At glance:
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Federal law requires all miners to complete MSHA training before working at a mine site, with requirements split between Part 46 (surface mines) and Part 48 (underground and coal mines).
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New miners must complete a minimum of 24 hours of training, and all certified miners must complete an 8-hour annual refresher to stay compliant.
MSHA certification verifies that miners and contractors have completed required training under federal law, helping protect workers and maintain compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration. If you work at any mine site in the United States, understanding which certification applies to your role is the first step toward staying legal and staying safe.
Getting your MSHA Certification starts with identifying which federal regulation governs your mine type. Training requirements are governed by sections of the federal code: 30 CFR Part 48 and Part 46. Part 48 covers all underground mining and surface mining of coal and some metals, while Part 46 covers the aggregate industry, including granite, sand, gravel, lime, and cement operations.
Part 46 vs. Part 48: Which Applies to You?
The distinction between these two regulations shapes everything from who delivers your training to how many hours you need.
Part 48 trainers must be approved by MSHA, and their instructor certification is kept on file by the agency. Part 46 trainers do not need MSHA approval but must be deemed competent persons by the mine operator. Training plans for Part 48 mines must be approved by MSHA; Part 46 training plans do not require MSHA approval as long as they meet the requirements of the rule.
|
Feature |
Part 46 |
Part 48 |
|
Mine type |
Surface non-metal/non-coal |
Underground, coal, and metal |
|
Trainer approval |
Operator-designated competent person |
Must be MSHA-approved |
|
Training plan approval |
Not required (must meet rule) |
MSHA approval required |
|
Online training option |
Partial (8-hour portion) |
Must be conducted in person |
Part 46 is not appropriate for coal or other underground miners, since 30 CFR Part 46 applies only to non-metal/non-coal surface mine operations. While some Part 46 training topics may apply to Part 48 training, Part 48 training must be sought from an MSHA-approved trainer. Even if you work only on surface operations of a metal or coal mine, you are required to complete Part 48 training.
Training Hours and Course Types Required by MSHA
Federal law requires that all miners receive basic and annual refresher training and that all mine operators maintain an effective training plan. The specific hours depend on your experience level and mine type.
New Miner Training (Part 46)
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To begin work at a surface mine, new miners need 24 hours of Part 46 New Miner Training. Four of those hours must be completed before work can begin at all.
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The full 24-hour requirement can be spread over multiple days but must be completed within 90 days.
New Miner Training (Part 48)
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New underground miners must receive a minimum of 40 hours of training. Surface miners at underground mines must complete at least 24 hours of training.
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Part 48 training cannot be completed online and must be conducted in person by an MSHA-approved instructor.
Annual Refresher Training
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Surface miners and surface mining contractors must complete a refresher training course each year, which must be a minimum of eight hours, in order to receive the MSHA certification.
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For surface miner training (Part 46 or Part 48), certification does not fully expire until two years after the last training. If a refresher is not completed before the two-year deadline, the miner must repeat New Miner Training.
Course topics covered typically include, per MSHA’s official training guidance:
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Hazard recognition and emergency procedures
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Miners’ rights and responsibilities
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First aid and CPR
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Electrical, chemical, and environmental hazard identification
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Site-specific safety rules
What Happens After You Complete Training
Once training and assessments are completed, the miner receives MSHA certification documentation from the training provider. This documentation takes the form of MSHA Form 5000-23, the official Certificate of Training.
Once all courses are completed and certificates downloaded, the MSHA 5000-23 Certificate of Training Form must be completed. It requires the mine or independent contractor name, their identification number, and the name of the competent person who can verify the training received. Generally, the person signing the form is the Mine Operator or a person acting on behalf of the operator.
After receiving MSHA certification documentation, keep it readily available for verification purposes at mine sites. Inspectors may request proof of training at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to have MSHA certification? MSHA certification is mandated by law for anyone working at a mine site in the United States. This includes miners, supervisors, contractors, and machinery operators.
Can MSHA training be completed online? What used to be an in-person class can now be done online whenever the person needing it has time, and they can do so wherever they want – but this applies to the Part 46 portion only. Part 48 training must be completed in person with an MSHA-approved trainer.
How often does MSHA certification need to be renewed? MSHA requires annual refresher training for people who are continuously employed at a mining operation. Typically, there is a little over 12 months from the last training to complete a refresher, with the deadline at the end of the anniversary month.
What topics does new miner training cover? Training covers the physical characteristics, types, and operations of surface mines, as well as site rules and emergency procedures. Courses also address accident prevention, emergency procedures, first aid/CPR, and identifying and reporting environmental, electrical, and chemical hazards.
For workers and operators looking to meet these requirements efficiently, OSHA Pros – OSHA.net offers an eight-hour online MSHA surface training course that can be completed at your own pace, covering Part 46 requirements for new and experienced surface miners. Whether you are entering the mining industry for the first time or maintaining your annual compliance, verifying your training type against the Part 46 and Part 48 requirements outlined above is the most practical starting point.