The Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Certification Program

Candidates for the CHST certification are typically employed as safety and health specialists on construction job sites, serving in either full-time or part-time positions. Typical individuals are responsible for safety and health on one or more significant construction projects or job sites. They may work for an owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or firm involved in construction or construction safety.

Candidates must meet the following requirements:
•    Have a high school diploma and be qualified as an OSHA authorized instructor or have 40 hours of classroom training in construction safety and health or have three years of experience in a construction position or have an associate degree or higher in safety and health or have at least 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of college credit in safety and health courses 
•    Must have three years of work experience with the minimum of one year of work experience combined with at least an Associate's degree in safety and health.
•    Pass the CHST examination 
•    Complete Certification Maintenance requirements every five years and pay an annual renewal fee

Candidates may substitute college courses in health and safety or an associate degree or higher in certain disciplines for up to 2 years of the experience requirement. Students in associate or higher degree programs in occupational safety and health may sit for the examination during their last semester.

The examination, which became computer-based in 1997, contains 200 multiple choice questions. Candidates have four hours to complete the examination. The four task areas covered by the examination (and the portion devoted to each) are as follows:
•    Program Management (29%)
•    Worksite Auditing (40%)
•    Training (27%)
•    Professional Responsibility (4%)

CHST Self-assessment Examination

A CHST Self-assessment Examination is available through CCHEST. This examination contains 100 multiple-choice items typical of the actual OHST examination with correct answers and worked solutions.

Because candidates for CCHEST examinations often ask where to locate review courses and materials, CCHEST maintains a list strictly as a courtesy. For a detailed list, click on the Review and Study Sources page. Additionally, BCSP has created a Library of Safety Practice where anyone can find the most up-to-date source material for every domain on the exams.

CHST Fees

There are fees associated with the CHST certification.  Fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

• Application Fee: $140 (as of January 1, 2010)
• Examination Authorization Fee: $265  (for computer-delivered examinations taken inside the U.S. or Canada) 
• Examination Authorization Fee: $365 (for computer-delivered examinations taken outside the U.S. or Canada)
• Examination Authorization Fee (for examinations taken by pencil-and-paper at special locations)  

• CHST Annual Renewal Fee: $105
• Examination Authorization Extension: $50 
• Reinstatement Fee: $105
• CHST-Retired Annual Renewal Fee: $25

Checks, money orders, and credit cards are acceptable forms of payment.  Make checks and money orders payable to CCHEST.  Pay all fees in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank.  Fees may change at any time.

Non-sufficient fund checks will stop action on the certification process for any candidate or certificate holder covered by the check and the check originator will be billed for any related NSF fees.

Qualified veterans and certain active military and reservists can seek reimbursement from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) for CHST examination fees.  Contact your regional VA office for eligibility and reimbursement details.

The CHST program is nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Recognitions for the CHST

Below is a summary of known recognitions for the CHST certification.  If you are aware of others at the federal, state or local level, please notify CCHEST.

•    U.S. Navy: CHST recognized by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)

States
•    Kansas: CHST recognized in workers' compensation law as a professional qualified to provide accident prevention services.
•    Minnesota: CHST listed in a law which protects use of the CHST and other safety and health certification titles.
•    Nevada: CHST listed in a law which protects use of the CHST and other safety and health certification titles.
•    New York: CHST accepted by the City of New York, Department of Environment for certain construction contracts.
•    Pennsylvania: Recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Workers' Compensation as a means for those holding it to qualify as an "Accident and Illness Prevention Service Provider" in the state of Pennsylvania while employed in the construction industry.
•    Texas: CHST approved by the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission for Texas Field Safety Representative and TWCC Approved Professional Safety Sources in Texas.

CHST Examination Information

The CHST examination, which became computer-based in 1997, has 200 multiple-choice questions, some involving computations. Candidates have four hours to complete the examination.

Please refer to the CHST Candidate Handbook for the examination blueprint, the formula sheet, and calculator policy.

Certification Maintenance

The OHST/CHST Certification Maintenance (CM) program helps ensure that OHSTs and CHSTs stay current in their profession. If you hold the OHST and/or CHST certifications, you must participate in professional development activities after your initial certification and report such activities every five years. You must achieve 20 points in the program every five-year cycle and failure to meet this requirement will result in loss of certification.

This 5-year cycle is based on the rate at which CHST practice changes. CCHEST has determined that 5 years is a reasonable period to measure the activities in which a certificant engages to remain up-to-date with current trends in practice.

Refer to the CM Guide and Worksheet on the website for complete program details.

CHST Retired Status

Retired OHST/CLCS or CHST status means that someone who has held either of these certifications has requested and been granted the retired status by CCHEST. This status means that a person is no longer active as a health and safety practitioner on a part-time or full-time basis. It does not necessarily mean that someone is retired from active employment in general or working in safety and health part-time. Retired status must be requested in writing.

While in retired status, the following designations may be used: OHST (Retired) or OHST (Ret.), if the OHST certification was previously held, and CHST (Retired) or CHST (Ret.), if the CHST certification was previously held. While in retired status a reduced annual renewal fee must be paid and the OHST or CHST is listed in the retired section of the CCHEST Directory (either online or in print). Retired OHSTs and CHSTs still receive the CCHEST Newsletter.

A major advantage of retired status is having the option of returning to the OHST or CHST status without having to reapply and pass the examination(s). If in retired status for less than five years, the individual may seek to reactivate the OHST or CHST certification. To do so, the individual must pay the difference in annual renewal fees between that of the retired status and OHST or CHST status for the period that the retired status was held. The individual must also demonstrate that the CM requirements in effect or past due at the time of reactivation have been met.

If the individual wishes to be reactivated and more than five years have passed since electing retired status, the individual must pass the current, applicable OHST or CHST examination. If seeking reinstatement at any time after electing the retired status, the individual must demonstrate compliance with CM requirements for any past CM cycle(s) not previously reconciled. The individual must also pay the difference in annual renewal fees between that of the retired status and OHST or CHST status for the period that the retired status was held.

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