Table of Contents General Information Information and Qualifications Qualifications .......................... ..................................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... .................... .............. ....
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Examination Information ............. ........................ ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ................... .........
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Program Fees and Policies ..................... ................................ ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..........
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Application Instructions .............................. ........................................ ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... .................... .............. ....
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Tear-Out Tear-Out Forms •
Application Form
•
Prof Profes essi sion onal al Safe Safety ty Expe Experi rien ence ce Form Form
•
Reference Form
General Information and Qualifications Certifying Agencies (NCCA) 3. In 2003, the CSP became one of the first five certifications anywhere in any field to achieve accreditation under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 4. It is is also recognized 5 by the National Skill Standards Board (NSSB) .
The Certified Safety Professional
The Certified Safety Professional ® or CSP®1 is a designation awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). More information about the CSP and BCSP can be found on our website at www.bcsp.org.
In summary, the process of becoming a CSP includes the following: • Complete and submit application materials. BCSP will review your application materials to determine if you meet the academic and experience requirements and are eligible for the Safety Fundamentals or the Comprehensive Practice examination. If eligible, BCSP will tell you how long you are eligible and when your eligibility will expire. • Register for, pay for, and pass the examination(s) leading to the CSP designation. You may register with BCSP for an examination at any time, as long as you are eligible. BCSP will notify our examination delivery service provider that you are an eligible candidate, and BCSP will also inform you how long you have to make an appointment and complete your examination. • Make an appointment to take your examination at a testing center near you and sit for your examination at the scheduled time. Testing centers are open every business day around the world and many have evening and weekend hours. You will take your examination by computer and receive pass/fail results as soon as you log off the computer system. If you fail an examination and are still eligible, you may register again as soon as you receive post-examination information from BCSP. • Complete all requirements for the CSP designation. After completing all requirements for the CSP, BCSP will award you use of the CSP designation on an annual basis as long as you pay an annual renewal fee and meet Continuance of Certification (COC) requirements every five years.
Certified Safety Professionals are: • Resp Respec ecte ted d by other other safe safety ty prof profes essi sion onal als. s. • Honor Honored ed by the the saf safet ety y pro profe fess ssio ion. n. • Prefer Preferred red or requi required red by most most employ employers ers of safet safety y professi professiona onals. ls. • Requir Required ed in in many many gove governm rnment ent and privat privatee contr contract acts. s. • Paid Paid on avera average ge about about $15, $15,000 000 more more per per year year than than safet safety y professionals without certification. • Paid on avera average ge $300,0 $300,000 00 or or more more than safety safety profess professiona ionals ls without certification over the span of a career. The CSP designation: • Is cited cited in in many federal, federal, stat statee and local local laws, laws, regula regulatio tions ns and and standards. • Is recog recognize nized d by U.S. and and foreig foreign n safety safety and healt health h organizat organizations ions.. • Is held held by 75% 75% or more more of of the leader leaderss in the the safet safety y professi profession. on. • Adds $150 $150 mill million ion to pay for safety profess profession ionals als annually. Safety professionals may use the Certified Safety Professional title when they meet all requirements established by BCSP and are authorized by BCSP to use the CSP designation. A safety professional is one who applies the expertise gained from a study of safety science, principles, practices, and other subjects and from professional safety experience to create or develop procedures, processes, standards, specifications, plans, and systems to achieve optimal control or reduction of the hazards and exposures which may harm people, property, and/or the environment. The Associate Safety Professional (ASP) is a temporary designation awarded by BCSP. It means that an individual has met the academic requirement for the CSP and has passed the Safety Fundamentals examination—the first of two examinations leading to the CSP. CSP. You only submit one application for both the ASP and CSP designation.
Qualifications
The Certified Safety Professional designation meets the highest national and international standards for certifications and is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) 2 and the National Commission for
To qualify for the Certified Safety Professional title you must: • Be of good good mora morall char charac acte terr. • Apply Apply to the the Board Board of of Certif Certified ied Safe Safety ty Profes Professio sional nals. s. • Meet Meet an acade academi micc requi require reme ment nt.. • Meet Meet a profes professio sional nal safe safety ty experi experienc encee require requiremen ment. t. • Pass Pass the Safe Safety ty Fundam Fundament entals als exam examina inatio tion n (or be be grante granted d a waiver of the Safety Fundamentals examination) and the Comprehensive Practice examination.
1 Certified Safety Professional ® , CSP ®, and the CSP logo are registered certification marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 2Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards, P.O. Box 1448, Annapolis, MD 21404, Phone: 410-266-3766, Web: www.cesb.org .
3National Commission for Certifying Agencies, 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, Phone: 202-367-1165, Web: www.noca.org/ ncca/ncca.htm. 4 U.S. Administrator: American National Standards Institute, Personnel Certification Accreditation, 1819 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, Phone: 202-293-8020, Web: www.ansi.org . 5National Skill Standards Board Institute, Web: www.nssb.org .
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the difference between the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) and the Certified Safety Professional (CSP)? Do I have to fill out an application for both ASP and CSP?
The ASP is just a temporary designation to show that you have passed the first examination leading to the CSP designation—the Safety Fundamentals examination. The CSP application is the only application you need to complete. See page 1 for for additional details. Do I need to have a degree even if I have many years of safety experience?
Yes. The minimum education accepted is an associate degree in safety and health or a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited school. The degree must be earned during the period of accreditation. The U.S. Department of Education (www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ ) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation ( www.chea.org ) both maintain websites that can help you find an accredited school. See page 3 for additional details. What happens if my degree is not from the U.S.?
