- What This Cheat Sheet Covers (and What It Doesn't)
- Credential Facts at a Glance
- The 19 Modules in One Pass
- Regulations and Safety Anchors
- RIST: The Sequence You Cannot Fumble
- Wheel Systems: Hub-Pilot, Stud-Pilot, and Demountable Rims
- Single-Piece vs. Multi-Piece: Mounting and Inflation
- Inspection, Balance, Run-Out, and Repair
- Charts, Tables, and USTMA Guidelines
- Sequencing Your Review Around the Modules
- Frequently Asked Questions
- CTS 300 Level is TIA's technician credential, built for experienced employees with at least two years of hands-on tire service experience.
- Certification requires passing a final exam plus witnessed, signed-off demonstrations of shop skills.
- TIA's current curriculum lists 19 modules, from Introduction through USTMA Guidelines; older 18-module descriptions are outdated.
- RIST (Remove, Inspect, Snug, Torque) and safe inflation procedures are the highest-consequence topics to memorize cold.
What This Cheat Sheet Covers (and What It Doesn't)
This page is a compact review of Commercial Tire Service - 300 Level, the technician-level credential issued through the Tire Industry Association (TIA). It is not a replacement for the instructor-led course or the shop demonstrations, and it is not about any other credential that happens to share the "CTS" acronym. If you are still sorting out the terminology, start with What Is CTS? and then come back here.
One scoping note matters before you start memorizing. TIA's Certified CTS program has a Basic 200 Level, this 300-Level technician credential, and a 400-Level instructor credential. Everything below is about the 300 Level. The 19 headings in this article are the issuer's shared curriculum modules. They are preparation modules, not a published exam blueprint, so no percentages or question counts are attached to them here, and you should be skeptical of any site that claims otherwise.
Credential Facts at a Glance
These are the program-level facts you should be able to recite without notes.
| Item | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Issuing body | Tire Industry Association (TIA) |
| Credential level | 300 Level technician credential within Certified Commercial Tire Service |
| Intended candidate | Experienced employees; TIA describes at least two years of hands-on experience |
| Course delivery | The 300-Level technician course must be conducted by a TIA 400-Level Instructor |
| Certification requires | Successful completion of the final examination and witnessed, signed-off demonstrations of shop skills |
| Recertification | Every two years, via an online examination |
| Curriculum structure | 19 modules (current list) |
Two points deserve emphasis. First, the experience language is TIA's description of who the program is designed for, so treat it as the issuer's wording rather than a separate screening process you need to clear. For a fuller treatment of eligibility, see CTS Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify. Second, because the credential has a hands-on component, passing a written exam alone is not the finish line. The witnessed demonstrations are part of certification, which is why the procedural modules (RIST, demount/mount, inflation) deserve more of your attention than the reference modules.
The 19 Modules in One Pass
Here is the full curriculum list in order. Memorize the sequence; it mirrors how a service call unfolds, from understanding the equipment, to staying safe, to doing the work, to documenting and verifying it.
- Introduction
- Tires
- Rims, Wheels & Hubs
- OSHA Regulations
- Road Service Safety
- Jacking & Lifting, Lock-Out/Tag-Out
- Tire/Wheel Inspection
- RIST
- Hub-Pilot Service
- Stud-Pilot Service
- Demountable Rim Service
- Single Piece Demount & Mount
- Single Piece Inflation
- Multi-Piece Demount & Mount
- Multi-Piece Inflation
- Balance & Run-Out
- Repair
- Charts & Tables
- USTMA Guidelines
A useful grouping: modules 1-3 are foundational vocabulary, modules 4-6 are regulatory and safety framing, modules 7-11 are inspection and wheel-system service, modules 12-15 are mounting and inflation, and modules 16-19 are quality, repair, and reference material. For a module-by-module breakdown, see CTS Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 19 Content Areas.
Regulations and Safety Anchors
OSHA Regulations (Module 4)
The anchor citation to know is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177, the standard governing servicing of multi-piece and single-piece rim wheels. TIA's own program materials call this regulation out by number, so expect it to frame how procedures are taught and tested.
