Get Certified

The StreetSaver Rater Certification program helps raters build the skills and knowledge they need for accurate pavement condition ratings, all while following MTC’s 8AC/7PCC-distress protocol. Plus, this certification gives agencies confidence that raters can deliver the level of accuracy required for reliable assessments. For many StreetSaver users—both in and outside the Bay Area—local agencies often ask that consultants’ raters are certified or that their firms are prequalified by MTC to handle pavement data collection.

StreetSaver Rater Certification rocket flying from laptop

Expand Knowledge and Skills

The Rater Certification equips new and veteran raters with key information and skills to expand or refresh their road inspection knowledge.

StreetSaver Rater Certification consultant using software

Increase Efficiency

Save time and money by hiring StreetSaver-certified raters who we have thoroughly vetted and tested.

StreetSaver Rater Certification consultant viewing pavement conditions

Enhanced Credibility

Give your customers and agencies confidence that your raters have the expertise to deliver accurate, reliable data.

Register now for upcoming exams

Manual/Walking Survey Certification Exam (for individual Raters)

May 20th, 2026

  • For individual raters using manual (walking) survey methods. Successful completion of field exam qualifies vendors for MTC partnership opportunities

  • $1,150 registration fee for the MTC Manual Survey Certification field exam (every 4 years)

  • $500 renewal fee (includes required prerequisite online course and online exam) – eligible 2 years after taking the field exam

  • Distress manuals available for $25 from the StreetSaver online store

The Manual Certification Exam is designed to improve the quality of pavement management data collected in the field by pavement raters.

Rater Certification Program
Under the Pavement Management Technical Assistance Program (P-TAP), MTC requires all raters from a vendor-certified firm to earn certification through the Rater Certification Program (RCP). The RCP includes a pavement distress manual survey exam and an online knowledge exam.

These exams evaluate a rater’s skills and knowledge in pavement condition rating using MTC’s 8AC/7PCC-distress protocol. Raters must assess up to 24 test sites and meet the accuracy level defined by the Passing Criteria (see below).

Additionally, raters from non-P-TAP consulting firms and local agencies can also earn certification. MTC conducts the rater certification exam once a year.

After passing the exams, raters receive a certificate valid for two years. To renew certification for another two years, raters must complete a refresher course—Pavement Distress Identification Tutorial—and pass an online exam. Every four years, certified raters must retake both the field and knowledge exams to maintain certification, as long as they meet all prerequisites.

Prerequisites
The exam is open to pavement distress raters from P-TAP contractors, pavement management consultants, and local agencies.

At a minimum, raters must understand MTC’s pavement distress rating procedures. These procedures follow the 8AC/7PCC-distress protocol, based on a modified ASTM D6433. MTC provides detailed distress definitions and descriptions in two key manuals:

  • Pavement Condition Index Distress Identification Manual for Asphalt and Surface Treatment Pavements (5th Edition, March 2022)

  • Pavement Condition Index Distress Identification Manual for Jointed Portland Cement Concrete Pavements (4th Edition, March 2018)

Additionally, to meet prerequisites, raters must have completed one of the following:

  • Attended the MTC Pavement Distress Survey class within the last four years, or

  • Finished an online, self-paced Pavement Condition Assessment course.

Costs:

All applicants must pay a non-refundable registration fee of $1,150 for the Rater Certification exam.

You can purchase distress manuals from our store for $25.

To be eligible for renewal at 2 years after taking the field exam, raters must:

Rating & Recording Method
Raters must use the walking (manual) distress survey method, as no other methods are acceptable. MTC tests raters on both asphalt (AC) pavement and Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement.

For AC test sites, raters must collect distress data for the full street width by 100 feet in length. If the street is wider than 40 feet, they must collect data for half the width by 100 feet. For PCC, raters will record distress data based on each slab.

MTC designates and marks up to 24 test sites with paint on the pavement. Raters do not need to sample inspection units or calculate the PCI. However, they must record the total quantity of each distress and severity.

