Is this the year you resolved to finally get your CSP designation? Good for you! Now brace yourself. Studying for the Certified Safety Professional examination takes time and dedication. Here are 10 quick tips to help you succeed. (Note: These tips also apply to those going for the CHMM, CIH or any other certification. And for Canadian readers, just replace the references to ASSE and CSP with CSSE and CRSP.)

Tip #1: Stock up on the books. I would suggest that you review all of the information on the BCSP (Board of Certified Safety Professionals) website and get a copy of all the reference books recommended.

Tip #2: Learn the standards. Get very familiar with the OSHA website. You should just about memorize 29 CFR 1910 (the basic Occupational Safety and Health standards) and 1904 (Injury & Illness Reporting), and acquire a more than passing familiarization with 1926 (Construction). And don’t forget 1915 (Shipyard), 1917 (Marine Terminals) & 1918 (Longshoring). In Canada, concentrate on the equivalent standards in your province’s OHS regulations.

Tip #3: Read – a lot! Read the various chapters of all of the reference books. Then read them again.

Tip #4: Learn math. Practice working out lots of math problems. Get to understand what all of the equations mean and how to work the calculations.

Tip #5: Convert. Know how to convert furlongs per fortnight to kiloacres per light year. OK, maybe don't go that far, but know how to go from millimeters to kilometer to micrometers to inches, miles per hour to kilometers per hour, cubic feet per minute to cubic centimeters per second, etc. You get the picture.

Tip #6: Read some more. Remember those reference books we talked about in Tips #1 and 3? Well, when you’re done reading them all, read them again.

Tip #7: Pace yourself. Dedicate yourself to sitting down and studying two or three hours every day. Tell your family that “Daddy [or Mommy] has to do this so we can have a good life.” And do it. If you get tired (and you will) take a break. But keep at it. Remember, though, that balance is very important: The weekends are for family.

Tip #8: Get help. Join the ASSE local chapter and go to the meetings. Tell people that you are studying for the CSP exam and need help. You will be pleasantly surprised that you will get offers of help. Collect business cards and find out what each person’s specialty is. Then call them and ask for help. These contacts are apt to ripen into lifelong friendships.

Tip #9: Test yourself. Make flash cards and have someone quiz you or buy the commercial CSP Exam software. It will get you into the habit of using the computer to take a test. You have practice sessions – where they give you the answer and you have exam practices that are graded after you’ve completed all of the questions. The software tells you your score and gives you the answers for what you’ve missed.

Tip #10: Commit yourself. When you are ready, take the test. Or, better still, make a deadline, say 6 to 9 months from now. Sign up NOW. Pay your money NOW. It will create a sense of urgency in you to continue to study. Many people work better under a deadline.

Conclusion

If you don’t pass on the first try, DO NOT GIVE UP! Continue to study, ask for help.  If you put in the dedication and effort, you will become a CSP!

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