The Benefits of Being PCI-Certified
PCI certifies quality planning and the process of erecting precast concrete components according to requirements specifically developed for the types of products being manufactured. This provides greater assurance to owners, architects, engineers, and contractors that precast concrete components will be installed according to stringent industry standards. The PCI Erector Certification Program ensures that each erector has developed and documented an in-depth in-house quality system, and provides third-party attestation or certification to the erectors by providing each erector with one thorough audit each year, conducted by competent and independent PCI-Certified Company Auditors. This helps PCI-Certified Erectors stay competitive while meeting the needs of their stakeholders in a safe, responsible, and sustainable manner.
The Process of Becoming PCI-Certified
The process starts with your company completing an application. Below is a brief overview of the steps. While the overall timeframe to achieve certification varies greatly, the average time is four to six months.
- The first step is to submit a completed application with the application fee of $5000 (nonrefundable).
- The next step is to submit a field quality audit report (FQAR) and erector’s post-audit declaration (EPAD) to PCI for review and enroll one or more field personnel in the Quality Control School. PCI-Certified Field Auditor certification is required for internal field audits, which the erector must conduct. The FQAR and EPAD must be approved before an in-office audit can occur.
- Once the FQAR and EPAD have been approved, the initial certification audit can take place. Upon successful completion of this audit, the erector is then certified for the erection categories that are observed during the audit and are sufficiently covered in the FQAR.
The overall process can take up to six months for erectors that are ready to be audited. If you are not PCI-certified, you may not be eligible to bid on a project because there is no guarantee that an erector will become certified in time to install precast concrete products.
About PCI Membership
When an erector has completed all of the certification requirements and has maintained certification for one year, the company is eligible for PCI erector membership. This is very beneficial for many reasons, including a substantial discount on your PCI certification fees.
Please note: PCI has regional organizations that cover many areas of the country. Membership in these organizations can benefit your company. Erectors that are geographically located within a PCI Chapter are NOT required to join that Chapter as a condition of PCI erector membership.