Help/FAQs
About NHI Training Courses
How can I find available training sessions?
Available training can be easily found by using our Course
Search Engine.
Simply type in the requested information that describes the type of training you
are interested in and select Search. You will be directed
to a Web page displaying all of the courses NHI offers that are associated with
your search. If there are available seats for a session, a shopping cart will be
displayed to the right of the session under the column entitled Add
to Cart.
Where can I find course descriptions?
Please use our Course Search Engine to find courses
of interest to you. Once you have found a course you would like to know more about,
click on the hyperlinked course title. You will be directed to the associated course
description.
What is Instructor-led training (ILT)?
Instructor-led training (ILT) is an in-person training conducted by an instructor
in a classroom setting. ILT sessions are conducted around the nation. To find where
available ILT sessions are being held, please use our Course
Search Engine.
What is Web-conference training (WCT)?
Web-conference training (WCT) takes place online and can be accessed from any computer
with an Internet connection. WCT courses are held in a virtual classroom and are
hosted by a facilitator. Although course participants may access a WCT course from
almost anywhere in the world, these courses occur at a specific time because they
are broadcast live.
What equipment do I need to participate in a WCT?
What is Web-based training (WBT)?
Like WCT courses, Web-based training (WBT) is located online and can be accessed
from any computer with Internet. WBTs are self-paced and are not led by an instructor.
You can access a WBT at any time and return to it as many times as you wish, although
the final exams can only be completed for a score once. You can access your WBT
courses through your My Training page.
How does a WBT course work?
A WBT course usually consists of a few modules of training and information followed
by a final exam. You can view each of the modules from the main course page. You
can scroll through these pages at your own pace using the navigation buttons at
the bottom of each module (back, forward, pause/play, etc). Once you finish a module,
it will be marked as Review on the main course curriculum
page to indicate that the module is now in review mode. Once a module is in review
mode, you may search the module freely without being scored on any internal quizzes.
What equipment do I need to take an asynchronous WBT?
Do I have to finish a WBT course in one sitting?
No, you can exit a WBT course and return to complete it as many times as you wish.
The Adobe Web site keeps track of your course progress and will show you where you
left off. The only section that needs to be completed in one sitting is the final
exam because you may only attempt it once during the training.
Can I take the final exam for a WBT more than once?
The final exams for WBTs are designed to allow a single attempt per individual.
If you need to retake a final exam, please contact NHI at
nhicustomerservice@dot.gov for more information.
Hosting Training
How do I host a course session?
Any organization can host an ILT or WCT course session (Please Note: WBTs are a
free service and do not require a host organization). To host a session, the Host
Request form must be submitted through the NHI Web site or faxed to the NHI Training
Team at (703) 235-0577. While preferred dates may be specified on the Host Request
form, sessions are not officially confirmed until the hosting organization receives
confirmation from NHI. After NHI receives the On-Site Course Request Form, an instructor
or a member of the NHI Training Team will contact the local coordinator to discuss
scheduling. Once NHI confirms the session, the host will receive confirmation, the
local FHWA Division Office coordinator will be notified, and the session will be
listed on the NHI Web site. Course material will be shipped 3 weeks prior to the
session start date.
To submit a Host Request, please use the Course Search Engine to locate the course
of interest. Once you have found the course you would like to host, please select
the blue button to the right of the course title that is entitled
Host Request. You will then be directed to the appropriate host request
form.
How much does it cost to host a course session?
Each course charges a fee per participant. Fees are listed in the course descriptions.
The host is charged the per participant fee multiplied by the number of participants
enrolled in the session but must meet the minimum participant requirement for the
course. Per participant fees and participant minimums vary.
Hosts are not charged for FHWA personnel attending NHI sessions at their locations
or for any instructor expenses.
What are acceptable forms of payment?
