How do you become a certified safety professional CSP?
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) are responsible for conducting certified safety professional (CSP )exams. Passing the exams is not child’s play, as every candidate needs to study hard for hours to earn the certificate.
When a candidate passes the exams, there is a sense of joy and triumph in that person’s mind, which could be due to the hours of hard work that the candidate has to put in to pass the exam. There are enormous benefits attached to earning a Certified safety professional credentials.
What are the benefits of Certified Safety Professional credentials?
- The Certified Safety Professional Credentials is a Gold standard. Getting the certificate alone will make your colleagues see you as someone highly proficient in safety. Having the credentials will allow you to affix CSP after your name, making people in the industry respect you.
- CSP is a well-respected credential in the EHS industry. So, it carries more weight to you as being competent in the field of EHS.
- Many EHS jobs will require you to have a CSP certificate. So, getting a CSP certificate will give you an edge to stay above the competition and to get your CV on the table of employers. Even when employed, your CSP certificate will boost your chances of getting a higher salary, making you feel accomplished in your field.
What are the requirements to take the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) exam?
- To register for a CSP exam, you must have a minimum bachelor’s degree in any field Plus 4 years of safety experience in a workplace where safety is at least 50% preventive at the professional level.
- You will have at least one of the BCSP-qualified credentials. The Bcsp qualified credentials are Associate Safety Professional ASP, Graduate Safety Professional GSP, Certified Industrial Hygienist CIH and so on.
- When you have met the above criteria, you will now apply and purchase a schedule for the exam, and then you will take the exam having paid an application fee and an exam fee.
The exam topics and details for the certified safety professional course
The CSP exam covers a broad range of topics. The topics and details can be obtained from the CSP Exam blueprint on the BCSP website. Inside the CSP exam blueprint, you will see the subjects or domains and the knowledge and skills you need to understand those domains.
There are nine different domains in the CSP exam blueprint. Each of the domains contains a percentage of questions that can be asked. For example, we have Advanced science and mathematics topics as one of the domains, so only 9. 95% of questions on the CSP exam come from this domain.
The list of the 9 domains and a percentage of questions in each of them are
- Advanced science and mathematics (9.95% )
- Management system (13.34 %)
- Risk management (14. 49 %)
- Advanced application of key safety concepts (14. 69 %)
- Emergency preparedness, fire prevention, and security (10. 59%)
- Occupational health and ergonomics (12. 05%)
- Environmental management systems (7. 38%)
- Trading and education (10. 18%)
- Law and ethics (7. 3%)
Some safety professionals may want to purchase a practice exam before the main exam. There are many options for the practice exam, for example, the CSP ExamCORE by BCSP and the certified safety professional (CSP) exam online prep by SPAN.
The CSP exam is a closed-book exam. No candidate can use the books, study guides, or any materials during the exam, but a specific calculator can be used.
What happens after passing the CSP exam?
- After taking and passing the CSP exam, You’ll be required to pay an annual renewal fee to BCSP.
- You will also be required to obtain and maintain 25 free recertification points every 5 years to bcsp.
- You earn recertification points from attending EHS training and professional development conferences.
Code of ethics for BCSP.
BCSP Credentials come with a responsibility. And everyone involved has to follow the BCP code of ethics. The code of ethics is also included in the exam. There are eight codes of ethics that every CSP member must follow.
Summary of the BCSP code of ethics.
- Advise others about hazards and unacceptable dangers.
- Be honest and fair and act with responsibility. Follow the highest standard of ethical conduct.
- Issue public statements with facts and competence.
- Undertake tasks when scaled by education and experience. Always maintain your competence through continuing education.
- Avoid fraudulent acts that can lead to falsification.
- Conduct professional relationships by the highest standard of integrity.
- Do not discriminate or act against others due to race, colour, religion, gender, age, marital status, etc.
- Opportunity to be of service to people and your community.
In conclusion.
The joy of most EHS professionals is to become a CSP. But then there are requirements you must meet before taking the exams. The exams are not a walk in the park; anyone willing to take the exams puts in the work to ensure they pass them. A congratulatory message awaits you after passing the exams. Being a CSP will give you more benefits as a professional; it will increase your career pay and position you as competent.
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