BCSP evaluates all degrees earned outside the U.S. for equivalency to U.S. educational standards. All non-U.S. degrees are evaluated by BCSP’s independent international degree evaluation expert for a $100 fee. You must submit official documents for evaluation. See page 3 for additional details. How much does it cost for the certification? Fees within the United States and Canada are: • • • •
A p p l i c a ti o n : Exam Examin inat atio ions ns (Safet afety y Fun Fundam dament entals and and Com Comprehens hensiive Pr Pract actice) ASP annual renewal CSP annual renewal
$125 ONE TIME $27 $275 EACH INSTA STANCE $105 $115
All fees are nonrefundable and subject to change at any time without notice. See page 7 for additional fees. Do I have to take the Safety Fundamentals examination?
Only, candidates who passed certain other certification and licensing examinations, and currently hold such certifications or licenses, may be granted a waiver of the Safety Fundamentals examination. BCSP only accepts the following certifications or licenses: P.E., CIH, CHP, CRSP, NEBOSH National Diploma, SISO, or Safety Management Specialty Credential from ABOHN. See page 6 for additional details.
Mostly likely, yes.
My references mailed their their forms instead of giving them back to me. Is that ok? Yes. We can match up references and official transcripts with your application. Contact BCSP if your transcript is being sent under a different name (e.g. maiden name). See page 10 for additional details. How do I get points besides using my degree or advanced degree?
You earn one point per month for professional safety work experience acceptable to BCSP. BCSP. points if you hold the OHST or CHST certification. See page 4 for additional details.
You can also earn 12
What if I don’t have 96 points at application?
If you have 48 points and meet the minimum education requirement, you are eligible to take the Safety Fundamentals examination. You can hold the ASP designation while you earn more experience. BCSP will contact you when we estimate you should have 96 points. At that time, you will need to complete an experience update form. If you earn an additional degree, or if you earn the OHST or CHST certification after applying for the CSP, CSP, contact BCSP to determine your points achieved. See page 5 for additional details. Can I email or fax my application? No. Your signature has to be notarized and your transcripts must be official. See page 12 for additional details. Can I take a computer-delivered examination outside the United States and Canada?
BCSP will begin offering computer-delivered examinations outside the U.S. and Canada at many testing centers starting the second quarter of 2005. Please refer to www.bcsp.org for the latest information.
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Course titles will be evaluated to ensure that the four courses and 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours of study include subject matter from the following list: • Gener General al safe safety ty • Safet Safety y manage manageme ment nt • Safet Safety y compl complia iance nce • Safet Safety y techno technolo logy gy • Occupat Occupation ional al safety safety • Safety relating relating to a particular particular industry industry (e.g. (e.g. construction, construction, manufacturing, transportation, or health care) • Safety and and health health communicati communication on and/or and/or training training
The Academic Requirement Minimum Education
A CSP candidate must meet one of the following minimum educational qualifications: • A bachelor’s degree in any field ; or • An associate degree in safety and health There is no waiver of the academic requirement and you must provide proof that you were awarded the minimum qualifying degree.
If you have an associate degree in safety and health, or a closely related field of study that does not meet this standard, you have the following options to resolve the deficiency: • Acquire another another associat associatee degree which meets meets the standard. • Acquire a bachelor’ bachelor’ss degree degree in any any field. field. • Complete Complete appropriate appropriate safety safety courses courses at any acceptabl acceptablee school that will satisfy the course deficiencies in the safety and health associate degree. Visit www.bcsp.org for the BCSP Database of Safety and Related Academic Programs in the United States.
For U.S. degrees, BCSP requires that the educational institution hold institutional accreditation from an accreditation body with institutional accrediting authority recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation 6 (CHEA) and/or the U.S. Department of Education 7. The degree must be awarded during the period of accreditation. Check with your school, CHEA ( www.chea.org ), or the Department of Education ( www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation) to determine whether your school was accredited when you earned your degree.
International Degree Evaluation Associate Degree Evaluation
BCSP evaluates all degrees from colleges and universities outside the United States for U.S. equivalency. BCSP only accepts official transcripts (mark sheets) and diplomas. BCSP cannot evaluate copies. The fee for evaluating these degrees is $100 and you must pay this fee prior to the evaluation. All fees are payable in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank. If necessary, you are responsible for providing certified English translations. BCSP sends a copy of the independent evaluator’s report and the original documents back to you via an expedited courier.
BCSP has a broad view on the practice of safety and uses that view to determine what associate degrees meet the minimum educational requirement. BCSP considers fields closely related to safety and health to be part of the safety and health domain. For example, associate degrees in safety, industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health, environment, health physics, fire protection, or fire prevention are likely to qualify as a “safety and health” associate degree. Associate degrees in other fields are not considered part of the safety and health domain.
BCSP Point System
BCSP reviews courses within safety and health (or closely related fields) associate degrees to determine which degrees are acceptable. The following standard applies:
BCSP uses a point system to determine eligibility for examinations. You must have 48 points to sit for the Safety Fundamentals examination and 96 points to sit for the Comprehensive Practice examination.
The associate degree must include at least four courses (with at least 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours) of study in safety and health for the degree to meet the minimum educational requirement for the CSP.
You can earn points through education, experience, and certain other certifications. Table 1 on page 4 lists points awarded for various degrees. You may use only one undergraduate and one graduate degree for credit. If you hold more than one undergraduate or graduate degree, only the degree yielding the highest point value will be accepted. Continuing education courses, seminars, and certificate programs are not a substitute for, and do not receive credit toward, th e academic requirement.
