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COSS and COSM certificate holders must recertify their credential and report activities every three years. Certificate holders may choose from 10 categories in the areas of safety and health to earn recertification points. All points must be earned within the recertification cycle to which they apply.
The point requirements are as follows:
COSS Requirement = 15 points
COSM Requirement = 20 points
*Minimum of 5 points must come from qualifying Continuing Education/Professional Development Safety and Health training. Certificate holders are responsible for maintaining a record of completed activities, compiling supporting documentation, and reporting at the end of the recertification cycle. Supporting documentation is only required if you are audited. Failure to meet these requirements will result in loss of certificate.
| Category | Point Calculator | Allowed Points |
|---|---|---|
| Continuing Education/Professional Development Safety/Health Courses | 5 points = 15 contact hours or 1.5 CEUs | *5 points min – 20 points max |
| College/University Safety/Health Course | 10 points = 3 credit hours | 10 points max |
| Instruct “Train the Trainer” for a safety topic or instructor course containing one or more COSM topics | 5 points = One 8-hour class | 5 points max |
| Attendance at Safety/Health Conference | 5 points = One day (6 or more hours) | 5 points max |
| Conference Presenter or Discussion Panel Member of Safety/Health Topic | 5 points = One conference presentation or panel | 5 points max |
| Safety/Health Job Experience | 5 points = One-year work experience | 5 points max |
| Professional Safety Organization Membership or Active Board Member of Safety Organization | 5 points = Organization or board membership | 5 points max |
| Special Government Employee Participation | 5 points = VPP Audit | 5 points max |
| Professional Contribution to Safety/Health Industry | 5 points = One qualifying activity | 5 points max |
| COSS or COSM Class (must be taken after completion of the class you are recertifying) | 15 points | 15 points maximum |
15 contact hours or 1.5 CEUs = 5 points
Mandatory: 5 points; Maximum: 20 points
Required information includes title of course, location, attendance date(s), and number of contact hours or CEUs.
Certificate holders are required to complete a minimum of 5 points in this category. Points are earned through continuing education, training or professional development courses related to safety and health. CEUs or contact hours must come from a safety council, training institution, conference or seminar. Points earned by completing continuing education at a conference can only count toward one category. Site-specifics, on-site safety meetings, tool-box talks, and OSHAcademy courses do not count toward recertification. CEUs are awarded by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In the instance that CEUs are not awarded, the number of contact hours spent in training can be applied.
Supporting Documentation: A copy of sign-in rosters, certificates or conference agenda, or similar documentation.
| Contact Hours of Safety/Health Training | Continuing Education Units (CEUs) | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| 0 hours – 14 hours | 0 CEUs – 1.4 CEUs | 0 |
| 15 hours – 29 hours | 1.5 CEUs – 2.9 CEUs | 5 |
| 30 hours – 44 hours | 3.0 CEUs – 4.4 CEUs | 10 |
| 45 hours – 59 hours | 4.5 CEUs – 5.9 CEUs | 15 |
| 60 hours – 74 hours | 6.0 CEUs – 7.4 CEUs | 20 |
Minimum of 3 credit hour course = 10 points
Maximum: 10 points
Required information includes institution, course title, and semester/year completed.
Points are earned through receipt of a passing grade in a minimum of a three-credit hour, safety-related course taken at an accredited institution of higher education.
Supporting Documentation: A college or university transcript indicating the course title, semester/year completed, and credit hours awarded.
One 8-hour course = 5 points
Maximum: 5 points
Required information includes course title, topic, location, and date(s) of course.
Points are earned by instructing a “Train the Trainer” on a safety and health topic or instructing a course containing a Certificate of Safety Management (COSM) topic. The “Train the Trainer” instructor provides training to potential trainers on a safety-related topic. COSM topics include Essentials of Safety Management, Strategic Planning & Evaluating for Safety Success, Managing Risk & Safety Finance, Injury Management Incentives & Discipline, and Communicating the Safety Message.
Supporting Documentation: A sign-in roster with the instructor’s name printed or similar documentation.
One day (6 or more hours) = 5 points
Maximum: 5 points
Required information includes conference and attendance date(s).
Points are earned based on attendance of a one-day (6 hours of more) safety and health conference.
Supporting Documentation: A conference agenda, including session descriptions and conference registration confirmation.
One conference presentation or panel = 5 points
Maximum: 5 points
Required information includes conference name, title of presentation, and attendance date.
Points are earned based on presenting one safety-related presentation or participating in one safety-related panel discussion at a safety and health conference.
Supporting Documentation: A conference agenda containing presentation/panel description and speaker list.
One-year work experience = 5 points
Maximum: 5 points
Required information includes company, job title, and year employed.