Domestic Customers
Customers in the United States may pay by check, money order, credit card, or electronic
check. Checks and money orders must be made payable to the Federal Highway Administration
International Customers
Cashier's checks, international money orders, and credit cards are accepted forms
of payment. Cashier's checks and international money orders must be in U.S. dollars
and made payable to the Federal Highway Administration. Special arrangements need
to be made for payment via wire transfer, and the customer is responsible for paying
all related bank fees.
How do I get a refund?
To cancel and request a refund, please contact nhitraining@dot.gov.
Your refund will be processed as quickly as possible. Credit card refunds should
appear within two billing cycles.
Instructor-Led Training (ILT) Courses
To receive a full refund for an ILT course, cancellation must be made at least 7
days prior to the session start date. You also must notify the point of contact
at the host organization.
Distance Learning Courses
To receive a full refund for a distance learning course, cancellation must be made
72 hours after paying for the course.
Do you have tips on how to host a course session successfully?
What if I don't have an exact training date?
When you complete the "Requested Date" field, enter an approximate date of when
you would like to have a session. The NHI Scheduler who receives your host request
will follow up with the training instructors to be sure that they contact you to
schedule a definite training date. Once the instructor(s) confirm the date with
the NHI Scheduler, you will receive a session confirmation e-mail.
What is the cancellation policy?
If a course must be cancelled, the host is required to contact the NHI Training
Manager at (703) 235-0520 for cancellation approval. To avoid incurring fees, cancellation
must be requested no later than 10 business days prior to the course start date.
If the course materials have been sent, the host must contact the NHI Materials
Manager at (703) 235-0552. In the event of cancellation, it is the host's responsibility
to contact all participants. There must be validation that the registrants received
the cancellation notice. Notice to out-of-state participants is especially important
to avoid charges for travel. If notification of cancellation occurs in less than
10 days prior to the start date of the session, travel costs for the participants
and instructors may be the responsibility of the host. In order to notify FHWA participants
of the session cancellation, the host should contact the FHWA Training Coordinator
or the NHI Scheduler to obtain a list of FHWA enrollees and their contact information.
Enrolling in and Accessing Training
Who can enroll in course sessions?
NHI courses are designed for industry personnel serving Federal, State, and local
transportation agencies and Federal, State, and local transportation officials.
However, anyone interested in NHI courses may enroll.
How do I enroll in a course?
When an NHI course has a session that is open to the public, an individual can enroll
for the session through the NHI Web site. Online enrollment requires an NHI User
ID and password.
Follow the steps below to enroll in a session.
- Log in.
- Use the Course Search Engine to locate a specific
course session.
- On the search results page, select the shopping cart icon located beside the desired
session or contact your local coordinator so that they may register you for the
session
- When you have completed shopping for sessions, select Checkout
on the submenu bar near the top of the screen.
- Follow the simple checkout steps. Once you have completed the registration process,
you will receive an order confirmation via e-mail. If you enrolled in a WBT course,
you will be able to access your training immediately through My Training. If you
enrolled in a WCT course, you may also access this course through
My Training, but you will need to wait until your training commences
before you can start your course. All ILT courses must be attended in person at
the scheduled time.
If you are an FHWA employee looking to enroll in an ILT:
Contact your FHWA Training Coordinator to enroll in an NHI session. When your Training
Coordinator completes your enrollment, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that
contains the session information.
If you are an employee of the Hosting Agency looking to enroll in an ILT:
Please contact the local coordinator to determine if space is available in the course
session.
If you would like more information on enrolling in a WBT or WCT course:
Please feel free to review a quick, step-by-step guide on how to enroll in a WBT
or WCT course: WBT/WCT Course Enrollment
and Access
How do I access a course?
For ILT Courses
For all ILT courses, you must attend the course in person at the scheduled time.
For WBT and WCT Courses
For all WBT and WCT courses, your course history should be displayed on the My Training
page under the tab titled My Courses. To launch a course,
select the word Launch found in the associated column
entitled Launch. After you select the word Launch, the
course will automatically launch in a new window.
Before launching a WBT or WCT, please be sure to test your computer for Flash Player.
