Bridges & Structures

Questions and Answers on the National Bridge Inspection Standards, 23 CFR Part 650, Subpart C

Except for any cited statutes or regulations, the contents of these Q&As do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. These Q&As are intended only to provide information regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.

650.309 Qualifications of personnel

Q309-1 Can a State transportation department, Federal agency, or Tribal government establish more stringent personnel qualifications than the requirements in the NBIS? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-1 Yes, the qualifications of personnel in the NBIS are the national minimum standards (23 CFR 650.301). State transportation departments, Federal agencies, and Tribal governments may adopt more stringent qualification requirements for their programs. These requirements must be documented in their policies and procedures and the necessary records showing adherence to these requirements must be maintained in their registry (23 CFR 650.307(e)(2) & (e)(4)).

Q309-2 Does all the required bridge inspection experience for a Team Leader have to be obtained through bridge safety inspections? (Updated 3/01/2023)

A309-2 Evaluating an individual's overall qualifications for becoming a Team Leader can be complex. The goal of the NBIS is for all Program Managers and Team Leaders to have extensive experience in the bridge inspection field.

Desired Minimum Bridge Inspection Experience Level
The predominate amount (i.e., more than 50 percent) of experience should come from involvement in NBIS bridge safety inspections. The remaining experience should be obtained from bridge design, bridge load rating, bridge maintenance, or bridge construction.

Program Managers Approval
The Program Manager should evaluate and approve a potential Team Leader's overall bridge inspection experience.

For rare and unusual circumstances contact FHWA.

Evaluation of Experience Criteria
When the Program Manager evaluates an individual’s actual experience for compliance with the experience requirements for a Team Leader, the Program Manager should consider the following minimum criteria:

1. The relevance of the individual’s actual experience (i.e., has the other experience enabled the individual to develop the skills needed to properly lead a bridge safety inspection).
2. Exposure to the problems or deficiencies common in the types of bridges being inspected by the individual.
3. Complexity of the structures being inspected in comparison to the knowledge and skills the individual gained through their prior experience.
4. The individual’s understanding of the specific data collection needs and requirements.
5. Demonstrated ability, through some type of a formal certification program, to lead bridge safety inspections.
6. The level of oversight and supervision of the individual.

Q309-3 Does education obtained at foreign universities count toward qualification requirements for becoming a Program Manager or Team Leader? (Posted from 6/21/05)

A309-3 The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) evaluates institutions outside of the United States. While the evaluation is not the same as accreditation, an ABET evaluation can result in an assessment of “substantial equivalency." The “substantial equivalency" determination implies reasonable confidence that the foreign institution's program has prepared its graduates to begin professional practice at the entry level. Information on the substantial equivalent programs, including a list of programs that have been assessed by ABET, is available at: http://www.abet.org/.

Additionally, in 1989, several countries, including the United States, entered an international agreement known as the "Washington Accord" which recognizes the substantial equivalency of engineering programs accredited by these countries. The Accord further recommends that graduates of accredited undergraduate programs in any of the signatory countries be recognized by the other countries as having met the requirements for entry into the practice of engineering. Additional information, including a list of signatory countries, may be obtained at: https://www.ieagreements.org/accords/washington/.

In consideration of international engineering education programs, the NBIS allows the substantial equivalency options available through the ABET.

Q309-4 Why do all Program Managers and Team Leaders have to complete an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course and refresher training? (Updated 3/01/2023)

A309-4 Such training is required to make sure that personnel serving in these roles are well qualified to provide accurate and reliable information through both training and experience (23 CFR 650.309).

Training provides an opportunity:

1. To thoroughly familiarize participants with bridge inspection terminology and techniques along with data collection practices and procedures to ensure consistency and reliability of the bridge inspection program.
2. To help participants keep up with changes in technology and practices, as well as perform a self-check: Is what I've been doing for the past several years consistent with what is being taught today?
3. To help FHWA address the weaknesses in accuracy and reliability identified through our research and training experiences.
4. For participants to share their experiences and learn from other participants as well as become familiar with the kinds of problems others are having in the field.
5. For Program Managers and participants to identify and discuss areas of inconsistent interpretation of policies and procedures.

For a Program Manager, the following benefits also apply.

1. As the person responsible for the overall bridge inspection program within the State transportation department, Federal agency, or Tribal government, it is desirable to have completed the same level of training as those who are performing the necessary fieldwork.
2. To become familiar with and monitor the training being provided to inspection personnel and be in a better position to identify additional training needs or areas for improvement.

FHWA approval of coursework ensures consistency in the information taught in the training materials and in the delivery of this information to personnel.

Q309-5 If a Program Manager or Team Leader qualified under prior regulations has never completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course, do they need to complete this training in order to continue to qualify under this final rule? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-5 Yes, all Program Managers and Team Leaders are required to have completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course (23 CFR 650.309(a)-(b)). Professional Engineers previously exempted from completing the comprehensive training course because they served in those roles prior to January 13, 2005, are now required to successfully complete that course.

As described in 23 CFR 650.309(a)-(b), Program Managers and Team Leaders who are in the position prior to June 6, 2022, have 24 months to successfully complete FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training.

