Allan Block Contractor Certification Program:

Become an Expert in SRW Wall and AB Fence Construction
The Allan Block Contractor Certification Program is designed to give contractors the proper training and tools to ensure top quality retaining walls are built. As a leader in the industry, Allan Block Corporation has developed these tools and training programs to help contractors get the knowledge and the resources they need.

With the help of our vast network of trained Allan Block representatives, thousands of professionals have already taken advantage of our installation training, technical support, and the many tools we have available to help them plan, design and build with Allan Block products.

Segemental Retaining Wall with Curve
This three-stage program blends the details of wall design and the experience of wall construction to help us define each contractor’s individual level of ability and service. This on-going certification program has also helped us provide a better understanding of how and why stackable structures work so well.

Working through the levels of the Allan Block Contractor Certification Program, we will show you why training can be your best resource for high quality engineered wall construction. Click on the levels below to view the requirements:
Schedule of Upcoming Training Classes

AB Contractor Binder:
Resources to Support Building Retaining Walls and Fences

AB Certificate

How To Become A Certified Wall Installer
The first step in the program is Level One, the Certified Wall Installer. To become one, a contractor must first attend an Allan Block Contractor Certification Training Course. This course covers the following topics:

  • The advantages of the Allan Block product line
  • How Allan Block products work
  • Basic principals of wall design
  • How Allan Block & geogrid reinforcement work together
  • Basic design methodology
  • Why walls fail
  • Wall estimating tools
  • Proper methods for constructing an Allan Block wall.
  • Hands-on participation building walls with AB products
 Hands-on training on building walls
At the completion of the course you will be asked to take a written test. This test must be completed and turned in to your local Allan Block sales representative. Once this has been done, the last step is for you to build an Allan Block wall that has a minimum height of 3 ft (0.9 m) and is a minimum of 300 units (full size or equivalent). Notify your local sales representative of the completion of these requirements so that your local sales representative can submit the appropriate paperwork to Allan Block Corp. to receive your Allan Block Certified Wall Installer Certificate.

Summary of Level One – Certified Wall Installer Requirements:
  • Attend an Allan Block Contractor Certification Course
  • Complete & pass the written test
  • Build an Allan Block wall with a minimum height of 3 ft (0.9 m) and a minimum of 300 units (full size or equivalent)
  • Have an AB Sales Representative inspect the wall
 SRW Wall with terrace using AB Collection AB Ashlar Blend

All projects are counted by the number of full size Allan Block units used. If smaller sized units are used, the number of blocks must be equivalent to full size units. Example: 2 AB Jumbo Juniors = 1 AB Classic (full size unit).

Contractors that build their first wall with either the AB or AB Europa Collections will become Level One Certified. Contractors who build their first AB Fieldstone Collection wall will become AB Fieldstone Certified.

Disclaimer: Becoming a certified contractor signifies that a contractor has been to an Allan Block Certification class and has been trained. Allan Block does not guarantee the performance of any wall constructed by a certified contractor.


How To Become An Experienced Wall Installer
The second step in the program is the Experienced Wall Installer. Although the options of what you can do with Allan Block products are without limit, there are a few basic concepts that must be mastered to move into the experienced level. To become an Experienced Wall Installer you must build 5 additional walls that meet the specifications listed below:

