FRA Conductor key terms

A railroad's written plan, approved by FRA, setting out how it qualifies, trains, tests, and monitors employees who perform safety-sensitive service so they meet the regulatory standards.

Duties in which an employee's action or failure to act can affect the safety of train operations, such as dispatching, signal work, or inspecting and repairing track and equipment.

A worker whose assigned duties fall within a category the regulation requires the railroad to certify, including dispatchers, signal employees, and roadway workers performing specified functions.

The railroad's documented decision, made before assigning safety-related duties, that a person meets the regulatory prerequisites and is qualified to hold the certification sought.

The record of a candidate's earlier rule violations, accidents, or unsafe acts that the railroad must review when deciding whether the person may be certified.

A diagnosed condition involving misuse of alcohol or controlled substances that can disqualify a candidate or certified employee until the railroad determines the person is fit for safety-related service.

The process by which a railroad decides a worker previously removed for a substance or conduct problem may resume safety-related duties, typically after treatment, counseling, and monitoring conditions are satisfied.

The minimum sharpness of sight, measured with or without corrective lenses, that a candidate must demonstrate to be certified for safety-related service.

The minimum ability to perceive spoken sounds and warning signals, tested under specified conditions, that a candidate must meet before certification.

A written statement from a qualified health professional confirming that a candidate meets the vision, hearing, and general fitness requirements for the certification category.

The structured set of subjects, hours, and practical exercises a railroad must deliver to candidates so they gain the knowledge and skills needed for their safety-related duties.

A written or oral examination, drawn from the approved curriculum, that a candidate must pass to show understanding of rules, procedures, and safety practices before certification.

The specific test instrument, including its content outline and passing score, that a railroad administers and documents as part of its approved certification program.

Ongoing observation, testing, or inspection of a certified employee's work in the field to confirm continued competence and compliance after initial certification.

The periodic renewal of a certificate, requiring the railroad to re-verify eligibility, training, testing, and performance before the existing certificate lapses.

The date on which a certificate stops being valid unless the railroad has completed recertification and issued a renewed document.

The required items a certificate must show, such as the employee's name, the certification category, the issuing railroad, and the effective and expiration dates.

The process for issuing a new certificate when the original is lost, stolen, damaged, or contains an error, while preserving the original certification dates.

Holding more than one certification category at the same time, which requires the railroad to verify that the employee meets the requirements for each category separately.

The rule that a railroad must create, retain, and make available certification records, test results, and training documentation for the period the regulation specifies.

The minimum length of time a railroad must keep certification and program records, commonly tied to the duration of employment plus a set number of years.

The railroad's responsibility to administer its certification program, audit compliance, correct deficiencies, and ensure only properly certified employees perform safety-related duties.

A periodic internal or FRA review of a railroad's certification program to confirm that training, testing, monitoring, and recordkeeping meet the approved plan.

The requirement that a certified employee demonstrate knowledge of the physical characteristics, rules, and signal systems of each territory where the employee works.

Arrangements in which two or more railroads operate over the same track, requiring clear assignment of certification and territorial qualification responsibilities between them.

The process by which an employee learns a new territory under supervision and is examined on it before being permitted to work there independently.

A railroad's refusal to certify a candidate who fails to meet eligibility, medical, training, or testing requirements, together with written notice of the reasons.

The withdrawal of an existing certificate because the employee no longer meets the requirements or has committed serious safety violations, after the required procedural steps.

The written statement a railroad must give when denying or revoking certification, identifying the grounds and informing the employee of the right to challenge the action.

A panel established under the dispute resolution rules to hear a certified employee's challenge to a railroad's denial, revocation, or suspension decision.

The formal written request an employee files with the review board asking it to examine a railroad's adverse certification decision.

The proceeding before the review board at which the railroad and the employee present evidence and argument concerning the challenged certification action.

A request for further review of a review board decision, made to the designated higher authority within the time and in the manner the rules prescribe.

FRA's written approval relieving a railroad or person from a specific regulatory requirement when the alternative provides an equivalent or greater level of safety.

The civil sanction FRA may impose on a railroad or individual for violating certification requirements, including failure to certify, train, test, or keep required records.

The statement of which railroads, employees, and activities the certification rules cover and which are excluded from their requirements.

A person who currently holds a valid certificate issued by a railroad for a specific safety-related category and is authorized to perform those duties.