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Flagger Class Frequently Asked Questions

Can I e-mail my list of students to ATSSA?

How soon do I need to send my registration list to ATSSA?

Can I purchase replacement cards?

Do I have to use the ATSSA Flagger Kit when teaching a flagger class?

How does someone become re-registered after the 4-year registration period?

How much can I charge a student to attend one of my classes?

How many students can I teach in one class?

What is the minimum number of students I can teach at one time?

How long do I need to keep the exams after I give a class?

What happens when a student fails the exam at the class?

Do I need to notify ATSSA of a scheduled class?

How can ATSSA help me market my flagger classes?

What do I do about specific State requirements?

Who do I contact with questions about the flagger program?

Can I photocopy flagger materials for class use?

How do I get additional forms to use?

Does my class have to be at least 4 hours?

How soon are the flagger's names posted on Flgger.com?

Why are the student's names posted on Flagger.com?

Can students choose not to have their names posted on FLAGGER.COM?

What other classes does ATSSA offer that will benefit my career?

Is the ATSSA Flagger program recognized in all 50 states?

My company paid for my training. Can I teach people outside my company?

Where should I hold a flagger class?

Does ATSSA do any kind of follow up with my students?

How do potential students find me as an instructor?

What kind of information is found in the "Instructor Only" section of the web?

How do I get my user ID number and password for the "Instructor Only" section of the web?

If a student loses their wallet card, how do they get replacements?

How often do I need to teach a flagger class?

How soon should I order the kits before I am scheduled to teach a class?

How much do the flagger kits cost?

Can I order an inventory of kits to keep in my office?

Can I be invoiced for the kits I purchase?

Will ATSSA evaluate one of my classes?

When does my certification as an instructor expire?

What materials will I receive to use in teaching my classes?

What materials are contained in the Flagger Kits?

Do I need to use a registration form for the students attending my classes?

What is the minimum passing grade on the exam for the Flagger Instructor?

What is the minimum passing grade on the exam for the Flagger?

Are exams open book?

What happens if the Flagger Instructor fails the exam - is there a make-up exam, is it different from the original exam?

Can ATSSA customize materials to fit state requirements?

What states do we know accept ATSSA's certification?

What must one do to maintain certification as a Flagger Instructor?

Why are you here?