- Know that 1910.177 is the servicing standard for rim wheels, and connect it to the inflation and demount/mount modules.
- Understand that the regulation exists because of the hazard profile of inflating and servicing rim wheels, not as paperwork.
- Be ready to link regulatory requirements to the specific procedures that satisfy them.
Road Service Safety (Module 5)
Commercial tire work frequently happens roadside, which changes the risk picture. Focus on the decision-making around positioning, visibility, and when a situation is unsafe to service on site.
- Think in terms of protecting the technician and the public before touching the wheel.
- Recognize that site conditions can justify declining or relocating the work.
Jacking & Lifting, Lock-Out/Tag-Out (Module 6)
This module pairs load-handling with energy control. Understand the difference between lifting a vehicle and securing it, and why lock-out/tag-out is about preventing unintended movement or energization while you are working.
- Lifting equipment is for raising; supports are for holding.
- Lock-out/tag-out is a procedure, not a sign: know the intent and the sequence.
RIST: The Sequence You Cannot Fumble
RIST stands for Remove, Inspect, Snug, and Torque. It is its own module in the curriculum, and it threads through the hub-pilot, stud-pilot, and demountable rim modules that follow. If you only drill one acronym, drill this one.
- Remove: take the wheel off properly and safely, following the correct sequence for the wheel system you are working on.
- Inspect: check the mating surfaces, studs, nuts, pilots, and wheel components for damage, wear, corrosion, or contamination before reinstalling anything.
- Snug: bring fasteners up in the proper pattern so the wheel seats evenly before final tightening.
- Torque: final-tighten to specification, in sequence, with a calibrated approach rather than guesswork.
Wheel Systems: Hub-Pilot, Stud-Pilot, and Demountable Rims
Modules 9 through 11 are organized by wheel-system type, and a core skill is identifying which system you are looking at before you touch a fastener. TIA's program materials explicitly include wheel-system identification as a preparation topic, so treat recognition as a testable skill, not a warm-up.
| System | Module | What to Master |
|---|---|---|
| Hub-pilot | Module 9 | Identification, correct mounting and centering approach, RIST applied to hub-piloted wheels |
| Stud-pilot | Module 10 | Identification, how the fastener hardware locates the wheel, RIST applied to stud-piloted wheels |
| Demountable rim | Module 11 | Rim-and-spoke or similar demountable assemblies, clamp and component handling, RIST applied to this style |
The common trap is treating all three as interchangeable. They are not, and a procedure that is correct for one can be wrong or unsafe for another. When you review, build a comparison habit: for each system, ask what locates the wheel, what clamps it, and what you inspect before reassembly.
Single-Piece vs. Multi-Piece: Mounting and Inflation
Four modules cover this territory, and they pair naturally: demount/mount and inflation, for single-piece and for multi-piece wheels. The distinction between the two wheel types is one of the most important conceptual lines in the credential, because multi-piece wheels carry a distinct and serious inflation hazard that drives much of the regulatory attention in module 4.
Single Piece Demount & Mount / Single Piece Inflation (Modules 12-13)
Know the correct tooling approach, bead handling, lubrication practices, and the safe inflation procedure for single-piece assemblies.
- Inspect the wheel and tire before mounting; a damaged component is a reason to stop.
- Understand safe inflation as a deliberate procedure, including the use of restraint and the technician's position during inflation.
- Know the purpose of each safety step, since explaining the "why" is often what separates correct answers from plausible ones.
Multi-Piece Demount & Mount / Multi-Piece Inflation (Modules 14-15)
Multi-piece assemblies require disciplined component handling and heightened inflation caution. Treat these two modules as the highest-consequence content in the credential.
- Never assume components are compatible; verify before assembly.
- Understand why inflation of a multi-piece assembly demands the strictest safeguards.
- Connect the procedure back to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177 so the regulation and the practice reinforce each other.
Because these modules directly mirror hands-on demonstrations, they are also where a written-only study approach falls short. Pair reading with supervised repetition. Our CTS Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt covers how to blend the two.
