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How to Become an Authorized Trainer

Construction

You must meet separate prerequisites for experience and training. You may not substitute one prerequisite to fulfill the other prerequisite. OSHA does not issue waivers for either the experience or training prerequisites. The prerequisites are as follows:

  1. Experience. Have five years of construction safety experience. A college degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation may be substituted for two years of experience. Obtain guidance on whether you meet this requirement from the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center where you want to take the training.

  2. Training. Complete OSHA course #510, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry. This course covers OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, as well as construction safety and health principles.

If you have fulfilled the prerequisites, you must complete OSHA course #500, Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction. Special emphasis is placed on those topics that are required in the 10- and 30-hour programs as well as those that are the most hazardous. Course participants are briefed on effective instructional approaches and the effective use of visual aids and handouts. Persons successfully completing this course will receive an "Authorized Construction Trainer Card".

OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers conduct this training. Each OSHA Education Center posts their course offerings, schedules, and locations on their individual websites.

Construction outreach trainers are authorized for four years. Before the expiration of their authorization status, authorized trainers must take OSHA course #502, Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers, to renew their authorization for another four years. If your card expires, you will have to retake Course #500 to become reauthorized as a trainer.

Authorized trainers may receive OSHA course completion cards for their students.


General Industry

You must meet separate prerequisites for experience and training. You may not substitute one prerequisite to fulfill the other prerequisite. OSHA does not issue waivers for either the experience or training prerequisites. The prerequisites are as follows:

  1. Experience. Have five years of general industry safety experience. A college degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation may be substituted for two years of experience. Obtain guidance on whether you meet this requirement from the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center where you want to take the training.

  2. Training. Complete OSHA course #511, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry. This course covers OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, as well as general industry safety and health principles.

If you have fulfilled the prerequisites, you must complete OSHA course #501, Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry. Special emphasis is placed on those topics that are required in the 10- and 30-hour programs as well as those that are the most hazardous. Course participants are briefed on effective instructional approaches and the effective use of visual aids and handouts. Persons successfully completing this course will receive an "Authorized General Industry Trainer Card".

OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers conduct this training. Each OSHA Education Center posts their course offerings, schedules, and locations on their individual websites.

General Industry outreach trainers are authorized for four years. Before the expiration of their authorization status, authorized trainers must take OSHA course #503, Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers, to renew their authorization for another four years. If your card expires, you will have to retake Course #501 to become reauthorized as a trainer.

Authorized trainers may receive OSHA course completion cards for their students