FHWA-NHI-130055-Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges Initial Training

Registration and Administrative/Hosting Fee

NHI has confirmed your participation in Course: FHWA-NHI-130055, Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges. 

To support a high-quality training experience, we assess a hosting/registration fee to offset the both indirect and direct costs associated with delivering the course, such as facility fees, field trip coordination, logistical support by Pennoni training center staff for attendees and instructors (before and during the course), and increased liability related to the facility and field activities, as well as daily continental breakfast, light afternoon snacks, and beverages. 

Please note that the NHI tuition fee of $2,300.00 is separate and is not passed on to the hosting organization, either in whole or in part. The hosting fee strictly covers local coordination and participant support services that help ensure a smooth, safe, and comfortable learning environment for everyone involved.

This course registration, accessed via this webpage and payment link, is only for this noted hosting/registration fee. If this fee of $850.00 is not acceptable, you have an option to cancel the course with NHI and/or sign up for the course with other hosting organization.  

This hosting/registration fee is refundable for those whose course cancellation is approved by NHI and if the approved cancellation is received by Pennoni at least seven (7) business days prior to the start of class.

Description and Content 

This 10-day course is based on the 2022 FHWA “Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual” (BIRM), National Bridge Inspection Standards (2022 NBIS), and the FHWA Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI) and provides training on the safety inspection of in-service highway bridges. The course has undergone significant improvements in format and content including required bridge inspection in-the-field exercises, curriculum on the application of the SNBI and AASHTO element level condition ratings, and updated activities that maximize participant engagement throughout the course. The topics covered include fundamentals of bridge inspection; bridge materials; documenting bridge inspection data; inspection and evaluation of decks, superstructures, bearings, substructures, culverts, and waterways; and bridge inspection reporting.

Course Requirements 

Course participants are required to attend 100% of the sessions of the course and successfully complete mid-term and end-of-course assessments with a cumulative score of 70% or better to receive a certificate of completion. Satisfactory completion of this course will fulfill the training requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) for a comprehensive training course.

Site Visit and Waiver 

On Wednesday and Thursday mornings of the second week (this may be adjusted due to weather conditions), instructors and students will visit four bridges in the field. These visits will be to in-service bridges and attendees will be examining the underside of the bridges. Bridges are selected based on a number of factors including accessibility of parking and viewing area. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to/from bridge locations, including optional carpool with other students. All attendees must wear work boots, a hard hat, high visibility safety vest, and outdoor attire on these mornings. Please keep weather in mind.

In addition, course participants are required to review, sign, and submit the Release of Liability – Field Activity waiver; the waiver has been transmitted to you via email and is due to jwarren@pennoni.com no later than Friday, April 27, 2026. 

Should the weather on the scheduled days be inclement and prohibit the instructors from leading this outdoor exercise, inspections will take place virtually. In preparation for this, participants should bring a laptop computer to the course on these days.

Blackboard Usage & Course Materials 

Blackboard will be used for the prerequisite and to register for the course. After the class is complete, students will be requested to evaluate the course; after they complete the evaluations, grades are visible and certificates may be printed (for those with a passing grade).   

For the course, the students will have printed course materials and take the assessments on paper. 

Please download a copy of the BIRM here: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/71829

Participant Prerequisite Requirement

All students are required to take the prerequisite course.  Here is how to access the pre-req course:

1. This is the link: nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/Resources/BlackboardCourses.aspx 
2. Then click on the Click Here to register for Blackboard
3. Once in the GeniusSIS site (this is where Blackboard goes to the online courses), click in the upper right there is a rectangle with lines. 
4. Search 130101 and you can enroll and take the course.  Note: Students will also have to register for the 130055 Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges Course in Blackboard once the course is open in Blackboard.  

All participants are to provide the host (jwarren@pennoni.com) with a copy of each participant’s pre-requisite certificate of completion for 130101. The test scores printout alone from NHI do not suffice for that official pre-req certificate.