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OSHA Training FAQs

Do you have questions about our OSHA Outreach training courses or other online OSHA training courses? Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you can't find the answer you are looking for, please contact our support team.

About OSHA Education Center

Is OSHA Education Center an OSHA-approved training provider?

OSHA does not approve training providers, courses or individuals. However, providers can be authorized to provide official OSHA Outreach Training courses.

OSHA Education Center offers OSHA-authorized Outreach Training courses online through our partnership with the University of South Florida. The University of South Florida is an authorized provider of 10- and 30-hour Outreach courses for construction and general industry.

Students who purchase an Outreach Training course sold by OSHA Education Center will receive an official plastic OSHA card from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) within two weeks of course completion.

General Questions

Which OSHA training course should I take?

If your state or employer requires you to have an official OSHA card from the U.S. Department of Labor, you will need to complete OSHA Outreach training.

We offer the following Outreach courses:

You should select a course that best matches your job description and industry. OSHA 10-hour training is designed for entry-level workers, and OSHA 30-hour training is intended for supervisors or workers who have some safety responsibilities.

Construction training is appropriate for workers in the construction industry, and general industry training is for workers in any industry other than construction, maritime or agriculture. If you are not sure which course to take, ask your employer to help you determine which Outreach course is most applicable to your position and the types of hazards you will encounter at the job site.

You cannot take OSHA Outreach training outside of the United States or the specific U.S. territories within OSHA's jurisdiction. However, we offer 10- and 30-hour Hazard Recognition training courses that cover the same topics as Outreach training. While our online Hazard Recognition courses do not provide an official OSHA card, international students can complete these courses to receive a digital course completion certificate.

Do the courses cover OSHA standards?

Yes. Each OSHA course is designed to present all relevant OSHA standards, regulations and hazard awareness techniques and is updated with any changes to these requirements. You can be sure you are receiving accurate, up-to-date information in our courses.

Are the courses accepted nationwide?

Yes. Courses are based on national standards and are valid no matter where you live and work.

Outreach Training courses are accepted by all state and local governments and employers. Your training and official DOL card will be accepted anywhere in the United States.

How do I become OSHA-certified?

According to OSHA, an official OSHA card is not considered a certification or license. The administration does not certify workers, so you cannot become OSHA-certified. However, you can complete a 10- or 30-hour Outreach training course to earn an official OSHA card from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Do I have to take the online training in one sitting?

No, you can complete the training at your own pace and log on and off as needed.

Are courses available in Spanish?

Yes. We offer Outreach Training courses in English and Spanish. The Spanish-language version of each program includes full Spanish text, audio, narration, simulations and subtitles.

Many other courses in our full catalog are also available in Spanish.

Are there any materials I need to take the course?

The course and exam are 100% online. We offer printable PDFs that help you review the course material and prepare for the final.

When can I start the course after purchasing it?

After registering, you will receive an email confirmation at the email address you provided during registration. You can sign into your course anytime using this email or log in directly from the purchase page or our home page.

What if I have questions about the material?

We provide every student direct access to an OSHA-authorized course trainer who can respond to any questions concerning the course and OSHA regulations.


OSHA Outreach Training Questions

What is OSHA Outreach training?

The OSHA Outreach Training Program teaches workers how to identify and avoid common safety and health risks in the workplace. We provide OSHA-authorized Outreach training in English and Spanish to workers in construction and general industry.

The 10-hour courses are designed for entry-level workers, and 30-hour courses are for supervisors or workers with safety responsibilities. All courses cover relevant OSHA standards and are updated to reflect current federal laws and industry best practices.

Can I take OSHA Outreach training outside of the United States?

No. You must complete OSHA Outreach training in the United States, and you will need a U.S. mailing address to receive an official OSHA card. You can complete Outreach training from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and certain U.S. territories and commonwealths within OSHA's geographic jurisdiction.

Locations outside of the United States where you can take OSHA Outreach training include:

  • Puerto Rico
  • The U.S. Virgin Islands
  • American Samoa
  • Guam
  • The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
  • Wake Island
  • Outer Continental Shelf Lands
  • Johnston Island

If you live outside of OSHA's jurisdiction and register for Outreach training, you will be prompted to enroll in an equivalent 10-hour or 30-hour international safety training course. These courses cover the same workplace safety topics as Outreach training, but they do not provide an official OSHA card upon completion. In its place, you will receive a printable certificate of completion.

Does this course require identity validation?

Yes. To ensure that you are the only person who participates in this training, you will need to confirm your identity at various points throughout the course. This is part of our active proctoring and monitoring system that is required by OSHA and the Department of Labor.

Before you begin training, you will be asked to answer a series of personal validation questions. A validation question will appear on your screen at the beginning of each course module. You will have 90 seconds to respond. If you fail to respond correctly or do not respond within 90 seconds, that response will be flagged as failed. Students will become temporarily locked out of the program after four failed personal validation attempts.

To resume your training after being locked out, please contact Customer Care to confirm your identity. Submit your request using Live Chat for the fastest response time.

Is there an age requirement to participate in Outreach training?