Flash Player is necessary for the course to run properly. You can test your computer
for Flash Player by selecting this link:
https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
*This may require the help of your IT support person if Flash needs to be installed.*
If you would like to review a quick, step-by-step guide on how to access a WBT or
WCT course, please select the following link:
WBT/WCT Course Enrollment and Access
Instructing and Developing Training
What resources do you offer NHI instructors?
NHI offers a wide variety of resources to help instructors prepare for and facilitate
training effectively. For more information on the resources that NHI offers, please
visit: Intro to Instructing
How can I become a certified NHI instructor?
Before you can become a certified instructor with NHI, you must receive an NHI Instructor
ID. If you do not have an NHI Instructor ID, please go to:
New Instructor Registration
To become a certified NHI Instructor you must also complete NHI's Instructor Certification
Program. To learn more about this certification program, please visit:
Learn about NHI Certification Programs
What resources does NHI offer course developers?
NHI offers a wide variety of tools and support necessary to develop Instructor-led
training (ILT), Web-conference training (WCT), and Web-based training (WBT). To
learn more about the resources NHI offers, visit:
Introduction to Developing
Paying for Training
How do I pay for a course session and who do I contact about payment?
Payment for sessions and course materials can be made online at NHI's Web site via
electronic check or credit card. Payment also can be made via check or purchase
request. Detailed payment instructions are provided at checkout.
What are acceptable methods of payment?
Domestic Customers
Customers in the United States may pay by check, money order, credit card, or electronic
check. Checks and money orders must be made payable to the Federal Highway Administration.
International Customers
Cashier's checks, international money orders, and credit cards are accepted forms
of payment. Cashier's checks and international money orders must be in U.S. dollars
and made payable to the Federal Highway Administration. Special arrangements need
to be made for payment via wire transfer, and the customer is responsible for paying
all related bank fees.
Distance Learning (Web-based and Web-conference training)
NHI accepts electronic checks, credit cards, and purchase requests through the NHI
Web site for distance learning courses in cases where a fee is charged.
Will I get an order confirmation for my purchases?
If purchased online by credit card or electronic check
Yes. After purchasing NHI training through the online checkout process, an order
confirmation detailing your session information will be sent to the e-mail address
in your user profile.
If purchased using the pay later option
Yes. You will receive an invoice via e-mail that must be paid within 30 days.
If enrolled in a session through the hosting agency/local coordinator
No. You will not receive an order confirmation from NHI. Please confirm your enrollment
by contacting the local coordinator.
If you have not received a confirmation, please check your profile to be sure that
the e-mail address listed in your profile is correct. If necessary, update your
profile, and then contact nhitraining@dot.gov
to request another copy of your confirmation.
Cancelling Training Enrollment
What if I need to cancel?
If you need to cancel your enrollment in a session, you must contact
nhitraining@dot.gov and the host of your session no later than seven days
prior to the course start date to avoid incurring any fees. Contact information
for your session host can be found on your session order confirmation as well as
the session's information page on the NHI Web site.
How do I get a refund?
To cancel and request a refund, please contact
nhitraining@dot.gov. Your refund will be processed as quickly as possible.
Credit card refunds should appear within two billing cycles. Cancellation notification
must also be provided to the hosting agency.
Instructor-Led Training (ILT) Courses
To receive a full refund for an ILT course, cancellation must be made at least seven
days prior to the session start date. You must also notify the point of contact
at the host organization.
Distance Learning Courses
To receive a full refund for a distance learning course, cancellation must be made
72 hours after paying for the course.
Can someone attend in my place?
Yes. Please contact nhitraining@dot.gov
with contact information for the person who will attend in your place.
What if I need to withdraw from the course?
If you need to withdraw from a course that has already commenced, you must notify
the instructor and nhitraining@dot.gov.
The course will not be listed on your transcript and you will receive no CEUs or
PDHs for the course. Due to costs associated with course enrollment, there are no
refunds for course withdrawals.
