Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Technical Certification Program

Bituminous Plant Tester Certification (BPTC) – Performance Review Scheduling

In order to become certified as a Bituminous Plant Tester, you must complete a Performance Exam after the class and by May 15, 2025. The certification will not be awarded until you pass the Performance Exam. If it is not completed by the deadline, you will need to re-take the class next season to be eligible for another chance at a Performance Exam.

You may take a BPTC Performance Exam in any MnDOT District, statewide , but we will encourage you to complete it in your local district or where you are most likely to be working. If you cannot get it done in your local district, you may do it at any other, as long as you arrange it with that district staff.

Step 1: Identify your district using the map and/or the information page.

Step 2: Find who to contact and how and when to schedule your appointment. (See information below.)

Step 3: Schedule your Performance Exam sometime after the last day of your BPTC class and by May 15. (If you want to do the exam at the plant where you work but it is not running until June or if you are experienced with bituminous testing and you and the district IA agree you can do your IA Annual Review at the same time, you may ask to have the deadline extended to June 15, 2025. But you must contact the MnDOT District staff before May 15, 2025, to arrange the extension or it may not be given to you.)

MnDOT districts

  • Kris Westerbur, Independent Assurance
    Office: 218-725-2737
    Mobile: 218-348-6297

    • Location(s): District Lab in Duluth, plant lab or other bituminous testing lab as applicable.

    Best way to contact: Email is preferred, but phone will work.

    Dates and times: Flexible timing January 11 to May 15; extensions available up to June 15 for those working at portable plants, but only if you reach out before May 15 to arrange.

    Independent Assurance Review: Independent Assurance Review: Yes, available to do along with the Performance Exam, if discussed in advanced; experienced testers only

  • Jason Kissel, Lab Supervisor
    218-755-6542

    • Location(s): District Lab 2A, Bemidji or at your local workplace (plant); please coordinate with co-workers to do it at the same time when possible.

    Best way to contact: Call Jason or Ray

    Dates and times: Flexible but typically after Jan 1 and before May 1

    Independent Assurance Review: Yes, available to do along with the Performance Exam, if arranged with IA staff.

To arrange your annual Independent Assurance review
  • Matthew Miles, Independent Assurance
    Office: 218-828-5753
    Mobile: 218-232-6748
To schedule a Bituminous Plant Tester performance exam
  • Tom Boser, Lab Supervisor
    218-821-3764

    • Location(s): District Lab 3A Baxter, 3B St. Cloud or at your local workplace (plant); if done at your plant, please coordinate with co-workers to do it at the same time.

    Best way to contact: Call or email Tom Boser or Matt Miles.

    Dates and times: Flexible timing January 11 to May 15; extensions available up to June 15 for those working at portable plants, but only if you reach out before May 15 to arrange.

    Independent Assurance Review: Yes, available to do along with the Performance Exam, if arranged with IA staff; experienced testers only.

  • Casey Clarke, Independent Assurance
    Office: 218-846-3613
    Mobile: 218-849-7373
  • Wayne Koons
    218-846-3617

    • Location(s): District 4 Lab Detroit Lakes

    Best way to contact: Call or email Bruce Bryngelson or Wayne Koons

    Dates and times: Flexible timing January 11 to May 15; extensions available up to June 15 for those working at portable plants, but only if you reach out before May 15 to arrange.

    Independent Assurance Review: Yes, available to do along with the Performance Exam, if arranged with IA staff.

  • Ray Betts
    Maplewood Bituminous Research Lab
    651-366-5469

    • Location(s): Maplewood Trial Mix Lab, Office of Materials and Road Research

    Best way to contact: Use email for paper trail; calls are acceptable, but email is preferred.

    Dates and times: Mostly flexible on timing and will work out a time that works best for both of the parties concerned, through the May 15 deadline with extensions to June 15 if needed, if you reach out before May 15 to arrange.

    Independent Assurance Review: No, not available during Performance Exam; contact the Independent Assurance staff to schedule separately.

  • Joe Drees, Independent Assurance
    507-251-0138

Location(s): Maplewood Trial Mix Lab, Office of Materials and Road Research

Best way to contact: Use email for paper trail; calls are acceptable, but email is preferred.

Dates and times: Mostly flexible on timing and will work out a time that works best for both of the parties concerned, through the May 15 deadline with extensions to June 15 if needed, if you reach out before May 15 to arrange.

Independent Assurance Review: No, not available during Performance Exam; contact the Independent Assurance staff to schedule separately.

  • Lee McLaughlin
    507-304-6186

    • Location(s): District 7 Lab Mankato.

    Best way to contact: Call Lee McLaughlin at Lab or email Lee.

    Dates and times: Flexible timing January 11 to May 15; extensions available for those working at portable plants, but only if you reach out before May 15 to arrange.

    Independent Assurance Review: Yes, available to do along with the Performance Exam, if arranged with IA staff; experienced testers only.

  • Paul Janke Jr, Independent Assurance
    Office: 320-214-6348
    Mobile: 320-212-5739
  • Jon Vlaminck
    320-894-7409

    • Location(s): District Lab 8A Willmar, 8B Marshall or at your local workplace (plant); if done at your plant, please coordinate with co-workers to do it at the same time.

    Best way to contact: Call Jon Vlaminck for if at Lab or Paul Janke for at a plant facility.

    Dates and times: Flexible timing January 11 to May 15; extensions available for those working at portable plants, but only if you reach out before May 15 to arrange.

    Independent Assurance Review: Yes, available to do along with the Performance Exam, if arranged with IA staff; experienced testers only.