How Many OSHA Certifications Are There? Guide to Levels

How many OSHA certifications are there? (And what employers should know)

If you’re searching “how many OSHA certifications are there,” the most accurate answer is: OSHA doesn’t issue a single, universal “certification” for most workers. Instead, OSHA sets safety and health standards, and the most common “OSHA certifications” people refer to are completion credentials for OSHA Outreach Training (OSHA 10 and OSHA 30) and specialized training/certificates offered through OSHA-authorized providers (e.g., OSHA Institute Education Centers) or employers to meet specific regulatory training duties.

For HR teams and business owners, the compliance focus is less about counting a fixed number of credentials and more about ensuring:

required training is completed under applicable OSHA standards, and
you can document it.

This guide breaks down OSHA certification meaning, different OSHA certifications, what is an OSHA card, and the most common OSHA certification levels used in the field.

OSHA certification meaning: “Certification” vs. OSHA-required training

In everyday language, “OSHA certification” often means “proof I completed an OSHA course.” In legal/compliance terms:

OSHA (the agency) generally does not “certify” individual workers in the way a licensing board does.
OSHA does, however, require training under many standards, and employers must provide training and keep records when required (or when it’s the best way to demonstrate compliance).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)), employers must provide a workplace “free from recognized hazards.” Training is a common control to meet that obligation—especially when specific standards (like HazCom) mandate it.

For broader worker protections context, SwiftSDS also covers core federal rights in 5 rights of workers.

What is an OSHA card?

An OSHA card typically refers to the Department of Labor (DOL) card issued after completing OSHA Outreach Training Program courses such as:

OSHA 10-Hour (10-Hour Outreach)
OSHA 30-Hour (30-Hour Outreach)

These are administered by OSHA-authorized trainers and trainers’ organizations. The card is evidence of completion, not a professional license and not a guarantee of regulatory compliance by itself.

Why employers care about the “OSHA card”

It is frequently required by job owners, GCs, and public contracts, especially in construction.
Some state/local rules or project specifications require OSHA 10/30 for site access (even when OSHA’s federal rules do not explicitly require an Outreach card).

If you’re navigating location-specific expectations, reviewing your jurisdiction’s general compliance landscape is helpful—start with SwiftSDS’s Federal (United States) Posting Requirements page and your state requirements such as Florida (FL) Labor Law Posting Requirements or Illinois (IL) Posting Requirements.

Different OSHA certifications: the major categories employers encounter

There isn’t one official count, because “OSHA certifications” is an umbrella term. In practice, employers typically deal with these categories:

1) OSHA Outreach Training (the “OSHA 10” and “OSHA 30” family)

These are the most widely recognized “OSHA certifications” in the market.

Common Outreach variants include:

Construction industry (most common)
General industry
Maritime (less common)
Disaster site worker (specialized)

Actionable compliance tip: If a client or GC requires an Outreach credential, confirm industry type (construction vs. general) and card validity rules (some owners require refreshers even if OSHA doesn’t set an expiration date).

For NYC-focused resources and cost/availability considerations, see Free osha classes in english nyc.

2) OSHA standard-specific training (required by regulation)

Many OSHA standards require training, and employers must ensure it is effective and job-specific. Examples that often get labeled “certifications” in workplaces include:

Hazard Communication (HazCom) – 29 CFR 1910.1200
Respiratory Protection – 29 CFR 1910.134 (training plus medical evaluation and fit testing where applicable)
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) – 29 CFR 1910.147
Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift) – 29 CFR 1910.178 (operator training + evaluation)
Fall Protection (construction) – 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M
Scaffolds – 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L
PPE – 29 CFR 1910.132
Bloodborne Pathogens – 29 CFR 1910.1030 (for covered exposure)

These do not necessarily come with an “OSHA card,” but many training vendors provide a certificate of completion. From a compliance standpoint, what matters is that training meets the standard’s content and frequency requirements and is documented.

Actionable compliance tip: Build a training matrix by job role and task. Then map each task to the relevant CFR standard(s) and keep proof of training completion.

