49 CFR § 385.203 - Certification requirements for performing a safety audit or investigation.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s385.203"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 385.203 - Certification requirements for performing a safety audit or investigation."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "385.203"
section_name: "Certification requirements for performing a safety audit or investigation."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS"
part_number: "385"
part_name: "SAFETY FITNESS PROCEDURES"
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. 113, 504, 521(b), 5105(d), 5109, 5113, 13901-13905, 13908, 31135, 31136, 31144, 31148, 31151, 31502; sec. 113(a), Pub. L. 103-311, 108 Stat. 1673, 1676; sec. 408, Pub. L. 104-88, 109 Stat. 803, 958; sec. 350, Pub. L. 107-87, 115 Stat. 833, 864; sec. 5205, Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1537; and 49 CFR 1.87."
regulatory_source: "53 FR 50968, Dec. 19, 1988, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "385"
---


# 385.203 Certification requirements for performing a safety audit or investigation.

(a) On and after August 27, 2021, an individual who is not qualified under § 385.201(a) may not perform a safety audit or investigation, including review, unless the individual has been certified by FMCSA or a State or local agency applying the FMCSA standards after successfully completing classroom training and examinations on the FMCSRs and HMRs as described in detail on the FMCSA website (*www.fmcsa.dot.gov/certification*). These individuals must also comply with the maintenance of certification/qualification requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) An individual may not perform a safety audit or investigation, including review, unless the individual meets the quality-control and periodic re-training requirements adopted by FMCSA to ensure the maintenance of high standards and familiarity with amendments to the FMCSRs and HMRs. These maintenance of certification/qualification requirements are described in detail on the FMCSA website (*www.fmcsa.dot.gov/certification*).

(c) The requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section for training, performance, and maintenance of certification/qualification, which are described on the FMCSA website (*www.fmcsa.dot.gov/certification*), are also available in hard copy from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Office of Enforcement and Compliance, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590; Attention: Chief, Compliance Division at (202) 366-1812.

[86 FR 48044, Aug. 27, 2021]