Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP)

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 became effective November 1, 2024.  

Markup: Changes to PTSCTP Requirements at 49 CFR 672

New PTSCTP Administrative Requirements 

The safety certification training program 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 FTA and 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, although 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 the designated POC 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 the designated POC 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 Individual Training Plan (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 safety certification training program 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: 

Recertification training specified by the FTA; and 
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, 2025.  

 This 1-hour, self-paced eLearning course will help RTA and SSOA 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 participants will:

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

Semiannual Reporting 

The safety certification training program 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 the Semi-Annual Reporting Form with the required information: 

Between January 1 and January 31; and 
Between July 1 and July 31

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 Tracks

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

State Safety Oversight Agency - SSOA personnel and contractors who conduct safety audits and examinations of rail transit systems

SMS Awareness
SMS-Safety Assurance (VLT)
SMS Principles for Transit
Transit Rail System Safety
Transit Rail Incident Investigation
Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies
SMS Principles for SSO Personnel

Rail Transit Agency - RTA personnel and contractors who are directly responsible for safety oversight

SMS Awareness
SMS-Safety Assurance (VLT)
SMS Principles for Transit
Transit Rail System Safety
Transit Rail Incident Investigation
Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies

Bus - Bus transit agency personnel and contractors who are directly responsible for safety oversight

SMS Awareness
SMS-Safety Assurance (VLT)
SMS Principles for Transit
Transit Bus System Safety
Fundamentals of Bus Collision Investigation
Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies

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 PTSCTP regulation at 49 CFR part 672. The PTSCTP regulation establishes minimum safety training requirements for 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

Final Rule Requirements

FTA first published the PTSCTP rule on August 20, 2018, to establish a uniform curriculum for safety training that consists of minimum requirements to enhance the technical proficiency of rail transit safety personnel. It replaced interim requirements in effect since May 2015.

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

The 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.