What is OSHA 30 and is it required?
OSHA 30 is a 30-hour construction or general industry safety outreach programme issued by the US Department of Labor. It is not federally mandated but is required by most commercial and industrial contractors as a condition of employment. New York City mandates OSHA 30 for supervisors on certain construction sites. Cost: $189β$280 online. No expiry date. Issued by a DOL-authorised trainer. The card is wallet-sized and issued within 2β3 weeks of completion.
- OSHA 30 is a 30-hour DOL safety outreach programme for supervisors and foremen.
- Costs $189β$280 online; the DOL wallet card never expires (5-year refresher advised).
- Not federally mandated, but required by most commercial contractors and by NYC Local Law 196.
- Take it online or in-person from a DOL-authorised trainer; card arrives in 2β3 weeks.
OSHA 30 at a glance
| Cost | $189β$280 (online) |
| Duration | 30 hours |
| Issued by | U.S. Department of Labor (DOL-authorised trainer) |
| Format | Online or in-person |
| Card delivery | 2β3 weeks after completion |
| Expiry | None (5-year refresher recommended) |
| Who needs it | Supervisors & foremen; required by most commercial contractors |
| NYC requirement | Mandated for supervisors under Local Law 196 |
Sources: OSHA Outreach Training Program Β· U.S. Department of Labor Β· NYC DOB Local Law 196. Reviewed July 2026 by the GlobalCybers team.
Exam Format, Is There a Test?
Completion-based, not exam-based
OSHA 30 is a completion course, not a pass/fail exam. Participants must complete all 30 hours of training and pass short module quizzes (typically 10β15 questions per module, no formal minimum score required). There is no single comprehensive final exam, the DOL wallet card is issued on completion of all required hours.
Online course structure
Does OSHA 30 increase your pay as a trade worker?
OSHA 30 does not have a direct BLS-reported salary impact because BLS OEWS does not track certifications separately from the role. However, its effect on employability and rate is well-established in the trade market:
GlobalCybers pays OSHA 30 course fees after a successful permanent placement through our network.
What OSHA 30 Covers, Core Topics
Fall Protection
Leading cause of construction fatalities. Covers guardrail systems, safety nets, personal fall arrest, floor hole covers, and ladder safety per 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M.
Electrical Safety
GFCI requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, safe work distances from energised lines, PPE requirements for energised work.
Scaffolding & Rigging
Scaffold erection, capacity, access, and fall protection. Rigging inspection, sling angles, load calculations, and crane signal standards.
Excavation & Trenching
Soil classification, sloping, shoring, and trench box requirements. Third leading cause of construction fatalities. 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.
Hazard Communication
GHS labelling, SDS (Safety Data Sheet) requirements, and chemical hazard communication under 29 CFR 1910.1200.
Lockout / Tagout (LOTO)
Control of hazardous energy sources. Procedures for electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and stored mechanical energy. 29 CFR 1910.147.
How do you get OSHA 30 certification, step by step?
Choose a DOL-authorised provider
Only purchase OSHA 30 from a trainer listed on OSHA's Outreach Training Programme (OTP) website. Unauthorised cards are not accepted on job sites and may be rejected by employers. Always verify the provider at osha.gov before purchasing.
Complete 30 hours of training
Online courses must be spread across multiple days, OSHA limits completion to 7.5 hours per day maximum, meaning a minimum of 4 days. Total timeline with online course: 30β60 days. In-person instructor-led courses: typically 4 days.
Receive your DOL wallet card
After completion, the authorised trainer submits your information to DOL. OSHA mails the official wallet card within 2β3 weeks. The card shows your name, course type (Construction or General Industry), hours, and the trainer's name. Keep this card, it has no expiry.
NYC Local Law 196, OSHA 30 Required by Law
Under NYC Local Law 196, amended multiple times, all supervisors and foremen on major construction sites (those requiring a site safety manager or coordinator) in New York City must hold a valid OSHA 30 Construction card. Workers must hold OSHA 10. This is a legal requirement enforced by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), not just an employer policy.
OSHA 30, Frequently Asked Questions
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