No, OSHA does not place a minimum age requirement on Outreach training.

How long do I have to complete my training?

Due to OSHA requirements for Outreach training, you must complete your training within 180 days of registering for the course. If you do not pass the course within this period, you will be required to repurchase the course and register again.

What is OSHA's mandatory break policy for OSHA training?

Due to OSHA regulations, students can spend a maximum of 7.5 hours per day in the course. We cannot override this.

Timing requirements are as follows:

  • A mandatory break is required after 7.5 consecutive contact hours of training.
  • The standard break is 8 hours long, but you must wait until the next day to resume the course. For example, if you hit the 7.5-hour limit at 12 p.m., you will not be able to continue training at 8 p.m. even though a full 8 hours have passed. You will be permitted to continue your course the next calendar day.
  • Because of this break policy, it will take at least two days to complete 10-hour training and at least four days to complete 30-hour training.

Note: Do not open multiple browser windows while working on the course because this accelerates the timer. You can take breaks anytime, but log out of the course when you take breaks to pause the daily timer.

What is the passing score for quizzes and the final exam?

Students need to score at least 70% to pass end-of-module quizzes and the final exam. If you do not pass a section quiz or the final exam after three attempts, you will be disqualified from the course. After a disqualification, you will need to re-register for the course and purchase it again to continue your training.

To provide you with the best learning experience and opportunity to achieve a passing score, we encourage you to speak with your instructor to review any questions you are struggling with.

How many attempts do I have to pass quizzes and the final exam?

Due to OSHA requirements, students taking a 10- or 30-hour OSHA Outreach course have up to three attempts to pass course tests, including each end-of-module quiz and the final exam. To successfully pass a quiz or the final exam, students need to score 70% or higher.

Unfortunately, students who do not achieve a passing score on a quiz or final exam after three tries must pay to enroll in a new course and restart their training.

If I take 10-hour training, can I upgrade to 30-hour training?

Unfortunately, OSHA training hours cannot be combined or upgraded. To receive an official 30-hour OSHA card, you must purchase and complete a 30-hour training course.

How long does it take to complete OSHA 10?

It will take you a minimum of two days to complete the OSHA 10 course, which provides 10 hours of training on general workplace safety and health topics. OSHA does not allow students to spend more than 7.5 hours in the course per day, so you cannot complete your training in a single day.

How long does it take to complete OSHA 30?

It takes four days to complete OSHA 30, which includes 30 hours of in-depth training on workplace safety and health topics. Because OSHA limits training sessions for this course to 7.5 hours per day, it is not possible to complete your training in less than four days.

Will this course satisfy state-specific training requirements?

Some jurisdictions have additional training requirements above and beyond federal standards, including OSHA-approved State Plans. While DOL-issued OSHA cards are accepted nationwide, you may need more training to meet your state's safety training needs.

We offer approved state training programs for residents of California, Nevada and North Carolina. Each one satisfies state training standards and awards an official DOL OSHA card.

Which course should electricians take? Is general industry or construction the correct choice?

While both the construction and the general industry Outreach courses cover electrical safety, electricians should generally complete the construction version of either the 10-hour or 30-hour programs. OSHA's construction standard applies to any worker engaged in building, demolition, renovation, building development or other construction projects.

Electricians may require additional electrical safety training depending on local laws, union rules or employer requirements.

OSHA Card Questions

When will I receive my OSHA card?

Upon completing OSHA-authorized Outreach training, you can immediately print an official Certificate of Completion that you can provide to your employer. Within two weeks of completing the course, you will receive an official OSHA card from the U.S. Department of Labor.

What does an official OSHA card look like?

The DOL issues official OSHA cards. Each card is wallet-sized and made of durable plastic, not paper or cardstock.

The front of the card includes the following information:

  • The OSHA name and logo
  • A unique 11-digit card number
  • The name of the course (e.g., 10-Hour Construction Safety and Health)
  • The name of the student who completed the course
  • The name of the authorized trainer
  • The date the card was issued

The reverse side has your trainer's contact information and a QR code that can be scanned for authentication.

The card's color will differ depending on your industry and the Outreach course you completed. You can view images of each official OSHA card on the OSHA website. We provide the latest versions of the cards, which the U.S. Department of Labor started issuing after Feb. 29, 2016.

Will my OSHA card expire?

No. OSHA Outreach cards issued upon completion of our construction and general industry courses do not expire, but your course graduation date will be printed on the card.

However, employers or local jurisdictions may require you to periodically refresh your 10-hour or 30-hour training. Even when not required, it is strongly suggested that you repeat your education every three to five years to stay up to date on changes to OSHA standards and industry best practices.

Can you provide a replacement copy of my OSHA card?

You may need to replace your official plastic DOL card if it is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. OSHA does not keep training records, but course providers can issue replacement OSHA cards.

If you have completed Outreach training with OSHA Education Center within the last five years, we can provide one replacement card. A card replacement fee of $60.00 will apply. To learn more or review your card replacement options, please contact our support team.

Account Questions

How do I set up an account?

