NHI SAFETY INSPECTION OF
IN-SERVICE BRIDGES
FINAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
147 Questions with Correct Solutions
Aligned with 2024-2025 FHWA/NBIS and AASHTO Standards
Federal Highway Administration
National Highway Institute
April 2026
, NHI Bridge Inspection Final Exam
Section 1: Federal Standards, NBIS Compliance & Inspection
Protocols (Q1-Q25)
Question 1: Under 23 CFR 650, what is the maximum allowable interval between routine inspections for a
bridge classified as fracture critical?
A) 12 months
B) 24 months [CORRECT]
C) 48 months
D) 72 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 23 CFR 650.309 requires that fracture critical members be inspected at intervals not exceeding 24 months.
While 12 months is often used by agencies, the regulatory maximum is 24 months.
Question 2: A bridge inspector arrives on site and notices that the bridge owner has not performed the
required underwater inspection within the past 60 months. The bridge crosses a navigable waterway with
known scour issues. What is the most appropriate first action?
B) Contact the bridge owner immediately and recommend restricting traffic until the underwater inspection
is completed [CORRECT]
A) Proceed with the routine inspection and note the overdue underwater inspection in the report
C) Perform a visual inspection from the bridge deck to assess any obvious substructure distress
D) Decline to perform the inspection and document the deficiency in writing to the FHWA
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When an underwater inspection is overdue on a scour-critical bridge, public safety takes precedence. The
inspector should alert the bridge owner to initiate restrictions until the underwater inspection confirms structural
integrity. Option A is insufficient for a safety-critical situation.
Question 3: Which NBI item code records the overall condition rating of the bridge deck?
A) NBI Item 58
B) NBI Item 59
C) NBI Item 60 [CORRECT]
D) NBI Item 62
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NBI Item 60 records the deck condition rating on the 0-9 scale. Item 58 is the structure number, Item 59 is
the district code, and Item 62 records the superstructure condition rating.
Question 4: According to NBIS, a Routine Inspection must be performed at intervals not to exceed:
A) 12 months for all bridges
B) 24 months regardless of bridge condition
C) 24 months, unless a lower interval is warranted by conditions [CORRECT]
D) 48 months for bridges in satisfactory condition
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, NHI Bridge Inspection Final Exam
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 23 CFR 650.309 sets the default routine inspection interval at not more than 24 months, but requires shorter
intervals when conditions warrant, such as for fracture critical or scour-critical bridges.
Question 5: A team leader is preparing a Plan of Examination (POE) for an underwater inspection of a
4-span concrete bridge. Which of the following elements must be included in the POE?
A) Complete structural analysis of the bridge
D) Cost estimate for recommended repairs
C) Traffic control plan for the adjacent roadway
B) Identification of known or suspected deficiencies and the inspection methods to evaluate them
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A POE must identify known or suspected deficiencies, specify inspection methods and equipment, and
define the scope of examination. Structural analysis and cost estimates are outside the scope of an inspection POE.
Question 6: What distinguishes a Special Inspection from a Routine Inspection under the NBIS?
A) A Special Inspection is always performed underwater
B) A Special Inspection is triggered by a specific event or condition requiring detailed evaluation
[CORRECT]
C) A Special Inspection uses only non-destructive testing methods
D) A Special Inspection replaces the routine inspection requirement for that cycle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Special Inspections are performed to address known or suspected deficiencies, or following events such as
floods, seismic activity, or vehicle impact. They do not replace routine inspections but supplement them.
Question 7: An inspector discovers that a bridge was last inspected 30 months ago during a routine
inspection. The bridge is not fracture critical or scour critical. What action should be taken?
A) Close the bridge immediately
B) Perform the overdue inspection and note the interval exceedance in the report [CORRECT]
C) Request a fracture critical inspection since the interval has been exceeded
D) File a violation report with the FHWA before performing the inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For non-critical bridges, the overdue inspection should be performed promptly and the interval exceedance
documented. Bridge closure is not warranted without evidence of imminent safety concerns.
Question 8: Which of the following correctly identifies the minimum qualification requirements for a Team
Leader performing NBIS bridge inspections?
A) Professional Engineer license only
D) ACI certification in concrete testing
C) 5 years of field experience with no formal training requirement
B) Completion of a 2-week comprehensive bridge inspection training course and meeting FHWA guidelines
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
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, NHI Bridge Inspection Final Exam
Rationale: FHWA requires team leaders to have completed comprehensive bridge inspection training (typically the
2-week NHI course) and meet additional experience requirements outlined in the FHWA guidelines. A PE license alone
does not satisfy the requirement.