6 Council for Higher Education Accreditation, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20036-1135, Phone: 202-955-6126, Web: www.chea.org . 7 U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202, Phone: 800-USA-LEARN, Web: www.ope.ed.gov/ accreditation. 3
The model educational background for a candidate for the CSP designation is a bachelor’s degree in safety from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology8 (ABET)—earning the maximum 48 points. Contact ABET for accreditation standards and a listing of accredited degree programs.
Table 1. Degree Credit Degree/ Degree/ Program Program Major
ABET
Associate Associate
Bachelor’s Bachelor’s Master’s Master’s
Ph.D.
Accredited? Safety and Safety Related Environmental Engineering Environmental Health Fire Protection Fire Protection Engineering Health Physics Industrial Hygiene Industrial Safety Loss Control Occupational Safety and Health Risk Control Safety Engineering Safety Sciences
Yes No
24 18
48 36
12 9
24 18
Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Electrical Engineering Engineering Mechanics Engineering Science Industrial Engineering Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Yes
N/A
42
11
21
Engineering Technology
Yes No
N/A N/A
30 24
8 6
15 12
Natural and Physical Sciences Agri Agricu cult ltur uree Microb Microbiol iology ogy Archi Architec tectu ture re Nursin Nursing g Astr Astron onom omy y Occu Occupa pati tion onal al Aviation Health Biochemistr Biochemistry y Physics Bi ol ol og ogy Public He Health Botany Toxicology Chemist ry ry Z oo oology Computer Science Earth Science Electo-Optics Entomology Environmental Management Environmental Science Forestry General Science Geology Mathematics Waste Management
N/A
N/A
30
8
15
Industrial Technology Technology
N/A
N/A
24
6
12
Industrial Education Industrial Arts Industrial Arts Education Industrial Education
N/A
N/A
18
5
9
Business Accounting Administration Aviation Management Business Management Engineering Management Industrial Management Loss Control Management Management Security Management Urban Planning
N/A
N/A
18
5
9
Psychology Educational Psychology Psychology
N/A
N/A
18
5
9
Other Appli eed d A rt rt Art Communication Criminal Criminal Justice Justice Education General General Studies Studies Geography History
N/A
N/A
12
3
6
Because many people enter the safety profession from other educational backgrounds and their degrees are worth less than 48 points, they may use advanced degrees and/or professional safety experience to earn additional points. In addition to degrees and experience, candidates earn points for holding the Occupational Health and Safety Technologist ® (OHST) or Construction Health and Safety Technician ® (CHST) certifications from the Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists 9 (CCHEST). If you hold the OHST or CHST at the time of application, you are awarded 12 experience points. If both certifications are held, the maximum number of experience points awarded is still 12. Total points are the sum of academic points and experience points. The Experience Requirement In addition to the academic requirement, CSP candidates must have professional safety experience. experience. The exact number of years depends on their degree(s) and if they hold OHST or CHST certification. certification. BCSP has a broad definition of safety. safety. Professional-level work experience in safety, health, environmental protection, fire protection, radiation protection, and industrial hygiene is considered professional safety experience. All professional safety experience must meet all of the five following criteria to be acceptable to BCSP: • Profess Profession ional al safety safety must must be the primary function of the position. Collateral duties in safety are not considered the primary function. • The position’ position’ss primary responsibility responsibility must be the prevention of harm to people, property, and the environment, rather than responsibility for responding to harmful events. • Professional Professional safety safety functions functions must must be at least least 50% of the the position duties. BCSP defines full-time as at least 35 hours per week. Part-time safety experience is allowed instead of full-time safety experience if the applicant has the equivalent of at least 900 hours of professional safety
Hum an ani titi eess Journalism Liberal Liberal Arts Political Science Social Social Work Soci ol ology
8 Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 11 1 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, Phone: 410-347-7700, Web: www.abet.org. 9 Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists, 208 Burwash Ave., Savoy, IL 61874, Phone: 217-359-2686,Fax: 217-359-0055, Email:
[email protected], Web: www.cchest.org .
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work during any year (75 hours per month or 18 hours per week) for which experience credit is sought. • The position position must be be at the profession professional al level. level. This is determined by evaluating the degree of responsible charge and reliance of employers or clients on the person’s ability to defend analytical approaches used in professional practice. This also encompasses their recommending how to control hazards through engineering and/or administrative approaches. • The position position must have have breadth breadth of professional professional safety duties. This is determined by evaluating the variety of hazards about which the candidate must advise and the range of skills involved in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazards. Examples of skills are analyzing, synthesizing, designing, investigating, planning, administrating, and communicating.
do not meet these time limits or purchase the eligibility extensions must reapply as a new candidate. A detailed outline of eligibility and other time limits and eligibility extension options is provided once an application has been approved. Note: Eligibility time limits are independent of examination authorization time limits. Examination time limits are defined in the CSP Examination Guide . Student Applicants Applicants
Students in ABET-accredited safety or safety-related degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s level may sit for the Safety Fundamentals examination during the last semester (or quarter) of their academic program. A list of schools with ABET-accredited safety and related degrees can be found at www.bcsp.org (under “The Safety Profession”). Like other candidates, they must follow application instructions as outlined on page 10. However, However, in place of a supervisor they must use a current faculty member of the degree program as a reference. The faculty reference must verify on the reference form that the student applicant is expected to graduate at the end of the current semester (or quarter).
Each month of acceptable professional safety experience earns one point. Please note that there is no partial or additional credit for experience. Experience Updates
At the time of application, many candidates have enough points to sit for the Safety Fundamentals examination (48), but do not have the points required for the Comprehensive Practice examination (96). In this instance, BCSP estimates when you will achieve 96 points assuming you remain employed in a position that meets professional safety practice requirements. Near that estimated date, BCSP sends a Professional Safety Experience Update Form. You have 30 days to complete and return the form to BCSP. BCSP. There is no fee involved. involved.
