Top 11 HSE Specialist Certifications

Certifications for a Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) specialist are extremely important in the job market. A HSE specialist is responsible for making sure that a workplace is safe and compliant with all applicable regulations. These certifications demonstrate expertise in safety and environmental management systems, risk assessments, emergency planning, hazardous materials management, employee health programs, and other areas of safety practice. By having certifications, employers know that the HSE specialist has the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their role. Additionally, certifications can open up more job opportunities as employers often prefer to hire those who have already obtained these qualifications. Ultimately, having certifications can make a HSE specialist more competitive in the job market and provide them with greater career options.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for HSE Specialists and explain how these certifications can help advance their career.

What are HSE Specialist Certifications?

HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) specialist certification is a professional designation that recognizes an individual's expertise in the areas of safety, health and environmental management. The certification is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and commitment to keeping workers and the environment safe from harm. This certification can help individuals gain positions as HSE specialists in their chosen field and provide employers with confidence that they have a qualified professional on staff who understands the importance of maintaining a safe work environment. It can also be beneficial for those looking to increase their career opportunities by showing that they are knowledgeable about safety regulations and best practices. Additionally, having this certification may provide additional credibility when working with regulatory agencies or other organizations that place a high value on safety.

Pro Tip: When obtaining an HSE Specialist Certification, make sure to research the requirements for the certification you are interested in and complete any necessary training courses or certifications before applying. This will ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the various safety regulations and protocols required for the job. Additionally, be sure to familiarize yourself with the current industry standards and best practices to ensure you are up-to-date on all safety guidelines.

Related: What does an HSE Specialist do?

Top 11 HSE Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to HSE Specialists today.

1. Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is a professional certification offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). The CSP is widely recognized as the highest level of safety certification available in the United States. It is designed to recognize safety professionals who have demonstrated knowledge, experience, and commitment to the safety field.

In order to become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in safety or related field and at least four years of full-time occupational safety and health experience. Additionally, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as hazard recognition and control, risk assessment, ergonomics, environmental health and safety management systems.

It typically takes between six months to one year to prepare for the exam. Preparation may include taking courses or studying on your own using study guides and practice exams.

The cost for the CSP exam varies depending on whether you are an individual or a company. For individuals, it costs $350 for BCSP members and $450 for non-members. For companies, it costs $1,500 for BCSP members and $2,000 for non-members.

2. Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

A Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is a professional who has achieved a high level of expertise in the field of industrial hygiene. CIHs are knowledgeable in the recognition, evaluation, and control of environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace that may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or citizens.

To become a CIH, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene or related science field and at least four years of professional experience in the field. You must also pass an exam administered by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). The exam consists of three parts: general knowledge, instrumentation/sampling techniques, and case studies.

The cost to take the exam is $650 for ABIH members and $850 for non-members. Once you pass the exam, you will need to pay an annual fee of $150 to maintain your certification.

In summary, becoming a CIH requires a bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene or related science field plus four years of professional experience as well as passing an exam administered by ABIH. The cost to take the exam is $650-$850 depending on whether you are an ABIH member; once certified there is an annual fee of $150 to maintain your certification.

3. Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) is a professional certification program for individuals who manage hazardous materials and hazardous waste operations. The CHMM certification is offered by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). It is designed to recognize the expertise of professionals in the field of hazardous materials management and to provide assurance that they have met the highest standards of knowledge and performance.

The CHMM certification requires passing an exam, which consists of two parts: a written examination and a practical assessment. The written examination covers topics such as hazardous materials regulations, hazard communication, risk assessment, emergency response, site remediation, and environmental management systems. The practical assessment tests applicants' abilities to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the CHMM exam. Preparation includes studying relevant literature, attending seminars or workshops on hazardous materials management, completing practice exams, and gaining experience through internships or jobs in the field.

The cost of taking the CHMM exam varies depending on where you take it. In most cases, it costs around $600-700 USD for both parts of the exam.

4. Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)

Occupational Health and Safety Technologists (OHSTs) are professionals who specialize in the evaluation, design, implementation, and management of safety programs and systems. They are responsible for ensuring that workplaces meet all applicable safety standards and regulations. OHSTs work to identify potential hazards, assess risks associated with those hazards, develop strategies to mitigate or eliminate them, and monitor safety performance.