Points are earned based on one year of full-time experience as a safety professional. To qualify, primary responsibilities must include ensuring compliance with OSHA standards and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Primary function is defined as 50% of overall responsibilities. Fulltime is defined as working at least 35 hours per week.
Supporting Documentation: A job description and employer letter verifying dates of employment.
Organization or board membership = 5 points
Maximum: 5 points
Required information includes name of membership organization.
Points are earned through individual membership or by participating as an active board member in a safety organization. The organization must be recognized as a safety and health organization in the safety profession.
Supporting Documentation: A membership confirmation, the organization’s annual report or similar documentation.
VPP Audit = 5 points
Maximum: 5 points
Required information includes location and date(s) of on-site evaluation.
Points are earned by Special Government Employees (SGE) who participate in a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) on-site evaluation. VPP SGEs serve under OSHA’s direction as on-site evaluation team members.
Supporting Documentation: A copy of the audit participation documentation.
One qualifying activity = 5 points
Maximum: 5 points
Required information includes additional information about professional contribution.
Points are earned by contributing to an OSHA regulation, ANSI standard or another industry standard, or by writing a safety-related article for a safety publication other than your employer’s publication.
Supporting Documentation: An employer letter verifying proof of participation, an official standard publication showing contributor’s information or a copy of the publication with published article.
15 points
Maximum: 15 points
Required information includes course title, location, and dates of course.
Points are earned by completing additional COSS program courses. COSS certificate holders will receive 15 points for completing the COSM course during their three-year COSS recertification cycle. COSM certificate holders will receive 15 points for completing the COSS course during their three-year COSM recertification cycle.
Supporting Documentation: COSS or COSM certificate.
COSS and COSM certificate holders should maintain an ongoing record of their own activities and recertification points as they are earned. The Recertification Activity Log can be used for tracking. Certificate holders must also retain all relevant supporting documentation. Supporting documentation is only required if you are audited.
Certificate holders may be subject to random audits as part of the recertification process. If selected for an audit, the certificate holder will receive a notice requesting supporting documentation of recertification points earned. Acceptable supporting documentation is listed under each category. Failure to provide documentation of recertification points will result in the revocation of the credential.
COSS and COSM certificates expire on December 31 of the third full year of the recertification cycle. For example, if a COSS graduate received their COSS credential in May 2024, it will expire on December 31, 2027. All recertification activities must have taken place in the three-year recertification cycle.
The online recertification application must be submitted by December 31 of the certificate holder’s expiration year. Supporting documentation for listed activities is not required with submission of the recertification application, but must be submitted upon request. Recertification applications will be accepted during the last six months of your three-year recertification cycle.
The recertification application fee is $149. Payment must accompany the online application.
Individuals should expect to receive the results of their recertification at the end of the recertification period. Individuals who are accepted will receive a new certificate with an expiration date of three years from the previous expiration date. Individuals who are denied will receive an email stating the reasons the application was not accepted and one additional chance to resubmit points earned.
Once the recertification application fee has been submitted, refunds will not be issued. Denied applications do not qualify for a refund.
No extensions will be allowed.
Certificate holders who fail to submit a recertification application prior to the designated deadline will have their COSS and COSM status revoked. The credentials can be reinstated if the individual registers for and completes the training again.
COSS and COSM certificate holders may appeal, in writing, any adverse decision regarding recertification made by the COSS Administration. An appeal will be reviewed by the designated Appeals Committee. Decisions made by the Appeals Committee will be final.
Recertification notices are sent as a courtesy to the email address the COSS Administration has on file. It is the certificate holder’s responsibility to keep the COSS Administration informed of current email and mailing addresses. Certificate holders should review and update records at least once a year.
Certificate holders who have completed both COSS and COSM can align the expiration dates of their certificate. When it is time to submit the COSS recertification application, the certificate holder is to submit their COSM certificate to the COSS Administration and the COSS certificate will be aligned to the recertification cycle of the COSM certificate. The COSM graduate who holds the COSS credential must meet the requirements of the COSM recertification (20 points) and submit for renewal at the end of the recertification cycle or result in the loss of both COSM and COSS certificates.
Certificate holders who are over 65 years of age and have retired from the safety and health profession may apply for emeritus status. Emeritus status allows current COSS and COSM certificate holders to use their designation(s) after they retire without having to recertify. The Emeritus Status Application must be submitted by December 31 of the certificate holder’s expiration year. There is a one-time fee of $149. Email info@coss.net to request the Emeritus Status Application.
Supporting Documentation: A copy of the driver’s license and signed letter from your previous employer on company letterhead with date of retirement.
The COSS Series includes intense, curriculum-based programs that cater to the needs of the beginning safety practitioner, as well as to the experienced safety professional.
