Gas pipeline contractors

Contractors can register by contacting the ITS at sales@its-training.com or 270-753-2150 Ext 100.

Prepare by creating an Open Text Core (CORE) account to review important assessment information. Schedule the safety test with ITS for SQCA WBT by calling 270-753-2150 Ext 100.

Access information for all OQs, study materials and procedures in your CORE account. Review the study materials before scheduling your OQ-testing session.

• To set up your account as a vendor, email CORE@pge.com with the following:
  • Company Name
  • Name of 2 people designated as company admins
  • Company email and phone number for each person
• Search for QG-4008 in CORE to access PG&E gas operations documents and the guide to qualifications.
• Access the Technical Information Library by sending an email to CORE@pge.com. Add your company as a vendor if you don’t already have a group account.
• Go to OpenText™ Core Share for more information about the CORE tool.

For urgent assistance, dial the Gas Ops Standards Engineering hotline at 855-854-6227, Option 3.

Select a PGE-approved third-party contractor evaluator and schedule training with them, if needed. You can also schedule your test with them. The training and tests are available for a fee. To view PG&E's list of evaluators, download the PG&E approved third-party evaluators list (PDF).

Excavation OQs

Contractors who perform excavation are required to hold OQ-0507 damage prevention and OQ-0215 installation, backfill, compacting.

Gas lines OQs

If you install gas lines, you may need additional qualifications, including:

• OQ-0504: Non-Production Locate and/or Mark
• OQ-0214: Tracer Wire
• OQ-0403: Leak Test at Operating Pressure
• OQ-0404: Pressure Test for Facilities Operating below 100 psi (Leak Test)
• Review this Five Minute Meeting (PDF) overview. It explains which OQs are needed for specific gas pipeline tasks related work.

Construction OQs

Schedule construction OQ testing directly from a PG&E-approved administrator.

Plastic pipe OQs

To schedule plastic pipe connection testing, contact the plastic analyst at:

• OQPlasticSched@pge.com
• 1-855-854-6227 Option 4
• You will need 21XX: Pipe Joining Qualifications to schedule testing

Welding OQs

For welding qualifications, contact a gas qualifications analyst at:

• OQWeldingSched@pge.com 
• 1-855-854-6227, Option 4

NCMS Registration is required for the DOT Drug Testing Program.

• Read the requirements for registration. Read the PG&E Applicant Installer Pre-Qualification Requirements Update on Scope and Applicability (PDF).
• The ITS system automatically creates a NCMS profile for your company for individuals with a completed SQCA and at least one PG&E OQ.
• Your company will receive an enrollment email from pipelinesafety@nationalcompliance.com. You will receive additional instructions once the profile is created.
• For questions regarding these steps, contact PG&EApplicantInstallerPreQual@pge.com.

For OQ related questions, contact the PG&E’s OQ Program Manager at OQPgmMgr@pge.com.

Once employees are trained and ready, schedule testing:

• For OQs, schedule a testing session directly with a PG&E authorized test administrator.
• For plastic pipe OQ testing, contact Gas Qualifications Analyst at OQPlasticSched@pge.com. For other OQ related questions you may reach out to 1-855-854-6227, Option 4.
• For welding OQ testing, contact a Gas Qualifications Analyst at OQWeldingSched@pge.com. For other OQ related questions call 1-855-854-6227, Option 4.
• Applicants and contractors utilizing OQs to install gas facilities under a new business application must be pre-qualified by PG&E. They must complete all training programs and secure the required documentation:
  • 49CFR Part 199 Subparts B and C of the Department of Transportation Pipeline
  • Hazardous Materials Safety Drug and Alcohol Testing for individuals holding:
    • OQ-0215
    • OQ-0502
    • OQ-0504
    • OQ-0507
• Learn about the PG&E Applicant Installer Pre-Qualification Requirements (PDF)
  Email questions related to the Applicant Installer Pre-Qualification requirements to PG&EApplicantInstallerPreQual@pge.com.
• PG&E Applicant Installers will need to contact Sales@ITS-Training.com or call 270-753-2150 Ext 100 to begin the agreement process.
  ITS will send a Panda Docs information form to each contractor to complete.
  Once completed, ITS will send an agreement for signature.
  Contractors must provide:
  • Copy of their Certificate of Insurance (COI)
    • Minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence for general liability
  • $350 set-up fee per person attending prior to account creation

Contact ITS regarding fees and set-up at Sales@ITS-Training.com.