Raters should provide “raw data” on the inspection sheet (see Sample1_RatingSheet_AC and Sample2_RatingSheet_PCC), in StreetSaver format (as described in the Inspection Import Excel Format), and in MobileRater format.

Passing Criteria
To pass the field survey portion of the Rater Certification exam, raters must meet two key criteria for distress data:

  • At least 50% of PCI values for inspected sections must fall within ±8 PCI points of the reference, or “ground truth,” PCI values.

  • No more than 12% of PCI values can deviate by more than ±18 PCI points from the reference PCI values.

  • Raters from a firm that wishes to be considered for endorsement through MTC’s Vendor Certification Program must pass stricter criteria:

    • At least 50% of PCI values must fall within ±5 PCI points of the reference values.

    • No more than 12% of PCI values can deviate by more than ±15 PCI points from the reference.

After the exam, applicants will receive their field survey results by email. Successful candidates will then be invited to take the online knowledge exam.

To pass the online exam, applicants must score at least 80%. Only one retest is allowed. Raters must complete the online exam within one month of receiving the notification.

Rules and Testing Procedures
To ensure a level playing field, MTC may disqualify raters who do not follow these rules:

  • MTC distributes test site maps at 7:45 AM on the testing date at a designated meeting location.

  • Raters must complete all surveys within the allotted time frame, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

  • Raters must submit all raw data (paper or electronic) by 4:00 PM.

  • Only the walking (manual) distress survey method is allowed.

  • Each rater must perform the manual rating individually; teaming is not allowed.

  • MTC provides official inspection sheets; no substitutes will be accepted.

  • AC test sites are marked as full width by 100 feet or as specified. PCC test sites are marked from 10 to 30 slabs.

  • Raters must bring their own personal protective equipment and tools.

  • Fees are non-refundable and must be paid each time the exam is taken.

  • No retest is allowed for field survey exam, but will be offered at a reduced rate should the rater wish to take the exam on the next available date. One retest is permitted for the online knowledge exam.

  • MTC may suspend field testing due to inclement weather.

Why Get Certified?
MTC developed the StreetSaver pavement management software, which now supports over 500 users nationwide, including many cities and counties. In addition to providing StreetSaver to local agencies, MTC uses the software to assess regional street and road conditions and evaluate maintenance needs for the 109 cities and counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 2008, MTC has exclusively used StreetSaver to perform the California Local Street and Road Statewide Needs Assessment. This assessment helps inform the Governor and Legislature about the critical funding shortfall for maintaining local streets and roads. It also highlights the risks of deferring or reducing transportation funds for cities and counties.

To ensure high-quality data from P-TAP consultants, MTC developed strict procedures and guidelines for managing pavement data collection. The Data Quality Management Plan includes Rater and Vendor Certification Programs, quality control measures before, during, and after production, and a rigorous data acceptance process.

The Rater Certification Program ensures raters can deliver the required accuracy for pavement condition ratings. Additionally, some StreetSaver users—both within and outside the Bay Area—may require consultants’ raters to hold this certification or for their firms to be vendor-certified by MTC to conduct data collection.

Benefits of Becoming Certified:

  • Meet minimum qualifications required to respond to RFPs and RFQs for MTC’s Pavement Management Technical Assistance Program (P-TAP).

  • Boost local agencies’ confidence in the quality of your pavement condition databases.

  • Showcase your firm’s expertise in pavement condition data collection with certified raters.

  • Prove your commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality data.

  • Gain trusted referrals—MTC maintains and shares a list of certified consultants and raters.

Have questions about the exam? Contact us today to get the answers you need and take the next step toward certification.

Location:

Oakland, CA
Additional details provided upon registration.

Automated/Semi-Automated Survey Certification Exam (for Technology Vendors)

May 21st, 2026

  • For individuals and/or teams using automated or semi-automated collection technologies. Successful completion of field exam qualifies vendors for MTC partnership opportunities

  • $1,800 registration fee for the MTC Automated/Semi-Automated Survey Certification field exam

  • Recertification is required every 2 years, and if certification is maintained, the field exam is offered at a reduced rate of $750 for subsequent renewals

  • Distress manuals available for $25 in the StreetSaver online store

What Is the Technology Vendor Certification Program?

