Plan the OSHA Outreach cards and other safety credentials employers ask for.
Why it matters
Many job ads for apprentices, technicians and field engineers say "OSHA 10 required" or "OSHA 30 preferred". Some states, cities, unions and general contractors require a card before you can step onto a site. Knowing what these cards are, what they are not, and where to get a real one saves money and helps you avoid scams.
The OSHA Outreach Training Program
OSHA's Outreach Training Program is a voluntary programme that teaches workers to recognise and prevent common workplace hazards. Classes are taught by OSHA-authorized trainers (or authorized online providers), and on completion you get a Department of Labor (DOL) card.
- OSHA 10-hour: for entry-level workers. Covers worker rights, the Focus Four hazards (falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, electrocution), PPE, health hazards and more.
- OSHA 30-hour: for supervisors and workers with safety responsibilities. More depth and more topics.
- Versions exist for Construction, General Industry, Maritime and Disaster Site work. Electricians and site engineers usually take Construction; plant mechanics often take General Industry. If unsure, ask the employers you want to work for.
What the card is and is not
- It is proof that you completed an awareness course.
- It is not an OSHA certification or licence. OSHA does not certify workers.
- It does not replace the task-specific training your employer must give you (LOTO, fall protection, confined space, forklift and so on).
- Federal OSHA cards do not expire, but some states, unions and employers require a refresher every few years. Check the requirement where you will work.
Avoiding fake courses
Only authorized trainers and authorized online providers can issue DOL cards. Before you pay, check the provider on OSHA's Outreach page. Warning signs: courses that promise a card in less than the full hours, "OSHA certification" wording, or prices far below everyone else's. Online courses limit how many hours you can complete per day, so a 10-hour course takes at least two days.
Other cards and credentials employers ask for
| Credential | Who it is for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First aid / CPR / AED | Many site roles | From recognised bodies such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association |
| Forklift (powered industrial truck) | Warehouse and plant workers | Employer must train and evaluate you; re-evaluation at least every 3 years |
| Fall protection (authorized or competent person) | Workers at height, supervisors | Employer or third-party training |
| NFPA 70E electrical safety | Electricians, electrical engineers, mechanics near equipment | Employer decides who is qualified |
| Confined space entrant / attendant | Plant, utilities, civil work | Site-specific |
| MSHA training | Anyone working at mines and quarries | Separate federal agency (Mine Safety and Health Administration) |
| TWIC | Workers at secure port facilities | TSA-issued ID |
| Site orientation | Everyone on a new site | Every large site runs its own |
Licences are separate again: an electrician's journeyman licence, a PE licence for engineers. Those are covered in later courses.
Worked example: planning for a first apprenticeship
Jordan wants to apply to an electrical apprenticeship next spring.
- Research: three local programmes' application pages list "OSHA 10 Construction recommended" and "valid driver's licence".
- Choose: OSHA 10 Construction from an authorized provider (some community colleges and union training centres offer it free or cheaply). Budget the time: 10 hours over at least two days.
- Add: First aid/CPR from a recognised provider.
- Record: keep the card, a photo of it and the provider's name in a folder; list both on the résumé with the dates.
- Next: NFPA 70E and fall protection training will come from the employer once hired.
Common mistakes
- Paying for "OSHA certification" from an unauthorized website.
- Taking General Industry when the target job is construction (or the reverse).
- Listing a card on a résumé without the date or the type.
- Thinking the card means you can do any task. It means you know the hazards exist.
Official sources
- OSHA Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour cards, authorized providers): https://www.osha.gov/training/outreach
- Apprenticeships (US Department of Labor): https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
Requirements and approved providers change. Checked on 2026-10-23.
Recap
- OSHA 10 is for entry-level workers; OSHA 30 for supervisors. Pick Construction or General Industry to match your target job.
- The DOL card shows course completion, not certification; employers still owe you task training.
- Verify the provider is authorized; budget time and record the card on your résumé.
Try it
The Do tab has you build your own safety-credentials plan.