Ordering Materials
Are training materials included in a course registration fee?
Yes. When you enroll in an NHI course session, course materials are provided. You
do not need to purchase materials separately.
What is the difference between hard copy and electronic copy materials?
Hard copy materials are shipped through the postal system to your address. Hard
copy materials may come in paper format or CD-rom format, depending on the material
ordered. Electronic copy materials can be downloaded directly to your computer from
My Downloads located on your My Training page.
If you would like to know more information regarding hard copy and electronic copy
materials, please contact nhi.materials@dot.gov.
How do I retrieve my electronic materials that I ordered through the NHI Store?
Select the tab at the top of your My Training page entitled My Downloads.
Selecting this tab will direct you to your My Downloads library. This library displays
all of the electronic materials that you have ordered from the NHI Store.
To access your electronic materials, select the
symbol located in the far right column entitled Download.
My Training
What can I do on the My Training page?
The My Training page allows course participants to:
- Directly launch WBTs and WCTs
- View a course history of current and past WBTs and WCTs
- Easily obtain personalized certificates for successfully completed WBTs and WCTs
- View a printable, unofficial transcript of the participant's WBTs and WCTs
- Request an official transcript from the NHI Registrar
What are the benefits of the My Training page?
Benefits of the My Training page include:
- A streamline process for accessing WBTs and WCTs
- Fewer emails when registering for WBTs and WCTs
- Less login information to remember; no need to enter Adobe Log-In and Password information
- Training certificates that are personalized with the participant's name and course
information
- Easy access to an unofficial transcript of the participant's WBTs and WCTs
- A simplified process for requesting an official transcript from the NHI Registrar
Training Records and Credits
How do I view a course history of my current and past Web-based training (WBT) and
Web-conference training (WCT)?
Log into your My Training page by using your NHI Web site User ID and password.
Once you have logged in, your My Courses section should be displayed on the web
page. In your My Courses section you will find a course history of your current
and past WBTs and WCTs.
Please note: Instructor-led training information will not appear in your My Courses
section. Additionally, only the WBTs and WCTs that you enrolled in after Thursday,
March 25, 2010 will appear in your My Courses section. For a copy of your complete
training history, please request an official transcript.
How do I obtain a personalized certificate for my successfully completed Web-based
training (WBT) and Web-conference training (WCT)?
From the My Courses portion of the web page, locate the column on the far right
of the Course History table entitled Certificate.
You have two options: you can either View your certificate
or you can Download your certificate.
If you prefer to view your certificate in an Internet window without downloading
the certificate to your computer, select View. Your certificate
will be displayed in a new window. From here, you are also able to print your certificate.
If you prefer to download your certificate, select Download.
The certificate will be downloaded to your computer. From here, you will be able
to easily save and print your certificate.
Please note: Instructor-led training information will not appear on your Unofficial
Transcript. Additionally, only the Web-based and Web-conference training that you
enrolled in after Thursday, March 25, 2010 will appear on your Unofficial Transcript.
For a copy of your complete training history, please request an official transcript.
How do I view an unofficial transcript of my Web-based training (WBT) and Web-conference
training (WCT) from the My Training page?
Select the hyperlink at the top of your My Training page entitled
Unofficial Transcript. Selecting this hyperlink will direct you to the
Unofficial Transcript portion of the web page. From here, you should be able to
easily locate the buttons that say View Unofficial Transcript
and Download Unofficial Transcript.
If you prefer to view your unofficial transcript in an Internet window without downloading
the unofficial transcript to your computer, select View Unofficial
Transcript. Your unofficial transcript will be displayed in a new window.
From here, you are also able to print your unofficial transcript. To go back to
your My Training page, simply close the window.
If you prefer to download your unofficial transcript, select Download
Unofficial Transcript. The unofficial transcript will be downloaded to
your computer. From here, you will be able to easily save and print your unofficial
transcript.
Please note: Instructor-led training information will not appear on your Unofficial
Transcript. Additionally, only the Web-based and Web-conference training that you
enrolled in after Thursday, March 25, 2010 will appear on your Unofficial Transcript.