The Technology Vendor Certification Program (TVCP), like the Rater Certification Program, consists of a technology vendor passing a pavement distress survey exam. These exams are designed to evaluate the capabilities of a vendor’s technology on pavement condition rating based on the MTC’s 8AC/7PCC-distress protocol. A vendor’s technology must rate up to 24 test sites and achieve the required level of accuracy performing ratings as defined by the Passing Criteria (see below). The technology vendor certification exam is conducted twice a year; once in the spring and once in fall. Technology vendors must recertify their tech every two years by taking the field exam again, no further prerequisites are required. If the vendor maintains their certification every two years, the exam fees are reduced.

Rating & Recording Methods

The exam uses a pavement distress rating protocol based on a modified ASTM D6433 standard.

Accepted Methods: automated and semi-automated distress surveys.


Test Sites:

  • Automated/semi-automated: 12 ft. wide by 200 ft. long (AC).

  • PCC: rated by slab for all methods.

Technology Vendors must record the total quantity of each distress and severity. Provide “raw data” in the following formats:

  • Inspection sheets (Sample1_RatingSheet_AC, Sample2_RatingSheet_PCC)

  • StreetSaver format (Inspection Import Excel Format)

  • MobileRater format

 

Passing Criteria
To pass the field survey:

  • At least 50% of PCI values must fall within ±5 PCI points of the reference values.

  • No more than 12% of PCI values can deviate by more than ±15 PCI points from the reference.

MTC will email exam results within 30 days.

Rules and Testing Procedures
To ensure fairness, all technology vendors must follow these rules:

  • MTC distributes test site maps at 7:45 AM on exam day at the assigned meeting location.
  • Complete surveys between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
  • Submit all raw data (paper or electronic) by 4:00 PM.
  • Specify rating methods (automated or semi-automated) during registration.
  • Teamwork is expected for all rating methods.
  • Registrants must bring personal protective equipment and necessary tools.
  • Fees are non-refundable and apply each time the exam is taken.
  • No retest is allowed for field survey exam, but will be offered at a reduced rate should the vendor wish to take the exam on the next available date.
  • MTC may suspend field testing during inclement weather.


Certificate Validation & Renewal
Technology vendors who pass receive a certificate valid for two years. To renew:

  • Vendors will be required to take the field exam every 2 years. If certification is maintained, then subsequent renewals will result in a reduced field exam fee.

Prerequisites
The TVCP is open to pavement distress data collection vendors and pavement management consultants.

At a minimum, vendors must:

  • Understand MTC’s pavement distress rating protocol.

Costs

  • Automated/Semi-Automated Certification Exam: $1,800 (non-refundable)

  • Distress Manuals: $25 (available in our store)

Why Get Certified?
MTC developed the StreetSaver pavement management software, now used by over 500 clients nationwide—including cities, counties, MPOs, HOAs, and private operators.

Since 2008, StreetSaver has been the exclusive tool for conducting the California Local Street and Road Statewide Needs Assessment, which informs state leaders about critical funding shortfalls.

To ensure reliable pavement data, MTC enforces strict procedures through its Data Quality Management Plan, including:

  • Manual and Automated/Semi-Automated Certification Programs

  • Quality control measures before, during, and after production

  • A vetted consultant selection process

Many StreetSaver users adopt these standards and require vendors to hold MTC certification when bidding for projects.

Benefits of Becoming Certified:

  • Qualify for RFPs/RFQs from MTC and local agencies.

  • Build client confidence in your data quality.

  • Showcase your expertise in pavement condition data collection.

  • Demonstrate commitment to delivering accurate results.

  • Gain referrals—MTC maintains a list of certified vendors and individual raters.

Have Questions?
Contact us today to learn more and start your certification process.

Location:

Oakland, CA
Additional details provided upon registration.

Space is limited

Reserve your spot for our next Rater Certification exam today!