How does everyone train and certify their steam personnel?

The ARM Recommended Practices for Railroad Museums provides for “formalized training of operating crews, [including] . . . [f]ormal instruction and written tests to achieve qualification for various levels of service, administered by trained instructors.”

Where I volunteer it is largely an on-the-job apprenticeship with a subjective evaluation – are those running the program satisfied you can safely operate a steam locomotive. The objective qualification piece is a requirement that one obtain a state license as a high pressure boiler operator. This license is the lowest category of stationary engineer. Part of the service requirement to sit for the license examination can be satisfied by successfully completing a boiler operator course at a local community college.

Neither the FRA nor the State requires any license or other particular certification to operate a steam locomotive on our railroad.

There are private third-party certification agencies out there: The American Society of Power Engineers and the National Institution for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers. They both examine candidates and issue certifications of competence. ASOPE has specific certifications for locomotive engineers, locomotive firemen, vintage engine engineer and traction engineer. http://www.asope.org

Has anyone used any of these certification agencies?

What, if anything, should we be doing as an industry to come up with training standards or certifications?