CRSP Applications
BCSP has a reciprocal agreement with the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals 10 (BCRSP). If you hold the CRSP certification, please use the BCSP/BCRSP Reciprocal Agreement Application Form. You can find one on the Downloads page at www.bcsp.org or contact BCSP.
If 96 points are not met after the candidate’s work experience is updated, BCSP estimates a new eligibility date. Candidates will be dropped from the CSP process if they fail to provide updated information when requested, or have not met eligibility requirements at the end of the third year from the original projected eligibility date. Candidate Eligibility Time Limits
Candidates for the CSP credential have specific time limits to take and/or successfully pass examinations. A candidate for the Safety Fundamentals examination must sit for the examination once every three years once they are are eligible. A candidate for the Comprehensive Practice examination must pass the examination within three years of becoming eligible. BCSP allows candidates to extend time limits twice during their eligibility period for each examination. The fee for the first eligibility extension is $100 and the fee for the second eligibility extension is $200. Each extension is valid for one year. All fees are subject to change without notice. Those who
10 Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals, 6519-B Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 1A6 CANADA, Phone: 905567-7198, Web: www.bcrsp.org .
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Examination Information BCSP offers a companion publication, the CSP Examination Guide, which provides important information about BCSP examination content, preparing for examinations, study materials offered by other organizations, and examination procedures. It is essential to obtain the CSP Examination Guide when preparing for examinations. View and print this publication at no cost from the Downloads page on the BCSP web site at www.bcsp.org or contact BCSP to obtain a printed copy.
any written or electronic materials or have contact with anyone other than staff. BCSP will invalidate your examination and pursue disciplinary charges in accordance with BCSP’s Bylaws if you access prohibited materials, have contact with anyone except examination management staff, leave the building while your examination clock is running, or engage in unethical, disruptive, or unprofessional conduct at a testing center.
To help identify your weak areas and become familiar with the style of the Safety Fundamentals and Comprehensive Practice examinations, BCSP sells self-assessment examinations. The self-assessment examinations, $95 each, are about 60% of the length of a full examination. They contain items that are similar in depth and style to the actual examination. A self-assessment examination order form is on the Downloads page at www.bcsp.org or on page 14.
All candidates must pass the Comprehensive Practice examination. The first examination, Safety Fundamentals, covers basic knowledge appropriate to professional safety practice. Candidates who meet the academic standard and achieve 48 points through their degree and/or experience can sit for the Safety Fundamentals examination. Upon passing the Safety Fundamentals examination, candidates receive the temporary ASP designation to denote their progress toward the CSP.
Waivers of the Safety Fundamentals Examination
Examination Security and Integrity
Some candidates who have been examined through other acceptable certification and licensing programs, and currently hold such certifications or licenses, may be granted a waiver of the Safety Fundamentals examination. BCSP only accepts the following certifications or licenses for waiver of the Safety Fundamentals examination: • Certified Certified Industrial Industrial Hygienist Hygienist (CIH) (CIH) from the American American Board of Industrial Hygiene. • Certified Certified Health Health Physicist Physicist (CHP) from from the American American Board of Health Physics. • Professional Professional Engineer Engineer (P.E.) (P.E.) from the engineerin engineering g registration board of any U.S. state or territory. • Chartered Chartered Engineer Engineer (CE) from from the Engineering Engineering Council (United Kingdom). • National Diploma Diploma in Occupational Occupational Safety and and Health by the British National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). • Canadian Registered Registered Safety Safety Professional Professional (CRSP) from from the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals. • Member, Member, Singapore Institute of Safety Officers Officers (SISO). • Safety Management Management Credentia Credentiall from the American American Board 11 for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) .
One key to a successful and respected certification program is examination security. security. BCSP relies on the ethical behavior of candidates and certificants to maintain the security of BCSP examinations. The CSP Application Guide, CSP Examination Guide, and CSP Self-Assessment Examinations are available to anyone. When those who hold the CSP credential, or those who are pursuing the CSP credential, reveal information about the content of BCSP examinations (other than that which is published by BCSP), they violate the agreement all candidates accept when they apply for certification and take an examination. They also violate the BCSP Bylaws and the BCSP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct . BCSP has taken action and will continue to take action against individuals who violate this trust. Penalties may include permanently barring individuals from pursuing the CSP credential and revoking the certificates of those holding the ASP or CSP designation, in addition to other legal remedies. BCSP will also pursue legal action against organizations or individuals not seeking certification who reveal information about the content of BCSP examinations (other than that which is published by BCSP).
Those who receive a waiver of the Safety Fundamentals examination do not receive and cannot use the ASP title. Candidates who have passed the Safety Fundamentals examination (or been granted a waiver of it) and have earned 96 points are eligible for the Comprehensive Practice examination.
BCSP examinations are closed book, except for your authorized calculator(s), the Examination Reference, and the materials provided by examination management staff. Once your examination clock starts, you may not access any materials beyond those given to you by the examination management staff until you formally submit your examination for scoring. During self-scheduled breaks, you are not permitted to access
11Only those individuals holding the Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) or Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S) certification may earn the Safety Management Credential from the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, 201 East Ogden Road, Suite 114, Hinsdale, IL 60521-3652, Phone: 630-789-5799, Web: www.abohn.org .
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Program Fees and Policies The Board of Certified Safety Professionals charges the following fees:
Carolina business residential addresses, BCSP invoices ASPs and CSPs to reimburse BCSP for fees required by the North Carolina Safety Professional Act to maintain a registry of ASPs and CSPs in North Carolina.
