§212.201. General qualifications of State inspection personnel.
49 C.F.R. § 212.201
This subpart prescribes the minimum qualification requirements for State railroad safety inspectors, including journeyman and inspector apprentices. A State may establish more stringent or additional requirements for its employees.
An inspector shall be recognized as qualified under this part by the State agency and the Associate Administrator prior to assuming the responsibilities of the position.
Each inspector shall be a bona fide employee of the State agency.
Each inspector shall demonstrate:
The ability to read and comprehend written materials such as training and enforcement manuals, regulations, operating and safety rules of the railroad, and similar materials;
The ability to compose narrative reports of investigative findings that are clear, complete, and grammatically acceptable;
The ability to record data on standard report forms with a high degree of accuracy;
The ability to communicate orally; and
Basic knowledge of rail transportation functions, the organization of railroad, shipper, and manufacturer companies, and standard industry rules for personal safety.
Each inspector shall demonstrate a thorough knowledge of:
Railroad rules, practices, record systems, and terminology common to operating and maintenance functions; and
The scope and major requirements of all of the Federal railroad safety laws and regulations.
In addition to meeting the requirements of this section, each inspector and apprentice inspector shall meet the applicable requirements of §§ 212.203 through 212.229 of this subpart.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992; 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025; 91 FR 22733, Apr. 28, 2026]
Authority
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20105, 20106, and 20113, and 49 CFR 1.89.
Source
Source: 47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, unless otherwise noted.
Amendments
[47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992; 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025; 91 FR 22733, Apr. 28, 2026]