There are many different types of certifications for safety professionals, including certified safety professional, industrial hygienist, occupational nurse and other specialists. Did you ever wonder what each of these credentials represents and what kind of education you need to earn it? I do. I looked into it. And two years ago, I wrote about what I found. Times have changed since then and so have some of the requirements. Here’s an update of what’s now involved in attaining a CRSP designation.

What a CRSP Is

CRSP is a Canadian designation. It stands for Canadian Registered Safety Professional. CRSPs are dedicated to the principles of loss control, accident prevention and environmental protection.

Education and Employment Requirements

Effective this year, applicants must have completed a one-year college or university certificate or diploma program in occupational health, safety or environment, or a two-year college or university non-occupational health, safety or environment certificate or diploma program.

The applicant must currently work in an OHS&E function where OHS&E functions and responsibilities take up more than 50 percent (900 hours a year) of the applicant’s time. Applicants must also have three continuous years of OHS&E experience immediately before making application.

To obtain a CRSP designation it is necessary to pass a closed book multiple-choice examination of between 190 and 210 questions. The test lasts three-and-a-half hours and is administered every year in May and October. The pass mark is set at a level representing the performance expected of a competent safety professional.

Registration Requirements

CRSP registration is a six-step process: application, evaluation, interview, examination, approval and confirmation.

It will help if you have general knowledge of the following:

• Accident theory;
• Environmental practices;
• Ergonomics;
• Fire prevention and protection;
• Health promotion;
• HSE auditing;
• Law and ethics;
• Occupational health safety and environment systems;
• Occupational hygiene;
• Risk management; and
• Safety techniques and technology.

How Much It Costs

Here are the costs associated with obtaining the CRSP designation:

• Guide to Registration: $ 75 CD-ROM; $125 hard copy
• Application fee: $425
• Re-examination fee: $100.
• Extension of examination writing period: $100
• Annual registration fee: $125

(Note: GST of five percent will be added to all fees.)

How Long It Takes

Generally, the whole process can take between six months to a year or more, longer if additional documentation/clarification is required after the initial review process or if re-examination is required.

Once candidates have completed their interview and are recommended by the Regional Screening Centres they are granted a two-year window in which to write the examination for the first time. Candidates may request, for a fee of $100, a one-time, one-year extension should they be unable to schedule the examination writing within the initial two year period

Continued Learning

A Certification Maintenance Program has been established to ensure that CRSPs advance their knowledge of the profession. It requires participants to earn a minimum number of points to maintain their CRSP credentials, through academic activities, professional pursuits or other qualifications.

Conclusion

For more information, visit the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals website at http://www.bcrsp.ca/index.html. That’s the CRSP in a nutshell. Next week, I’ll explain what it takes to earn the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation.

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