Application Fee
$125
Foreig Foreign n Degr Degree ee Evalu Evaluati ation on Fee (only (only for for degr degrees ees earne earned d outside the U.S.)
$100 $100
Unemployed certificate holders may request a one-year waiver of the annual renewal fee in writing only once during their history with BCSP. BCSP.
$275 $275
Non-Discrimination
Examination Fees (for computer-delivered examinations to be taken inside the US or Canada) Safety Fundamentals Comprehensive Practice Examination Fees (for computer-delivered examinations to be taken outside the US or Canada) Safety Fundamentals Comprehensive Practice
BCSP evaluates all candidates seeking the CSP designation without regard to religion, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
$375 $375
Examination Fees (for examinations to be taken by pencil-and-paper at special locations)* Safety Fu Fu nd nda me me nt ntal s (U.S. mi mi lili ta tary DA DANTES si si te tes) Comp Compre rehe hens nsiv ive e Prac Practi tice ce (U. (U.S. S. mil milit itar ary y DANT DANTES ES sit sites es)) Safety Fu Fundamentals (o (other special lo locations) Compr eh ehe ns nsi ve ve Pra ct ctic e (o th th er er sp ec eci al al l oc ocati on on s) s)
$9 95 95 $995 $995 $ 1 ,4 9 5 $ 1, 1,4 95 95
Optio Optional nal 60-da 60-day y Exami Examinat nation ion Aut Author horiza izatio tion n Exten Extensio sion n Fee
$50 $50
Eligibility Appeals If you disagree with the results of your eligibility evaluation, you have one year from the receipt of the evaluation results to file an appeal. You must identify the reasons for the appeal and provide any additional information not previously included that clarifies the information in dispute or assist evaluators in understanding your appeal. All appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Executive Director.
Overall Eligibility Extension Fees First First Addition Additional al Year (for (for pursuin pursuing g either either the the ASP or or CSP) CSP) $100 Second Additional Year Year (for pursuing either the ASP or CSP) $200 Annual Renewal Fees** CSP ASP CSP (Retired) Late Annual Renewal Payment Fee*** Reinstatement Fee
*
**
*** ***
$115 $105 $20 $25
Initial Appeal and Request for Re-Evaluation. You may disagree with the results of the initial evaluation. The disagreement may involve academic credit or experience credit used to determine eligibility dates. You may request a re-evaluation of your application information.
varies with situation
Partial Partial refu refunds nds are possible possible for examina examination tions s schedu scheduled led at at specia speciall locations that are canceled 30 or more days prior to the examination date. When you you first first achie achieve ve the the ASP or CSP CSP designa designation tion,, your your annual annual renewal fee for the first year is prorated for the remainder of that first year. When an an ASP or CSP CSP annual annual renewa renewall fee is not not paid by the the due date, a late fee is added to the annual renewal fee.
Second Appeal and Request for Adjudication. If, after a reevaluation, you still disagree with the results, a second and final appeal is possible. You may request a review by the Adjudication Committee. Three senior members of the Board of Directors make up this Committee. Rulings by the Adjudication Committee on eligibility of candidates are final and binding.
Fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Checks and money orders must be payable to BCSP. BCSP. All fees are payable in U.S. U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. U.S. bank. Fees are subject to change at any time without notice.
Appeals of Examination Scoring If you believe that an error may have been made in scoring, you may request in writing that your examination be rescored. The request must state the basis for believing that an error in scoring was made. If you seek rescoring, you may be required to pay a rescoring fee.
Non-sufficient fund (NSF) checks will stop action on the application/examination process for any candidate covered by the check and the check originator will be billed for any related NSF fees.
You may also petition BCSP in writing to reconsider your score on an examination relative to the passing score. The request must explain why a passing score change is justified for you. These appeals are considered at semiannual Board of Directors meetings only. Appeals of examination scoring must be made within one year of the examination date.
Other fees may apply upon achieving the ASP or CSP designation. For example, individuals who pay their annual renewal fee late may incur a late charge or a reinstatement fee if BCSP has acted to terminate certification. For those with North
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Other Appeals
Disciplinary Action
Applicants and candidates who achieve qualifications after the initial application can submit them at any time to determine whether they affect the certification process. Applicants and candidates for the CSP have the right to appeal decisions relating to BCSP policies other than eligibility and examination scores. Appeals must be in writing and addressed to the Executive Director. Director. An appeal should provide any information or documentation that assists in evaluating the appeal. The BCSP Board considers appeals relating to its policies at semiannual meetings.
According to the BCSP Bylaws (Article XIV) the Board shall have the power to reject or suspend the application of any applicant, to terminate or suspend the eligibility of any candidate, to reprimand a certificate holder, suspend, refuse to renew or revoke the certificate of any certificate holder and to terminate or suspend the status with BCSP held by anyone who is found guilty of one or more of the following: A. Obtaining Obtaining or seeking to obtain obtain a certificate certificate or a renewal of a certificate through the use of fraud or deceit. The making of any fraudulent, misleading or untruthful statements in any application or documentation submitted to the Board by any applicant, candidate or certification holder, or person holding any status with BCSP in an effort to obtain, retain or renew certification; or B. Violation of one or more more of the the provisions provisions in the BCSP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct; or C. A crimi criminal nal con convict viction ion of of a felon felony; y; or D. Any other criminal criminal convictio conviction n for acts done done in in connection with activities for which the certificate was issued or considered by BCSP to encumber those who rely on the certifications issued by BCSP, whether the conviction arises by a finding of guilty by a judge or jury, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere; or E. Unauthorized Unauthorized or illegal illegal use of a certifica certificate te issued issued by the BCSP or the unauthorized or illegal use of a certificate or license issued by another certification or licensing organization; or F. Unauth Unauthori orized zed or illegal illegal use of any any BCSP BCSP docume document; nt; or or G. Unauthorized Unauthorized possession, possession, distribution distribution or use use of any BCSP testing or examination materials including but not limited to, copying and/or reproduction of any BCSP examination questions or test related items; or disclosing to others any examination question or test related item. H. Unauthorized Unauthorized or illegal illegal use use of any registered registered certific certification ation mark or logo owned by the BCSP. BCSP.
