About the CSP

Who administers the exam?

The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential is a widely recognized American certification in occupational health and safety, respected by employers, industries, and government agencies across the United States and internationally.

This certification is awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization established to advance the safety profession through professional certification. Founded in 1969, BCSP is dedicated to promoting high standards of competence, ethics, and professionalism within the occupational health and safety field.

BCSP develops and administers certification examinations and grants the CSP credential to qualified occupational health and safety professionals who meet defined education and experience requirements. According to BCSP, many employers require or strongly prefer candidates who hold the CSP credential as a way to verify professional competence and credibility for safety roles. The certification process also allows BCSP to help ensure that certified professionals uphold the highest standards of excellence, accountability, and ethical practice throughout their careers.

Is the CSP Right for You?

Here is a quote from the BCSP website that briefly answers these questions:

“Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs) are safety leaders who apply advanced knowledge and professional judgment to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control hazards. They help organizations reduce risk through effective safety management systems, regulatory compliance, and strategic decision-making, often influencing senior leadership and organizational culture.”
(Note: be sure to check out BCSP’s official website for a more in-depth summary.)

Who qualifies for the CSP?

To qualify for the certification, you’ll be required to meet qualification standards, including education and professional safety experience requirements — and you must also hold a BCSP Qualified Credential before you can earn the CSP.
At minimum, candidates should meet the following general requirements:
Education: Candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field) from an accredited institution.
Experience: Candidates must have four (4) years of professional safety experience, where safety is a key part of the role and involves applying professional-level judgment and responsibility.
Qualified Credential: Candidates must already hold a BCSP Qualified Credential (for example, the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) or a recognized qualifying credential/designation accepted by BCSP).
(Note: requirements may change or be updated. Check the official BCSP website for the most accurate, current eligibility criteria.)

How do you get certified for the CSP?

Let’s begin by going through this timeline below, which outlines the CRSP certification process. All prospective candidates begin by going through the CRSP eligibility process. Once they have been accepted, they continue with the application and registration processes. Throughout this time, candidates should be studying and reviewing the required materials. Approximately five to nine months after beginning their journey, they will be able to write the CRSP exam. Then it will take between one to two months to receive their exam results, after which any membership and processing fees will be required.

Let’s begin by going through a general timeline below, which outlines the CSP certification process.

All prospective candidates begin by confirming they meet the CSP eligibility requirements (education + experience + qualified credential). Once eligible, they proceed through the application process through BCSP’s certification system. After approval, candidates purchase and schedule the CSP exam and continue studying throughout the process.

Most candidates follow this general flow:
Confirm eligibility (degree + safety experience + qualified credential)
Apply for the CSP through BCSP
BCSP reviews your application
Pay exam fees and schedule the exam
Study and prepare (often using BCSP exam prep resources)
Write the CSP exam

Receive results and complete certification requirements

(Note: the timing varies by candidate depending on how quickly applications are processed and how soon the exam is scheduled, but many candidates plan for several months from start to finish.)

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Let’s break down each step and take a closer look.

Step 1: Applying

After candidates confirm their eligibility, they should apply for the CSP through BCSP’s online certification portal. BCSP requires applicants to meet education, professional safety experience, and “qualified credential” requirements (such as holding the ASP or another BCSP-recognized qualifying credential).
The application process typically includes providing details and documentation that support your eligibility, such as:
• Academic education (bachelor’s degree requirement)
• Professional safety experience (professional-level work where safety is a primary function)
• Your qualified credential status (ASP, GSP, or another BCSP-accepted qualifier)
BCSP emphasizes that applicants should confirm they meet the requirements before submitting, as certification eligibility is based on meeting the published criteria.

Step 2: Peer Interview

Once the application is submitted, BCSP conducts a review to confirm the applicant meets the CSP requirements. BCSP’s overall “Get Certified” guidance explains that approval of the application is the checkpoint that allows candidates to proceed toward purchasing and scheduling the CSP exam.

Step 3: Further Waiting

After the application is approved, candidates move into the “Achieve” phase: they are able to purchase, schedule, and take the CSP exam. BCSP also notes that candidates have up to one year to schedule and pass the exam after their application is approved.
(Tip: Because you have a one-year exam eligibility window, it helps to start planning your exam date early so your timeline stays on track.)

Step 4: Approval

BCSP exams (including the CSP) are delivered through computer-based testing at BCSP’s testing partner, Pearson VUE. Once approved, candidates schedule their exam date through the testing platform, selecting a location and time that fits their availability.
BCSP also provides guidance on what to expect when writing at a Pearson VUE testing center, including the requirement to bring an acceptable government-issued photo ID.

