How To Get Your OSHA 30 Certification For Electricians

4
min read
Seth Brown
Table of Contents

OSHA 30 certification is your ticket to running crews and landing the bigger federal construction jobs. This advanced safety training teaches you how to manage workplace safety and prevent the kind of accidents that delay or even shut down entire job sites.

Getting your OSHA 30 doesn't just qualify you for foreman positions - it puts you in line for jobs that pay $5-15 more per hour. Most electrical contractors require OSHA 30 certification for supervisor roles, and a lot of unions are making it required for everyone working on large projects.

What Is OSHA 30 Certification?

The OSHA 30-Hour Construction Industry Training Program trains supervisors, foremen, and anyone who's responsible for job site safety. For electricians, this certification opens doors to running crews and teaches you how to spot and handle safety problems before they become disasters.

Key benefits for electricians:

  • You need it for foreman and supervisor jobs
  • Required for big construction projects and government work
  • Bumps your pay by $5-15 per hour
  • Required for union leadership roles
  • Proves to leadership you're serious about safety

OSHA 30 vs OSHA 10: Which Do You Need?

Many electricians get their OSHA 10 certification early in their careers because it's required by lots of job sites and electrical contractors.

Choose OSHA 30 if you want to:

  • Run crews or become a foreman
  • Work on big construction jobs
  • Get on government projects
  • Move up in your union
  • Become a safety coordinator

OSHA 30 advantages:

  • 30 hours of training vs 10 hours - way more comprehensive
  • Built for people who run crews and manage safety
  • Teaches you how to set up safety programs
  • Gets you better-paying jobs
  • If you have OSHA 30, you don't need OSHA 10

How To Get OSHA 30 Certified: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Access the OSHA 30 Course

We recommend CareerSafe as an online provider:

Once you're on the CareerSafe website, click Add to Cart to begin the enrollment process.

Step 2: Add the Course to Your Cart

After clicking "Add to Cart," you'll be taken to the Create a New account page or you can sign in if you already have an account.

Step 3: Complete Your Purchase

Click Checkout and input all of your personal and payment information. Make sure to:

  • Double-check your name spelling (it must match your ID)
  • Provide accurate contact information
  • Keep your receipt for your records

Step 4: Access Your Training Portal

Once you submit payment, you'll receive login credentials to access the CareerSafe portal where you'll complete your training.

Time requirements:

  • Takes at least 4-5 days to finish
  • You can only do 7.5 hours per day (OSHA rule)
  • You have 180 days to complete it
  • Plan on 1-2 hours of study time for every hour of training

Here's how it works:

  • 30 hours of online training modules
  • Videos and real-world case studies
  • Quiz after each module
  • Final exam (typically 20-100 questions; need 70% to pass)

What Topics Does OSHA 30 Cover?

What you'll learn:

  • Introduction to OSHA (1 hour)
  • Focus Four Hazards: Falls, Electrocution, Struck-by, Caught-in/between (6 hours total)
  • How to Run Safety Programs (2 hours)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (2 hours)
  • Health Hazards in Construction (2 hours)
  • Stairways and Ladders (1 hour)

Extra topics you might cover:

  • Concrete and masonry construction
  • Confined space entry
  • Cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators
  • Ergonomics
  • Excavations
  • Fire protection and prevention
  • Materials handling and storage
  • Motor vehicles and mechanized equipment
  • Powered industrial vehicles
  • Scaffolds
  • Steel erection
  • Hand and power tools

Getting Your OSHA 30 Card

Once you finish the course:

  • You can download your certificate right away
  • Your physical wallet card gets mailed within 2-3 weeks
  • The card never expires (at least not federally)
  • Some companies make you take refresher training every 3-5 years
  • You can only get a replacement card within 5 years

How Much Does OSHA 30 Cost?

What it costs:

What you get back:

  • Supervisor jobs may pay $5-15 more per hour
  • You'll make back what you spent in the first week
  • Opens doors to government jobs and union leadership

Job Opportunities With OSHA 30

Jobs that want OSHA 30:

  • Construction foreman and crew leaders
  • Safety coordinators at electrical companies
  • Project supervisors for commercial work
  • Union leadership and training jobs
  • Any government contract work

Many electrical contractors won’t interview you for supervisor jobs without OSHA 30, and some are starting to require it for journeyman electricians on big projects.

Tips for Passing OSHA 30

How to study smart:

  • Focus on the leadership and safety management stuff
  • Take good notes on electrical hazard management
  • Practice the scenario questions - they love those
  • Don't rush through it - there's a lot to absorb
  • Review the inspection procedures and what OSHA expects from supervisors

Managing your time:

  • Block out dedicated study time
  • Spread it over 4-5 days minimum
  • Take breaks between modules so it actually sticks
  • Review your notes before the final exam

Start Your OSHA 30 Certification Today

Don't put off getting your OSHA 30 certification. The electrical industry is all about safety leadership now, and having this certification means you're ready when good supervisor jobs open up. The course costs $159 and takes about 30+ hours of study time, but you'll make that back in your first week at a higher-paying job.

Whether you want to become a foreman, move into safety coordination, or just make yourself more valuable on government projects, OSHA 30 gives you what you need to get there. Don't wait - start your OSHA 30 today and set yourself up for the next level of your electrical career.

FAQs

Do electricians need OSHA 30 or just OSHA 10?

Electricians need OSHA 30 for supervisor roles, foreman positions, or large construction projects. Entry-level electricians can start with OSHA 10, but OSHA 30 opens doors to better-paying leadership positions.

Is the OSHA 30 test hard to pass?

The OSHA 30 exam is challenging but manageable with proper preparation. You need 70% to pass, get three attempts, and have 180 days to complete the course.

How much more money can electricians make with OSHA 30?

Electricians with OSHA 30 typically earn $5-15 more per hour in supervisory roles. The certification qualifies you for foreman positions and government contract work that pays premium rates.

Can you take OSHA 30 online for electricians?

Yes, electricians can take OSHA 30 Construction online through authorized providers like CareerSafe. The course takes 30 hours spread over at least 4 days due to daily time limits.

Does OSHA 30 expire for electricians?

OSHA 30 cards never expire at the federal level. Some employers or unions may require refresher training every 3-5 years, but the certification itself remains valid.

Find electrician jobs hiring right now.

Download the Buildforce app for free and connect with contractors who need your skills and qualifications on their job sites.

Find electrician jobs hiring right now.

Download the Buildforce app for free and connect with contractors who need your skills and qualifications on their job sites.