Online Testing

The WACEL Online Testing Platform is now operational for all WACEL written certification exams.

To register your technicians for online exams, you must have supervisor status in the WACEL database. If you need supervisor status, email tcohn@wacel.org with the names and email address of those in your organization who should be designated as supervisors.  

Steps to register technicians for online exams:

• Log on to the WACEL web site at www.wacel.org.
• Click on the drop down menu on the TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM tab underneath the WACEL logo on the landing page and click on online testing.
• Click on the blue bar at the bottom of the page that says "Click here to register technicians."
• If the technician you want to register has previously taken a WACEL certification exam while in your employ, his or her name should be listed under the select a person tab. If the tech has not previously taken an exam while in your employ, fill in the first and last name in the appropriate fields. You must provide a valid email address for the technician and you also must provide a password that is at least six characters in length and one of the characters must be a number.  
• After registering a technician and hit submit. An email is sent to WACEL to assign the exam as well as to the supervisor and the technician taking the exam. After WACEL assigns the exam, the exam will be available the following business day between the hours of 7am and 7pm. 
• Technicians must take the exam at a company office and must be overseen by a PE/WACEL-approved supervisor. 
• After the technician completes the exam, a PE or designated supervisor must submit the online application signed by the technician and supervisor and submitted to WACEL (tcohn@wacel.org) along with a photo of the technician and a photo of the technician’s government-issued identification (e.g. driver’s license). By signing the application both the PE/Supervisor and the technician certify that they followed online testing guidelines and that they did not compromise the integrity of the WACEL certification program. If you do not submit an application or the required photos, no certification will be issued.

Call us at 301-652-7925 or email tcohn@wacel.org with questions or if you need more information.

Certification and Accreditation Program Scheduling

Preventing Retaining Wall Problems and Failures

May 20, 2026

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Maggiano’s Springfield Mall

Springfield, VA

Most retaining walls fail because of design errors, improper geogrid placement and inadequate drainage.  If you want to learn best practices for preventing these failures, attend the WACEL, Wednesday May 20 Meeting at Maggiano’s Springfield Mall, from 11am-1pm.  Doug Statler (York Building Products) will provide an advanced overview of both segmental and precast modular block retaining walls, conveying best practices for avoiding problems and failure

Learning Objectives

•  Understand how gravity walls and geogrid reinforced walls are designed and function:
  • Review cross sections
  • Design guidelines
  • Rules of thumb
• The wide range of specific project applications where modular walls are used:
  • Water applications
  • Parks
  • Trails
  • Bridges
  • DOT projects
  • Amphitheaters
  • Athletic fields
• Best practices for special inspections of retaining walls
• The expanded array of visually appealing retain wall system options available
• Recognize the health and safety benefits of proper retaining wall design and installation
• Lessons learned from past projects
  • Water management
  • Global stability
  • Proper backfill soils
  • Unsuitable bearing soils

Click here to register..

One CEU will be presented for attending this session.