Retaining the ASP Because the ASP is an interim designation showing progress toward the CSP, you may continue to hold the interim ASP title if you: • Meet all time limit rules. • Pay the the annua annuall renewa renewall fee. fee. • Pay all applicab applicable le late payments payments or other other fees. fees. Retaining the CSP If you achieve the CSP designation, you may continue to use it if you: • Meet Continuance Continuance of Certific Certification ation (COC) (COC) requirement requirements. s. • Pay the the annua annuall renewa renewall fee. fee. • Pay all applicab applicable le late payments payments or other other fees. fees. Annual renewal fees are due on January 1 each year and apply to persons holding the ASP, CSP, and CSP-Retired designations. Your designation becomes invalid if you fail to pay your annual renewal fee. You may reinstate an invalid designation within BCSP-established time limits by submitting a written request for reinstatement, paying applicable late fees, a reinstatement fee, and complying with COC and other applicable requirements. Once you achieve the CSP, you must meet COC requirements every five years. The COC program helps ensure that CSPs stay current in the safety profession. Your CSP designation becomes invalid if you fail to meet COC requirements. The CSP Continuance of Certification Guide explains these requirements in greater detail. Visit the Downloads page at www.bcsp.org to obtain a copy or contact BCSP.
Disciplinary actions may include any of the following: • Reject Reject or suspen suspend d an applicat application; ion; • Terminate erminate or suspend a candidate’ candidate’ss eligibility; eligibility; • Issue Issue a repr reprima imand; nd; • Suspend, Suspend, refuse refuse to renew or revok revokee the ASP or CSP; CSP; or • Terminate erminate or suspend suspend any status status with BCSP BCSP.
Protecting the ASP and CSP Designation The BCSP Bylaws (located on the Downloads page of the web site) provide detailed procedures for bringing charges and for hearings related to disciplinary charges.
BCSP acts to challenge those who use the ASP and CSP designations without without authority from BCSP. BCSP. Penalties may may include being barred from pursuing the certifications and publishing the names of violators. A directory of those holding certification certification from BCSP appears at www.bcsp.org. www.bcsp.org.
BCSP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct When applying for the CSP designation, you agree to abide by the BCSP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct on page 9.
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Board of Certified Safety Professionals
CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT This code sets forth the code of ethics and professional standards to be observed by holders of documents of certification certifica tion conferred by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Certificants Certifi cants shall, in their professional safety activities, sustain and advance the integrity, honor, and prestige of the safety profession by adherence to these standards. Standards 1. Hold paramount paramount th the e safety and health health of people, people, the protection protection of the the environment environment and protection of property in the performance of professional duties and exercise their obligation to advise employers, clients, employees, the public, and appropriate authorities of danger and unacceptable risks to people, the environment, or property. 2. Be honest, honest, fair fair,, and impartial; act w with ith responsibili responsibility ty and integrity. integrity. Adhere to high high standards standards of ethical conduct with balanced care for the interests of the public, employers, clients, employees, colleagues and the profession. Avoid all conduct or practice that is likely to discredit the profession or deceive the public. 3. Issue public public statements statements only only in an objective objective and and truthful truthful manner and only when when founded founded upon knowledge of the facts and competence in the subject matter. 4. Undertake assignments assignments only when qualified qualified by by education education or experience experience in the specific specific technical technical fields involved. Accept responsibility for their continued professional development by acquiring and maintaining competence through continuing education, experience and professional training. 5. Avoid Avoid deceptive deceptive acts that falsify falsify or misrepresen misrepresentt their academic academic or professional professional qualificat qualifications. ions. Not misrepresent or exaggerate their degree of responsibility in or for the subject matter of prior assignments. Presentations incident to the solicitation of employment shall not misrepresent pertinent facts concerning employers, employees, associates, or past accomplishments with the intent and purpose of enhancing their qualifications and their work. 6. Conduct their their professiona professionall relations relations by the the highest standards standards of integrity integrity and and avoid compromise compromise of their professional judgment by conflicts of interest. 7. Act in a manner free free of bias with with regard to religion, religion, ethnicity ethnicity,, gender, gender, age, national national origin, sexual orientat orientation, ion, or disability. disability. 8. Seek opportunities opportunities to be of constructive constructive service service in civic affairs affairs and work work for the the advancement advancement of of the safety, health and well-being of their community and their profession by sharing their knowledge and skills. Approved by the BCSP Board of Directors, October 2002.
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Application Instructions General
• List your major or program of of study title title as it it appears on your transcript. • List the degr degree( ee(s) s) earne earned. d. • Check one one appropriate appropriate box box to indicate indicate whether whether your your transcripts are enclosed or the schools are sending them. It is strongly recommended that you obtain your original official transcripts and include them with the application materials. This may avoid delays in processing your application.
