> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://railnology.gitbook.io/railnology-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://railnology.gitbook.io/railnology-docs/certification-programs-railcert/building-your-program.md).

# Building Your Program (Section-by-Section Guide)

The Program Builder displays all required sections in an accordion layout. Each section must be completed before the program can be submitted to the FRA.

### Part 240 — Locomotive Engineer Certification Sections

| Section                              | Regulation   | What to Include                                                            |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| General Information & Elections      | §240.101     | Railroad name, territory, types of service, contact info                   |
| Program Administrator Designation    | §240.105     | Name, title, phone, email of Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers |
| Training Election                    | §240.103(d)  | Whether your railroad trains student engineers or recertifies only         |
| Eligibility Criteria                 | §240.109–119 | Experience requirements, MVR review, medical and vision/hearing exams      |
| Knowledge Examination Procedures     | §240.125     | Exam format, passing score, retake policy                                  |
| Skills Performance Test Procedures   | §240.127     | Who administers the test, what is evaluated, pass/fail criteria            |
| Operational Monitoring Program       | §240.129     | Annual monitoring observation and unannounced compliance test procedures   |
| Recertification Criteria & Intervals | §240.201–219 | 36-month recertification process and eligibility review                    |
| Revocation & Appeals Process         | §240.307–411 | Revocation basis, decisions process, employee appeals                      |
| Continuing Education Requirements    | §240.125(c)  | Ongoing education to maintain engineer knowledge and skills                |

### Part 242 — Conductor Certification Sections

| Section                              | Regulation   | What to Include                                                 |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| General Information & Elections      | §242.101     | Railroad name, territory, conductor operations, contact info    |
| Program Administrator Designation    | §242.105     | Name, title, phone, email of program administrator              |
| Eligibility Criteria                 | §242.101–119 | Experience requirements, background check, medical requirements |
| Training Requirements                | §242.121     | Initial and recurrent training content and delivery method      |
| Knowledge Testing Procedures         | §242.123     | Exam format, passing score, retake policy                       |
| Skills Performance Test Procedures   | §242.125     | Who administers, what is evaluated, pass/fail criteria          |
| Operational Monitoring Program       | §242.127     | Annual monitoring observation procedures                        |
| Recertification Criteria & Intervals | §242.201–219 | 36-month recertification process                                |
| Revocation & Appeals Process         | §242.301–405 | Revocation basis, decisions process, employee appeals           |
| Continuing Education Requirements    | §242.123(c)  | Ongoing education requirements for conductors                   |

### To Complete a Section

1. Click any section row to expand it
2. Type your railroad's written response in the content field
3. Click **Save Draft** to save, or **Mark Complete** when finalized
4. A green checkmark appears next to completed sections
5. The completion percentage in the program list updates automatically

You can complete sections in any order and return to edit them while the program is in Draft status.

### Program Administrator Card

At the top of the builder, fill in the **Program Administrator** card before submitting to the FRA:

* **Name** \* — Full name of the designated administrator
* **Title** \* — Job title
* **Email** \* — Contact email
* **Phone** \* — Contact phone

Click **Save Administrator** to save. The FRA Submission Readiness panel below the sections will show these as blockers until all four fields are complete.