Personnel newly identified as Program Managers or Team Leaders after June 6, 2022, must meet the qualification requirements at 23 CFR 650.309 when they begin serving in these roles.

Q309-6 How can a Program Manager determine if a potential Team Leader meets training requirements if the inspector has no documentation showing they successfully completed training? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-6 If the training was provided by NHI, NHI will, upon request, provide a transcript showing the courses attended and the number of CEUs earned by a student over the past seven (7) years. NHI does not print a new copy of a certificate. Requests for transcripts should be sent to NHICustomerService@dot.gov or contact NHI at 1-877-558-6873.

If the training was provided by NHI more than seven (7) years ago or through an alternate source, the Program Manager should interview the inspector to verify the inspector possesses the knowledge taught in the applicable inspection training course(s). This interview should be documented and shared with the local FHWA Division or Federal Lands office to obtain FHWA concurrence the inspector is qualified.

Q309-7 Why are all Program Managers, Team Leaders, Team Leaders on NSTM inspections, and Underwater Bridge Inspection Divers required under 23 CFR 650.309 to score 70% or greater on an end-of-course-assessment for bridge inspection training courses? (Updated 3/01/2023)

A309-7 Every NHI course includes an assessment at the conclusion of the training to measure retention and understanding of the information presented in the course. Scoring 70% or greater on the assessment has been established as the threshold for ensuring attendees understand how to properly perform the inspection type(s) taught in the course. Additionally, NHI courses are endorsed by IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training). IACET requires students to attend 100 percent of the training and complete a final test with a minimum passing score of 70%. Successful completion of bridge inspection training is based on the same requirements as all courses provided by NHI.

Q309-8 Why do Team Leaders on NSTM inspections have to successfully complete an FHWA-approved training course for the inspection of NSTMs (23 CFR 650.309(c)(2))? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-8 Successful completion of an NSTM inspection training course ensures Team Leaders on NSTM inspections possess a higher level of training commensurate with the variability and complexity of structures with NSTMs. NSTM inspection training focuses on teaching the skills and knowledge necessary to perform NSTM bridge inspections, properly evaluate NSTMs, and collect data consistently across the nation.

Q309-9 Are Team Leaders on NSTM inspections that completed NSTM inspection training under prior regulations qualified under the final rule? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-9 Yes, completion of an FHWA-approved NSTM training (ex. FHWA-NHI-130078) under prior regulations satisfies the requirement in this section of the final rule (23 CFR 650.309(c)(2)).

Q309-10 Are underwater bridge inspection divers that completed underwater bridge inspection training under prior regulations qualified under the final rule? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-10 Yes, for an individual serving as an underwater bridge inspection diver prior to June 6, 2022, successful completion of either an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training or an FHWA-approved underwater bridge inspection training under prior regulations satisfies the requirement in this section of the final rule (23 CFR 650.309(e)). Personnel newly identified as an underwater bridge inspection diver after June 6, 2022, must successfully complete an FHWA-approved underwater bridge inspection training to meet the qualification requirements.

Q309-11 Why do State transportation departments, Federal agencies, and Tribal governments need to document personnel qualifications for damage, special, and service inspection types? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-11 Since the scope of these inspection types can vary widely between owners and bridges, State transportation departments, Federal agencies, and Tribal governments must establish minimum personnel qualifications aligning with their requirements for these inspection types (23 CFR 650.309(f)-(g)).

Q309-12 What documentation is required for personnel qualifications for damage, special, and service inspection types? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-12 It is important to have individuals with expertise in the items being inspected. Qualifications should describe experience, education, licensing, and training courses required to successfully perform the damage, special, and service inspection types within their organization.

Q309-13 Can a State transportation department, Federal agency, or Tribal government develop its own bridge inspection training courses instead of using the NHI bridge inspection courses? (Updated 3/01/2023)

A309-13 Yes, 23 CFR 650.309(h)(2) allows for developing alternate courses and describes requirements for course content, end of course assessments, obtaining FHWA approval, and periodic review of course materials to ensure they remain current.

Q309-14 How do State transportation departments, Federal agencies or Tribal governments obtain approval of alternate training classes? (Updated 3/01/2023)

A309-14 FHWA published a memo outlining the criteria and process for State transportation departments, Federal agencies, and Tribal governments to follow if they choose to utilize alternate bridge inspection training courses described in 23 CFR 650.309(h)(2). The memo can be obtained at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/pubs/memo_alternate_training_approval.pdf

Q309-15 Will FHWA consider alternate training in place of the NHI bridge inspection refresher training? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-15 Yes, in accordance with Section 650.309(h)(2), a State transportation department, Federal agency, or Tribal government may submit to FHWA a training course as an alternate to any of the required NHI courses.

Q309-16 Our state has developed and utilized its own bridge inspection refresher training, in lieu of the NHI Bridge Inspection Refresher Training, prior to the June 6, 2022, NBIS update. Since this course was being utilized by our state prior to June 6, 2022, do we have until June 6, 2024, to get FHWA alternate training approval of this training? (New 3/01/2023)

A309-16 For a State transportation department, Federal agency, or Tribal government, which had developed and utilized alternate refresher training prior to June 6, 2022, they will have until June 6, 2024, to update the training and submit to FHWA for approval, in accordance with 650.309(h)(3).

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