Council on Certification of Health, Environmental, and Safety Technologists Test
The Council on Certification of Health, Environmental, and Safety Technologists (CCHEST) test certifies skilled workers in the environmental health and safety fields. There are five certifications available through the CCHEST test: Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Loss Control Specialist (CLCS), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), and Safety Trained Supervisor (STS).
The CSP certification is the highest and most distinguished certification one can achieve in this field. Those with this certification have a thorough education and background in safety. This CCHEST test requires a bachelor’s degree in any field or an associate’s degree in environment, health, or safety. In addition, three years of relevant work experience is required. The candidate must have worked in a position where safety was 50 percent of the job duties.
Those looking to take the CCHEST test for CLCS or OHST certification must spend 35 percent of their working time performing duties related to occupational health or safety. They must also have five years of experience in the field. As for education, no college degree is needed. A high school diploma is the minimum requirement. The test is computer-based and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed in the four-hour time limit. Subject areas include worksite assessment, hazard control, loss prevention, verification, division planning, emergency response, and professionalism.
The CCHEST test for CHST certification is available to those with at least three years of experience working on construction sites as health and safety experts. At least 35 percent of the job duties must be related to safety. This test is also computer-based and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are tested on the following areas: worksite auditing, program management, training, and professionalism.
The CCHEST test for STS certification is tailored to supervisors or managers who are responsible for employee safety as a part of their job. Most candidates work in a trade or craft with a safety responsibility accounting for less than 33 percent of their total job duties. There are three different exams available for this certification: general industry, construction, and petrochemical. These computer-based tests consist of 100 multiple-choice questions and take two hours to complete. In order to qualify for this CCHEST test, the candidate must have at least two years of relevant work experience, with at least one year being in a leadership role. Thirty hours of health and safety training is also required.
Your CCHEST test score will be available to you via the computer immediately after you complete your exam. This unofficial score only shows if you passed or failed. A more-detailed score report will be sent to you in the mail in about three weeks.
Application fees for the CCHEST test range from $120-$160, depending on the certification. The exam fee ranges from $185-$350. The CSP certification is the most costly, while the STS certification is the least expensive. Passing scores vary by exam.
Although a health and safety certification is not required for most jobs, it definitely is an asset. Those who have invested the time to take a CCHEST test have reaped the benefits, which include more and better job opportunities, higher salaries, raises, and bonuses. There is also the self-satisfaction of knowing that you display the knowledge and professionalism to become a leader in your field.
Last Updated: 04/24/2012