Professional Education
Learn timber inspection from the people who wrote the methods
16 courses across inspection, maintenance, restoration, and design, a depth no North American university matches. Earn continuing-education credit and the Timber Bridge Inspection & Retrofit Technician certification, taught by the engineers who publish the research.
What You’ll Earn
16 courses. Credits and certification that carry weight.
Sixteen courses span inspection, maintenance, restoration, and design across Levels I–III, each granting continuing-education credit toward your professional requirements.
Complete the pathway to earn the Timber Bridge Inspection & Retrofit Technician certification: a recognized credential for engineers, technicians, and agency inspectors.
Course Levels
Three tiers, one pathway
Level I
Foundations
For inspectors and technicians new to timber assessment.
PDH credits earned
- Wood deterioration, fungal rot, and its causes
- Visual inspection, moisture, and interior rot detection
- Our non-destructive testing methods
- Refurbishment with high-strength fibers & polymers, up to +75 years
- Load-capacity assessment & advanced bridge maintenance
Contact for schedule & pricing
Level II
Advanced Inspection & Retrofit
For practicing engineers and experienced inspectors.
PDH + certification track
- Inspection & retrofit methods; early rot detection
- How wood forms, grows, and ages
- Assessment techniques through real case studies
- Restoration planning & on-site repairs, +75 years
- Guided tour of a local timber bridge
Contact for schedule & pricing
Level III
Expert / Certification
For those completing the technician certification.
Certification granted
- Introduction to reinforced glue-laminated timber (Glulam)
- FiRP® glulam development & compression-based design model
- FiRP® glulam case studies
- Timber Bridge Inspection & Retrofit Technician certification
Contact for schedule & pricing
Who Should Attend
Specialists building timber expertise
Practicing engineers
Seeking specialized timber knowledge and CE credits.
Technicians
Advancing toward formal timber inspection certification.
Agency inspectors
Responsible for public timber bridges and structures.
How Courses Run
Format & delivery
Courses combine classroom instruction with hands-on field assessment, and are offered across the USA, Canada, and Australia.
Each level carries a continuing-education credit note so you can apply hours toward your professional requirements. Contact us for the current schedule in your country.
Registration & Payment
Before you enrol
Cancellations & refunds
- Full refunds are issued only where WRD cancels the course.
- Participant cancellations are subject to a 20% administrative fee.
- No cancellations or registrations are accepted less than 24 hours before the course.
- Cancellations must be made in writing.
- Substitutions may be made for a $60 processing fee.
- WRD may reschedule for attendance requirements or emergencies, with advance notice wherever possible. The substitution fee is waived when WRD reschedules.
Payment
- Cheques payable to Wood Research and Development.
- For credit card or electronic funds transfer, call the office in the country where you register.
- Payment must be received prior to the course start date.
HST # 848135778RT0001
Office numbers for Australia, Canada, and the USA are listed on the contact page.
Courses FAQ
Common questions
Each level grants professional development hours; the exact number depends on the level and format. Contact us for the current credit note for your jurisdiction.
Level I has no prerequisites. Levels II and III build on prior levels or equivalent professional experience in timber assessment.
Completing the pathway grants the Timber Bridge Inspection & Retrofit Technician certification, recognized for engineers, technicians, and agency inspectors.