How NCCER Training Gets You Closer to BCSP Certification

Many construction professionals build safety knowledge through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) training without realizing how closely that knowledge aligns with concepts covered in BCSP’s certification exams. While training alone isn’t a substitution for exam preparation, understanding where knowledge overlaps can help professionals focus their studying and pursue certification with greater confidence.

That’s why BCSP and NCCER have utilized their strategic partnership to highlight certification pathways between the two organizations and elevate safety standards across the construction industry. The goal is to help construction professionals better understand how existing training may support certification preparation and career growth.

NCCER vs. BCSP

NCCER, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, is the leading nonprofit provider of construction education for industry and career and technical education programs. With flexible workforce development and learning solutions, NCCER’s programs provide consistency and quality to ensure craft professionals and learners receive industry-recognized credentials and certifications.

BCSP, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, is the leading not-for-profit organization that sets standards and issues highly respected credentials for environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professionals.

While NCCER training and BCSP certification serve different purposes, they complement each other: NCCER training builds practical construction and safety knowledge, while BCSP certifications assess competency through examination.

How NCCER Training Supports BCSP Certification Preparation

NCCER curricula can provide familiarity with concepts reflected in BCSP’s exam blueprints. For example, NCCER's Field Safety curriculum and the Safety Technology curriculum align with the blueprint topics for BCSP's Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC) certification.

Additionally, NCCER’S Foreman Leadership Certification program and Superintendent Leadership Certification program align with blueprint topics for BCSP’s Construction Safety and Health Technician (CHST) certification. Because the CHST represents the more advanced certification, requiring more experience and on-the-job knowledge, individuals who meet the training and experience requirements for the CHST would typically also be eligible for the STSC, which focuses on foundational safety knowledge and skills. As a result, those earning NCCER leadership certifications may begin their safety certification journey with the STSC or pursue the CHST as a more advanced progression, depending on their experience level.

The NCCER and BCSP pathway also highlights how training content connects to certification blueprint domains, which helps professionals identify areas where they may already have familiarity and where additional preparation may be beneficial.

Key takeaways:

• Five BCSP exam domains are represented across NCCER curricula
• Two BCSP certifications have direct curriculum-to-blueprint mapping: STSC and CHST
• Leadership and safety-focused training may reinforce concepts represented across multiple certification domains.

From Training to Certification

NCCER training can help drive familiarity with concepts reflected in BCSP certification blueprints, leading to a strong foundation for professional development.

A typical certification pathway may include:

1. Complete NCCER Training: Participate in NCCER craft, safety, and/or leadership programs that include workplace safety topics, hazard recognition, communication, and safety program implementation.
2. Build Practical Experience: Use your safety knowledge on the job and continue to develop competency through work experience.
3. Apply for Certification: Apply for the certification which demonstrates your skills.
4. Prepare for Certification: Review BCSP blueprints, identify knowledge gaps, and study across all required exam areas before testing. As needed, utilize examCORE as a study aid.
5. Earn and Maintain Your Credential: Take your exam and achieve certification. Continue your professional growth through ongoing professional development and industry experience.

Why This Matters

For construction professionals considering safety certification, understanding how NCCER training connects to BCSP certification can make preparation more streamlined and less intimidating. Rather than starting from scratch, candidates may find several concepts they are comfortable and familiar with while preparing for certification. 

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*NCCER curriculum significantly overlaps with BCSP exam blueprint topics in several domains, but coverage is not complete for all competencies. Candidates should review the full BCSP exam blueprints (STSC7 v.2020; CHST5 v.2022) and study all domains before sitting for an examination.

**To ensure impartiality, BCSP utilizes subject-matter experts for the development of the examCORE program and products who are independent from the certification examination development process.

Visit BCSP.ORG for current eligibility requirements and other information on achieving certification.