Can I e-mail my list of students to ATSSA?
No, you may not e-mail the list of students to ATSSA. We require that the form be mailed and have your original signature at the bottom of the form.
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How soon do I need to send my registration list to ATSSA?
All registration lists need to be returned to ATSSA within 10 days of holding the class. If the forms are not returned in a timely fashion, the students names will not be entered in the database on the web in a timely manner.
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Can I purchase replacement cards?
Yes, you may purchase a flagger wallet card to be used as a replacement. The cost of the cards are $5.00 each. They are to be used as replacement cards ONLY. You must provide us the the flagger's name so that we can verify that they have been trained and we type the cards out for each replacement. We do not sell blank flagger cards.
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Do I have to use the ATSSA Flagger Kit when teaching a flagger class?
Yes, you are required to use the certified ATSSA materials when teaching a class. If you do not use the ATSSA Flagger Kit, your class will not be recognized by ATSSA and your Flagger Instruction Certification may be revoked.
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How does someone become re-registered after the 4-year registration period?
After a flagger has been registered as a flagger for 4years, his registration period is expired. To renew this registration, a student must take a re-registration exam. The exam can be administered either by a certified instructor, a qualified proctor, or by scheduling a test to be taken via the website. NOTE: Some states require the student to retake the course. NOTE: Some state's registration period may differ from ATSSA's.
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How much can I charge a student to attend one of my classes?
The cost of the flagger class is determined by you. Prices range anywhere from $25 to $150 depending on the location of the class and the costs incurred to hold the class.
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How many students can I teach in one class?
The maximum number of students recommended for a class is 15. More students will be hard to manage during the demonstrative portion of the class.
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What is the minimum number of students I can teach at one time?
The minimum number of students per class is determined by you. You may teach on an individual basis if the need arises.
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How long do I need to keep the exams after I give a class?
All student materials must be kept by you for a minimum of five years. As the instructor YOU are responsible for these materials, not your company.
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What happens when a student fails the exam at the class?
If a student fails the exam at the class, the student is required to retake the course.
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Do I need to notify ATSSA of a scheduled class?
You should notify ATSSA of all scheduled classes as soon as possible. If you want ATSSA to post the class on the internet, you must notify ATSSA at least 10 days in advance of the class.
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How can ATSSA help me market my flagger classes?
ATSSA can help you market your classes by posting them on FLAGGER.COM. Many flagging students are looking for a flagger class and ATSSA refers them to the website to find a class in their area.
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What do I do about specific State requirements?
Some states have state specific requirements for flaggers. On ATSSA's Instructor Only section of the web we post state specific information if we have it. You may download and copy the materials to be used in your class. If you have additional information you would like to share, you may send it to ATSSA and we will post it on the website.
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Who do I contact with questions about the flagger program?
Tammy Loving is the person currently administering the flagger program. She can answer any questions you may have.
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Can I photocopy flagger materials for class use?
The materials in the Flagger Kits is copywritten and you may not copy any of the handbooks or manuals. The registration forms and administrative paperwork may be copied.
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How do I get additional forms to use?
You can get additional forms by calling ATSSA or by downloading the forms at the Instructors Only Section of the web page.
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Does my class have to be at least 4 hours?
Yes, all flagger classes must be at least four hours in length. Anything less than 4 hours may void your class.
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How soon are the flagger's names posted on Flgger.com?
Flagger names are added to the website on a weekly basis, generally on Mondays. Therefore, once you send your list of flagger students to ATSSA, they will be added to the database within a two-week period.
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Why are the student's names posted on Flagger.com?
Student names are posted on FLAGGER.COM as a searchable database for both students and employers. Employers may check to see if a flagger is currently registered, or may search for a potential flagging employee.
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Can students choose not to have their names posted on FLAGGER.COM?
Yes, students have three options when taking the flagging class. 1) They may choose to have their name and phone number listed, 2) they may have just their name listed without a phone number or 3) have nothing about themselves listed on the webpage.
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What other classes does ATSSA offer that will benefit my career?
ATSSA offers a wide variety of roadway safety courses. We offer classes for Traffic Control Technicians, Traffic Control Supervisors, Pavement Marking Technicians, Pavement Marking Inspectors, Sign Installation Inspectors, Work Zone Inspectors, Flagging Instructors, Traffic Control Design Specialists, Guardrail Installers, Longitudinal Barrier Systems Designers and Emergency Responders. You may review course descriptions and schedules on ATSSA.COM.
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Is the ATSSA Flagger program recognized in all 50 states?
The flagging registration program is recognized in all 50 states. However, some states do REQUIRE that you be trained as ATSSA registered flagger within that state in order to flag in their state.
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My company paid for my training. Can I teach people outside my company?
Training outside your current employers company is a decision that must be made between you and your employer. If you are charging fees and doing this in your own time, there may be a conflict of interest and you need to check with your employer.