Individuals who wish to pursue the CSP must submit a complete application. Candidates for the CSP apply only once, provided they follow all policies and stay within their time limits. BCSP can act only on the information you include in the application. Complete and well-written information will help evaluators to determine eligibility. eligibility. All applications must be mailed. All necessary forms are at the end of this guide. You can also view, edit, and print forms from the Downloads page at www.bcsp.org. www.bcsp.org. All forms must be typed typed or legibly legibly printed. If we cannot read your forms, we cannot evaluate your application. You should prepare a draft copy first and then prepare and mail a final copy. Do not send resumes, professional papers, continuing education course certificates, or any other item that is not specifically requested in these instructions. Applicant Personal Data • Check Mr. or Ms. Use your legal, given name as it appears on your government-issued identification. Do not use nicknames. You must notify BCSP about any subsequent name changes, and we require a copy of the legal document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) creating the change. • Provide your your social security security number if if you have one. one. It will become your identifying number. BCSP does not release it. • Prov Provid idee your your home address. You must notify BCSP about any address changes. • Provide Provide your your date date of of birth. birth. • Select one North North American American Industry Industry Classifi Classification cation System (NAICS) code from the table of NAICS codes (Table 2 on page 11) which best fits your current position. If your employer has multiple functions, you may add a second NAICS code on the application. NAICS has replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. • Provide your your home, home, work, mobile, mobile, and fax phone phone numbers. numbers. For numbers outside the U.S. and Canada, please include the country and city codes. • Provide Provide your your email email address(es address(es). ). College Education For each degree: • List the colleg collegee name(s), name(s), city, city, and state. state. • List the gradu graduati ation on date. date.
For each degree for which you are seeking credit, you must provide an official transcript. An official transcript is on official school paper and has the school registrar’s stamp or seal. The degree and the date the degree was awarded must appear on the transcript. You can only earn credit for one undergraduate degree and one graduate degree. You should send the transcript for the degree(s) which earn the highest number of points. Do not send photocopies. Summary of Professional Safety Experience List each full-time position (for which you are seeking credit) in reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent first). Also account for any discontinuity in employment, such as being a full-time student or unemployment. Each position must cover a separate and distinct time period and positions should not overlap. • • • •
List each each professional professional title of the position position.. List the the employer employer for each each position. position. List the month and and year for for each start start and end end date. List the the number of months months in each each position. position.
You must enclose a Professional Safety Experience Form for each position for which you are seeking credit. You should not complete an experience form for any time as a student or for any position which does not meet all of the qualifications listed on page 4. See the section entitled “Completing Professional Safety Experience Forms” on page 12 for more details. Professional References Professional references are people who can attest to your professional safety experience. You must submit at least two Reference Forms. One Reference Form must be from a current supervisor. If you are self-employed, use a client as a reference. If you are a student in an ABET accredited safety program, you must use a current faculty mentor from your degree program. The other reference must be another professional who is familiar with your professional safety experience.
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Table 2. NAICS Codes
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At least one reference must hold one of the following Application Payment Information certifications or licenses: Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Health Physicist • Please indicate indicate how you are paying your $125 $125 (CHP) or Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the United States, application fee. The application fee is not refundable or NEBOSH National Diploma, Canadian Registered Safety transferable. Professional (CRSP), or Member of the Singapore Institute of • If you you pay pay by check or money order, fees must be in Safety Officers (SISO). Verify that your reference currently holds U.S. dollars and all checks must be drawn on a U.S. the designation and is in good standing or BCSP may reject bank. Make checks or money orders payable to the your reference. If you absolutely cannot locate a reference with Board of Certified Safety Professionals or BCSP. Attach one of these credentials, you may submit three references the check or money order to the front of the Application instead of two. However, one reference must still be a current Form. supervisor. For further information on reference requirements see • If you you pay pay by credit card, please record the type of “Completing and Submitting Reference Forms” on page 13. card, credit card number and expiration date, sign your name, and enter the date. Current Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications Professional Advancement Advancement Mentor Program
Of the ones listed, mark all licenses, registrations, and certifications that you currently hold. You must enclose a copy of the license, certificate, etc. BCSP will also verify the status with the issuing organization.
Over the years, many CSPs encouraged, assisted, or required fellow safety professionals to pursue certification to advance their careers. In the past, BCSP did not have a way to recognize these contributions. A small step in that direction is a program that traces the role CSPs play in assisting aspiring CSP’s career development and then recognizing their contributions. Applicants and mentors can participate in this program by completing a Professional Advancement Mentor Program Form and submitting it with the candidate’s candidate’s application. Forms can be found on the Downloads page at www.bcsp.org .
Professional Society Memberships
Of the ones listed, check all professional health and safety societies of which you are ar e a current member. Primary Safety Specialty
Check only one specialty that best describes your overall qualifications.
Completing Professional Safety Experience Forms
Beginning with your current position, complete a separate Professional Safety Experience Form for each position in which you are seeking credit. If you held more than one position with an employer, you must complete a separate Professional Safety Experience Form for each position.
Validation
Complete this section before a notary public and have the notary sign and seal their witness. Your signature means that you agree with the statements printed above the signature block. BCSP will return applications that are not signed, dated, and notarized. BCSP requires applicants to disclose any criminal convictions issued by a court to the applicant. BCSP uses its policy relating to criminal convictions to determine whether the application can proceed or whether it is terminated. In some cases, the BCSP attorney must contact the applicant to clarify information about the conviction. conviction. A copy of the BCSP criminal conviction conviction policy appears on the BCSP web site at www.bcsp.org . BCSP also requires applicants to disclose any disciplinary actions or denial of certifications or licenses taken against the applicant by a certification board or agency issuing professional licenses or registrations. BCSP determines whether the action should be considered in the CSP application process.
