# 2026-08257: Locomotive Engineers Switch to Electronic Certificates for Easier Compliance 2026-08257, Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Railroad Administration published 2026-04-28, effective 2026-05-28; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08257 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-08257 - Title: Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers - Type: Rule - Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Railroad Administration - Citation: 91 FR 22747 - Published: 2026-04-28 - Effective: 2026-05-28 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 2130-AD60 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line Locomotive Engineers Switch to Electronic Certificates for Easier Compliance ## Summary Starting May 28, 2026, locomotive engineers will get simpler, electronic certificates, making life easier and greener! Railroads must now clearly explain why they revoke a certificate and always prove their case in hearings. These changes affect engineers and rail companies, cutting red tape without messing with safety—and no big costs are expected. ## Abstract This rule updates FRA's locomotive engineer certification requirements to reduce the information required on a locomotive engineer's certificate, and allowing certificates to be electronic. This rule also changes the certification revocation process and the Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO) process. Lastly, this rule makes administrative updates, including revising definitions and correcting errors in the regulatory text. ## Effects PRIA read - Electronic Certificates and Privacy: benefit, medium. Starting May 28, 2026, railroads may issue locomotive engineer certificates electronically, and the rule removes the requirement to show an engineer's year of birth on the certificate. Engineers must still possess their certificate while on duty; if an engineer lacks a railroad-issued electronic de… - Required Findings in Revocations: benefit, low. Railroads must include written findings of fact and the basis for those findings when revoking a locomotive engineer's certification. When no applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) timelines apply, the railroad's revocation decision containing findings of fact must be prepared and signed… - Railroad Bears Burden in Hearings: benefit, low. Regardless of who prevailed at the Operating Crew Review Board, the railroad that took the certification action will be the 'hearing petitioner' and must prove its case by a preponderance of the evidence in administrative hearings. FRA is no longer a mandatory party to hearings but may participate… - Knowledge Exam Time Limit Clarified: benefit, low. The rule clarifies that a demonstrated knowledge examination relied on for certification cannot have been conducted more than 366 days before the railroad's certification decision, preventing duplicative knowledge exams and associated testing expense. - Small Entities: No Significant Impact: benefit, low. FRA certifies that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and finds the rule's net costs are less than zero, meaning it is an E.O. 14192 deregulatory action. ## Related documents - [2026-17904](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17904): National Environmental Policy Act Regulations, 2026-09-01 - [2026-19031](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19031): Safety Advisory 2025-02; Track Is Clear Determination During Shoving or Pushing Movements Across Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Equipped Only…, 2026-09-17 - [2026-18981](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18981): Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 2026-09-16 - [2026-18982](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18982): Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 2026-09-16 - [2026-18986](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18986): Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program; Ohio Department of Transportation Audit Report, 2026-09-16 - [2026-17996](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17996): Safety Advisory 2026-01; Restricted Speed, 2026-09-03 ## Sources - [2026-08257 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/28/2026-08257/qualification-and-certification-of-locomotive-engineers) - [2026-08257 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-28/pdf/2026-08257.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-08256, Removing Stenciling Requirement for Freight Cars Used for Tourist, Historic, Ex…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08256) - [Next: 2026-08258, Regulatory Relief To Allow Speeds Up to 45 MPH for Non-Traversable Curbs](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08258) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08257 (as of 2026-06-11).