Question 9: A bridge inspector encounters a steel girder bridge with pinned connections that were identified
as fracture critical in the previous inspection cycle. During the current inspection, the inspector observes a
new 3-inch longitudinal crack in the web of one girder adjacent to a pin connection. What is the correct
classification?
A) Routine finding; document and monitor at next inspection
C) Minor defect that does not affect the fracture critical classification
B) Critical finding requiring immediate notification to the bridge owner and potential load restriction
[CORRECT]
D) Maintenance finding that can be addressed during the next scheduled painting cycle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Any crack in a fracture critical member near a connection is a critical finding. Pinned connections are
inherently non-redundant, and a crack propagation could lead to catastrophic failure. Immediate owner notification is
required.
Question 10: Under the NBIS, what NBI item is used to record the type of inspection performed?
A) NBI Item 91
D) NBI Item 100
C) NBI Item 88
B) NBI Item 90 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: NBI Item 90 records the type of inspection performed (e.g., Routine, Special, Underwater, Fracture Critical).
This item is critical for tracking compliance with inspection interval requirements.
Question 11: An inspection team is evaluating a 60-year-old reinforced concrete bridge with widespread
spalling and reinforcing steel exposure. The team leader assigns the bridge a sufficiency rating of 40.
According to FHWA policy, what does this sufficiency rating indicate?
A) The bridge is eligible for federal-aid replacement funding [CORRECT]
B) The bridge is in good condition and requires only routine maintenance
C) The bridge must be posted for load restrictions immediately
D) The bridge is exempt from future routine inspections
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bridges with a sufficiency rating of 50 or below are eligible for federal-aid bridge replacement funding under
the Highway Bridge Program. A rating of 40 is below this threshold, making the bridge eligible for replacement funds.
Question 12: When performing an initial inspection of a newly constructed bridge, which type of inspection
is required by the NBIS?
B) In-Depth Initial Inspection [CORRECT]
A) Routine Inspection
C) Damage Inspection
D) Underwater Inspection
Page 3
IN-SERVICE BRIDGES
FINAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
147 Questions with Correct Solutions
Aligned with 2024-2025 FHWA/NBIS and AASHTO Standards
Federal Highway Administration
National Highway Institute
April 2026
, NHI Bridge Inspection Final Exam
Section 1: Federal Standards, NBIS Compliance & Inspection
Protocols (Q1-Q25)
Question 1: Under 23 CFR 650, what is the maximum allowable interval between routine inspections for a
bridge classified as fracture critical?
A) 12 months
B) 24 months [CORRECT]
C) 48 months
D) 72 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 23 CFR 650.309 requires that fracture critical members be inspected at intervals not exceeding 24 months.
While 12 months is often used by agencies, the regulatory maximum is 24 months.
Question 2: A bridge inspector arrives on site and notices that the bridge owner has not performed the
required underwater inspection within the past 60 months. The bridge crosses a navigable waterway with
known scour issues. What is the most appropriate first action?
B) Contact the bridge owner immediately and recommend restricting traffic until the underwater inspection
is completed [CORRECT]
A) Proceed with the routine inspection and note the overdue underwater inspection in the report
C) Perform a visual inspection from the bridge deck to assess any obvious substructure distress
D) Decline to perform the inspection and document the deficiency in writing to the FHWA
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When an underwater inspection is overdue on a scour-critical bridge, public safety takes precedence. The
inspector should alert the bridge owner to initiate restrictions until the underwater inspection confirms structural
integrity. Option A is insufficient for a safety-critical situation.
Question 3: Which NBI item code records the overall condition rating of the bridge deck?
A) NBI Item 58
B) NBI Item 59
C) NBI Item 60 [CORRECT]
D) NBI Item 62
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NBI Item 60 records the deck condition rating on the 0-9 scale. Item 58 is the structure number, Item 59 is
the district code, and Item 62 records the superstructure condition rating.
Question 4: According to NBIS, a Routine Inspection must be performed at intervals not to exceed:
A) 12 months for all bridges
B) 24 months regardless of bridge condition
C) 24 months, unless a lower interval is warranted by conditions [CORRECT]
D) 48 months for bridges in satisfactory condition
Page 1
, NHI Bridge Inspection Final Exam
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 23 CFR 650.309 sets the default routine inspection interval at not more than 24 months, but requires shorter
intervals when conditions warrant, such as for fracture critical or scour-critical bridges.
