On August 14, 2024, FTA published the final updates to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) regulation. The updates streamline the PTSCTP communication process and recertification training requirements. This message contains important information regarding new requirements that become effective November 1, 2024.   

• Markup: Changes to PTSCTP Requirements at 49 CFR 672

New PTSCTP Administrative Requirements  

The PTSCTP introduced new administrative requirements for State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOA) and Rail Transit Agencies (RTA) to improve communication with FTA. Each SSOA and RTA must designate a single point of contact (POC) to liaise with the FTA and to perform the following tasks:  

• Update FTA of designated personnel changes  
• Ensure new PTSCTP participants are enrolled within 30 days of designation  
• Submit recertification documentation  

Agencies may also designate an alternate POC, though this is not required by the Final Rule. 

PTSCTP Enrollment and Semi-Annual Reporting Forms

These new forms support FTA’s update to the PTSCTP regulation on August 14, 2024, which included streamlining the communication process and recertification training requirements.

• PTSCTP Enrollment Form
  • For transit personnel to enroll as new PTSCTP participants or enroll in a new PTSCTP track.
  • Those not currently affiliated with a public transportation agency are welcome to enroll but should include that they are voluntary and unaffiliated when completing the enrollment form. 
• PTSCTP Semi-Annual Reporting Form
  • For designated point of contact for SSOAs and RTAs subject to the PTSCTP regulation to complete semi-annual reporting requirements during the reporting windows (January 1- January 31 and July 1- July 31). 
• Designated Participants PTSCTP Template
  • For agency point of contacts to fulfill new semi-annual reporting requirement to update FTA on the current list of the agency's designated PTSCTP participants.

FTA reviews and approves all ITP requests.  TSI will track and issue your certificate of completion within 30 days of your last class.  All previously completed PTSCTP courses delivered by TSI will count towards those listed in your ITP. 

New FTA Recertification Training Requirement  

The updated PTSCTP requires designated personnel to complete recertification training within two years of completing the initial PTSCTP curriculum and every two years thereafter. To obtain recertification, personnel must complete two elements:  

1. Recertification training specified by the FTA; and  
2. Recertification training defined by their agency, which must include at least one hour of safety oversight training.  

The FTA FY25 PTSCTP Recertification Training  

The Advancing Safety Assurance Through Corrective Action Plans course will be available on TSI’s Learning Management System starting November 1.   

 This 1-hour, self-paced eLearning course will help Rail Transit Agency and State Safety Oversight Agency personnel enhance their skills in managing and developing Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) through a Safety Assurance lens. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to create SMART CAPs that strengthen compliance oversight and drive continuous improvement in transit safety.  

During this course you will: 

• Examine methods to enhance your existing safety assurance practices. 
• Enhance your CAP management practices. 
• Learn how to write SMART CAPs to effectively resolve compliance issues.

Semiannual Reporting  

The PTSCTP requires SSOAs and RTA POCs to provide reports to FTA, semiannually, regarding the status of their participants and their agencies’ recertification requirements.​  

POCs must submit semiannual reports with the required information:  

• Between January 1st. and January 31st; and  
• Between July 1st and July 31st  

FTA will disseminate instructions on how POCs can submit their semiannual reports to FTA prior to the first deadline window of January 1, 2025 – January 31, 2025. Please reach out to FTASafetyPromotion@dot.gov if you have any questions or require assistance. Thank you.  

Individual Training Plan (ITP) Tracks

The PTSCTP has three different ITP tracks. The different ITP tracks are stated below:

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Individuals enrolled in the PTSCTP have an FTA-approved ITP in one or more of the ITP tracks.  Each track has a specific curriculum a participant must complete.

Resources

Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Frequently Asked Questions

These frequently asked questions (FAQs) cover the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) regulation at 49 CFR part 672. The PTSCTP regulation establishes minimum safety training requirements for State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) employees and contractors who conduct reviews, inspections, examinations and other safety oversight activities of public transportation systems and employees and contractors who are directly responsible for the safety oversight of a rail fixed guideway public transportation system. These FAQs include new PTSCTP regulation requirements included in the PTSCTP final rule published on August 14, 2024 (effective November 1, 2024). Please direct any questions to FTASafetyPromotion@dot.gov.

• Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program FAQs

Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Webinar  
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Presentation | Recording

Final Rule Requirements

The Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Final Rule (PTSCTP regulation) establishes a uniform curriculum for safety training that consists of minimum requirements to enhance the technical proficiency of rail transit safety personnel. It replaces interim requirements in effect since May 2015. The final rule became effective on August 20, 2018.

The new rule (49 CFR Part 672) implements FTA’s statutory requirements at 49 U.S.C. § 5329(c). The Training Rule sets forth federal requirements for the certification and training of State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) personnel and contractors who conduct safety audits and examinations of rail transit systems, rail transit agency (RTA) personnel, and contractors who are directly responsible for safety oversight.

The Training Rule replaces the Interim Safety Certification Training Program Provisions effective May 28, 2015. FTA encourages other safety personnel to voluntarily participate in the safety certification training program, including bus safety personnel.

Safety Rule Overview Webinars

FTA Final Safety Rules Overview Webinar 1

• Webinar Presentation | Webinar Recording

FTA Final Safety Rules Overview Webinar 2L

• Webinar Presentation | Webinar Recording

Training Rule Webinars

Past Webinars

Training Rule Webinar 1

• Webinar Presentation | Webinar Recording

Training Rule Webinar 2

• Webinar Presentation | Webinar Recording

Training Rule Webinar 3

• Webinar Presentation | Webinar Recording

Updates to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program

• Presentation | Recording