---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 212.201"
title: "49"
number: "212.201"
heading: "General qualifications of State inspection personnel."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/212.201"
---

# §212.201. General qualifications of State inspection personnel.

- (a) 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.
- (b) 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.
- (c) Each inspector shall be a bona fide employee of the State agency.
- (d) Each inspector shall demonstrate:
  - (1) 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;
  - (2) The ability to compose narrative reports of investigative findings that are clear, complete, and grammatically acceptable;
  - (3) The ability to record data on standard report forms with a high degree of accuracy;
  - (4) The ability to communicate orally; and
  - (5) Basic knowledge of rail transportation functions, the organization of railroad, shipper, and manufacturer companies, and standard industry rules for personal safety.
- (e) Each inspector shall demonstrate a thorough knowledge of:
  - (1) Railroad rules, practices, record systems, and terminology common to operating and maintenance functions; and
  - (2) **The scope and major requirements of all of the Federal railroad safety laws and regulations.**
- (f) 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](/cfr/49/212.203..212.229.md) of this subpart.

## Notes

### 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]