Health and Safety Technician
Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Construction Health and Safety Technician® (CHST®) is a certification offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) for people who carry safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) responsibilities on construction projects and jobsites. According to BCSP, those duties may be all or only part of the role, and the expertise may span one or more significant projects. Candidates may work for an owner, a general contractor, a subcontractor, or a firm involved in SH&E practice and/or construction. BCSP notes that many employers assign construction SH&E functions to people in critical worker-leading roles, and that many practitioners use the CHST as a path to larger SH&E roles.
To sit for the exam you need three years of construction safety experience in which at least 35% of job duties required technical SH&E skills and knowledge, plus a passing exam score, an annual renewal fee, and ongoing recertification. Once BCSP determines eligibility, you have one year to take and pass the examination, which costs $300 for a single exam and is delivered by computer at a Pearson test center; official results are available as soon as you submit. BCSP publishes a CHST exam blueprint and a references list, and offers examCORE, a self-paced online course covering each blueprint area with pre- and post-assessments and access to over 1,000 questions. Completion of examCORE does not guarantee a pass.
What you'll study
About Health and Safety Technician preparation
How is the CHST exam delivered?
BCSP states that examinations are delivered via computer at a Pearson test center, and Pearson has hundreds of test centers around the world. You schedule through a single sign-on link from your BCSP My Profile. Official results are available as soon as you submit your exam.
What does the CHST exam cost?
BCSP lists the CHST examination at $300 for a single examination. You can buy it during the application process as an application and exam bundle, or after your application is approved. BCSP directs candidates to the current Credentials At-A-Glance PDF for current prices.
How long do I have to take the exam after being approved?
You have one year from approval of your application to sit for any purchased examination authorizations. BCSP states that once you are determined eligible, candidates have one year to take and pass the certification's examination, so plan your study schedule around that window.
Can I retake the exam if I fail, and how soon?
BCSP states you may schedule the exam at any time available as long as it is at least six weeks from your last exam attempt. BCSP also notes that examCORE customers who need to retake their exam may be eligible to extend examCORE access up to six months at no charge, provided they completed examCORE before that exam.
What experience do I need before applying?
BCSP requires three years of experience in construction safety where at least 35% of the job duties require or required technical skills and knowledge in safety, health, and environment (SH&E). You must also meet all other certification requirements to be eligible, and BCSP reviews your application after submission and payment.
What does the exam cover, and how should I prepare?
BCSP publishes a CHST Exam Blueprint and a CHST Exam References list, so start by downloading both and mapping your study to the blueprint areas. BCSP's examCORE is a self-paced online course covering each blueprint area, with pre- and post-assessments and access to over 1,000 questions; BCSP notes completion does not guarantee a pass.
What is a common reason candidates struggle?
A frequent pitfall is studying generic safety content instead of the published CHST blueprint and references, which BCSP provides specifically for this exam. Another is treating examCORE completion as sufficient preparation, even though BCSP explicitly states that completing examCORE does not guarantee passing the BCSP exam.
What happens after I pass?
Candidates who meet requirements and pass become BCSP certificants. BCSP assesses an annual fee to credential holders to retain use of BCSP credentials, and all credential holders must stay current with changes in professional practice and earn recertification points required every five years.
Do I have to disclose legal or licensing issues?
Yes. BCSP requires applicants, candidates, and credential holders to disclose convictions or professional license or credential suspensions, revocations, or probation under its criminal conviction and actions policy. BCSP reviews this information confidentially and reserves the right to deny an application, revoke eligibility, or act against a status holder.
How do I apply?
BCSP states you may apply at any time by selecting the My Profile portal from any BCSP.ORG webpage. After creating an account, select the Applications menu button to start your application. BCSP reviews the application once it is submitted and payment has been made.