49 CFR § 246.101 - Certification program required.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s246.101"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 246.101 - Certification program required."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "246.101"
section_name: "Certification program required."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "246"
part_name: "CERTIFICATION OF SIGNAL EMPLOYEES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20162, 21301, 21304, 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; 49 CFR 1.89; and Pub. L. 110-432, sec. 402, 122 Stat. 4884."
regulatory_source: "89 FR 44873, May 21, 2024, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "246"
---
# 246.101 Certification program required.
(a) Each railroad subject to this part shall have a written signal employee certification program.
(b) Each certification program shall include all of the following:
(1) If applicable, an explanation and discussion of the occupational categories and subcategories of certified signal service that comply with the requirements in § 246.107;
(2) A procedure for evaluating prior safety conduct as a motor vehicle operator that complies with the criteria established in § 246.111;
(3) A procedure for evaluating prior safety conduct as an employee or certified signal employee with other railroads that complies with the criteria established in § 246.113;
(4) A procedure for evaluating potential substance abuse disorders and compliance with railroad alcohol and drug rules that complies with the criteria established in § 246.115;
(5) A procedure for evaluating visual and hearing acuity that complies with the criteria established in §§ 246.117 and 246.118;
(6) A procedure for training that complies with the criteria established in § 246.119;
(7) A procedure for qualifying persons on its signal system and signal-related technology that complies with the criteria established in § 246.120;
(8) A procedure for knowledge testing that complies with the criteria established in § 246.121;
(9) A procedure for monitoring operational performance that complies with the criteria established in § 246.123; and
(10) A procedure for mentoring uncertified signal employees that complies with the criteria established in § 246.124.
(c) Each certification program shall be version controlled. Any change from the previous FRA-approved version of the certification program must be tracked.