The need to retrieve a forgotten OSHA card number often arises when applying for new employment or needing to verify past training for a job site. This unique identifier is proof of completing the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Outreach Training Program, which is frequently a prerequisite for working in construction and general industry roles. Finding this number presents a challenge because the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) itself does not maintain a central database of student records. Locating this training record requires a specific, targeted approach to the original source of the training.
Understanding the OSHA Card and Certification
The OSHA card, commonly known as the OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour card, proves successful completion of the DOL Outreach Training Program. This program provides awareness training on common safety and health hazards found in workplaces. The 10-Hour course is typically for entry-level workers, while the 30-Hour course is intended for supervisors or those with more safety responsibilities. The wallet-sized card includes a unique identification number linked to the training record. It is issued by the authorized trainer or training provider, acting under the authority of the DOL, and not directly by OSHA.
Why OSHA Does Not Have a Central Public Search Portal
The fundamental reason a person cannot search the official OSHA website for their card number is the decentralized structure of the Outreach Training Program. The federal agency delegates the authority to conduct the training and manage the resulting records to a network of authorized trainers and OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers. This structure places the burden of record keeping and card issuance squarely on the individual trainers and providers.
Authorized trainers are required to maintain a copy of all class records, including student sign-in sheets, for a minimum of five years from the class completion date. Since the records are distributed among thousands of independent trainers, searching the official OSHA website by name or Social Security number will not yield any personal training history. Therefore, a person must contact the original training source to retrieve their information.
The Primary Online Method: Contacting Your Original Trainer
Identifying the Provider
The most direct way to find your OSHA card number is by contacting the authorized trainer or online provider who conducted your course. Start by searching old emails or files for the name of the trainer, the training company, or the OTI Education Center associated with the course. Knowing the exact name of the provider is the most valuable information for record retrieval.
Requesting Records
Once the provider is identified, locate their website and look for a “Lost Card,” “Replacement Card,” or “Student Records” section. Many online training providers offer a student login portal where records are stored digitally. If a portal is unavailable, contact the provider through their website or support email requesting your unique card number or a replacement. To expedite the search, you must provide:
- Your full name at the time of training
- The approximate date of the course
- The location where the training took place
What If You Cannot Contact the Original Trainer?
If the original trainer is unresponsive, out of business, or you cannot recall their name, contact the Department of Labor’s Outreach Training Program (OTP) office. The OTP office oversees the program and is the official channel for reporting issues with authorized trainers. Start by contacting the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center that authorized your trainer, which can be found on the DOL’s website. While the OTP office cannot directly issue your card, they can investigate the matter and help you locate the appropriate contact if you provide the date and location of the training. If the training occurred more than five years ago, the trainer is no longer required to possess the records, meaning the only remaining option is to retake the course.
Using Your OSHA Card Number for Verification and Replacement
Once the unique number is retrieved, it serves two functions: verification and replacement. Employers often require this number to verify the authenticity of the training, usually by contacting the original trainer or the authorizing OTI Education Center, allowing the provider to quickly match the course completion record to the individual. The card number is also essential for requesting a replacement card, a process handled by the original trainer or provider. OSHA policy allows only one replacement card per student per class, and only if the training occurred within the last five years. A fee is typically associated with the replacement card, which is set by the trainer or the OTI Education Center.