The Inspection Certification Program is one component of ODOT's Quality Assurance (QA) Program. It provides training and resources for Construction inspectors to ensure consistent administration of highway construction contracts. The Inspection and monitoring of construction activities by certified inspectors promotes industry best practices and helps ensure quality materials 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.
Certification Database
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 2-5 year period, depending on the certification, after which you must take and pass the exam to maintain the certification for an additional 2-5 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
Individuals may schedule to challenge any of the inspector exams offered through the ODOT Inspector Certification Program, with the exception of the ADA Curb Ramp Inspector.
There is no fee for these exams.
Scheduled challenge exam dates will be proctored at the Region 2 ODOT Salem Materials Lab located at 800 Airport Road SE. Exams in regions 3, 4 and 5 are proctored by appointment only.
The ADA Curb Ramp Inspection and Traffic Signal Inspector Certification Exams are now available digitally online through Workday Learning.
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.
National Highway Institute
(Web-based NHI Training available for Inspectors...a $25 fee applies)
Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council (TC3)
Free to ODOT employees using PROMO Code: D5X3-B3D9-52CB-4XCX (must use government email address in order for promo code to activate).
Customers external to ODOT may pay full rate to access the training.
Plan Reading Series – (1 hour) AASHTOWare Store - 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.
These presentations from the 2023 Inspector Workshop are available for you to review.
Contact ODOT Construction Training for more information.