Enhanced Inspector Maintenance of Certification

The current CVSA Enhanced Inspection Program (EIP) requires industry inspectors to achieve a minimum score of 85% on the initial test to become certified. This differs from CVSA Operational Policy 4 (Inspector Training and Certification), which governs roadside inspectors. Under Operational Policy 4, roadside inspectors are required to achieve 80% on both Part A and Part B of the certification exam. Additionally, industry inspectors in the Enhanced Inspection Program (EIP) must pass both a written examination and a practical skills evaluation for initial certification. In contrast, roadside inspectors are required only to complete a written exam, without a practical skills test. Aligning the EIP with roadside enforcement certification—where inspectors fulfill requirements by completing 32 inspections alongside a certified colleague—could introduce valuable flexibility to the industry's EIP, enabling hybrid learning models moving forward. That said, a practical testing option should always remain available for companies new to the EIP process. Aligning certification standards between industry and roadside inspectors would promote greater continuity and consistency across both programs. It is also important to consider inspection volume. There are approximately 13,000 roadside inspectors in the United States, conducting roughly 3 million inspections annually. This equates to an average of approximately 231 inspections per roadside inspector per year. By comparison, industry inspectors are likely to conduct significantly more inspections annually. For example: - 5 inspections per 8-hour shift × 250 working days = 1,250 inspections per industry inspector per year This substantial difference in inspection frequency underscores the experience level needed and inspection volume of industry inspectors and further supports the case for harmonizing certification expectations across programs. There have also been formal issue requests submitted by law enforcement in recent years (for example, 24-047-TRN) highlighting similar distinctions between the roadside and industry inspection programs. Addressing these concerns through alignment would promote consistency between the programs, ensure equitable treatment of both inspector groups, and position each program for long-term success.

The industry asks to be held to the same standards as roadside inspectors today and in accordance with CVSA Ops Policy 4. There is a clear need to evaluate and align certification standards between industry and roadside inspectors to ensure consistency, fairness, and program integrity across the inspection framework. Both industry and roadside inspectors operate under the same overarching inspection protocols and are subject to the same annual inspection maintenance requirements. However, differences in initial certification scoring thresholds and testing structure create inconsistency between two groups performing substantially similar safety functions. When certification expectations are not harmonized, it can create confusion, perceived inequity, and unnecessary administrative complexity. Industry inspectors routinely operate in high-volume inspection environments and develop substantial practical experience through the frequency of their work. Certification standards should recognize this operational reality while maintaining rigorous expectations that uphold safety and credibility. Aligning certification requirements would not lower standards; rather, it would promote continuity across programs, reinforce fairness, and strengthen the overall credibility of the certification system. A harmonized approach would ensure that expectations are applied consistently, support stakeholder confidence, and preserve the integrity of the inspection framework. Ultimately, consistency in certification policy supports clarity, scalability, and long-term sustainability within a dynamic industry environment.

The industry requests the CVSA EIP to mirror current Ops Policy 4 for Roadside Inspectors, regarding 80% pass rate, and written/practical skills assessments.