Federal Requirements

The NBIS have specific qualification requirements for individuals working in the bridge inspection program of a state. These are summarized as:
  • The TxDOT Bridge Inspection Program Manager and other individuals in charge of each organizational unit performing inspection work (consultant project manager for each firm under contract with TxDOT to perform bridge inspections) must:
    • be a Professional Engineer licensed by the State of Texas, or have a minimum of ten years of experience in NBIS bridge inspection;
    • have successfully completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course and score 70 percent or greater on an end-of-course assessment;
    • complete a cumulative total of 18 hours of FHWA-approved bridge inspection refresher training over each 60-month period;
    • maintain documentation supporting the satisfaction of the preceding requirements;
      and
    • satisfy the requirements above within 24 months from June 6, 2022, if serving as a program manager who was qualified under prior NBIS regulations.
  • The individual in charge of any bridge inspection team (Qualified Team Leader/ Certified Bridge Inspector), regardless of inspection type, must:
    • have the same qualifications as above;
      or
    • be a Professional Engineer licensed by the State of Texas, have six months of NBIS bridge inspection experience, and have successfully completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course with a score of 70 percent or greater on an end-of-course assessment;
      or
    • have a minimum of five years of experience in NBIS bridge inspection and have successfully completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course with a score of 70 percent or greater on an end-of-course assessment;
      or
    • have all of the following:
      1. a bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology from a college or university accredited by, or determined as substantially equivalent by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology;
        and
      2. successfully passed the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Fundamentals of Engineering examination;
        and
      3. two years of NBIS bridge inspection experience;
        and
      4. successfully completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course with a score of 70 percent or greater on an end-of-course assessment;
    • or, have all of the following:
      1. an associate's degree in engineering or engineering technology from a college or university accredited by or determined as substantially equivalent by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; and
      2. four years of NBIS bridge inspection experience;
        and
      3. successfully completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course with a score of 70 percent or greater on an end-of-course assessment.
In addition to satisfying one of the methods above, to remain current as Qualified Team Leader/Certified Bridge Inspector, the individual must also complete a cumulative total of 18 hours of FHWA-approved bridge inspection refresher training over each 60- month period, beginning with the first 60-month anniversary of the successful completion of an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course. Documentation supporting the satisfaction of these requirements must be provided to the TxDOT Bridge Inspection Program Manager.
An individual serving as either a Program Manager or a Qualified Team Leader/Certified Bridge Inspector based on qualifications of previous NBIS regulations (prior to May 6, 2022), must meet the qualifications listed above by June 6, 2024.
  • Load ratings must be performed by, or under the direct supervision of a Professional Engineer licensed by the State of Texas.
  • An underwater bridge inspection diver must complete an FHWA-approved underwater diver bridge inspection training course with a score of 70 percent or greater on an end of-course assessment. (If a diver successfully completed an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course, or an FHWA-approved underwater bridge inspection training course prior to the NBIS regulation that went into effect on June 6, 2022, then the intent of the new regulation is satisfied.)
  • The person in charge of an Nonredundant Steel Tension Member (NSTM) inspection team must, at a minimum:
    • meet the requirements of a Qualified Team Leader/Certified Bridge Inspector listed above;
      and
    • complete an FHWA-approved training course on the inspection of NSTMs with a score of 70 percent or greater on an end-of-course assessment (completion of an FHWA-approved NSTM inspection training prior to June 6, 2022, satisfies the intent of this requirement);
      and
    • satisfy the requirements of this section within 24 months of June 6, 2022.