have studied and understand the current industry standards and proper installation methods for thin-set applications. Employers have access to management reports to monitor employee performance.

Tile companies can demonstrate to architects and homeowners that their tile installers have been trained on proper installation methods using industry standards, thereby avoiding costly delays and failures.

See video preview of the ITS Verification course in English or Spanish by clicking this link, then scroll to the bottom of that page.

The Spanish version of the ITS Verification course is recommended for people who speak and read Spanish fluently and who attended school in a Spanish speaking country.  Those who don’t read Spanish fluently, and do read English, should take the English version of the course.

Latest Version with New Topics Now Available

In March 2017 the USA English and Spanish versions, and the Canadian English version of the ITS course were updated.  A new section that reflects a growing trend in Thin Tile Panels has been added called How to Install the Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels.  This new lesson appears in the Special Tile Applications chapter and focuses on wall and floor installations, product characteristics, the tools necessary for installing these large tile panels, proper substrate conditions and installation methods. It is loaded full of photos, video clips and animations to assist in teaching installers how to install these large tile panels.

The Special Tile Application lesson also has a new section on How to Construct Tile Showers that includes shower pans, curbless showers, and steam showers. An expanded section on How to Install Glass Tile and Mosaics, and a section on How to Install Tile in Swimming Pools and other Water Features has been added.

Under the Preparing Substrates lesson there is a topic that covers the Tile Layout Process and options. Tile Installation Methods lesson also has a new section that reviews the Types of Tools Used and Needed when doing a tile installation.

Grouting is a key issue and so important to the finishing touch of an installation. So a new lesson has been written that covers the types of grout and how to install them, including cementitious grouts, pre-mixed grouts, and epoxy grouts. It also shows the different grouting methods, from the use of rubber floats to grout bags.

Enrollment and Renewal

Once enrolled, students have 14 days to complete the course with 24/7 access via the computer.  The course is interactive and full of short video clips and photos to maximize learning.  Depending on the pace of the student, and without interruption, the course can be completed within 4 to 5 hours.

Employers can track employees’ course progress and can access performance reports.  A passing grade enables students to print out a personalized certificate to carry with them, indicating that they have completed the ITS course.

A passing grade enables students to print out a personalized certificate indicating they know and understand the thin-set installation standards and methods.  Students will also be able to print out a Student Reference Guide with all of the key information from the course that they can use as a resource.

Installers who pass the course and have at least one year experience as a full time tile installer (a setter or a finisher) can use the ITS acronym next to their name indicating they are ITS Verified by the UofCTS.

The ITS Certificate is only good for two years so installers must retake the updated course every two years in order to stay current with the new industry standards.

The course is available in both English and Spanish and can be completed within about four to five hours, depending on the pace of the student.

Table of Contents

  • Course Introduction
  • Lesson 1:  Industry Standards for Substrates, Surface Preparation and Workmanship
  • Lesson 2:  Industry Standards for Thin-set Applications
  • Lesson 3:  Qualifying and Inspecting Substrates
  • Lesson 4:  Preparing Substrates
  • Lesson 5:  Tile Installation Methods
  • Lesson 6: Special Tile Applications
  • Lesson 7: Grouting
  • Lesson 8: Quality Control Process
  • Course Conclusion

Tuition is $150 per person.

Click here to Purchase Course.  Click here for volume discount information.

Disclaimer: Passing the ITS Verification course and having a Tile Installer Thin-set Standards (ITS) Certificate and using the ITS designation is not an indication that the student has the skills to perform good tile work or will perform good tile work.  It simply is an indication that the student took the course and passed it demonstrating that he/she learned the industry standards for the thin-set application and that he/she understood those standards.  This course is not proctored. We assume that all registrants actually take the course and tests themselves.