Highway Surveys
Test Development and Supporting Organizations

In 1974, the Institute partnered with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration to develop "a nationally-applicable, individualized, job-competency-based, nondiscriminatory certification system that could be interfaced with education/training resources and a variety of personnel systems."

With funding from the Federal Highway Administration and the technical guidance of an AASHTO task force, the Institute designed the new program using input from several State Departments of Transportation, trade associations, engineering firms, educational institutions, engineering technicians, and federal, county, and city agencies. Over 1000 individuals contributed to the development of NICET's Transportation Engineering Technology certification programs, which at the time included Highway Construction, Highway Design, Highway Materials, Highway Traffic Operations, Highway Surveys, and Highway Maintenance.

Through a practice analysis, the volunteers identified engineering technicians' job tasks and responsibilities and categorized them into work elements. Then, volunteers submitted and reviewed examination questions for each of the work elements.

In 1976, after critically reviewing the program's certification criteria, AASHTO endorsed the program for use on a voluntary basis by State Departments of Highways and Transportation. In 1978, the Institute completed a pilot test of the program in three states with different personnel systems, geographic characteristics, and demographic attributes. The program became operational in 1979 and was oriented towards field personnel but was broadened in 1992 to accommodate office personnel. Technical guidance is currently provided by highway surveys technicians, supervisors, and subject matter experts from a variety of stakeholder groups, including state highway departments, county and city agencies, FHWA, private consultant firms, and contractors.