Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Technical Certification Program

Recently Expired Certification Exam

For people seeking to regain a recently expired certification

In special situations, a person with a recently expired MnDOT certification with relevant work experience may apply to regain a MnDOT certification through a Recently Expired Certification Exam.

We make this option available only to help address unusual situations when a person needs to regain a certification in time for the current construction season.

For all others with expired certifications, the only way to regain certification is to complete the initial certification course during the next certification season (November to May; registration opens the first business day in October).

  1. Your certification has been or will be expired on May 31 of the year listed on your Technical Certification Card.
  2. You are applying between April 1 and Sept. 15 of the year the certification expired.  
  3. You have the required prerequisite certifications, and they are not expired.
  4. A MnDOT recertification course is no longer available.
  5. In addition, you must provide explanations and evidence for the following:

  6. A valid reason why you did not recertify as you were supposed to during the most recent certification season (November to May)
  7. A need for the certification for the current construction season (April to November).
  8. Recent work experience using the certification.
  9. You must also understand and agree to these statements:

  10. You must self-study to prepare for the exam.
  11. The Recently Expired Certification Exam is the exam from the full, initial certification course. For Bridge Construction Inspector Certification, it is two exams.
  12. If you pass the exam, the certification expiration date will be May 31, five years from the expiration year.  If you want to recertify again in the future, you will need to complete a recertification class in the training season before the expiration date.

  • You may submit an application between April 1 and Sept. 15.
  • If approved, you must complete the Recently Expired Certification Exam by the end of the business day Oct. 1.
  • After Oct. 1, if you have not completed the exam, you will lose access to it.
  • We will not refund registrations fees for an uncompleted Recently Expired Certification Exam.
  • If you do not take the exam by the deadline, to regain certification you will have to complete the initial certification course during the next certification season (November to May; registration opens the first business day in October).

Complete the Recently Expired Certification Exam Application (PDF) and email it to the address listed on the application.

Register and complete the MnDOT initial certification course during our regular certification season (November to May; registration opens the first business day in October).

  1. Contact Suzanne Johnsrud 218-428-1002 at Lake Superior College to register and make the full payment of course fees.
  2. Find the current course materials.
  3. Read all of the instructions about taking a MnDOT TCP exam.
  4. When you are ready and have set aside the time for an uninterrupted test session, take the Recently Expired Certification Exam online. You must complete the exam by Oct. 1.
  5. Once you have submitted your exam, see your exam results on the screen. 

  • You must score at least 70% on the exam to pass and receive the certification.
  • There is no retest allowed for a Recently Expired Certification Exam. 
  • If you score below 70% on the exam, to regain the certification you will need to attend a full MnDOT initial certification course during the regular certification season.

Within a week of successfully completing the Recently Expired Certification Exam, you will be able to see your certification and its expiration date on your Technical Certification Card.

The MnDOT Technical Certification Card provides a personal record of all your current certifications for materials sampling, testing, and inspecting in Minnesota. This is an annual card that expires on May 31 of each year. After June 1 of each year, print or save your card to a phone or computer to show your employer or Independent Assurance staff as needed.

There is an expiration date for each certification. It is your responsibility to keep your certifications current. If you want to recertify, you must complete a recertification class in the certification season before the expiration date. For example, if it says May 31, 2027, take the recertification class in the 2026-2027 certification season (November – May; registration opens the first business day in October).