It typically takes two years to become an OHST. This includes completing a two-year associate's degree program in occupational health and safety technology from an accredited college or university. After graduating from the program, students must pass a certification exam administered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). The BCSP requires applicants to have at least four years of relevant experience before they can sit for the exam.

The cost of becoming an OHST varies depending on the institution attended and other factors such as books and materials needed for courses. Generally speaking, tuition costs range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year for a two-year degree program. Additionally, there is a fee for taking the certification exam which is currently set at $395 USD per attempt.

Overall, becoming an OHST requires dedication and commitment but can be very rewarding in terms of career opportunities and job satisfaction.

5. Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)

Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) is a certification program offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). The CHST certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities in construction safety and health.

To become certified as a CHST, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least four years of documented safety experience in the construction industry, or a combination of education and experience that totals four years. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by BCSP.

The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as hazard recognition and control, safety management systems, legal requirements, emergency response planning, accident investigation, and more. The exam takes three hours to complete and can be taken at any authorized testing center.

The cost for taking the CHST exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200 to $400 USD. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $95 USD for maintaining your certification once you have passed the exam.

6. Associate Safety Professional (ASP)

Associate Safety Professional (ASP) is a certification offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). It is designed to recognize safety professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to practice safety effectively.

The ASP certification requires applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, or a related field, as well as three years of professional experience in the safety field. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by BCSP. The exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as hazard recognition, hazard control, and risk management.

It takes approximately four weeks to receive confirmation that you have passed the ASP exam. After passing the exam, applicants must submit an application for certification which includes documentation of their education and work experience. Once all requirements are met, applicants will be awarded the ASP credential.

The cost for taking the ASP exam is $450 USD. This fee covers registration for the exam, study materials, and other administrative costs associated with taking the test.

7. Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)

Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) is a professional certification program offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It is designed to provide individuals with an understanding of fire protection principles and the ability to apply them in their work. The CFPS program includes five core areas: fire protection systems, fire safety management, building construction and fire protection, fire prevention and public education, and emergency response.

It typically takes between two and three years to become a Certified Fire Protection Specialist. To get certified, applicants must have at least four years of experience in the field of fire protection or related disciplines, including engineering or architecture. Applicants must also pass an examination administered by NFPA.

The cost for the CFPS exam registration fee is $150 for members of NFPA and $250 for non-members. There may be additional fees associated with studying for the exam or taking review courses.

8. Certified Environmental Trainer (CET)

Certified Environmental Trainer (CET) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of environmental training. The CET program is administered by the National Environmental Training Association (NETA).

The CET program consists of three levels: Certified Environmental Trainer Level 1, Certified Environmental Trainer Level 2, and Certified Environmental Trainer Level 3. To become certified at each level, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as environmental regulations, hazardous materials management, pollution prevention, and environmental compliance.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the certification. Applicants must complete a minimum of 40 hours of approved training courses or workshops related to environmental training topics. They must also submit proof of experience in providing environmental training services and pass the applicable NETA exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost to become a Certified Environmental Trainer varies depending on which level you are seeking certification for. Generally, it costs around $500-$600 per level plus any applicable fees for taking the exams.

9. OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour Outreach Training Program

OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour Outreach Training Program is a program developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide basic safety and health training for workers in the construction industry. The program is designed to help employers, supervisors, and employees recognize and reduce workplace hazards.

The 10-hour course covers general safety and health topics such as electrical safety, fall protection, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, scaffolding, ladders, hand and power tools, machine guarding, materials handling and storage. The 30-hour course provides more in-depth coverage of these topics as well as additional topics such as excavation safety, hazardous materials management, fire prevention/protection, welding/cutting/brazing operations.

It typically takes two days to complete the 10-hour course and four days to complete the 30-hour course. The courses are offered through OSHA approved trainers who have been trained in the specific subject matter of the courses.

The cost of these courses varies depending on location but generally range from $100 - $150 for the 10-hour course and $200 - $250 for the 30-hour course.

10. American Board of Industrial Hygiene Certification

The American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and experience necessary to practice industrial hygiene. The ABIH Certification Program is administered by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting public health and safety through the practice of industrial hygiene.