Step 5: Consider the Right Exam Date

Because candidates generally have one year after application approval to schedule and pass the CSP exam, selecting a realistic date is important. Some candidates write sooner to maintain momentum, while others schedule later to allow more study time, but BCSP’s one-year timeframe makes it important to plan ahead and avoid letting the eligibility window run out.

Step 6: Register for an Exam Date

After approval, candidates purchase the exam through BCSP and then schedule with Pearson VUE. BCSP also offers exam bundles (which may include multiple attempts and prep tools), and they publish fee details and options in their official credential resources.

(Tip: registering early helps keep you accountable, once the exam date is set, your study plan becomes easier to structure.)

Step 7: Exam Preparation

A strong CSP exam study plan should include:

Reviewing the CSP exam content areas (blueprint)
Building a weekly study schedule
Taking practice questions or self-assessments
Strengthening weak areas as you progress

Step 8: Write the Exam and Wait for the Results

The CSP exam is written via computer-based testing, and BCSP states that official results are available as soon as candidates submit their exam (meaning you generally don’t wait weeks or months for a score report). After passing and meeting the certification requirements, candidates are awarded the CSP credential and become BCSP certificants.

How much does this exam cost?

BCSP publishes credential fee and exam timeline information in its official resources, including the Credentials At-A-Glance document.
In addition to application/exam costs, BCSP also requires an annual renewal fee to retain use of the CSP credential. BCSP’s renewal FAQ lists the CSP renewal fee as $180 (as part of their renewal fee schedule).
(Note: Fees can change. Always confirm current amounts on the official BCSP website before applying.)

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About the CSP

The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification is a widely accepted form of professional recognition by industry and government across the United States and in many regions internationally. This certification is awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), an American nonprofit organization that serves the public interest by advancing the safety profession through certification. Founded in 1969, BCSP is dedicated to promoting high standards of competency, ethics, and professionalism in occupational health and safety. BCSP administers professional safety certification exams and credentials qualified safety professionals who meet established education and experience requirements.

How to be a great CSP test taker

We’ve talked a lot about planning so far and how to approach scheduling for the CSP. However, the most important point, one that is foundational to success, is being realistic with yourself. No matter how detailed or structured your study plan is, it won’t be effective unless it truly reflects your schedule, responsibilities, and the amount of time you can consistently commit. Candidates who set expectations that don’t match their real circumstances often fall behind, become discouraged, or end up with results that don’t meet their goals. Unrealistic plans also tend to create unnecessary stress and wasted effort. A realistic CSP preparation timeline, built around your actual workload and personal commitments, gives you the best chance of staying consistent, confident, and successful.

How to choose the right CSP exam date

So you’ve applied and been approved by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) to take the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) exam. Congratulations! Now, the next big step is choosing your exam date, but which one?

Overall, BCSP gives candidates up to one (1) year from the approval of their application to schedule and pass the CSP exam. This means your exam planning should revolve around that one-year eligibility window.

What if you don’t pass the first time?

BCSP allows candidates to retake the exam if needed, but there are important scheduling rules to keep in mind:

If you do not pass, you must wait at least six (6) weeks before retaking the exam.
Your ability to retake the exam still depends on your remaining eligibility time within the one-year window.

That’s why choosing the right exam date matters, not only to give yourself enough time to study, but also to protect your opportunity to retake the exam if needed, without running out of time.

Let’s take a look at some examples.

Example 1: Writing early (recommended for flexibility)
If you schedule your CSP exam within the first few months after approval, you leave yourself more time in the one-year window in case you need a retake after the required six-week waiting period.

Example 2: Writing late (higher risk)
If you schedule your first attempt near the end of your one-year eligibility period, you may limit your ability to retake the exam, even though retakes are allowed, because your eligibility window may expire before you can schedule another attempt.

How to make a CRSP exam preparation strategy that works for you

There’s more to successfully passing the CSP exam than just studying and memorizing textbook materials. As a future candidate, it isn’t enough to simply recognize concepts and terminology and hope that’s enough to earn a passing score. You must be able to connect what you’ve learned to real-world safety practice—applying professional judgment, solving problems, and selecting the best controls or strategies based on workplace conditions.

In other words, the CSP exam rewards candidates who can bridge the gap between knowledge and application. Let’s review some proven preparation methods you can build into your study plan to help you succeed—not only on the CSP exam, but also as a stronger safety professional in your career.