How to become a Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Earning the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) is an incredible feeling. You have likely studied for hours and put in hard work to prepare for the exam. When you receive the piece of paper that says, “Congratulations! You have passed the CSP examination,” you feel capable, accomplished, and skilled in the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) profession. As well as having a personal sense of triumph, joy, and conquering imposter syndrome, there are many other benefits to earning the CSP credential.

Benefits of the CSP Credential

The CSP credential is considered the “gold standard” in certifications for safety professionals. It is respected and is well-known in and out of the EHS industry. When your peers and colleagues see that you have the letters “CSP” after your name on your business card, resume, email signature, or LinkedIn name, they will know that you are proficient in EHS concepts and topics. In addition, they will see that you are a competent and credible safety professional.

Many EHS jobs require or recommend that safety professionals have their CSP certification. The CSP credential will give you a step above the competition that has not received the credential. The CSP credential will advance your career by putting you in front of other candidates who are also interviewing for the same EHS position. When you do get the job, the company that hired you should acknowledge your CSP credential, and you should receive a larger salary than those that do not hold the CSP credential. Feeling accomplished, obtaining your peer’s respect, and having the potential for a higher wage are incredible benefits!

Requirements to Take the CSP Exam

There are requirements that you need to be able to take the exam. You must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field and four years of experience where safety is at least 50% preventative at the professional level with a broad range of safety responsibilities. You also must have at least one other BCSP-qualified credential, including, but not limited to, the Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Graduate Safety Professional (GSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). You can find the complete list here. After determining if you meet the conditions above, you must submit an application and purchase, schedule, and take the exam. The application fee is $160, and the exam fee is $350.

The CSP Exam Topics and Details

The CSP exam covers a broad range of subjects in EHS. On the BCSP website, the topics are mentioned in the CSP Exam Blueprint. The CSP Exam Blueprint explains the domains or subjects on the exam and the knowledge and skills you need to understand those domains. It also includes the percentages of questions on the exam for each subject. For example, 9.95% of questions on the CSP exam will consist of Advanced Sciences and Math topics. In total, there are nine different domains.

Domains include:

• Advanced Sciences and Math (9.95%)
• Management Systems (13.34%)
• Risk Management (14.49%)
• Advanced Application of Key Safety Concepts (14.69%)
• Emergency Preparedness, Fire Prevention, and Security (10.59%)
• Occupational Health and Ergonomics (12.05%)
• Environmental Management Systems (7.38%)
• Training and Education (10.18%)
• Law and Ethics (7.33%)

Many safety professionals purchase practice exams or courses to study for the exam to ensure they are prepared. Some options for practice exams include CSP examCORE by BCSP for $999, Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Exam Online Prep by SPAN™ for $275, or the CSP Practice Questions, Answers, and Explanations Workbook that I wrote with Triangle Safety Consulting LLC for $50.

You will have 5.5 hours to take the exam, and you need to get 99 questions correct out of 175. The exam is closed book, meaning that books, study guides, resources, or materials are not authorized to be used while taking the test. In addition, only specific calculators are allowed to be used.

You Passed! Now What?

If you pass the exam, you must maintain certification by paying an annual renewal fee to BCSP. The yearly renewal fee for the CSP credential is $180. As well as paying the annual fee, you will need to obtain and submit 25 recertification points every five years to BCSP. Recertification points are earned when you attend EHS training and professional development conferences. Therefore, you will want to keep track of the events you attend, the date of the event, the organization that hosted the event, and the number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) received.

BCSP Code of Ethics

There is also a responsibility that comes with the CSP credential. You must follow BCSP’s Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is so significant that it is included as a main topic on the CSP Exam. The Code of Ethics states that holders of BCSP certifications must “sustain and advance the integrity, honor, and prestige” in their professional activities. Eight codes of ethics must be followed, and they are summarized below:

1. Advise others of hazards and unacceptable dangers to people, the environment, or property.
2. Be honest and fair, and act with responsibility and integrity. Follow the highest standards of ethical conduct.
3. Issue public statements only truthfully and if you know the facts and competence in the subject matter.
4. Only undertake tasks when skilled by education or experience in the specific technical fields involved. Develop and maintain competence through continuing education, professional experience training, and keeping current on relevant legal issues.
5. Avoid fraudulent acts that falsify or misrepresent academic or professional qualifications.
6. Conduct professional relations by the highest standards of integrity and avoid compromising judgment by conflicts of interest. If you notice professional misconduct by a BCSP certificate holder, take action and report the wrongful conduct to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
7. Do not act against others, discriminate, or harass based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic.
8. Seek opportunities to be of service in public affairs and work to advance the safety, health, and well-being of the community and the profession by sharing their knowledge and skills.

Conclusion

You feel proud and victorious when you put in the time and effort to obtain your CSP credential. If you meet the eligibility requirements, I encourage you to study and sit for the CSP exam. After you pass, you will receive benefits such as confidence in your skills as an EHS professional, increased pay, career advancement, and your peers will know that you are competent in the EHS profession.