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Read this firstThe CHST exam outline: four domains and their weightsThe four CHST blueprint domains with their published weights, the exam time, delivery and fee, with a free 10-question check.

Exam facts and requirements

31 resources

What is on the exam, who can sit it, what it costs and how to keep it.

ASP exam outline: nine domains and weightsThe nine ASP blueprint domains with BCSP's published weights, the 5-hour exam time, delivery and fee, with a free 10-question check.
CSP exam outline: seven domains and weightsThe seven CSP blueprint domains with BCSP's published weights, the 5.5-hour exam time, delivery and fee, with a free 10-question check.
CHMM exam outline: twelve domains and weightsThe twelve CHMM blueprint domains with IHMM's weights, the 140 questions in 3 hours, the fees and who can apply, with a free 10-question check.
The CHST exam outline: four domains and their weightsThe four CHST blueprint domains with their published weights, the exam time, delivery and fee, with a free 10-question check.
Toe Board for safety teams: the free check and the exam outlinePlan CHST exam preparation for a safety team: who can apply, how the exam is built, and what the free check shows.
CHST exam cost, fees and schedulingThe BCSP CHST application fee, $300 exam fee, bundle and extension prices, plus how the one-year window and Pearson test centers work.
CHST certification: requirements and how to get itHow to get CHST certification from BCSP: three years in construction safety, 35% of duties in SH&E, no degree, a $140 application and a $300 exam.
CHST exam results, retakes and renewalWhen you see your CHST result, what BCSP says about scoring, the six-week retake wait, and how to plan the next attempt and the five-year renewal.
CHST vs OHST: focus, eligibility and examCHST vs OHST side by side from BCSP's own pages: focus, the 3-year experience rule, fees, the 4-hour exam and renewal. See which one fits your work.
CHST vs CSP vs ASP: the CSP exam and ASP exam next to the CHSTThe CSP exam and ASP exam next to the CHST: BCSP's education and experience rules, exam time, fees and renewal, from BCSP's sheet read 24 Oct 2026.
Competent vs qualified person: what it means for the CHSTA competent person spots hazards and has authority to fix them; a qualified person has proven know-how. How OSHA 1926 uses each, with site examples.
Hierarchy of controls: what it means for the CHSTThe hierarchy of controls ranks hazard fixes from elimination down to PPE. See each level with a construction example and why the order matters.
Job hazard analysis: what it means for the CHSTA job hazard analysis breaks a task into steps, lists the hazards in each and assigns a control. JHA vs JSA, how to build one and where it fails.
TRIR vs DART: what it means for the CHSTTRIR counts every recordable case per 200,000 hours; DART counts only days away, restricted or transferred cases. Formulas and a worked example.
Permissible exposure limit: what it means for the CHSTA permissible exposure limit is OSHA's legal cap on a worker's exposure, usually an 8-hour average. How PELs work in construction and where to find them.
Action level: what it means for the CHSTAn action level is the exposure that starts monitoring, medical checks and training before the PEL is reached. Silica, lead and noise compared.
Time-weighted average: what it means for the CHSTA time-weighted average spreads every exposure in a shift over 8 hours so it can be compared with a PEL. The formula, a dust example and the noise version.
Lockout/tagout: what it means for the CHSTLockout/tagout isolates hazardous energy with a lock or tag so equipment cannot start during work. The steps, lock vs tag, and the OSHA rules that apply.
Permit-required confined space: what it means for the CHSTA confined space becomes permit-required when it has a serious hazard such as a bad atmosphere or engulfment. The definitions, roles and entry steps.
Excavation protective systems: what it means for the CHSTOSHA's excavation protective systems are sloping or benching, shoring and shielding. When each is required, how they differ and who designs them.
Fall arrest vs fall restraint: what it means for the CHSTFall restraint keeps a worker from reaching the edge; fall arrest stops a fall after it starts. Anchor, lanyard and clearance needs for each, compared.
Guardrail system: what it means for the CHSTA guardrail system is a barrier at an open edge: top rail, midrail and posts. The heights and test forces in 29 CFR 1926.502(b), explained in plain words.
Toeboard: what it means for the CHSTA toeboard is a low barrier at a floor edge that stops tools and material falling on people below. Height, strength and gap rules, and when it is needed.
GFCI vs assured grounding: what it means for the CHSTOSHA lets contractors protect temporary power with GFCIs or an assured equipment grounding conductor program. How each works and what the program tests.
Safety data sheet: what it means for the CHSTA safety data sheet is the 16-section document that comes with a hazardous chemical. What each part tells you, where to look first and site access rules.
Hazard communication: what it means for the CHSTHazard communication is OSHA's rule that workers know the chemicals they use: a written program, labels, safety data sheets and training, with GHS labels.
Silica Table 1: what it means for the CHSTSilica Table 1 pairs common construction tasks with set dust controls and respirator levels. Follow a row fully and skip exposure assessment.
Hot work: what it means for the CHSTHot work is welding, cutting, brazing or grinding that can start a fire. How permits, fire watches and OSHA Subpart J control it on a construction site.
Qualified rigger: what it means for the CHSTSubpart CC asks for a qualified rigger in set situations, tied to the fall zone. What the term means, when it applies and the rigging terms around it.
Near miss: what it means for the CHSTA near miss is an unplanned event that could have hurt someone but did not. Why it is not recordable, and how to report and investigate one.
Construction safety terms glossary for the CHSTPlain-English glossary of the construction safety terms behind the CHST, from competent person to silica Table 1, with a drawing and a full page for each.

