Training and Certification of Construction Inspectors for Transportation Infrastructure (2023)

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43 CHAPTER 5. QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATION 5.1 Introduction The construction inspector training and certification programs offered by national organizations (e.g., NHI, NICET) are not uniform and disunited in numerous ways (Cain et al., 2019). The testing and inspecting of training content are separated, although they may be closely related. Courses in sampling and testing should be a part of inspector training (Cain et al., 2019). National training programs are based on national specifications, not individual state specifications (Cain et al., 2019). It is important to develop national training and certification programs that cater to individual state-specific requirements and specifications. Several STAs (Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Virginia, Iowa, and Utah) have created their own training and certification courses for in-house construction inspectors. Other STAs use resources from national organizations such as NHI and ACI (Marks and Teizer, 2016). Some states (e.g., Oregon and California) use internally developed general and specific certification programs. In contrast, other states (e.g., Colorado) use a combination of agency- specific and regional/national certifications (Wight et al., 2017). For example, the Colorado DOT uses a combination of regionally or nationally developed certifications such as WAQTC, ACI, or NHI and an internally developed construction inspector certification program for material and construction inspector certifications (Colorado DOT, 2007). The Louisiana DOTD uses internally developed construction technician training and certification programs (Louisiana Transportation Research Center, 2019). In contrast, the Connecticut DOT accepts national certifications such as ACI and NICET for construction inspection (Connecticut DOT, 2017). Furthermore, the training and certification offered by STAs for construction inspectors vary due to the materials used for training and gaining required certifications. For example, STAs use common components for materials testing based on AASHTO standards, ASTM standards, modified AASHTO or ASTM standards, or their internal standards. Table 5-1 shows a sample of the standards for three specific requirements in aggregate technician certification across various STAs. For “standard method test for sieve analysis,” STAs (Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee) use the AASHTO T27 standard, whereas other STAs use different standards. The Arizona DOT uses an internally developed standard, ARIZ 201. The Pennsylvania DOT uses PTM 616, and North Dakota uses internally modified ND T27 standards. Because of these differences, an inspector trained and certified in one of the states may be unable to work in the other due to different requirements and standards in use between the STAs. Therefore, it is important to examine the differences in certification standards across the STAs. This examination will aid in developing consistent inspector training and certification programs, allowing technicians and inspectors to work in multiple states and streamlining the process for consultant inspectors that work across multiple states. This finding indicates that further investigation of the transportation construction industry’s needs for a regional or national framework for CI training and associated material certifications may be warranted.

44 Table 5-1. Sample of Aggregate Testing Standards Adopted by STAs Compared to ACI Testing Standard / State Sampling of Aggregates Standard Method of Test for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate American Concrete Institute (ACI) AASHTO T2 AASHTO T27 AASHTO T84 Arizona ARIZ 105 ARIZ 201 ARIZ 211 Minnesota AASHTO T2 AASHTO T27 AASHTO T84 Missouri AASHTO R90 AASHTO T27 AASHTO T84 New Mexico AASHTO T2 modified AASHTO T27 modified - North Dakota ND T2 ND T27 ND T84 Pennsylvania AASHTO T2 PTM No. 616 AASHTO T84 South Carolina AASHTO T2 AASHTO T27 - Tennessee AASHTO R90 AASHTO T27 AASHTO T84 The literature reviewed for training and certifications informs the research team to pursue ways to utilize national training content across STAs and develop strategies to implement on-the-job training from experienced CIs to enhance effective knowledge transfer. Additionally, the research team can identify career growth strategies to provide increased opportunities for promotions and career advancements due to completing training and obtaining certifications. Further, it will be helpful to establish a framework for standard national or regional CI certification programs that include formal training, on-the-job training, proficiency demonstrations, and recertification intervals. 5.2 Certification Organizations Used for CIs STAs use different methods (e.g., visual inspection, certificate, sampling, and testing) for accepting construction materials. The respondents were asked if their agencies use a material supplier or contractor certifications for acceptance of work. Figure 5-1 shows that 33 respondents (72%) indicated that they had used material, supplier, or contractor certifications for acceptance of work. The standard certifications include (1) certificates of compliance as provided by manufacturers or fabricators are accepted for some materials if allowed by specifications; (2) certificate is used for acceptance of materials but not of construction work; and (3) STA utilizes the AASHTO's National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) for acceptance of various materials and suppliers.

51 challenge, STAs may need to develop a regional or national framework for CI training and associated material certifications to create a consistent inspection workforce that can work across state lines will be beneficial. 5.4 Conclusions This chapter presents the key findings of certifications and qualifications for CIs from the STA survey, a consultant survey, STA interviews, consultant interviews, and focus groups conducted with STA and consultant firms. The primary findings related to certifications and qualifications for CIs are as follows: • All STAs require in-house certifications; • Standards used for testing of materials vary among STAs, which makes it difficult to have reciprocity across state lines to perform inspections; • Common external certification used by STAs is ACI for concrete work; • Regional certification programs may be possible based on AASHTO regions for specific inspections and materials; and • Re-certifications are typically required every three to five years for all CIs.