You will create a FUSION learning management system account when purchasing a course or redeeming a course voucher. You will be asked to provide an email address, create a password and add a few profile details. You can immediately access your OSHA Education Center course (or courses) from your new dashboard.

Can I purchase courses on behalf of someone else?

Yes. Managers, supervisors and business owners can purchase course vouchers for multiple users. Supervisors can assign vouchers to new or existing users at any time. Vouchers can be sent by text or email from a simple online dashboard.

Workers can log in or create a new account after clicking on the voucher link. The administrator dashboard allows managers to view which courses have been redeemed and track student progress in real time.

What are the benefits of purchasing courses in bulk other than a discounted price?

In addition to discounts, bulk purchases make it easy to track and manage courses for multiple users. Courses purchased through our bulk order system can be assigned immediately or stored in your administrator dashboard until later.

Send vouchers by text or email. Your dashboard lets you track which vouchers have been redeemed, resend invitations, track student progress and monitor expiration dates. You can even download and print certificates, making it easy to stay on top of record-keeping regulations.

Learn more about bulk purchase benefits or request a custom quote today.

What if I purchased a course in the wrong language?

If the course you purchased is not in the correct language, please contact our customer support team for assistance. For the fastest response, contact us via Live Chat.

Am I eligible for a refund?

You may be eligible for a refund if you have not:

  • Attempted a quiz
  • Requested or been issued a certificate
  • Completed the course

For eligible students who have already started their course, a $5 administrative fee will be deducted from the refunded amount. No refunds will be granted for an expired course, failure to pass quizzes or any other in-course assessment requirements.

I am experiencing technical problems. What do I do?

Simply contact our customer support team and we will assist you!

Do you offer discounts?

Yes. We sometimes offer discounted prices or sales throughout the year. You can also sign up to receive a coupon code worth up to 50% off select OSHA training courses.

Bulk discounts are always available starting at purchases of two or more courses at once.


NYC Site Safety Training Questions (NYC Local Law 196)

What is Site Safety Training (SST)?

Site Safety Training is a safety training program that is required for New York City construction workers under NYC Local Law 196. Construction and demolition workers on NYC jobsites with a Site Safety Plan must earn an SST Worker card or SST Supervisor card to work at any jobsite with a Site Safety Plan.

What is Local Law 196?

Local Law 196 was signed into law in October 2017. The law requires workers and supervisors at most NYC construction sites to complete DOB-approved SST courses and ultimately earn an SST card. Workers and supervisors are currently required to have an SST card.

Who needs an SST card under Local Law 196?

Local Law 196 requires construction and demolition workers at NYC jobsites with a Site Safety Plan to complete SST training. This includes workers and supervisors at any job with a designated Construction Superintendent, Site Safety Coordinator, or Site Safety Manager.

If your jobsite has a Site Safety Plan, then you will need an SST card. You can visit the DOB Site Safety Construction map to find out if your job requires an SST card. If your jobsite is listed on the map, you must meet all Local Law 196 training requirements to work there.

Can I get my 40-hour SST Worker card by taking an OSHA 10 course and OSHA 30 course?

No. Workers must complete either the OSHA 10-hour course or the OSHA 30-hour course and then round out their remaining hours with DOB-approved SST courses. Whether you have an OSHA 10 card or OSHA 30 card, you will need 40 total hours of Site Safety Training.

Which courses do I need to earn a 40-hour SST Worker card or 62-hour SST Supervisor card?

Visit our guide to Local Law 196 to see a full list of required courses that NYC workers and supervisors must complete to earn an SST card.

Can I complete my SST training completely online?

Yes. You can meet your full SST training requirements 100% online. This allows you to log on anywhere with an internet connection and work at your own pace.

Are your OSHA 10 and 30 courses accepted in NYC?

Yes. OSHA Education Center is an OSHA-authorized training provider, and our 10- and 30-hour OSHA courses are approved by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).

Our online OSHA classes meet the DOB's active proctoring requirement, which states that online training must require students to attest that they are the individual who received the training and that they completed the training without assistance.

Active proctoring also monitors course participation at random times to ensure that the student is present for the entirety of the training.

Are your SST courses approved by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)?

Yes. OSHA Education Center is operated by American Safety Council, a DOB-approved Site Safety Training course provider. We are also approved to issue SST cards to workers and supervisors.

» Find answers to more Site Safety Training FAQs


Hazard Recognition Training Questions

What is OSHA Hazard Recognition training?

Hazard Recognition training consists of 10- and 30-hour courses that cover important OSHA regulations and hazard identification techniques for the construction industry or general industry. This training is ideal for workers who do not qualify for OSHA Outreach training, including those who live outside of OSHA's jurisdiction.

While Hazard Recognition training covers the same topics as Outreach training, it is not OSHA-authorized and does not provide an official OSHA card upon completion. Instead, you will receive a printable completion certificate.

When will I get my completion certificate?

After you have successfully completed hazard recognition training, you can immediately download your certificate of completion from OSHA Education Center.

Hazard Recognition Training courses do not issue a physical card or an official OSHA DOL card.