Before NCMS can monitor your company, they will need the approval of PG&E. Upon successful completion of the Safety, Quality, and Conduct Assessment in ITS by and OQ’s individual, your company contacts will receive an engagement email from pipelinesafety@nationalcompliance.com within 10 business days.

The email provides directions on how to obtain access to our website. It will help you complete our online audit process.

For next steps, download the PG&E Applicant Installer Pre-Qualification Requirements (PDF).

• Determine which OQs you need for the work your project requires. For any questions, contact your PG&E Inspector, your PG&E New Business Representative or your prime contractor. If further assistance is needed, contact the PG&E Program Manager for Contractor OQ at OQPgmMgr@pge.com.
• Ensure your employees are trained and ready for the test. They should review all materials in CORE. To get started with CORE, check the Additional Resources section for CORE Job aids OpenText™ Core Share If you find a current procedure has been replaced and the date is not effective yet, please contact the Gas Standards Engineering & TIL Hotline to request a copy of the current procedure at (855) 854-6227 option 3.
• Once employees are trained and ready, schedule testing:
  • For Plastic Qualification, contact Gas Qualifications Analyst at OQPlasticSched@pge.com. For other OQ related questions you may reach out to 1-855-854-6227, Option 4.
  • For Welding Qualifications, contact a Gas Qualifications Analyst at OQWeldingSched@pge.com. For other OQ related questions call 1-855-854-6227, Option 4.

For Other Qualifications, schedule a testing session directly with PG&E authorized test administrator. Obtain the list of test administrators from ITS or view PG&E's list: Download the PG&E approved third-party evaluators list (PDF).

Contractors who perform excavation are required to hold 05-07 damage prevention and OQ-0215 qualifications. They are for installation, backfill, compacting or excavation. Still have questions about requirements? Contact PG&E’s OQ team.

If you install gas lines, you may need additional qualifications, including:

• OQ-0504: Non-Production Locate and/or Mark
• OQ-0214: Tracer Wire
• OQ-0403: Leak Test at Operating Pressure
• OQ-0404: Pressure Test for Facilities Operating Below 100 PSIG or
• 21-XX and 22-XX: Pipe Joining Qualifications

No. Only approved preferred providers can administer OQ testing to multiple companies.

State of California Code requires new construction tasks to be included as an OQ. It requires construction to be treated according to:

• CFR 49.192
• Subpart N

PG&E OQ requirements apply to gas-specific, electric or joint trench projects. If the applicant installer performs excavation or trenching for other utilities, no OQ is required.

• For example, sewage, electric-only and cable projects

No OQ is needed even though these projects are trenching within two feet (2’) of any gas facilities.

OQs are required when installing other utilities. They must be in place at the time of performing the work.

Federal and state regulations require that people be qualified to work on the gas pipeline system or facilities. OQ is required for:

• Any work on the gas pipeline or facilities or
• Any work in the construction of new gas pipeline facilities connected to the gas pipeline system

All questions are based on procedure. The procedures and reference documents can be found in OpenText™ Core. For help:

• Check the “additional resources” section for Core job aids or
• Email CORE@pge.com

For more information refer to the Guide to Qualification document under additional resources.

• Personnel must obtain qualifications through a PG&E-accepted evaluation method.
• Qualification exams and evaluations are provided and administered in English.
• The qualification process evaluates the knowledge, skill and ability of personnel. The process also evaluates the ability to identify and react to Abnormal Operating Conditions (AOCs).
• PG&E accepts qualifications that include one or more of the following evaluation methods:
  • Written evaluation administered via electronic computer-based or digital device
  • Performance evaluation that includes a knowledge assessment including:
    1. Observation by simulation
    2. Oral evaluation
    3. Observation during on-the-job performance
• When more than one evaluation is required, all assessments must be completed within 30 days.
• Successful completion of qualification evaluation requires a score of 100%. Any exceptions are noted in test criteria documentation.
• The evaluation process is independent of the training process.
• Training or coaching is not allowed during the evaluation process.
• PG&E evaluators are approved through the PG&E Gas Qualifications department.
  • Personnel who will be evaluated in a calendar year are not allowed to participate as a PG&E evaluator in that same calendar year. They can after successfully completing all required evaluations.

To keep qualification status, an individual must successfully requalify for each task. It must be before the validity period ends for that qualification.

For all OQs, refer to the Guide to Qualification and 5MM: Gas OQ Qualifications Intervals (PDF)

The qualifications are for:

• PG&E employees
• Company contractors
• Qualified contractor/applicant installers