SRW Wall with terrace using AB Collection AB Ashlar Blend

retaining wall using step downs in the AB Collection from Allan Block
All 5 walls submitted must comply with the following:
  • Walls comply with local building codes
  • Walls constructed meet industry tolerances
  • Detailed project proposals were submitted and pre-construction meetings were held for each project
  • All walls built have a minimum height of 3 ft (0.9 m) and a minimum of 300 units (full size or equivalent)
  • AB Tech Sheet #797 – Caring for Your Retaining Wall was left with the property owner on each project
  • Material lien waivers were supplied to the property owner and/or general contractor at completion of construction for each wall
  • Geogrid reinforcement was used on a minimum of 3 of the 5 submitted walls
  • Stamped drawings from a local engineer were used on a minimum of 3 of the 5 submitted walls
  • Each of the following conditions must be covered on at least one of the 5 walls submitted:
    • Curved wall (inside or outside radius)
    • Step up or step downs (at base and top of wall)
    • Slopes above the top of the wall
    • Terraced wall
    • Water management detail (example: drainage swale)
Notify your local Allan Block sales representative of any AB walls you would like submitted toward your Experienced Wall Installer certification so that your local sales representative can submit the appropriate paperwork to Allan Block Corp. to receive your Allan Block Experienced Wall Installer Certificate.

Summary of Experienced Wall Installer requirements:
  • Has completed Level One Certification
  • Has completed 5 additional walls that meet the guidelines and requirements listed above
  • Allan Block sales representative has inspected each submitted wall
All projects are counted by the number of full size Allan Block units used. If smaller sized units are used, the number of blocks must be equivalent to full size units. Example: 2 AB Jumbo Juniors = 1 AB Classic (full size unit).

How To Become A Master Wall Builder
The third and final step in the program is the Master Wall Builder. Contractors that reach this level have both the knowledge and the skills to build top quality Allan Block walls. Set apart from other wall installers, the Master Wall Builder is more widely accepted and sought after by the engineering community.

To become a Master Wall Builder you must build Allan Block projects totaling up to a minimum of 25,000 units (full size or equivalent) or a total of 10 walls with an average of 1000 units (full size or equivalent). Unit count is accumulative. Any walls built to satisfy the Level One and Experienced requirements count toward your Level Three requirement. Each of these walls must meet the following specifications:

Terraced Retaining Wall with curves


Stairs built into a retaining wall using AB Europa Collection


Large Segmental Retaining wall with Fence above
All of the walls submitted must comply with the following:
  • Walls comply with local building codes
  • Walls constructed meet industry tolerances
  • Detailed project proposals were submitted and pre-construction meetings were held for each project
  • All walls built have a minimum height of 3 ft (0.9 m) and a minimum of 300 units (full size or equivalent)
  • AB Tech Sheet #797 Caring for Your Retaining Wall was left with the property owner on each project
  • Material lien waivers were supplied to the property owner and/or general contractor at completion of construction for each wall
  • Geogrid reinforcement was used on a minimum of 70% the submitted walls
  • Stamped drawings from a local engineer were used on a minimum of 70% of the submitted walls
  • Each of the following conditions must be covered on at least 70% of the walls submitted:
    • Curved wall (inside or outside radius)
    • Step up or step downs (at base and top of wall)
    • Slopes above the top of the wall
    • Terraced wall
    • Water management detail (example: drainage swale)
  • A letter of reference from a minimum of 2 general contractors/property owners/developers. The AB sales representative is responsible for obtaining these letters directly from the general contractor/property owner/developer and must submitted to Allan Block Corp.
Notify your local Allan Block sales representative of any AB walls you would like submitted toward your Master Wall Builder certification so that your local sales representative can submit the appropriate paperwork to Allan Block Corp. to receive your Allan Block Master Wall Builder plaque with reward.

Summary of Master Wall Builder Requirements:
  • Has completed Level One Certification & Experienced Certifications
  • Has completed additional projects that meet the 25,000 units (full size units or equivalent) requirement listed above or 10 walls with an average of 1000 units each
  • Allan Block sales representative has inspected each submitted wall project
All projects are counted by the number of full size Allan Block units used. If smaller sized units are used, the number of blocks must be equivalent to full size units. Example: 2 AB Jumbo Juniors = 1 AB Classic (full size unit).

Disclaimer: Becoming a certified contractor signifies that a contractor has been to an Allan Block Certification class and has been trained. Allan Block does not guarantee the performance of any wall constructed by a certified contractor.