How to Become a Federal Railroad Administration Certified Engineer

In the United States, locomotive engineers who operate passenger and freight trains must be federally certified.

Locomotive engineers operate public and private trains every day of the year, carrying passengers and freight from one city to the next. Some engineers operate locomotives in railyards or for railroad services. In the United States, locomotive engineers must have the proper Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) certification to operate locomotives in the territories in which they would work. The FRA doesn't train, test or certify locomotive engineers. Railroads are responsible for providing federally approved certified engineer training programs and for issuing FRA certification to locomotive engineers.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma

Instructions

1. Gain experience working as a train crew member. Many employers like to promote from within their own companies. Employers typically hire applicants for locomotive engineer positions who have worked for several years as a brakeman, train conductor or similar position. You must have a favorable safety record as a railroad employee to be considered for a locomotive engineer position.

2. Complete your employer's engineer training program to become an FRA-certified engineer. All railroads are responsible for developing an engineer certification program that follows federal laws and regulations. The training program includes classroom, simulator and hands-on instruction. Every three years, locomotive engineers must complete a training program to be re-certified.

3. Take required examinations to be issued FRA engineer certification. You must pass both a written exam and performance test to demonstrate your knowledge and skills for operating a train safely and precisely in the territory in which you would work. You must also pass hearing and visual acuity tests.

Tips & Warnings

• You should have excellent manual dexterity, hand to eye coordination, hearing, eyesight and color vision to perform the duties of locomotive engineer. You should also be physically fit and have good physical stamina.

• Research the different railroads for which you'd like to work. Find out which companies are most likely to encourage you to achieve your career goals.

• If you're a brakeman or other crew member, talk to your supervisor or a human resources officer about your interest in becoming a locomotive engineer. Find out how you might start acquiring the basic knowledge and skills of engineers.

• Employers seek candidates who demonstrate strong thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork and leadership skills.

• You must be 21 years or older to apply for a locomotive engineer position.

• Employers will likely perform a thorough background check, including a criminal history investigation, on you as a job candidate.

• You may be ineligible for a locomotive engineer position if you have a substance abuse disorder or a work record of noncompliance with alcohol and drug regulations.

References

• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen: Becoming an Engineer
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Rail Transportation Occupations
• Federal Railroad Administration: Locomotive Engineer Certification

Resources

• U.S. Department of Transportation: Federal Railroad Administration
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
• Association of American Railroads