Frequently Asked Questions

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NASP As a Certifying Body

NASP/IASP, Inc.’s Master Safety Professional (MSP)® and Certified Safety Director (CSD)® credentials are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). These certifications are accredited under the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standard for personnel certification programs.

Click here to learn more about the NASP/IASP, Inc. Certification Program.

If you have any questions, contact the Certification Coordinator by calling 800-922-2219 or by emailing [email protected].

Click here to view the ANAB Certificate of Accreditation.

Click here for information on ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

The primary purpose of the NASP/IASP, Inc. Certification Program under the guidance and oversight of the NASP/IASP, Inc. Certification Board (NASPCB), the credentialing arm of NASP/IASP, Inc., is to provide workplace safety professionals a certification program to assist them in carrying out their safety-related functions with confidence and proven competence.

This purpose is achieved by providing the CSD and MSP certifications accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standard General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons.

To read more, visit the Certification page FAQ by clicking here.

The purpose of the NASP/IASP, Inc. Certification Program for the CSD and MSP Certifications is to establish international standards for certification in the workplace safety profession; to provide recognition of qualified individuals; to afford a guarantee to employers that certified personnel have attained stated education and experience qualifications. Earning the CSD or MSP Certification also provides professionals with a competitive edge in the workplace, having completed the recognized core competencies for workplace safety. To learn more about NASP’s Certifications, click here.

The MSP and CSP certifications share a few similarities; both certifications:

  • Are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standard General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons
  • Have a thorough application process
  • Require previously-obtained qualified credentials
  • Have predetermined educational and experiential requirements
  • Consist of sit-down examinations proctored by a third-party
  • Require recertification to maintain certification

The MSP separates itself from the CSP in the following ways:

Education: NASP recognizes that some workplace safety professionals may not have obtained the higher education or math and engineering skills required, or are in the process of doing so, which restricts them from earning certain credentials such as the CSP (or other well-known certifications.) Yet their years of experience, vast knowledge in the industry, and hands-on practical approach to workplace safety left a clear opportunity for NASP to develop the MSP to validate and acknowledge these individuals. Click here to see the MSP’s eligibility track to see if you qualify.

Body of Knowledge: While both exams cover similar bodies of knowledge, the MSP prides itself on being the practicing safety professional’s certification. What does this mean exactly? The MSP exam focuses on practical workplace safety knowledge that you, as a professional, use daily to keep your employees safe. The MSP exam focuses less on science, mathematics, and engineering and more on the laws and consensus standards that you, as a safety professional, work with every day. 42.44% of the exam blueprint covers Laws and Standards. Only 4.10% of the exam blueprint covers Science and Mathematics. Click here to review the MSP examination blueprint.

Examination:

  • The CSP is a 5.5-hour exam and consists of 200 questions.
  • The MSP is a 3-hour exam and consists of 150 questions.

Cost:

  • The CSP is $160 (application fee) + $350 (examination fee). The CSP does not require a recertification fee; however, the CSP requires a $180 annual renewal fee.
  • The MSP is $75 (application fee) + $450 (examination fee includes one retake exam). The MSP requires a $250 recertification fee. This fee is not due until the end of the 3-year cycle.

       Click here to see the full MSP fee structure.

 CEUs and Recertification:

  • The CSP requires Certificants to obtain 25 recertification points per 5-year cycle. These points can be earned through 10 activity categories. BCSP measures all acceptable activities in terms of recertification points. Certain activities state maximum points allowed amount per cycle or per year, while there are no limits to other activities. The CSP does not require a recertification fee; however, the CSP requires a $180 annual renewal fee.
  • The MSP requires Certificants to complete 4.8 CEUs* over a 3-year certification cycle (1.6 CEUs per year), which equals 48 hours of contact time (16 hours per year). The MSP requires a $250 recertification fee due at the end of the 3-year cycle. To view the MSP recertification requirements, click here.

*Continuing Education Units (CEUs) One (1) CEU, which is the equivalent to ten (10) hours of instruction, equals one (1) recertification point.

For A Complete Guide to Certification, click here.

We invite you to be one of the first 200 individuals to sit for our CSD and/or MSP beta exam! The beta exams will include new and revised exam questions to gather performance statistics for new examination forms. The exams will include 25 additional questions that will not affect your score. Thirty minutes of additional testing time is included to account for these questions.

CSD and MSP beta exam applications must be submitted and approved for eligibility. Upon approval, the exam must be scheduled during the testing window of November 1, 2023, through February 15, 2024.

For more information on the CSD Beta Exam, Click here.

For information on the MSP Beta Exam, Click here.

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NASP as a Training Provider

Yes. All of our courses meet or exceed OSHA requirements. OSHA is considered the ‘bare minimum’ for compliance and therefore NASP considers this only one element of an effective safety training program. Our instructor-led courses meet or exceed ANSI/ASSP Z490.1-2016 Requirements for Safety, Health, and Environmental Training; our online courses meet or exceed ANSI/ASSP Z490.2-2019 Accepted Practices for E-Learning in Safety, Health and Environmental Training.