For recurring and time-based refreshers, see Annual safety training.

3) OSHA education center certificates and professional credentials

OSHA-authorized education providers offer advanced courses that issue certificates of course completion (e.g., for safety managers). Separately, some private credentials (e.g., CSP, CHST) are not OSHA-issued but are common in EHS hiring.

Actionable compliance tip: Don’t confuse professional credentials with OSHA compliance. A credential may strengthen your program, but you still need site-specific training and documentation.

4) Construction “site safety” course ecosystems (often bundled with OSHA 30)

In construction, employers frequently combine OSHA Outreach with other required or best-practice modules (e.g., silica awareness, confined space, excavation). SwiftSDS provides a broader overview of options in Health and safety construction courses.

OSHA certification levels: OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30 (and who needs what)

When people ask about OSHA certification levels, they usually mean OSHA 10 and OSHA 30.

OSHA 10-Hour: entry-level awareness

Best suited for:

Most craft workers and entry-level employees
Workers needing general hazard recognition basics

What it covers (typical):

Focus on common hazards, worker rights, and basic controls
Course content varies by industry track (construction vs. general industry)

OSHA 30-Hour: supervisor-focused depth

Best suited for:

Supervisors, forepersons, site leads
Safety coordinators
Workers with broader hazard exposure and responsibility

What it covers (typical):

More depth on hazard recognition and control
More time on program elements and supervisory responsibilities

Actionable compliance tip: If you’re creating a policy, align “OSHA 30 required” with positions that actually direct work or control hazards. For everyone else, OSHA 10 plus job-specific standard training may be the right mix.

Do OSHA rules require an OSHA 10/30 card?

Usually, federal OSHA does not require OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 Outreach cards as a blanket rule. Instead, OSHA requires training under specific standards, and employers must ensure workers are trained to recognize and avoid hazards.

That said, you may still need Outreach cards due to:

Contract requirements
Owner/GC site rules
State or local mandates for certain projects

Because compliance obligations can vary by location and workforce type, it’s wise to confirm your broader HR compliance footprint (including required labor postings). For example:

And ensure your wage/hour postings are current, such as the federal Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act notice (or the Spanish version Derechos de los Trabajadores Bajo la Ley de Normas Justas de Trabajo (FLSA) where applicable).

Practical compliance steps for HR and business owners

1) Inventory your hazards and tasks

Perform a job hazard analysis (JHA) or task-based hazard review. This helps you identify which OSHA standards apply.

2) Assign training by role (not by job title alone)

Create a matrix that includes:

Required OSHA standard training (e.g., HazCom, LOTO)
Optional but common training (e.g., OSHA 10/30 for construction)
Refresher frequency and triggers (new equipment, incident, observed deficiency)

3) Document, store, and retrieve training records

Keep:

Course completion certificates/cards
Rosters, dates, trainer qualifications
Evaluations (forklift evaluations, respirator fit tests)
Retraining documentation after incidents or process changes

4) Coordinate safety training with broader federal labor compliance

Safety intersects with other federal requirements—especially around accommodation, leave, and equal opportunity. SwiftSDS resources that HR teams often pair with training programs include:

FAQ: OSHA certifications and cards

How many OSHA certifications are there?

There is no single fixed number, because OSHA “certifications” typically refer to many different training courses and completion certificates, including OSHA 10/30 Outreach and standard-specific training required by various OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910 and 1926, among others).

Is an OSHA card the same as being OSHA certified?

An OSHA card (OSHA 10/30) is generally proof of Outreach course completion, not a professional license. It may be required by a jobsite or contract, but OSHA compliance still depends on meeting applicable standard-specific training requirements and maintaining documentation.

Do OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 expire?

OSHA Outreach cards do not have a federal OSHA expiration date, but some owners, GCs, and local rules may require retraining after a certain period (often 3–5 years). Always confirm jobsite requirements.

SwiftSDS helps employers stay organized across training and broader federal labor law obligations. If you’re building a complete compliance program, start by aligning training records with your posting and documentation requirements at the Federal (United States) Posting Requirements hub.

How many osha certifications are there