How to Verify a Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Quick answer

Verify CSP credentials through the BCSP certificant directory at bcsp.org/find-a-certificant. Search by the candidate's name to confirm their certification status, credential type, and whether it is currently active. BCSP certifications require renewal every 5 years with continuing education.

BCSP credential portfolio

BCSP (Board of Certified Safety Professionals) issues the most widely recognized safety credentials in the United States:

Credential	Full Name	Target Level
CSP	Certified Safety Professional	Senior EHS professional, degree + experience required
ASP	Associate Safety Professional	Pathway to CSP; typically held while gaining experience
SMS	Safety Management Specialist	EHS management and program development focus
CHST	Construction Health and Safety Technician	Construction industry specialization
STS	Safety Trained Supervisor	Front-line supervisor with safety responsibilities

Verifying via the BCSP certificant directory

Go to bcsp.org and navigate to “Find a Certificant”
Enter the candidate's first name, last name, and optionally their state
Results show the certificant's name, credential(s) held, and current status
Active certifications are clearly labeled; expired credentials may not appear or will be marked as lapsed

Confirm the specific credential type

An ASP and a CSP are different credentials with different eligibility and experience requirements. Confirm the candidate holds CSP specifically if that is what the role requires — the BCSP directory shows which credential(s) each person holds.

CSP eligibility and requirements

To earn the CSP, candidates must:

Hold a bachelor's degree or higher (in any field)
Have at least 4 years of safety, health, and environmental work experience (or 3 years with an advanced degree)
Currently hold the ASP credential (or have passed the Safety Fundamentals exam)
Pass the CSP examination

The ASP-to-CSP pathway means many candidates will list the ASP while working toward the CSP. Clarify which credential the candidate currently holds.

Recertification requirements

CSP certifications are valid for 5 years and require renewal through:

100 Continuance of Certification (COC) points over the 5-year cycle
Points earned through professional development, education, publications, and leadership
Alternatively, recertify by retaking the CSP exam

CSP vs. other safety credentials

Credential	Issuer	Focus
CSP	BCSP	Broad EHS; highest recognition in the field
CIH	ABIH	Industrial hygiene; exposure assessment and control
CHMM	IHMM	Hazardous materials management
OHST	BCSP	Occupational health and safety technician level

Red flags

Not found in BCSP directory — ask for their BCSP certification number; absence may indicate lapsed or never-awarded credential
Lists ASP when CSP is required — the ASP is the stepping stone credential, not the full CSP
Certification lapsed — CSP requires 5-year renewal; a lapsed CSP cannot be represented as current
Confuses OSHA 30 training with the CSP — OSHA 30 is a training program, not a professional credential
Claims CSP without the required degree or experience — BCSP verifies eligibility at application

Verification checklist

1. Search bcsp.org/find-a-certificant by name
2. Confirm credential type is CSP (not just ASP or other BCSP credential)
3. Verify status is Active and within the 5-year cycle
4. If not found, ask for BCSP certification number for direct confirmation

Verify the safety or engineering degree

CSPs often hold degrees in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, or science. Use VerifyED to confirm whether a claimed institution is properly accredited.

Search Schools and Accreditation →