To get an OSHA card, you need to complete either a 10-hour or 30-hour Outreach Training Program course through an OSHA-authorized trainer, either online or in person. Once you finish the course, your trainer orders the card from OSHA, and you receive a physical wallet-sized card in the mail. The process is straightforward, but choosing the right course type, finding a legitimate provider, and understanding what to expect afterward all matter.
Choose Between the 10-Hour and 30-Hour Course
OSHA’s Outreach Training Program offers two levels: 10-hour and 30-hour. The 10-hour course is designed for entry-level workers and covers basic hazard recognition and worker rights. The 30-hour course goes deeper into safety topics and is geared toward supervisors, foremen, and workers with some safety responsibility on the job.
Within each level, you also pick an industry track. Construction and General Industry are the two main options. Construction covers hazards like fall protection, scaffolding, and excavation. General Industry focuses on manufacturing, warehousing, and other non-construction workplaces, with topics like machine guarding, hazardous materials, and lockout/tagout procedures. Your card will specify both the course length and the industry track, so pick the one that matches your job or the requirement your employer has set.
Most workers searching for an OSHA card need the 10-hour construction course. Several states and cities legally require it before you can step onto a construction site, and many employers treat it as a baseline hiring requirement even where it isn’t legally mandated. If you’re unsure which course to take, check with your employer or union first.
Find an OSHA-Authorized Training Provider
This is the most important step: your training must come from an OSHA-authorized provider. Plenty of websites sell safety courses that look official but won’t result in a legitimate OSHA card. OSHA maintains a list of authorized online providers on its website at osha.gov/training/outreach/training-providers, and only trainers listed there (or in-person trainers who hold a current OSHA Outreach trainer card) can issue the real thing.
Currently authorized online providers include 360Training (also called OSHAcampus), ClickSafety, CareerSafe, PureSafety, HSI, Redvector (Vector Solutions), AdvanceOnline, and the University of South Florida, among others. Not every provider offers every course type. For example, the 30-hour General Industry course online is available through fewer providers than the 10-hour construction course. Check the OSHA list to confirm the specific provider offers your course before paying.
In-person training is available through OSHA Education Centers, community colleges, union training programs, and private safety companies whose instructors hold OSHA trainer authorization. If your employer or union offers the training on-site, it’s usually taught by one of these authorized trainers.
What the Course Costs
Online courses are significantly cheaper than in-person options. Expect to pay roughly $60 to $80 for an online 10-hour course and $160 to $190 for an online 30-hour course. Some providers run sales or bundle the course with additional certifications, so prices vary.
In-person training typically costs more because it includes an instructor, classroom space, and materials. A 10-hour in-person class often runs around $250, while a 30-hour course can reach $600 or more. Some employers cover the cost entirely, and union apprenticeship programs frequently include OSHA training at no charge to the worker. Before you pay out of pocket, ask whether your employer will reimburse you or provide the training directly.
Completing the Course
Online courses let you work at your own pace, but OSHA requires that 10-hour courses take a minimum of 10 hours and 30-hour courses take a minimum of 30 hours. The platform tracks your time, and you cannot fast-forward through material. Most online providers break the content into modules with quizzes at the end of each one. You need to pass a final exam to complete the course.
In-person courses are typically delivered over two days for the 10-hour version and four days for the 30-hour version, though schedules vary. Attendance for the full duration is required. If you miss a session, you generally need to make it up before the trainer can issue your card.
How You Receive the Card
After you complete the course, your trainer submits a request to OSHA for your card. OSHA then mails the physical card, a wallet-sized plastic card similar to a driver’s license, to the trainer or directly to you depending on the arrangement. This process typically takes several weeks, and during busy periods it can stretch longer.
In the meantime, most training providers give you a certificate of completion or a temporary document right away. This serves as proof that you finished the course while you wait for the official card. Many job sites and employers accept this temporary proof, but confirm with yours to be sure.
Replacement Cards
If you lose your card or it gets damaged, contact the trainer who taught your course. OSHA does not keep records of outreach training classes and cannot issue replacement cards directly. Your trainer can request one replacement card per student per class, but only if the course was completed within the last five years. After five years, a replacement is no longer available through this process, and you would need to retake the course to get a new card.
Because of this policy, it’s smart to make a photocopy or take a photo of your card as soon as you receive it. Keep a digital copy somewhere accessible so you have proof of training even if the physical card is lost.
Does the Card Expire?
OSHA outreach cards do not have a federal expiration date. Once issued, the card itself remains valid indefinitely. However, some employers, unions, and local regulations require workers to retake the course every few years to stay current on updated safety standards. Even where there’s no formal expiration, completing refresher training every three to five years is common practice in the construction industry. Check with your employer or the jurisdiction where you work to see if periodic renewal is expected.
Employer and State Requirements
OSHA’s outreach program is voluntary at the federal level, meaning federal OSHA does not require workers to carry a card. But several states and municipalities have passed their own laws making the 10-hour or 30-hour course mandatory for construction workers. These requirements vary: some apply only to public works projects, others cover all construction sites, and a few distinguish between workers and supervisors. If you work in construction, check your state and local labor department rules to confirm whether you’re legally required to have a card and which course level you need.
Even in places without a legal mandate, having an OSHA card gives you a hiring advantage. Many general contractors require it before allowing subcontractors’ workers on site, and it’s increasingly listed as a requirement or preferred qualification in job postings for construction, manufacturing, and warehouse positions.