NASP is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

Yes. As an IACET Accredited Provider, NASP offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.

1 CEU = 10 contact hours.

Click here to view a breakdown of CEUs awarded for specific classes. If you have any questions, contact us at 1-800-922-2219 or email [email protected].

To learn more about the accreditation, please read the FAQ below, titled “Are NASP/IASP, Inc. training certificates recognized or accredited by a third party?”

NASP courses will be evaluated by Columbia Southern University for possible transfer credit into an undergraduate degree program in Occupational Safety and Health or Environmental Management. Many of the NASP courses, as well as our CSD and MSP Certifications, may be transferred to academic credits through our Articulation Agreement with CSU. For a complete list of courses, click here

Once you submit an application, CSU will provide you with a Degree Action Plan that will specify the hours of transfer credit awarded. This evaluation is complimentary, and CSU will waive the application fee! To obtain academic credits through CSU, a student must first complete the NASP course, pass the test, then submit their NASP course certificate to CSU for evaluation. For more information on the various OHS degrees offered by CSU, click here, or send an email to [email protected].

Also, as an NASP member, you are eligible for a 10% reduction in tuition fees, free textbooks, and other significant savings. Click here for details.

NASP is committed to keeping all learner records and personal information secure and private unless permitted by the verified learner. NASP intends to prioritize the security and privacy of learners’ records. All NASP employees approach personal information very seriously. Access to learners’ records is limited to management personnel and key personnel in our administrative department. NASP assigns each student a unique Identification Number for identity verification which is password protected. Information can be viewed when students log in to their NASP account with their secure password.
Click here to view the Privacy and Information Security Policy for Learner Records.

All information input, maintenance, release, and issuance of learners’ records is shared only between NASP and the learner identified by their unique Identification Number. Learners may request to share records with a third party ONLY if the learner’s identity is verified using the unique Identification Number assigned by NASP.

Instructions for requesting learner records:

  1. Contact NASP’s administrative personnel by phone, email, or letter with the following information:
    • Student’s full name (the individual requesting records)
    • Identification Number assigned by NASP
    • Address/contact information for where records are to be sent

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Technical Support

Category: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Make sure you have read the question and required materials and understand the material you read. Most courses are open-book tests to assist students in self-discovery. If you went through a 40 hour course with others doing the same course, you may like to e-mail other students and utilize group training methodology. NASP is happy to assist students with genuine difficulties that have made every effort to accomplish the required work. NASP will not give out answers to exam questions. For further help, please contact [email protected] or call 1-800-922-2219 to access your records.

Category: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

For our international students, registering for classroom courses is simple. First, you must register online and pay for the course while registering. We cannot issue a letter of invitation without payment first. Once you have paid, NASP will send you a letter of invitation so you may apply for your B1 VISA. Please allow 3 – 5 business days to receive your invitation letter via email.

Category: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

You can find many of our forms by clicking here.

Category: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

NASP’s Job Mart is FREE to post for up to a 2 month duration. Please visit our Job Mart form to create your own listing.

Category: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Please contact [email protected], or call 1-800-922-2219 for this information.

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Payment Options

Category: PAYMENT OPTIONS

Yes. The payment plan is available for courses priced $1995 and above. A payment plan fee of 5% of the total cost of your course will be assessed and added to each of your monthly payments. Please click here to view our payment plan.

Category: PAYMENT OPTIONS

Please allow 3-5 business days for checks in USPS mail, as well as an additional 2-3 business days for administrative processing. Allow at least three weeks for mail shipped outside of the United States. For your protection, we advise you to keep a tracking number. Credit card orders are processed daily. For international customers, who do not wish to use a credit or debit card, you may opt to pay with a wire transfer. For further information, please contact [email protected], or call 1-800-922-2219 to access your records.

Category: PAYMENT OPTIONS

Please contact [email protected], or call 1-800-922-2219 to access your records.

Category: PAYMENT OPTIONS

Yes. A company purchase order may be submitted as a method of payment. Please contact the accounting department at [email protected], or call 1-800-922-2219 for approval on a purchase order (PO).

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Course Options

Category: COURSE OPTIONS

The information provided in each course is quite similar. However, many students prefer the instructor-to-student interaction, as well as networking potential, that you will only receive in a classroom format. In addition, there is more emphasis on training methodologies covered in the classroom, which is ideal for individuals who may be providing safety and environmental training in house. The benefit to the online version is less travel cost, and you may complete the course at your own pace. Either way, the certificate is the same.

Category: COURSE OPTIONS

Yes. NASP offers site-specific classes for OSHA, EPA, and DOT requirements. One course often meets multiple regulatory requirements and can be tailored to your company’s safety-related plans, programs, and policies. Click here for details.