Question 5: A team leader is preparing a Plan of Examination (POE) for an underwater inspection of a
4-span concrete bridge. Which of the following elements must be included in the POE?
A) Complete structural analysis of the bridge
D) Cost estimate for recommended repairs
C) Traffic control plan for the adjacent roadway
B) Identification of known or suspected deficiencies and the inspection methods to evaluate them
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A POE must identify known or suspected deficiencies, specify inspection methods and equipment, and
define the scope of examination. Structural analysis and cost estimates are outside the scope of an inspection POE.
Question 6: What distinguishes a Special Inspection from a Routine Inspection under the NBIS?
A) A Special Inspection is always performed underwater
B) A Special Inspection is triggered by a specific event or condition requiring detailed evaluation
[CORRECT]
C) A Special Inspection uses only non-destructive testing methods
D) A Special Inspection replaces the routine inspection requirement for that cycle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Special Inspections are performed to address known or suspected deficiencies, or following events such as
floods, seismic activity, or vehicle impact. They do not replace routine inspections but supplement them.
Question 7: An inspector discovers that a bridge was last inspected 30 months ago during a routine
inspection. The bridge is not fracture critical or scour critical. What action should be taken?
A) Close the bridge immediately
B) Perform the overdue inspection and note the interval exceedance in the report [CORRECT]
C) Request a fracture critical inspection since the interval has been exceeded
D) File a violation report with the FHWA before performing the inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For non-critical bridges, the overdue inspection should be performed promptly and the interval exceedance
documented. Bridge closure is not warranted without evidence of imminent safety concerns.
Question 8: Which of the following correctly identifies the minimum qualification requirements for a Team
Leader performing NBIS bridge inspections?
A) Professional Engineer license only
D) ACI certification in concrete testing
C) 5 years of field experience with no formal training requirement
B) Completion of a 2-week comprehensive bridge inspection training course and meeting FHWA guidelines
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Page 2
, NHI Bridge Inspection Final Exam
Rationale: FHWA requires team leaders to have completed comprehensive bridge inspection training (typically the
2-week NHI course) and meet additional experience requirements outlined in the FHWA guidelines. A PE license alone
does not satisfy the requirement.
Question 9: A bridge inspector encounters a steel girder bridge with pinned connections that were identified
as fracture critical in the previous inspection cycle. During the current inspection, the inspector observes a
new 3-inch longitudinal crack in the web of one girder adjacent to a pin connection. What is the correct
classification?
A) Routine finding; document and monitor at next inspection
C) Minor defect that does not affect the fracture critical classification
B) Critical finding requiring immediate notification to the bridge owner and potential load restriction
[CORRECT]
D) Maintenance finding that can be addressed during the next scheduled painting cycle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Any crack in a fracture critical member near a connection is a critical finding. Pinned connections are
inherently non-redundant, and a crack propagation could lead to catastrophic failure. Immediate owner notification is
required.
Question 10: Under the NBIS, what NBI item is used to record the type of inspection performed?
A) NBI Item 91
D) NBI Item 100
C) NBI Item 88
B) NBI Item 90 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: NBI Item 90 records the type of inspection performed (e.g., Routine, Special, Underwater, Fracture Critical).
This item is critical for tracking compliance with inspection interval requirements.
Question 11: An inspection team is evaluating a 60-year-old reinforced concrete bridge with widespread
spalling and reinforcing steel exposure. The team leader assigns the bridge a sufficiency rating of 40.
According to FHWA policy, what does this sufficiency rating indicate?
A) The bridge is eligible for federal-aid replacement funding [CORRECT]
B) The bridge is in good condition and requires only routine maintenance
C) The bridge must be posted for load restrictions immediately
D) The bridge is exempt from future routine inspections
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bridges with a sufficiency rating of 50 or below are eligible for federal-aid bridge replacement funding under
the Highway Bridge Program. A rating of 40 is below this threshold, making the bridge eligible for replacement funds.
Question 12: When performing an initial inspection of a newly constructed bridge, which type of inspection
is required by the NBIS?
B) In-Depth Initial Inspection [CORRECT]
A) Routine Inspection
C) Damage Inspection
D) Underwater Inspection
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