---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 60131"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "60131"
heading: "Verification of pipeline qualification programs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/60131"
units:
  - "Subtitle VIII — Pipelines"
  - "Chapter 601 — Safety"
---

# §60131. Verification of pipeline qualification programs

- (a) **In General.—** Subject to the requirements of this section, the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) of Transportation shall require the operator of a [pipeline facility](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-18) to develop and adopt a qualification program to ensure that the individuals who perform covered tasks are qualified to conduct such tasks.
- (b) **Standards and Criteria.—**
  - (1) **Development.—** Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall ensure that the Department of Transportation has in place standards and criteria for qualification programs referred to in [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (2) **Contents.—** The standards and criteria shall include the following:
    - (A) The establishment of methods for evaluating the acceptability of the qualifications of individuals described in [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (B) A requirement that pipeline operators develop and implement written plans and procedures to qualify individuals described in [subsection (a)](#a) to a level found acceptable using the methods established under [subparagraph (A)](#b-2-A) and evaluate the abilities of individuals described in [subsection (a)](#a) according to such methods.
    - (C) A requirement that the plans and procedures adopted by a pipeline operator under [subparagraph (B)](#b-2-B) be reviewed and verified under [subsection (e)](#e).
- (c) **Development of Qualification Programs by Pipeline Operators.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall require each pipeline operator to develop and adopt, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, a qualification program that complies with the standards and criteria described in [subsection (b)](#b).
- (d) **Elements of Qualification Programs.—** A qualification program adopted by an operator under [subsection (a)](#a) shall include, at a minimum, the following elements:
  - (1) A method for examining or testing the qualifications of individuals described in [subsection (a)](#a). The method may include written examination, oral examination, observation during on-the-job performance, on-the-job training, simulations, and other forms of assessment. The method may not be limited to observation of on-the-job performance, except with respect to tasks for which the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) has determined that such observation is the best method of examining or testing qualifications. The [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall ensure that the results of any such observations are documented in writing.
  - (2) A requirement that the operator complete the qualification of all individuals described in [subsection (a)](#a) not later than 18 months after the date of adoption of the qualification program.
  - (3) A periodic requalification component that provides for examination or testing of individuals in accordance with [paragraph (1)](#d-1).
  - (4) A program to provide training, as appropriate, to ensure that individuals performing covered tasks have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the tasks in a manner that ensures the safe operation of [pipeline facilities](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-18).
- (e) **Review and Verification of Programs.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall review the qualification program of each pipeline operator and verify its compliance with the standards and criteria described in [subsection (b)](#b) and that it includes the elements described in [subsection (d)](#d). The [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall record the results of that review for use in the next review of an operator’s program.
  - (2) **Deadline for completion.—** Reviews and verifications under this subsection shall be completed not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this section.
  - (3) **Inadequate programs.—** If the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) decides that a qualification program is inadequate for the safe operation of a [pipeline facility](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-18), the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall act as under [section 60108(a)(2)](/usc/49/60108.md?p=a-2) to require the operator to revise the qualification program.
  - (4) **Program modifications.—** If the operator of a [pipeline facility](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-18) significantly modifies a program that has been verified under this subsection, the operator shall notify the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) of the modifications. The [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall review and verify such modifications in accordance with [paragraph (1)](#e-1).
  - (5) **Waivers and modifications.—** In accordance with [section 60118(c)](/usc/49/60118.md?p=c), the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) may waive or modify any requirement of this section if the waiver or modification is not inconsistent with pipeline safety.
  - (6) **Inaction by the secretary.—** Notwithstanding any failure of the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) to prescribe standards and criteria as described in [subsection (b)](#b), an operator of a [pipeline facility](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-18) shall develop and adopt a qualification program that complies with the requirement of [subsection (b)(2)(B)](#b-2-B) and includes the elements described in [subsection (d)](#d) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section.
- (f) **Intrastate Pipeline Facilities.—** In the case of an intrastate [pipeline facility](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-18) operator, the duties and powers of the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) under this section with respect to the qualification program of the operator shall be vested in the appropriate [State](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-20) regulatory agency, consistent with this chapter.
- (g) **Covered Task Defined.—** In this section, the term “covered task”—
  - (1) with respect to a [gas pipeline facility](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-3), has the meaning such term has under section 192.801 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, including any subsequent modifications; and
  - (2) with respect to a [hazardous liquid pipeline facility](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-5), has the meaning such term has under section 195.501 of such title, including any subsequent modifications.
- (h) **Report.—** Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall transmit to Congress a report on the status and results to date of the personnel qualification regulations issued under this chapter.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 107–355, § 13(a)(1), Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat. 2999.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), (c), (e)(2), (6), and (h), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 107–355, which was approved Dec. 17, 2002.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Pilot Program for Certification of Certain Pipeline Workers

Pub. L. 107–355, § 13(b), Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat. 3001, provided that: In general.—Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 17, 2002], the Secretary of Transportation shall— develop tests and other requirements for certifying the qualifications of individuals who operate computer-based systems for controlling the operations of pipelines; and establish and carry out a pilot program for 3 pipeline facilities under which the individuals operating computer-based systems for controlling the operations of pipelines at such facilities are required to be certified under the process established under subparagraph (A). Report.—The Secretary shall include in the report required under section 60131(h) [of title 49], as added by subsection (a) of this section, the results of the pilot program. The report shall include— a description of the pilot program and implementation of the pilot program at each of the 3 pipeline facilities; an evaluation of the pilot program, including the effectiveness of the process for certifying individuals who operate computer-based systems for controlling the operations of pipelines; any recommendations of the Secretary for requiring the certification of all individuals who operate computer-based systems for controlling the operations of pipelines; and an assessment of the ramifications of requiring the certification of other individuals performing safety-sensitive functions for a pipeline facility. Computer-based systems defined.—In this subsection, the term ‘computer-based systems’ means supervisory control and data acquisition systems.”