DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Training: Online Certification Course


DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation

Our online DOT Hazmat course covers the fundamentals of shipping hazardous materials by ground. Our 10-step approach encompasses the activities which must be addressed when preparing a hazardous material for shipment. Participants will learn how to classify hazardous materials, select proper packaging, mark and label containers, and prepare required shipping documents, all in accordance with the USDOT regulations. New requirements enacted over the past year are highlighted throughout the course.

The USDOT requires training for anyone who handles hazardous materials, including individuals who ship or receive hazardous materials, prepare hazardous materials for transportation, mark and label containers, complete shipping documents, select packaging and load or unload hazardous materials.

This hazardous materials shipping training course is designed to meet the training requirements as specified in 49 CFR 172.700 Subpart H, which specify that employees must be trained at least once every three years. At the completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate which includes the participant’s name, completion date, and copy of the test scores. The certificate includes the name and address of the trainer as required for recordkeeping.

Our DOT training course is based on the requirements for training as specified in 49 CFR 172 Subpart H, including testing of participants. This hazmat training is also referred to as HM-181 training, Subpart H training, and hazmat training. While this course is meant to satisfy DOT's general training requirements, it does not go into detail on the shipping of radioactive materials.

This course does not cover driver training as required for each hazmat employee who will operate a motor vehicle.

DOT Hazmat Training Course Details

This DOT hazmat training course will prepare you to safely transport hazardous materials by ground, providing comprehensive information on safety precautions and regulations. Providing real-world industry examples, multimedia presentations, and interactive activities, the course will equip you to handle all hazmat training scenarios.

When you complete the course, you will receive a certificate indicating compliance with the DOT Hazardous Material training requirement. This DOT hazardous materials transportation course also fulfills the DOT Hazmat refresher requirement.

Course Fee
$190.00 USD

Includes:

  • Instant Access, Online, On-Demand
  • Certificate, Wallet Card, Scoresheet
  • Accepted by: DOT

For help call Toll-Free 866-523-9108

Group Discount Information

Shipping by Air?
If you are shipping hazardous materials (dangerous goods) by air, we suggest you take a look at our IATA Dangerous Goods online course.

Topics

  • General awareness and familiarization
  • Identification of hazardous materials
  • Packaging operations
  • Marking and labeling
  • Shipping papers
  • Placarding
  • Security Awareness & Plan
  • Federal Register update

Who Should Take Eduwhere’s DOT Training Course?

Hazardous materials (hazmat) training now applies to any individual who:

  • Ships hazardous materials by ground;
  • Loads, unloads, or handles hazardous materials;
  • Marks, labels, or otherwise prepares containers, drums, or packagings for transportation of hazardous materials;
  • Prepares hazardous materials shipping papers for transportation;
  • Is responsible for safety of transporting hazardous materials;

DOT hazardous materials transportation training is essential for any individual who is involved with hazmat transportation at any stage. Whether you are preparing, processing, loading, managing, or actively transporting hazardous materials, you must complete DOT hazmat training, otherwise known as HM-181 or HM-126 training.

Eduwhere’s course satisfies DOT training requirements for hazardous material shipping training in accordance with the agency’s regulations for hazmat employees. When you complete our course and pass the associated test, you can rest assured that you are in compliance with national safety standards and prepared to transport hazardous materials.

Do You Ship Hazardous Materials?

According to the DOT, a hazardous material is "a substance or material that is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and has been designated as hazardous under the federal hazardous materials transportation law."

You may be surprised to learn how many materials fall under this definition. Under the umbrella of hazardous waste, you’ll find not only obviously dangerous materials such as explosives and flammable substances, but also everyday items such as aerosols, house paint, pesticides, and cleaning solutions. Electronic items such as computer components also often qualify.

Whether you’re working directly with a company that directly transports hazmat or for a third-party delivery service such as UPS or FedEx that occasionally ships hazardous materials, you likely need hazardous material shipping training. Failure to complete required DOT hazmat training and pass the exam may make your company liable in the event of a shipping accident that results in personal injury or environmental damage. By completing Eduwhere’s DOT hazmat training course, you’ll cover all the bases and set yourself up for career success.

Do You Prepare Hazardous Materials for Transportation?

DOT hazmat transportation training is essential for employees who package, label, mark, or otherwise prepare dangerous materials to be shipped. Attention to safety during each part of the shipping process is essential to carry out hazmat transportation best practices, so all individuals who perform preparation tasks are required to complete training.

Do You Receive Hazardous Materials in Your Department?

If you work in a shipping or receiving department that handles hazardous materials, you likely need hazardous material training even if you don’t directly transport the materials. If you play any part whatsoever in the process of hazmat shipping–signing off on paperwork, or receiving incoming shipments, for example–you are required to complete DOT hazardous materials transportation training.

