This is part of the Oregon Department of Transportation's effort to ensure quality control and quality assurance for the construction of transportation facilities.
We provide training and resources for construction inspectors to ensure consistent administration of highway construction projects. Certified instructors safeguard compliance with contract documents and workmanship on ODOT construction projects.
The Inspection Certification Program document outlines the certification program elements and intent.
Full time inspectors are required to pass the General Inspector Certification exam and required discipline certifications, as needed. The program is tailored for convenience. For instance, you do not have to have a Bridge Inspection Certification until you are expected to inspect bridge construction.
Training is available for each of the certifications. However, you may choose to challenge an exam. Training courses are scheduled between October and May. Class schedules and registration information are provided below.
Current class schedule and status
The Inspection Quality Assurance Program is dedicated to providing construction inspector training to:
- Ensure consistent construction inspection administration through education on contract document resources;
- Define the role and responsibilities of the Inspector concerning construction workmanship, materials and testing;
- Demonstrate effective documentation to reduce construction claims and contract disagreements; and
- Promote industry best practices to ensure quality methods and materials are used on ODOT projects.
To Apply for Certification
- Register for a training course (an exam will be administered) OR
- Submit an application to challenge an exam
- Challenge exam applications are processed through the Construction Section.
- There are no fees for a challenge exam.
- Appropriate fees will be charged for hard copies of the training manuals. (Copies of the training manuals are available electronically for no fee.)
Inspector certifications will be valid for a 3-5 year period, depending on the certification, after which you must take and pass the exam to maintain the certification for an additional 3-5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Certification Database
Register for a Class
To assist with registering for specific inspector certification classes, visit the Training and Certification webpage. Follow the instructions under Registration & Class Schedule Information.
For information regarding inspector certification classes, see the Course Information & Registration Links at the bottom of this page.
Challenge Exams
To register to challenge an exam, complete the
Challenge Exam Registration Form. The form includes the challenge exam schedule. You may challenge any inspector exam (except for the Traffic Control Supervisor). You may challenge an exam in lieu of taking a class. If you do not pass a challenge exam, you must take the training course before taking another exam.
In addition, you may take a challenge exam if you have already failed your first exam from the training course. You are allowed to take a second exam by challenging the exam.
To challenge an exam, you are responsible to supply all the required materials. The Resource Manual, Plans and Special Provisions for the General exam are provided for you at the testing location. The required materials are listed on each certification's information page. Links to those pages are provided below under Course Information & Registration Links.
Inspector Certification Program Overview We have an online training course to provide helpful information about how to navigate through the program.
If you are already registered with iLearn, enter your login ID and password. If you are not registered, registration information is available at the iLearn homepage. Choose Course Catalog. Search on ODOT for Inspector Certification Program Overview.
National Highway Institute
(Web-based NHI Training available for Inspectors...a $25 fee applies)
Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council
Plan Reading Series – New to Construction? Go through the first module prior to the Certified General Inspector training. You can familiarize yourself with the basics of plan reading.
Math Module – If it has been a while since your last math class, this is useful as background for all of the certification classes. (There is a fee for this module.)
Other courses from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Administrative Services may found on iLearn.