Abstract Residual prestress levels are a crucial parameter when assessing the state of existing prestressed concrete elements on bridges. Large deflections and cracking may be caused by significant long-term prestress losses, affecting the bridge serviceability state and, in some cases, even producing its collapse. Obtaining a reliable measurement of such parameters is usually a complicated task, as it often involves the complete dismantlement and posterior destructive testing of the bridge element. Researchers have developed and applied several destructive and non-destructive methods (e.g., crack moment, decompression load, strand cutting, exposed strand, drilled hole, and saw cuts). However, despite these advances, there is still no reliable technique, as each case is affected by multiple parameters such as materials, construction methodology, maintenance, or weather conditions.