Industries that Require DOT Training Courses

Curious if your profession will require DOT training for hazmat transportation? Employees in a diverse set of industries are required to pass DOT hazmat training courses. These include:

  • Appliance
  • Painting
  • Electronics
  • Recycling
  • Trucking
  • Manufacturing
  • Beauty
  • Hazardous waste signage
  • Automotive

If you’re considering changing professions or starting your own business in an industry such as these, find out whether DOT hazmat training certification will be required. As a job candidate, having this certification will make you an attractive candidate for numerous positions. If you’re a business owner, you can build a strong reputation by requiring employees to be certified and thus avoiding fines or other consequences in the event of an accident.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this online course, participants should be able to:

  • locate and use the Federal hazardous materials regulations;
  • properly label and mark hazardous material containers for shipment;
  • complete Bill of Lading for hazardous materials;
  • select proper packaging for hazardous materials;
  • understand the vehicle placarding requirements;
  • develop appropriate emergency response information to accompany shipments; and
  • understand security awareness and plan requirements.

Instructor

Linda R. Taylor, PE

Linda is the owner of Taylor Engineering, and a former faculty member in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Technology at NC State University and the former Director of Environmental Health & Safety at North Carolina State University's IES. She has over 30 years of engineering experience working in industry, academia, and environmental consulting, including over 25 years at North Carolina State University. She has provided instruction on a wide range of environmental, health, transportation, and safety topics at conferences and training courses, both live and online, and she is a licensed Professional Engineer and an OSHA authorized instructor.

Ms. Taylor received a BS in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and a MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Contact Hours

4 Contact Hours
This represents the estimated time to complete the online course, including exercises. Actual times may vary from user to user.

Training Requirement

Citation: 49 CFR 172.704 (Subpart H)

DOT's training requirements for shipping hazardous materials is located in 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H. In addition to initial training [49 CFR 172.704(c)(1)], DOT requires "recurrent training" every 3 three years.

"A hazmat employee shall receive the training required by this subpart at least once every three years." [49 CFR 172.704(c)(2)]

How Often Does Hazardous Materials Training Need to Be Updated?



Hazmat employees must complete refresher training at least once every three years, as specified by 49 CFR 172.704(c)(2).

Refresher Training Required: Every 3 year(s).

Why Choose Eduwhere for Your DOT Hazmat Training Classes?

Hazmat training is a must for compliance with DOT and OSHA standards for safety. For over 25 years, Eduwhere has been a leader in online compliance training. As pioneers of online education, we know what it takes to make online courses as successful as their in-person counterparts. We know that there’s no room for shortcuts when it comes to safety, so you can rest assured that our DOT hazmat training course will prepare you for any contingency.

Whether you work in shipment preparation, transportation, or receiving of hazardous materials, you must pass the required safety courses. When you complete your HM-181 or HM0126 course, you’ll have the tools you need to excel in your professional role.

If you need to attain hazmat training certification for yourself or your employees, look to the experts. Call us toll-free at 866-523-9108 to get started!

Course FAQs

No. The DOT does not certify courses. Neither does OSHA or EPA. This means that while our courses are not certified, neither are any other courses. We know this is difficult to believe and even more difficult to accept. According to 49 CFR 172.702:

(a) A hazmat employer shall ensure that each of its hazmat employees is trained in accordance with the requirements prescribed in this subpart. And then in

(b) ...It is the duty of each hazmat employer to comply with the applicable requirements of this subchapter and to thoroughly instruct each hazmat employee in relation thereto.

(c) Training may be provided by the hazmat employer or other public or private sources.

(d) A hazmat employer shall ensure that each of its hazmat employees is tested by appropriate means on the training subjects covered in Sec. 172.704.

We get this question a lot, so it really is a Frequently Asked Question. It's also a FAQ for the DOT, and here's how they answer it:

Q. Who certifies that an instructor is qualified to train, test, and certify in accordance with § 172.704?

A. Except for certain FAA required CFR 14 training, the U.S. DOT does not review or certify training programs for pre-approval purposes. The employer must determine a trainer's qualifications based on their need.

Q. Does the trainer who teaches and tests the hazmat employee, certify that the hazmat employee is trained/tested?

A. No, the hazmat employer must certify that the employee has been trained and tested.
Good question. We wonder that same thing. Perhaps "DOT Certified" means that the course was certified by the Dipolar Oscillating Transistor... because the Department of Transportation does not certify third-party training courses. Or perhaps it means they have self-certified the course for their own employees. Or perhaps they offer a DOT Certification course, which means they offer a course that is intended to help you certify your employees (we hope this is what they mean).
That's entirely up to your company, the "hazmat employer". The regulations place the onus on the company to ensure ("certify") that their employees are adequately trained. A training course that is perfect for one company may be entirely inadequate for another. If you have questions about whether one of our courses is appropriate for your situation, feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to answer your questions.
Yes, we think so. Our DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Course meets the requirements for training as specified in 49 CFR 172 Subpart H, including testing of participants. It covers the same material that is usually presented in a 2 day course. The contact hours we present are a rough estimate of the time it might take an average user to complete the course. We've found that it is highly variable and depends on the individual. Also take into consideration that in the 2 day course there are lunch breaks, numerous other breaks, and usually time given to familiarize yourself with the DOT book and tables.

The course fee entitles a single user to participate in the online course for at least six (6) months. Requests for additional time will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but are almost always honored. Hardcopy certificates are mailed (first class for domestic locations/standard airmail for international locations) and included in the course fee. Expedited shipping costs are additional.