Certification training is required for all workers serving as traffic control flaggers in any work zone. That includes anyone who directs or controls pedestrian or vehicle traffic on a road maintenance project, construction site or other workplaces.
This 3.5-hour national flagger certification course will prepare you to direct traffic, use hand signals and flagging devices, and identify hazards while acting as a flagger in temporary traffic control (TTC) zones. All instruction in this nationwide training program aligns with federal guidelines found in OSHA's 1926.201(a) standard and Part 6 of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for Streets and Highways.
About Flagger Training
Our online course provides a variety of benefits, including:
- Full Audio Narration
- Available 100% Online
- Designed to Satisfy OSHA 1926.201(a) Training Requirements
- Teaches National Regulations for Standard Traffic Control Devices
This course covers the federal traffic control principles found in Part 6 of the MUTCD. Some states and locations have additional or alternative training requirements for flaggers under 23 CFR 655.603(b). State compliance is monitored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Consult the table below to see if your state requires supplemental flagger training.
| States Without Additional Training Requirements | States With Additional Training Requirements |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | Alabama |
| Connecticut | Arizona |
| Florida | Alaska |
| Georgia | Colorado |
| Hawaii | Idaho |
| Kansas | Illinois |
| Louisiana | Indiana |
| Kentucky | Iowa |
| Louisiana | Massachusetts |
| Maine | Nebraska |
| Mississippi | Nevada |
| Montana | New York |
| New Hampshire | North Carolina |
| New Jersey | North Dakota |
| New Mexico | Oklahoma |
| Rhode Island | Oregon |
| South Dakota | Pennsylvania |
| Vermont | Puerto Rico |
| Wyoming | South Carolina |
| Tennessee | |
| Virginia | |
| Washington | |
| Washington, D.C. | |
| West Virginia | |
| Wisconsin |
If you live in a location that requires supplemental flagger training, you must complete the mandatory state-specific instruction in addition to this course before you can serve as a certified flagger. If your state is not on the list above, you must complete a different course that covers your State MUTCD.
State MUTCD Training
If your jurisdiction has adopted a State MUTCD instead of the federal standard, this training does not apply to your area.
This course is not suitable for flaggers in the following states:
- California
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Texas
- Utah
Contact your local government for more information about alternative state-specific flagger training requirements in your jurisdiction.
What You Get
You will earn an instantly downloadable Certificate of Completion at the end of this course. Your certificate demonstrates that you possess all the required skills and knowledge to serve as a certified flagger in a temporary traffic control zone.
Learning Objectives
By the time you complete your National Flagger Certification education, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of flaggers in maintaining safe and healthy roadwork zones
- Summarize the typical requirements for flagger certification and industry best practices for recertification
- Demonstrate the proper use of a stop/slow paddle for communicating effectively with motorists
- List the components of a temporary traffic control (TTC) zone
- Recognize the essential tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) for flagging operations, including how and when to use them
- Evaluate a hazardous traffic-control scenario and apply your training to recommend the appropriate corrective action
Course Topics
This 3.5-hour course covers everything you need to know to direct traffic in a TTC zone according to national standards. Over five user-friendly lesson modules, you will master the skills necessary to protect pedestrians, workers and vehicle operators in road construction areas. Course topics include:
Module 1: Introduction to Work-Zone Traffic Control
- The importance of flagging for work-zone traffic safety
- Key terms and definitions: OSHA and MUTCD
- Roles and responsibilities
- Real-world scenario: inexperienced flagger
- Real-world scenario: inattentive flagger
- Common flagging hazards
Module 2: Certified Flagger Qualifications and Skills
- Training and certification requirements
- Flagger abilities and skills
- The role of a skilled flagger for jobsite traffic safety
Module 3: Essentials of Flagging Safety
- The importance of good communication
- Flagging communication protocols
- Temporary traffic-control zones
- Flagging hazard ID activities: What's wrong with this picture?
Module 4: Temporary Traffic-Control Planning
- TTC planning and risk assessment
- Flagging hazard ID activities: identifying corrective actions
- Work-zone design and traffic-control devices
- Implementing traffic-control plans and ensuring the use of PPE
Module 5: Flagging During Emergencies
- Emergency conditions in work-zone traffic control
- Safety protocols for flagging during emergencies
- Emergency management and response
Course Testing Requirements
Each of the five lesson modules ends with a brief quiz comprising five multiple-choice questions. You must pass each quiz before moving on to the next lesson.
You must complete a final exam at the end of the course. The 10-question final exam draws from all the topics you studied during the lessons.
In addition to passing all quizzes and the final exam, you will be asked to complete 10 interactive, illustrated exercises during Modules 3 and 4. During these activities, you will identify hazards and the appropriate corrective measures for each scenario.
How Long Is Flagger Certification Valid?
Your certificate expires three years after the date of issue. Once your certificate expires, you must complete refresher training. You may repeat this course to renew your certification for another three years.
Your state may have additional recertification requirements. Ask your employer or check with your local government for more information about your specific jurisdiction.