Inspection, Balance, Run-Out, and Repair
Tire/Wheel Inspection (Module 7)
Inspection is the gatekeeper skill. It determines whether a tire or wheel continues in service, gets repaired, or gets removed. Practice articulating the criteria for each outcome. TIA's materials describe "inspection and repair decisions" as a preparation topic, which tells you the evaluative judgment is the point, not just spotting visible damage.
Balance & Run-Out (Module 16)
Know the difference between balance (distribution of mass around the assembly) and run-out (deviation from true rotation, whether radial or lateral). A vibration complaint can stem from either, so be able to reason from symptom to likely cause and then to the corrective step.
Repair (Module 17)
Repair content centers on deciding whether a repair is appropriate at all, and then performing it correctly. The recurring theme is that some damage is repairable and some is not, and the technician is responsible for drawing that line conservatively.
Key Takeaway
For inspection and repair, practice the decision, not just the procedure. Take a damage scenario and force yourself to commit to "service, repair, or scrap" with a stated reason. That judgment habit is what the evaluator is looking for.
Charts, Tables, and USTMA Guidelines
The final two modules are reference-heavy. TIA's program materials specifically reference load/inflation tables, so being able to read and apply them is a concrete skill. Practice looking up a load or inflation value for a given tire and application rather than trying to memorize numbers; the skill is accurate lookup and correct interpretation, including recognizing when a table's conditions don't match your situation.
The USTMA Guidelines module rounds out the curriculum by connecting your shop practice to industry-recognized guidance. Treat it as the capstone that ties safety, service, and inspection decisions to a shared standard of care. Because the sources do not publish exam weighting, avoid assuming reference modules are "minor." Charts and tables questions reward careful reading and are among the more learnable points on the credential.
Sequencing Your Review Around the Modules
If you want a simple plan, let the module order and risk level drive it rather than a generic template. A reasonable arrangement:
Foundations and Rules
- Modules 1-3: vocabulary for tires, rims, wheels, and hubs
- Module 4: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177 and why it applies
Safety and Inspection
- Modules 5-7: road service safety, lifting and lock-out/tag-out, inspection criteria
- Module 8: drill RIST until each step and its purpose is automatic
Wheel Systems and Mounting
- Modules 9-11: identify and compare hub-pilot, stud-pilot, and demountable systems
- Modules 12-15: single-piece then multi-piece mounting and inflation, with extra time on multi-piece
Quality, Repair, and Reference
- Modules 16-17: balance, run-out, and repair decisions
- Modules 18-19: charts and tables lookup practice, USTMA guidance, then a full-length review
Why this order? Safety and regulation come before procedures because they explain the procedures, and the high-consequence inflation modules come after you have the wheel-system fundamentals they depend on. When you are ready to test yourself, run timed questions on our CTS practice test and revisit any module where your reasoning, not just your answer, was shaky. If you want to gauge effort level first, read How Hard Is the CTS Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) issues it as the technician-level credential within Certified Commercial Tire Service. It is distinct from the Basic 200 Level and the 400-Level instructor credential, and unrelated to other certifications that share the CTS acronym.
The current list has 19 modules, running from Introduction through USTMA Guidelines. Older descriptions that mention 18 modules are outdated. These are preparation modules, not an official exam blueprint with published weightings.
No. Certification requires successful completion of the final examination and witnessed, signed-off demonstrations of shop skills. The hands-on component is why procedural modules like RIST, mounting, and inflation deserve extra practice beyond reading.
Recertification is required every two years through an online examination. TIA provides access through its recertification page. For broader cost and planning context, see CTS Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
TIA's public sources reviewed for this sheet do not state those figures for the technician final exam, so we do not list them. Check with TIA or your instructor for current specifics, and see CTS Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass for how we handle that question.
Keep this sheet beside your study notes, and use the main CTS Exam Prep practice site to test whether the facts stick under pressure. Once you are certified, our CTS Salary Guide 2026 and Is the CTS Certification Worth It? can help you weigh the career payoff.