Competent Person

What Is OSHA Competent Person Training?

Our Competent Person courses cover the hazard recognition and remediation knowledge that you need to execute the duties of a CP.

That said, OSHA is very clear that no single training session can qualify someone as a Competent Person. You need relevant work experience to effectively apply hazard knowledge, and you need the authority to take the corrective measures needed to eliminate them.

For people who meet these requirements, our Competent Person Training can make sure they have comprehensive and fresh knowledge of the relevant hazards and ways to mitigate them.

What Is a Competent Person Certification Good For?

First, OSHA doesn’t use the word “certification” – they’re firm on the fact that there is no such thing as competent person certification. But people often use the term to mean you’ve earned a certificate of completion for a certain kind of training with an OSHA-authorized provider.

In construction, competent persons (CPs) are an everyday necessity, because any and all construction activity has to proceed under the supervision of a competent person. As a result, people who can qualify as CPs are a valuable resource.

If you’re an experienced construction worker who has your supervisor’s trust, you can take on more responsibility once you complete competent training to brush up on all hazards, regulations, and corrective measures in a certain area. This will allow your supervisor to hand off competent person duties to you as needed. It’s a great way to advance your career.

How Do I Get Certified as a Competent Person?

Again, there’s no such thing as “OSHA competent person certification,” but you can get competent person training, online or otherwise, with any OSHA-authorized training provider, including us.

To get a “competent person certificate” (or rather, a certificate of completion in training related to CP duties), you just need to find a comprehensive course on the hazards, OSHA standards, and corrective measures related to a particular area of construction safety.

The course doesn’t necessarily need to say “competent person,” though it can be helpful to look for that term in the description to make sure you’ll be learning the material at the right level of complexity.

Once you complete all the material and pass the unit quizzes and final exam, you’ll get a certificate of completion that you can download or print as proof of your knowledge. It will be up to your supervisor to decide whether or not you are qualified to serve as a competent person.

Can I Take Competent Person Training Online?

Yes, you can get OSHA-aligned competent person training online as long as it’s with an OSHA-authorized training provider like us.

Online competent training can be more cost-effective, and it’s easier to fit in because you can take it whenever and wherever it’s best for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Competent Person Certificate?

Getting a certificate of completion in competent person training doesn’t have to be expensive, but the exact cost will vary based on the complexity of the subject matter and the type of course you take.  

Simpler competent person topics – like ladder safety – will cost far less to train on than complicated ones like electric utilities and telecommunication. Most will fall somewhere in the middle. Be wary of courses that are free or too cheap – the level of responsibility you take on as a CP requires some investment in your education. 

Online competent person training like ours tends to be the most cost-effective option while still providing the level of detail and testing that you need to build and prove your knowledge. Online courses can cost as little as $39.99 for some topics. In-person training is more expensive.

How Long Does Competent Person Training Take?

Again, the length of a competent person training course will vary a lot depending on the topic because the safety considerations in some areas are simpler than others. Many types of CP training can be completed in just 2 or 3 hours, but the most thorough version of fall protection takes a 24-hour commitment.

What Jobs Require Competent Person Training?

Construction competent person training can come in handy in many areas, because all construction activity must take place under the supervision of a CP.  

However, OSHA training requirements require a competent person for certain specialized activities, and these are the areas where management is likely to be the strictest and pickiest about designating a CP and ensuring that one is on-site during all relevant work. These activities include fall protection, cranes and derricks, excavation, demolition, scaffolding, and more.