All sections must be completed. Please refer to page 4 for an explanation of acceptable safety experience before completing your forms. In the SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES section write in each space the percent of time that you devoted to each of twelve major areas of professional safety practice. All functions must total 100%. Refer to Table 3 on page 13 for a description of each category. One of the most important items included with your application is the Professional Safety Experience Form. Provide a complete description of your three primary position functions that deal with areas A through K. Do NOT provide a description for area L (Functions that are not Safety, Health, or Environmental). Evaluators can only consider the information provided. If information does not clearly define job functions in detail, or give specific examples of work activity, evaluators cannot award credit for the work experience.
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BCSP may request additional information to decide on credit for a position, and such requests may delay the evaluation process. Do not submit formal job descriptions or resumes.
Table 3. Professional Safety Job Functions Hazard Identification: All activity related to the identification/verification of conditions, methods, or processes having the potential to cause damage or injury to people or property. property. Examples of tasks: visual inspections, review of documentation, i nterviews or in quiries, litera ture searches, applicat application ion of hazard analysis methods or system safety analyses.
Completing and Submitting Reference Forms Professional references provide important information in determining your eligibility. The Reference Forms submitted must be from the references listed on your Application Form. In certain cases, the Board may request additional references. The references must meet the criteria described on page 10. Reference Forms must be completed by the reference, not the applicant.
Hazard Evaluation: The review of recognized hazards associated with conditions, methods and processes or the comparing of existing hazard levels to standards. Examples: safety testing of equipment or processes, industrial hygiene sampling and analysis, and making computations to establish the level of hazard or risk. Hazard Control Design: Developing or proposing new methods, devices, equipment or processes that will reduce the level of hazard exposure by an acceptable amount. Examples: literature searches and consultations with experts, managers or others to identify potential hazard controls and their integration into existing designs or actually designing controls.
Submitting Your Application A complete application must include: qA current CSP Application Form (signed and notarized). qA $125 application fee. qAn official transcript for each degree for which credit is sought. BCSP only accepts and evaluates official transcripts. BCSP cannot evaluate copies. qA Professional Safety Experience Form covering each period of professional safety experience for which credit is sought. qReference Forms from at least two people.
Hazard Control Verification: All activity carried out to ensure that existing hazard control measures are performing as designed. Examples: conducting physical audits and tests of methods, devices, equipment and processes and determining if hazard controls are in place and functioning properly. Safety/Health Program Design: The planning, preparation and proposal of written policies and programmatic descriptions explaining systematic methods and procedures and assigning responsibilities for reducing the risk of personal personal injury, death or property damage. Examples: consultations and discussions with managers and officials about new or modified safety and health programs directly related to hazard control efforts.
Make a copy of all application materials for your records. Paper clip all materials together with the check or money order (if used) on top. Do not bind your materials or place them in a folder. Send materials to: Applications Board of Certified Safety Professionals 208 Burwash Burwa sh Avenue Avenue Savoy, Savoy, IL 61874
Safety/Health Program Evaluation: The review of existing safety and health programs in order to determine if program objectives are achieved. Examples: auditing of program activities, statistical analysis of program performance, and recommending modifications to existing programs. Safety/Health Communication: The development of audio, audiovisual, printed materials and other communication media based on identified problems, solutions and implementations which are directed at employees, supervision, management and external audiences to assist in abating accidents, injuries, or illnesses or to inform of safety and health problems and progress (not already included under the above categories). Investigation and Statistical Reporting:The Reporting: The inquiry into complaints, claimed or real exposures, review of accidents, incidents, injuries and illnesses that have occurred along with the review of resource literature literatur e and related standards. The determination of possible causal factors and remedial measures. This activity may include the compilation of data and preparation of reports. Safety Training/Education: The selection and packaging of hazard-related information to assist various audiences in accepting, understanding and applying knowledge to their respective activities, duties and responsibilities. The audiences may include employees, supervisors, managers, professional and technical people, and the public. Supervision of Other Safety Personnel: The direction of subordinate safety and health personnel in order to support hazard control programs. This may include routine supervision, technical guidance and evaluation of professional performance. Environmental Environmental Protection: All activity carried out in order to characterize and control potentially harmful agents, wastes and other effluents in order to minimize their damage to the environment and ecological systems. Neither Safety/Health Nor Environmental Functions: All activities which do not fall within any of the above eleven categories.
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BCSP SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION ORDER FORM Safety Fundamentals ______ Comp Compre rehen hensi sive ve Prac Practi tice ce ____ ______ __
Quantity:
Total otal numb number er of copi copies es
____ ______ __
@
$95. $95.00 00 each each Total order: order : $ __________
Illinois residents add 6.5% sales tax ($6.18) per copy: $ __________ Total payment enclosed/charged: $ __________ Ship to: Name (print) _______________________________ _______________________________________________ ___________________________ ___________
Address _______________________________ ________________________________________________ ______________________________ _____________ City _____________________________ ________________________________________ ___________ State ___________________ ___________________ ZIP Code/Postal Code/Postal Code _____________________ Country ______________________ Phone _________________________________ Payment method:
Personal check q Money order
Company check q Credit/debit card
q
q
(Checks and money orders order s must be payable in U.S. dollars and made payable to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals . Foreign checks must be drawn on a U.S. U.S. bank. Purchase orders are not accepted.) q q
American Express Discover/Novus
MasterCard q Visa q
Credit/debit Credit/debit card number ________________________________ ________________________________ Expiration date __________ Signature ___________________________________________________________________ Name as appearing on card ______________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _______________ Mail, phone, or fax your orders to:
Self-assessment Examination Orders Board of Certified Safety Professionals 208 Burwash Avenue Savoy, IL 61874 Phone: Fax:
217-359-9263 217-359-0055
Fax and phone orders must use a credit or debit card.
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