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Best occupational health and safety specialist certifications
The best certifications for an occupational health and safety specialist are Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and OSHA Safety Certificate .
Occupational health and safety specialist certifications demonstrate your competency as an occupational health and safety specialist to employers. However, not all occupational health and safety specialist certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best occupational health and safety specialist certifications. Obtaining an occupational health and safety specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for occupational health and safety specialists
| Rank | Occupational health and safety specialist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) | IBFCSM |
| 2 | Certified Safety Professional (CSP) | BCSP |
| 3 | OSHA Safety Certificate | Delaware Tech... |
| 4 | Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS) | NAFC |
| 5 | Safety Management Specialist (SMS) | BCSP |
| 6 | Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) | NCHEC |
6 best occupational health and safety specialist certifications
1. Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)
This certification programs offer recognition among safety and health practitioners, demonstrate competence to employers and others, increase employee confidence in occupational health and safety programs, help improve company profitability through reduced incidents and losses, and enhance the company image. Board of Certified Safety Professionals certifications are viewed by many in safety practice as a stepping stone toward career advancement along the path toward attaining the CSP credential.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
2. Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
CSP candidates must have professional safety experience. The exact number of years depends on their degree(s) and if they hold OHST/CLCS or CHST certification. BCSP has a broad definition of safety. Professional-level work experience in safety, health, environmental protection, fire protection, ergonomics, radiation protection and industrial hygiene is considered professional safety experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
3. OSHA Safety Certificate
This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
4. Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
5. Safety Management Specialist (SMS)
Safety Management Specialists (SMS) are individuals with management skills required for a business's safe operation, applying these safety skills on a full-time or part-time basis as part of their job duties. Some examples of an SMS's activities include defining and utilizing an organization's safety management systems; risk management; incident investigation and emergency preparedness; maintaining current knowledge of safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) concepts; and identifying the business case for safety.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
6. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam is a competency-based test that measures the possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to the Seven Areas of Responsibilities: a comprehensive set of Competencies and Sub-competencies defining the role of an entry-level health educator.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for an occupational health and safety specialist?
The best occupational health and safety specialist certification is Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST). The Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) is awarded by the International Board for Certification of Safety Managers. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this occupational health and safety specialist certification:
- To become a certified Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for occupational health and safety specialists?
The most in-demand occupational health and safety specialist certification is Certified Safety Professional based on all active job postings. Having this occupational health and safety specialist certification will give you access to more occupational health and safety specialist jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an occupational health and safety specialist career and salary?
The Occupational Health and Safety Technologist certification will help you to secure an health & safety officer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An health & safety officer's average salary is $63,998 whereas occupational health and safety specialists make an average salary of $59,335.
The most common combination of occupational health and safety specialist certifications include: Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and OSHA Safety Certificate .
Online courses for occupational health and safety specialists to earn certifications
1. Occupational Health & Safety Training
Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...
2. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
3. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY
Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...
4. NEBOSH health and safety Management System
It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...
5. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.
How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...
6. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert
Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...
7. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning
Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...
8. Basic Fire Safety Awareness
Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...
9. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2
A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
10. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings
A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
11. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment
Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...
12. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
13. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program
Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...
14. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.
OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...
15. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems
The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...
16. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
17. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management
A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...
18. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
19. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
20. ISO 45001 - Occupational Health & Safety management system
From zero to internal auditor: a complete course on the ISO 45001:2018 standard, with examples, quizzes and exercises...