Study guides

12 resources

Work through one topic at a time, with the method and worked examples.

CHST study guide: a six-week plan by domainA free CHST study guide: a six-week plan by the four blueprint domains, the OSHA 1926 subparts to study each week, the books to use and free practice.
CHST formulas: the math to know, with worked examplesCHST formulas, from incident rates to noise dose and sling loads, with an original worked example for each and a link to the free calculator.
CHST study options compared: cost, renewal and refundsCHST prep options side by side: BCSP's own exam bundle, Toe Board and other practice sellers. What you pay, what renews and what to check first.
OSHA fall protection (Subpart M) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M: when fall protection is required, the control options, the competent person, training and common mix-ups.
OSHA excavations (Subpart P) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P: protective systems, soil types, egress, spoil and water, and the competent person's daily inspection.
OSHA scaffolds (Subpart L) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L: capacity, platforms, fall protection at 10 feet, power line clearance and the competent person's duties.
OSHA electrical (Subpart K) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K: GFCI and the assured grounding program, cords, lockout, overhead lines and the questions the exam asks.
OSHA cranes and derricks (Subpart CC) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC: ground conditions, power line clearance, inspections, operator qualification, signals and work zones.
OSHA ladders and stairways (Subpart X) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X: when access is required, the 3-foot extension, the 4-to-1 angle, defects, fixed ladders and training.
OSHA confined spaces (Subpart AA) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA: permit spaces, the permit and program, atmospheric testing, entrant, attendant and supervisor duties, rescue.
OSHA health hazards: silica, lead and noise for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on OSHA health rules: silica (1926.1153), lead (1926.62), noise (1926.52), asbestos and hazard communication, with the numbers to know.
OSHA recordkeeping (Part 1904) for the CHSTHow the CHST leans on 29 CFR 1904: recordable cases, the 300 log, 301 report and 300A summary, reporting deadlines, retention and incidence rates.

Practice tests and drills

4 resources

Check yourself on questions, symbols and code look-ups, then see what to fix.

Free ASP practice exam with explained answersFive original ASP practice exam questions, each answer explained by BCSP blueprint domain, then a free 10-question ASP check naming your weakest domain.
Free CSP practice exam with explained answersFive original CSP practice exam questions, each answer explained by BCSP blueprint domain, then a free 10-question CSP check naming your weakest domain.
Free CHST practice test with explained answersTry three original CHST practice questions with explained answers that cite OSHA 29 CFR 1926 by section, then take the free 10-question check by domain.
Hierarchy of controls drill: 20 construction scenariosRank controls or pick the strongest feasible one in 20 construction scenarios, with each level and OSHA section explained.

Tools and calculators

8 resources

Run the math your exam asks for and get the answer in seconds.

CHST study plan builder: week-by-week scheduleA week-by-week CHST plan weighted by the four blueprint domains, from your exam date and hours.
Free CHST flashcards: 58 cards, no signupFlip original cards on 1926 subparts, formulas and hazard controls, and track what you know.
Fall clearance calculator for personal fall arrestAdd free fall, deceleration and D-ring shift to see the clearance a fall arrest system needs.
Ladder angle calculator: 4 to 1 rule and lengthLanding height to the 4 to 1 base distance, the 75.5 degree angle and the ladder length to buy.
Trench sloping calculator: OSHA soil type slopesPick the soil type and depth to get the OSHA maximum slope, angle and top width of the trench.
OSHA incident rate calculator: TRIR, DART, LTIRHours and case counts to TRIR, DART, lost time and severity rates, with every step shown.
Noise dose calculator: OSHA dose and 8-hour TWAUp to six sound levels and hours to the noise dose (sound from 80 dBA counts) and 8-hour TWA, with each row worked.
Scaffold tie calculator: 4:1 ratio and tie spacingHeight, base width and length to the 4:1 ratio, the first tie height, tie levels, ties per level and 4x capacity.