Quick Jumps: Preliminary Designations + OHST Certificate Programs + OHST/CLCS Review and Study Sources + OHST/CLCS Retired Status

The Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) & Certified Loss Control (CLCS) Certification Program

Occupational Health and Safety Technologists or Certified Loss Control Specialists are persons who perform occupational health and safety activities on a full-time or part-time basis as part of their job duties. Some examples of occupational health and safety activities (also performed by loss control specialists) are making worksite assessments to determine risks, potential hazards and controls, evaluating risks and hazard control measures, investigating incidents, maintaining and evaluating incident and loss records, and preparing emergency response plans. Both the OHST and CLCS examinations cover the same knowledge. 

OHST/CLCS candidates:

• May work part-time or full-time in occupational health or safety (35% is the minimum)
• Have duties that require technical skills and knowledge in occupational health or safety
• Must have five years of experience in occupational health or safety
• Must pass the OHST/CLCS examination

Candidates may substitute college courses in health and safety or an associate degree or higher in certain disciplines for some or all of the experience requirement. Degrees that may be substituted for experience are noted in BCSP's education standards. Students in associate or higher degree programs in occupational safety and health may sit for the examination during their last semester.

To retain the OHST/CLCS certification, individuals must:

• Pay an annual renewal fee
• Meet Recertification requirements

Interim Designations

Candidates not yet meeting the experience requirement, may take the OHST/CLCS examination. Upon passing the exam, candidates are awarded the Associate Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (AOHST) or Associate Certified Loss Control Specialist (ACLCS) designation. Both are temporary designations that denote progress toward the OHST/CLCS certification.

AOHSTs may put "Associate Occupational Health and Safety Technologist" or "AOHST" after their name and they receive a wall certificate to display and a press release announcement. ACLCSs may put "Associate Certified Loss Control Specialist" or "ACLCS" after their name and they also receive a wall certificate and press release announcement. AOHSTs/ACLCSs need not meet recertification requirements, but must pay an annual renewal fee (prorated the first year). Once all OHST/CLCS experience qualifications are met, the AOHST is awarded the OHST certification or the ACLCS is awarded the CLCS certification.

OHST Certificate Programs

Candidates for the OHST may waive some of the experience requirement by completing a certificate program in safety and health recognized by BCSP. Certificate programs can be operated by either an academic institution or by a private or governmental organization.

Here is a list of certificate programs that qualify for credit toward the OHST certification:

• Central Maine Community College - Occupational Health and Safety Technologist Certificate (1 1/4 year)
• Texas Engineering Extension Service - Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)- Certified Safety and Health Official™ - (1 year)
• Keene State College - Region 1 Certified Safety and Health Official (1/2 year)

OHST/CLCS Review and Study Sources

Because candidates for BCSP examinations often ask where to locate review courses and study materials, BCSP maintains a list strictly as a courtesy. For a detailed list, click on the Review and Study Sources page. Additionally, BCSP has created a Library of Safety Practice containing the most up-to-date source material for every domain on the exams.

OHST/CLCS Retired Status

Retired OHST/CLCS status is for someone who has held either the OHST or CLCS certification and has requested and been granted the retired status by BCSP. This status means a person is no longer active as a health and safety practitioner on a part-time or full-time basis. It does not necessarily mean that someone is retired from active employment in general.

Please refer to the Retired Election Form for more information regarding OHST/CLCS Retired Status.

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