To become certified, individuals must meet certain educational and experience requirements and pass an examination. The educational requirement includes at least a bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene or related field from an accredited college or university. Individuals must also have at least four years of full-time work experience in the practice of industrial hygiene.

Once these criteria are met, individuals can apply for the ABIH Certification Exam. The exam consists of two parts: a written portion and an oral portion. The written portion is composed of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as toxicology, air sampling, noise control, ventilation systems, hazardous materials management, etc. The oral portion consists of questions about specific case studies related to industrial hygiene practices.

The cost for taking the ABIH Certification Exam varies depending on whether you are applying as an individual or as part of an organization. For individual applicants, the fee is $400 USD plus applicable taxes; for organizational applicants, it is $600 USD plus applicable taxes. It typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive results after taking the exam.

Once you have passed the exam and been awarded your ABIH certification, you will need to maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits every three years in order to renew your certificate status.

11. National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies

The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) is a non-profit organization that provides certification to engineers and technicians who demonstrate expertise in their field. NICET certifications are recognized by employers, professional organizations, and governmental agencies as evidence of an individual’s technical competency.

NICET offers four levels of certification: Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV. To obtain a NICET certification, applicants must pass a series of examinations that test their knowledge and skills in the specific engineering technology area they wish to be certified in. The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on the level of certification sought, with Level I taking approximately one year to complete and Levels II-IV taking two or more years.

To get started on the path to obtaining a NICET certification, applicants must first register with NICET and pay a registration fee. After registering, applicants will need to create an account with Pearson VUE, which is the testing provider for all NICET exams. Once registered with Pearson VUE, applicants can then purchase exam vouchers from NICET for each level they wish to take. Exam vouchers cost $175 per exam and include access to study materials such as practice exams and handbooks for each level.

Overall, the cost of obtaining a NICET certification varies depending on the number of levels taken; however, most individuals spend between $700-$1,000 total for all four levels combined.

Do You Really Need a HSE Specialist Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not necessarily need an HSE Specialist Certificate to be successful in the field of health, safety and environment (HSE). However, having a certificate may give you a competitive edge in the job market. It can also help demonstrate your commitment to safety and environmental protection.

The HSE Specialist Certificate is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, and manage workplace hazards. It includes instruction on topics such as accident investigation, hazard recognition and control, risk assessment, emergency response planning, and occupational health management. The certification also covers legal requirements for workplace safety and environmental protection.

For those interested in entering into the HSE field or for those who are already working in it but would like to further their professional development, obtaining an HSE Specialist Certificate can be beneficial. With this certification employers will recognize that you have taken the time to learn about safety regulations and procedures so that you’ll be able to better protect workers from potential hazards. Additionally, having this certification may open up opportunities for career advancement or higher salaries.

In conclusion, while having an HSE Specialist Certificate is not required for success in the field of health, safety and environment it can certainly be beneficial in demonstrating your dedication to the profession as well as opening up new opportunities for career advancement or higher salaries.

Related: HSE Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About HSE Specialist Certifications

Q1: What is an HSE Specialist Certification?

A1: An HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) Specialist Certification is a certification that demonstrates a specialist's knowledge and understanding of health, safety and environmental regulations. It is designed to help employers identify those with the necessary skills to manage and prevent risks in the workplace.

Q2: How do I become certified as an HSE Specialist?

A2: To become certified as an HSE Specialist, you must complete an approved training program or course. This typically consists of classroom instruction, practical experience, and a final exam. Once you have successfully completed the program or course, you will receive your certification from the certifying body.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming an HSE Specialist?

A3: Becoming an HSE Specialist can provide numerous benefits such as increased job security, higher wages, and professional recognition. Additionally, certified specialists are better equipped to ensure safety in their workplace and are more likely to be promoted into positions of greater responsibility.

Q4: What type of jobs can I get with HSE Certification?

A4: With your certification as an HSE Specialist, you can qualify for a variety of roles within the health, safety and environment sector such as Health & Safety Manager/Advisor/Inspector/Consultant; Risk Management Officer; Environmental Manager/Officer; Quality Assurance Auditor; etc.

Q5: How long does it take to obtain my HSE Certification?

A5: The amount of time taken to obtain your certification depends on the type of training program or course you choose to take. Generally speaking though, most programs take between one to two years to complete depending on the complexity of the material covered.