Education and training requirements for Occupational health and safety specialists and techniciansRequirements for becoming an occupational health and safety specialist or technician include a combination of education, experience, and passing scores on written examinations. Many employers, including the Federal Government, require a 4-year college degree in safety or a related field for some specialist positions. Experience as an occupational health and safety professional is also a prerequisite for many positions. All occupational health and safety specialists and technicians are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training. In general, people who want to enter this occupation should be responsible and like detailed work. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians should be able to communicate well. Recommended high school courses include English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics. Certification is available through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). The BCSP offers the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential, while the ABIH offers the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (CAIH) credentials. Also, the Council on Certification of Health, Environmental, and Safety Technologists, a joint effort between the BCSP and ABIH, awards the Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) credential. Requirements for the OHST credential are less stringent than those for the CSP, CIH, or CAIH credentials. Once education and experience requirements have been met, certification may be obtained through an examination. Continuing education is required for recertification. Although voluntary, many employers encourage certification. Federal Government occupational health and safety specialists and technicians whose job performance is satisfactory advance through their career ladder to a specified full-performance level. For positions above this level, usually supervisory positions, advancement is competitive and based on agency needs and individual merit. Advancement opportunities in State and local governments and the private sector are often similar to those in the Federal Government. With additional experience or education, promotion to a managerial position is possible. Research or related teaching positions at the college level require advanced education. More information on Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians occupation Number of Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians Working conditions for Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians Significant points for Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians Training requirements for Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |