I Want the Letters CSP Behind My Name

Achieving a standard of expertise in a profession often means meeting the rigorous standards of certification by an independent board. Just as the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can earn such a designation, so can professionals in the field of safety. The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) must meet the educational and experience standards and must pass rigorous examinations that have been field tested by hundreds of safety professionals.

The designation of CSP commands not only the attention and respect of prospective employers and government agencies but also places the holder in higher demand as a worker. CSP has a greater effect on salary than any other credential in the field of safety. According to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals website, a 2003 survey by the American Society of Safety Engineers revealed that the average CSP earns about $17,000 more per year than do peers without certification.

Qualifications

To qualify as a CSP, an individual must meet specific requirements in education and professional experience, must have a firm grasp of professional safety practices, and must achieve a passing grade on a certification exam. Because the field of workplace safety is always evolving, CSPs are required to be re-certified every 5 years.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s or Graduate degree in any field or Associates degree in a safety, health, or environmental area.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: CSPs must have at least 3 years of accepted professional safety experience.
EXAMS: Safety Fundamentals and Comprehensive Practice. The exams are designed by safety professionals to meet the highest competency standards in the field. Examinations cover knowledge and skills related to safety, health, and environmental management, engineering, and information management and communications.

Certification

When a candidate is ready to sit for a CSP examination, they can register at any time and can take the exam(s) on any business day, without waiting for a periodic testing date. After registering with BCSP, candidates can make an appointment for an examination at one of the many testing centers located within or outside the United States. The basic steps in registering and taking the CSP exams are:

Completion and submission of application materials
Registration for the examination
Scheduling time and place to take the exam
Remittance of an annual renewal fee
Meeting recertification requirements

To learn more about becoming a CSP or to register for the next exam, please visit www.bcsp.org/csp.

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May 17, 2012
06:49 AM

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