Frequently Asked Questions

If your certification is not expired, or is within the grace periods listed below, you may register for one of our 1-day recertification classes.

If your card is expired and you are past the grace period, you must register for a full 3-day course. You may still submit your TCS card in lieu of verification of 2000 hours of work experience.

Grace periods

• Washington and Idaho: 6 months after expiration
• Oregon: 60 days after expiration

No, students in the WA TCS class will only receive a TCS or TCT certification. They must earn their Washington Flagger certification separately.

No, Washington TCSs must have an approved Flagger card in order to work in a Traffic Control Zone. This is an L&I requirement.

TCS candidates must submit proof that they have at least 2000 hours of relevant work experience in order to be certified. Verification must be submitted in the form of two letters (or one letter with two signatures) from someone who can vouch for your experience.

TCS certifications will not be issued until the letters are received and approved. Letters must be submitted within 90 days following the date of your class, or you will need to retake the course.

Where do I submit the letters?

You can submit the letters with your online student information form. If you have questions about submission, contact flagger@esc.org.

Who should write the letters? 

Letters may be submitted by anyone who can verify the knowledge and experience of the TCS candidate, including:

• Employers (past and/or present)
• Subcontractors
• DOT Inspectors
• Other Traffic Control Supervisors

What format must the letters be in?

• The letters must be typed and on company letterhead.
• If letterhead is not available, an attached company business card is acceptable.
• The authors must provide their current contact information.
• It is okay to submit one letter with two signatures.

What must the letters include? 

The letters must include:

• A brief history of the candidate’s work experience (see below for acceptable work zone experience)
• Projects they have worked on
• Approximate number of cumulative hours of work in each category

For Oregon and Idaho TCS candidates:

The work zone experience may include work in the following areas:

• Experience as a construction inspector, including inspection of traffic control
• Traffic control work on a survey crew
• Designing or reviewing traffic control plans
• Other specific traffic control experience (set-up and take-down)
• Flagging experience

For Washington TCS candidates:

TCS candidates may no longer have just flagging hours. The letters must include a brief history and detailed description of at least TWO of the following:

• Developing traffic control plans (TCPs) for roadway maintenance, construction, utility work, or special events
• Reviewing TCPs for proper application and MUTCD compliance
• Inspection of traffic control devices and TCP performance, and reporting or correcting deficiencies
• Installing and removing traffic control devices in accordance with TCPs for lane closures on multi-lane roadways and other traffic control operations
• Performing flagger duties

Washington and Idaho TCS certifications are valid for four years. The Oregon TCS certification is valid for three years.

Washington and Oregon only accept their own state TCS cards.

Idaho accepts both Washington and Oregon TCS cards; however, the TCS is responsible for reviewing Idaho’s standards and laws.