Safety Certifications (CHST, OHST, CSP)
Professional safety certifications show that you have a certain level of knowledge and experience. They’re different from OSHA 10 and 30 cards, which are awareness training. Many employers and owners prefer or require certified safety staff on large projects.
- Workers
- Career
Common certifications
These are offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), the best-known accredited certifying body in the U.S. Requirements change; the summaries below are general.
| Certification | Who it’s for | Typical requirements |
|---|---|---|
| STS (Safety Trained Supervisor) and STSC (construction) | Foremen, supervisors and craft leaders | Supervisory experience plus safety training hours; exam |
| CHST (Construction Health and Safety Technician) | Field safety staff in construction | Several years of construction safety experience, with safety as a significant part of the job; exam |
| OHST (Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician) | Safety and health technicians in general industry | Several years of experience with safety and health duties; exam |
| ASP (Associate Safety Professional) | Safety professionals on the path to CSP | A degree (or qualifying credential) and safety experience; exam |
| CSP (Certified Safety Professional) | Senior safety professionals and managers | A bachelor’s degree, several years of professional safety experience, and a qualifying credential such as the ASP; exam |
Other credentials
- CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist): for exposure assessment and health hazards, from ABIH.
- OSHA Outreach trainer authorization (500/501): lets you teach OSHA 10 and 30. See OSHA Trainer Courses.
- Competent person and equipment-specific certifications for scaffolds, excavation, rigging and cranes.
Getting certified
- Check the current eligibility rules on the certifying body’s website
- Document your experience and training hours
- Use study guides, prep courses and practice exams
- Plan for recertification points and annual fees
- Ask your employer about paying for exams; many do
Watch for look-alikes. Some “certifications” are just certificates from a short online course. Check whether a credential is accredited (for example, by ANSI or NCCA) before paying.
Standards & references
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