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Frequently Asked Questions

Retest/Challenge
- How soon can I retest?
- What is the difference between retesting and challenging an exam?

Certificate of Completion
- When will certificate be sent out?
- How do I get a replacement certificate?

Instructor
- When will I know if I have been selected to instruct a course?
- Where can I find information regarding courses that need instructors?

Updating Personal Info
- How do I update personal information for your records?

CVSP Training Plans
- Who do I send the plan to?
- Do I have to send Schedule Intake Forms with the Plan?

Testing
- Who are scores released to?
  - Test results, indicating “pass or fail” are released to the Course Point of Contact and the FMCSA Division Administrator.
- How can I find out my score?
  - Test results, indicating “pass or fail” are provided by the Point of Contact, who in turn will provide result to student.
- How often are testing materials updated?
  - Test materials are reviewed and updated annually during the Educational Quality Assessment Team review.
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Retest/Challenge
- If I fail a test, how soon can I retest?
  - A student is eligible to retest after 20 business days from the original exam date.
- What is the difference between retesting and challenging an exam?
  - Retest: If a person completes course work, however fails the exam; that person would be eligible for retesting.
  - Challenge: If a person has completed applicable required courses and is NAS Level I certified, CR or NE certified, and loses their certification based on an unavoidable situation, i.e. military duty, illness, change in position, that person would be eligible for challenging each applicable exam.
  - Failure: If either a retest or challenged test is failed, the person is required to complete the applicable course for which they failed the test.
  - Test Location: Persons who retest or challenge are required to do so at the federal FMCSA division office; the exam is to be proctored by federal personnel. Changes to the location for retest/challenge will be considered based on a case-by-case basis.
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Courses
- What courses are available?
  - Roadside
    - North American Standards Part A
    - North American Standards Part B
    - Advanced North American Standards Level I
    - Passenger Vehicle Inspection
    - Electronic On-Board Recording Device
  - Hazardous Materials
    - Cargo Tank Inspection
    - General Hazardous Materials
    - Other Bulk Packaging
  - Facility
    - Cargo Tank Facility Review
    - Compliance Review (week 1-2)
    - New Entrant Safety Audit (week 1-2)
    - New Entrant Workshop
- In what order should I take courses?
  - That decision is made by your state Training Point of Contact.
- How often do I need to be recertified?
  - For information pertaining to certification, please access www.cvsa.org
- Are courses accredited?
  - No, courses are not accredited for college credit.
- Are courses only offered to state and federal personnel or are they available to the general public?
  - Courses are only offered to Federal, State and local law enforcement personnel whose duties include the MCSAP.
- How do I register for a course?
  - Contact should be made to the course point of contact that is listed on the course offering.
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Course Materials
- When will materials be shipped?
  - Materials are generally shipped two weeks prior to the start of the course. Exams and answer sheets are shipped the Friday before the course starts.
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Certificate of Completion
- When are certificates issued?
  - Certificates are sent out one week after course is closed out.
- How do I get a replacement certificate?
  - Replacement certificates can only be obtained by contacting the Course Specialist.
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Instructor
- When will I know if I have been selected to instruct a course?
  - Generally, notification by email is made 30-days prior to the start of the course.
- Where can I find information regarding courses that need instructors?
  - Contact Course Specialist.
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Updating Personal Info
- How do I update personal information for your records?
  - Personal information is updated by completing an Associate Staff form. The form can be obtained by contacting the National Training Center.
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Travel
- How do I obtain a travel authorization?
  - Travel authorizations are completed by the Travel Coordinator at the National Training Center. Upon notification of selection as an instructor, you will be contacted by the Travel Coordinator and the authorization process will begin.
- Who authorizes travel?
  - The Program Manager for Enforcement and Regulatory Programs will authorize travel.
- Where do I obtain per diem rates?
  - The per diem rates are provided in the travel authorization. You can also access www.gsa.gov for information regarding per diem and lodging rates.
- Do I make my own flight arrangements? Hotel?
  - Yes, the instructor is responsible for securing flight arrangements and hotel reservations.
- How do I change a reservation?
  - Reservations should be changed by contacting the airline. Please note, the traveler is responsible for any additional fees that are charged in association with changing the reservation.
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CVSP State Training Plans and Schedule Intake Forms
- Who do I send the plan to?
  - The plan should be sent through the Federal FMCSA Division office to the Program Manager, Enforcement and Regulatory Programs at the National Training Center.
- Do I have to send Schedule Intake Forms with the Plan?
  - Yes, you are required to submit a separate Schedule Intake Form for each course request.
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Online Signup
- How do I submit a Schedule Intake Form online?
  - In order to submit your Schedule Intake Form online:
    1. You will need to log into the system. The log in link is found near the upper right hand corner of the screen.
    2. Go to the Course Catalog. The link to the Course Catalog can be found in navigation links on the left hand side of your screen.
    3. The Course Catalog lists all the courses. Select the course you want to submit a Schedule Intake Form for by clicking on the relevant link.
    4. This will take you to the Course description page. At the bottom of the course description you will see a link to submit a Schedule Intake Form Online.
    5. Fill out the form. Be sure to complete all required fields, and follow any prompts you receive.
    6. 6. When you are finished, click on the Submit SI button. You will see a confirmation screen, and a notification email will be sent to the Course Point of Contact that you indicated on the form.
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