For a copy of your complete training history, please request an official transcript.
How do I request a full official transcript from the NHI Registrar on the My Training
page?
Select the hyperlink at the top of your My Training page entitled
Official Transcript. Selecting this hyperlink will direct you to the
Official Transcript portion of the web page. To request a transcript, please follow
the directions listed on this portion of your My Training page.
What are CEUs and PDHs?
Some States and organizations use Professional Development Hours (PDHs) to track
training. The conversion of CEUs to PDH units is 1 CEU equals 10 PDHs. As NHI does
not award PDHs, each agency is encouraged to maintain its own records.
For more information about CEUs and PDHs, please visit:
CEUs and PDHs
Do I get CEUs and/or PDHs for participating in NHI courses?
Most NHI courses award CEUs. The number of CEUs that can be earned is indicated
for each course in the respective course description. Course hours can often be
counted towards PDH accruement.
For proof of your course credit record, please contact the NHI Registrar at
nhiregistrar@dot.gov and request your official transcript. Your official
transcript displays a record of your NHI course history as well as the CEUs awarded
for each CEU-accredited course. Please allow at least one month
after the completion of your course before requesting your official transcript.
For more information on how to receive CEUs and/or PDHs, please visit:
How to Receive Course Credit
Certification Programs
What is the Instructor Certification Program?
The NHI Instructor Certification Program validates the exceptional qualifications
and skills our instructors exhibit. In order to facilitate NHI training in one's
technical area(s) of expertise, an instructor must become certified through NHI's
certification process.
To learn more about NHI's Instructor Certification Program, please visit:
NHI Instructor Certification
Who is eligible to become an NHI-certified instructor?
- FHWA employees who have been approved for technical competency and subject matter
expertise by their program office in FHWA Headquarters, those who have successfully
completed the NHI Instructor Development Course (IDC), and those who are actively
teaching NHI courses.
- FHWA contract employees who are on a contract list of approved instructors, who
have successfully completed the NHI Instructor Development Course (IDC), and who
are actively teaching NHI courses.
How do I become an NHI-certified instructor?
Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirements above.
Step 2: Submit a request to NHI to be observed for certification by a master trainer.
The request should be submitted at least 2-3 months in advance of the observation.
The observation must take place at a regularly scheduled course (not a pilot presentation),
and the instructor must present multiple lessons during the course. Prior to the
observation, the master trainer will discuss the requirements for certification
with the instructor and will provide the criteria against which the instructor will
be evaluated. The observation typically lasts at least 1 day. Throughout the observation,
the master trainer will provide feedback during breaks in teaching to discuss what
is going well and what areas need improvement. Upon successful demonstration of
the required competencies and skills in an actual teaching situation, an instructor
will be awarded NHI instructor certification.
What if I do not receive certification?
If, in the opinion of the master trainer, the instructor needs to demonstrate a
better grasp of the competencies and skills required for certification, a self-improvement
plan will be developed. The plan may include attendance at another session of FHWA-NHI-
420018 Instructor Development Course (IDC), an active mentoring situation, or other
skill development activities. After completing the self-improvement plan, the instructor
may request a second observation.
After becoming an NHI-certified instructor, do I need to be recertified?
No, recertification is not a requirement. However, NHI staff will review and evaluate
information from multiple sources to validate ongoing performance and adherence
to the principles upon which certification was granted.
What is the Certificate of Accomplishment Program?
How can I receive a Certificate of Accomplishment?
To receive a Certificate of Accomplishment, you must pass (with a score of 70% or
greater) all of the courses in the respective suite within four years of beginning
the first course.
Who should I contact to receive my Certificate of Accomplishment?
After successfully completing the course suite, please contact the NHI Registrar
at nhiregistrar@dot.gov to request your
Certificate of Accomplishment.
Please allow at least one month after successfully
completing the final course of the suite before requesting your certificate.