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Taking My Course

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

Students have up to six (6) months from the date of purchase to complete a course.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

Students may request up to a six (6) month extension by completing an Extension Request Form and returning it to [email protected]. The Extension Request Form may be accessed here.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

NASP exams allow two (2) attempts to make a passing score of 80%. After two attempts, the exam is no longer accessible. Additional exam attempts may be purchased for a small administrative fee. To purchase additional exam attempts, please contact [email protected] or call 1-800-922-2219.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

Tests are open book. You can utilize your course materials during exams.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

No. NASP courses are designed as stand-alone courses and must be completed in full for students to receive certificates. However, students may find that knowledge from completed outside coursework assists them in completing NASP courses. Please note that the Safety Professional Certificate and Safety Director Certificate certificates require prerequisites of which one option is completed degrees.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

Exams are not timed. However, you are required to complete exams in one session. Exiting from the exam before results page will result in a failed attempt.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

No. For each question, you must click the “Submit” button to finalize your answer. Be certain that you have selected the answer that you want before you click submit. Once you submit your answer, it cannot be changed. As soon as you submit your answer, you will be informed if you are correct or incorrect. If your answer is incorrect, make a note of the question content so that you know which section of the course to review.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

Go to Client Login in the top right corner or click here.

Category: TAKING MY COURSE

Please allow 5-10 business days in order for us to review your score and issue your certificate. For our international students, some delays through the US Postal Service can be expected. Occasionally, customs will open packages for security reasons and then not send packages to their final destination. To avoid this, student can request expedited service through United Parcel Service (UPS) for an additional charge. For further information, please contact [email protected] or call 1-800-922-2219 to determine UPS shipping costs.

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Cancellation/Refunds

You may exchange any distance learning certificate for another topic, prior to downloading or accessing course material. We will simply apply your payment towards the new topic. However, if course material has been accessed, then it cannot be exchanged. Under no circumstances will NASP refund a student’s money AFTER seven (7) days of initial purchase for any reason. If it is seven days or less, student will be entitled to refund if he/she has NOT downloaded material minus a 20% processing fee.

We hope you do not have to cancel; however, if you need to cancel, cancellation notices received in writing seven (7) or more days before the first day of class will be refunded in full, minus a 10% admin fee. Cancellations received less than seven (7) days before the first day of class will be refunded 75% of the course fee in the form of an NASP Voucher for future training. Unused Vouchers expire one year after the date of issue. Substitutions are welcomed. No shows and cancellations received after the start of class will not be eligible for a refund. This policy will be enforced so please plan ahead. If you need to cancel call us at 800 922-2219 and speak to a customer service representative for assistance.

 

In the unlikely event that a course must be canceled by NASP, student will receive a full reimbursement of tuition costs. NASP is not responsible for travel and per diem that may be incurred by student. This includes, but is not limited to, airfare, hotel accommodations, rental vehicles, or meals.

Return/Refund Policy for Distance Learning Certificates and Products
Under special circumstances, NASP will consider accepting a return on undamaged items within 10 days of the original delivery. You are responsible for the return shipping costs and will be charged a restocking fee of 20%. No returned merchandise will be accepted without a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number. We will credit you in the same manner as your original payment within 30 days of receiving the returned item. In all cases, any returns must be authorized by an NASP representative. To obtain a RMA number or receive further details regarding our return policy, please contact us at [email protected] or 1-800-922-2219.

In the event that the client cancels the class, the client will be responsible for cancellation damages as outlined below:

  • Cancellation over 3 months prior to event = 0% fee of total invoice
  • Cancellation 1 – 3 months prior to event = 10% fee of total invoice
  • Cancellation seven days up to 1 month prior to event = 25% fee of total invoice
  • Cancellation less than seven days prior to event = 75% fee of total invoice
  • Cancellation within 72 hours of event = 100% fee of total invoice

Refunds for membership for both domestic and international students will not be available. Once you become a member, you have immediate access to our comprehensive library of safety related material. However, in the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with your member benefits, you can apply this credit to any of our other safety courses.

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Scholarships and VA

See our Financial Aid page for information regarding scholarships and VA benefits. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please email your request, including specific details, to [email protected].

You can receive GI Bill reimbursement for licensing and certificate tests. Click here for more information.

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Recertification

Category: RECERTIFICATION

Most NASP Courses must be renewed within three (3) years of the original certificate date. Some courses require annual recertification, depending upon specific OSHA or EPA requirements. You may find specific information here. For more information on professional recertification, please contact Member Services at 1-800-922-2219.

Category: RECERTIFICATION

If you miss your recertification date, you have thirty (30) days after your expiration date to renew your certificate online by making the recertification payment and completing the recertification test. If your recertification is more than thirty (30) days past your expiration date, additional recertification fees will be assessed and you will need to contact [email protected] or call 1-800-922-2219 to process your renewal payment. If you are more than one year past due on renewal, you will need to retake the course at the standard tuition rate.

Category: RECERTIFICATION

You can view all recertification pricing by clicking here.

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