(a) A program manager must, at a minimum:

(1) Be a registered professional engineer, or have ten years bridge inspection experience; and

(2) Successfully complete a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.

(b) There are five ways to qualify as a team leader. A team leader must, at a minimum:

(1) Have the qualifications specified in paragraph (a) of this section; or

(2) Have five years bridge inspection experience and have successfully completed an FHWA approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course; or

(3) Be certified as a Level III or IV Bridge Safety Inspector under the National Society of Professional Engineer's program for National Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) and have successfully completed an FHWA approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course, or

(4) Have all of the following:

(i) A bachelor's degree in engineering from a college or university accredited by or determined as substantially equivalent by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology;

(ii) Successfully passed the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Fundamentals of Engineering examination;

(iii) Two years of bridge inspection experience; and

(iv) Successfully completed an FHWA approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course, or

(5) Have all of the following:

(i) An associate's degree in engineering or engineering technology from a college or university accredited by or determined as substantially equivalent by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology;

(ii) Four years of bridge inspection experience; and

(iii) Successfully completed an FHWA approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.

(c) The individual charged with the overall responsibility for load rating bridges must be a registered professional engineer.

(d) An underwater bridge inspection diver must complete an FHWA approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course or other FHWA approved underwater diver bridge inspection training course.