**BRIEFING PAPER**

**NATIONAL GEOTECHNICAL INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM**

## To improve the quality of our constructed highway facilities the FHWA Office of Infrastructure is leading an effort to develop a training and certification program for geotechnical field inspection and site investigation activities. The program will be targeted at those personnel involved in construction inspection, site investigation and field and laboratory testing. The ultimate goal of the program is the development of

a nationally accepted certification program that will serve to improve
quality, ensure uniformity and establish a minimum standard of
construction control for geotechnical work.

Recent surveys by the FHWA of the state transportation departments have
indicated a need for a geotechnical inspector qualification program. The
AASHTO Subcommittees on Materials, Bridges and Structures and
Construction as well as the five Regional Certification Organizations
have all endorsed this effort.

To address this need, representatives from several states and the FHWA
have formed a Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop and prioritize
the areas in the geotechnical field where qualification/certification is
needed. The TWG has developed a strategic plan that identifies those
areas of qualification/certification with the associated costs and time
frames for the development of the initial programs.

The five priority areas were:

1\. Deep Foundations

2\. Soils Boring Inspectors

3\. Earth Retaining Walls

4\. Embankments/Cut Slopes/Reinforced Soils Slopes

5\. Anchored/Soil-Nail Walls

The first topic area will be Deep Foundations and will be divided into
two programs-Driven Pile Inspector and Drilled Shaft Inspector.

-   November 28-29, 2000, Arlington, VA

    -   Initial Meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG)

    -   Developed draft Strategic Plan

    -   Developed Outline for first 2 modules (driven piles and drilled
        shafts)

-   January 10, 2001, Industry Meeting, Washington, DC

    -   Met with Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA), Deep
        Foundations Institute (DFI), and International Association of
        Foundation Drilling (ADSC)

    -   Discussed program and solicited their involvement

    -   DFI, PDCA and ADSC all to appoint a member to serve on the TWG

    -   Follow-up letters sent to PDCA, DFI and ADSC

-   February 8, 2001, Meeting with International Association of
    Foundation Drilling (ADSC), Washington, DC

    -   Presented draft strategic plan to ADSC members

    -   ADSC committed to supporting the Drilled Shaft module through
        participation on the Technical Working Group and possible
        financial support

-   February 9, 2001, Meeting with FHWA Headquarters Office of
    Infrastructure and Office of Asset Management

    -   Reviewed November TWG meeting minutes, Strategic Plan and
        Outlines for the Deep Foundations Modules

    -   Discussed Funding Sources, meeting to be scheduled with NHI to
        present the Strategic Plan

    -   Discussed development of Letter of Understanding between
        Industry, States (AASHTO), FHWA and other interested agencies.

-   April 12, 2001, Meeting with FHWA Headquarters Office of
    Infrastructure and Office of Asset Management and the National
    Highway Institute

    -   Agreement to develop under NHI Contract

-   May

    -   RFP has been developed

-   Next Step

    -   Review proposals

    -   Award Contract