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Where should I hold a flagger class?
Flagger classes can be held in hotels, schools, community centers, churches, or your employers office. There is no requirement that the class be taught in a certified teaching facility.
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Does ATSSA do any kind of follow up with my students?
ATSSA will randomly send out surveys to students to ask about their learning experience. All students are selected randomly and surveys are returned to ATSSA anonymously.
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How do potential students find me as an instructor?
Potential students may find instructors by checking the FLAGGER.COM instructor database, by checking the upcoming class schedule or by calling ATSSA headquarters. ATSSA does not recommend one instructor over another. All names are given to students based on location of the instructor.
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What kind of information is found in the "Instructor Only" section of the web?
Currently in the "Instructor Only" section of ATSSA.COM, you will find administrative forms. Eventually you will be able to order Flagger Kits and materials through this website.
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How do I get my user ID number and password for the "Instructor Only" section of the web?
Once you sign the Web Site Ethics Agreement, a user name and password will be sent to you via e-mail or regular mail if you don not have e-mail.
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If a student loses their wallet card, how do they get replacements?
Replacement cards for students can be obtained through ATSSA.
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How often do I need to teach a flagger class?
You must teach at least one flagger class per year to retain your Flagger Instructor status.
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How soon should I order the kits before I am scheduled to teach a class?
Flagger Kits should be ordered at least twoweeks in advance of your class. All kits are sent regular ground UPS unless you are willing to pay the extra shipping charges. Be sure to give ATSSA enough time to get your kits shipped to you.
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How much do the flagger kits cost?
Flagger kits vary in cost from $4/per kit - $25/per kit depending on your ATSSA membership and the quantity of kits you are purchasing.
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Can I order an inventory of kits to keep in my office?
You may order a quantity of kits to keep on hand for classes that may come up at the last minute.
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Can I be invoiced for the kits I purchase?
ATSSA does not allow for invoicing. All kits must be prepaid with either a credit card or a check.
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Will ATSSA evaluate one of my classes?
ATSSA may randomly send a master instructor to one of your classes to evaluate your teaching methods.
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When does my certification as an instructor expire?
Your certification as a Flagging Instructor expires after 4years. In order to renew your cerification, you must pass a recertification exam.
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What materials will I receive to use in teaching my classes?
As a Flagging Instructor you will have received a kit at your class which contains all the materials you need to teach classes.
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What materials are contained in the Flagger Kits?
Included in every flagging kit are the following: the ATSSA Flagging Handbook, Part 6 of the MUTCD, the student workbook, a student exam, an ATSSA pencil, a registration card, and registration on the ATSSA National Flagging Database
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Do I need to use a registration form for the students attending my classes?
The only registration form that ATSSA requires is the form you send to us with names, addressed and grades, etc. If you want to use additional forms for pre-registration, that is at your discretion.
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What is the minimum passing grade on the exam for the Flagger Instructor?
Instructors 80%
Master Instructors - 90%
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What is the minimum passing grade on the exam for the Flagger?
70% (NOTE: Some state may have a different requirement.)
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Are exams open book?
Yes, students may use the materials given to them in class.
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What happens if the Flagger Instructor fails the exam - is there a make-up exam, is it different from the original exam?
Has to retake the course and exam - there is no make-up exam.
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Can ATSSA customize materials to fit state requirements?
Yes, the state must send a letter to ATSSA outlining the differences in specifications.
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What states do we know accept ATSSA's certification?
Idaho, Delaware, Maryland, Illinois, Alaska, Virginia, Florida, and Colorado accept ATSSA certification for flaggers. AASHTO has endorsed our program.
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What must one do to maintain certification as a Flagger Instructor?

  • give at least one course a year
  • receive adequate student evaluations
  • no history of problems with flaggers that you have passed
  • follow course materials
  • purchase a flagger kit for each student trained
  • recertify every 4 years
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Why are you here?
The main objective, of this course, is to learn how to be a safe and effective flagger. To measure the success of this program, there are several things you should understand and be able to do when you are finished.

  • Describe why proper flagging is important
  • List qualifications of a good flagger
  • Use the MUTCD and other standard references as they pertain to flagging
  • Ensure temporary traffic control zones follow basic principles as outlined in MUTCD
  • Identify the temporary traffic control zone areas
  • Determine if signs and devices on a project meet the standards of the MUTCD
  • List all necessary and proper flagging equipment and materials
  • Select the proper flagging station/location/position
  • Control (Stop, slow, release, direct) traffic using a paddle
  • Control traffic using a flag
  • Recognize different types of drivers and how to deal with them
  • Setup and control one-lane traffic on a two-way road
  • Use alternative methods to communicate with other flaggers
  • Setup and control traffic on haul road operations
  • Recognize unique or special flagging situations and what considerations are necessary
  • Setup and handle nighttime flagging operations
  • Communicate effectively with public, supervisor, and co-workers
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