New Law Prompts ABC Minnesota/North Dakota to Design New Telecommunications Safety Training Program

Why It Matters

The certification fills a regulatory gap, raising safety standards for underground telecom work and establishing a model that other states may replicate, thereby reducing utility strikes and associated costs.

Key Takeaways

• 40‑hour certification required for underground telecom installers in MN
• ABC MN/ND partnered with NCCER and MN Cable to launch SQUTI
• Program offers bilingual, modular training with both classroom and field components
• Over 200 contractors earned orange cards within six months of launch

Pulse Analysis

A groundbreaking Minnesota statute that took effect on Jan. 1, 2026 mandates a 40‑hour safety certification for any contractor installing underground broadband, fiber or phone lines within ten feet of existing utilities or using directional drilling. The law, originally slated for July 2025, was postponed to give industry groups time to develop compliant training. As the nation’s first legislation of its kind, it forces telecom contractors to formalize safety education, creating a new compliance hurdle and an opportunity for standardized best practices across the sector.

ABC Minnesota/North Dakota answered the call by teaming with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and the Minnesota Cable Communications Association. Together they built the Safety Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installer (SQUTI) program, a modular curriculum of seven courses—one focused on state regulations and six on digging safety and equipment skills. The training blends digital classroom modules with hands‑on field sessions, is offered in English and Spanish, and includes an instructor‑addendum to expand teaching capacity. Flexibility was baked in to accommodate irregular construction schedules, positioning the program as a replicable template for other ABC chapters.

Six months after launch, the SQUTI program reports 214 participants, 51 certified instructors, and 171 orange‑card holders whose credentials must be renewed every three years. Contractors cite the comprehensive content as a value‑add beyond the bare minimum, noting measurable improvements in site safety and reduced utility strikes. By establishing a proven certification pathway, ABC MN/ND not only safeguards Minnesota’s telecom infrastructure but also sets a precedent that could shape national underground‑construction safety standards as other states consider similar mandates.