OSHA 30-Hour Outreach Training (Construction) Exam Guide
At a glance
- Passing score
- No exam or passing score
- Governing body
- U.S. Department of Labor
The OSHA 30-Hour Outreach Training (Construction) course is a voluntary safety training program administered under the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Outreach Training Program. It is intended for workers with some safety responsibility on a construction jobsite, such as supervisors and crew leads, and results in a student course completion card rather than a certification.
Overview
The 30-hour curriculum is built from required, elective, and optional topic hours rather than a graded exam blueprint. Required topics total 14 hours and elective topics must total at least 12 hours, drawn from a list where at least six topics must be presented and each runs a minimum of 30 minutes (except Foundations for Safety Leadership). Trainers may add up to 4 optional hours covering other construction hazards or expanding on required and elective material.
- Introduction to OSHA — 1 hour
- Managing Safety and Health — 2 hours
- OSHA Focus Four Hazards — 6 hours, including a minimum of 1.5 hours on Falls and at least 30 minutes each on Electrocution, Struck-By, and Caught-In or Between
- Personal Protective Equipment — 2 hours
- Health Hazards in Construction — 2 hours
- Stairways and Ladders — 1 hour
- Foundations for Safety Leadership — minimum of 2.5 hours
- Elective topics — at least 12 hours across at least six topics
- Optional topics — up to 4 hours
Video content is limited to no more than 25% of total instructional time.
Exam format
Instructional time must total a minimum of 30 hours, delivered over a minimum of four calendar days. Daily training is capped at 7.5 student contact hours, and no individual training session may exceed 10 consecutive hours. There is no exam, question count, or passing score — completion is based on attending and finishing the required instructional hours. Trainers must submit class documentation to their Accredited Training Organization within 30 calendar days of class completion, and students should receive their completion card within 90 calendar days of the class end date.
Frequently asked questions
Is the OSHA 30 a certification exam?
No. OSHA explicitly states the Outreach Training Program is not a certification program and must not be advertised as such — it is voluntary training that results in a student course completion card.
How many hours of training does OSHA 30 require?
The course requires a minimum of 30 instructional hours, made up of 14 required hours, at least 12 elective hours, and up to 4 optional hours.
How much does an OSHA 30 card cost?
OSHA does not set a student fee for the Outreach Training Program — pricing is set by the individual authorized trainer or training organization, so check with your provider's official fee schedule for the exact cost.
How long does it take to complete the OSHA 30 course?
A 30-hour class must run over a minimum of four calendar days, with training limited to a maximum of 7.5 student contact hours per calendar day and no single session exceeding 10 consecutive hours.
When will I get my OSHA 30 completion card, and does it expire?
Trainers must provide student completion cards within 90 calendar days of the class end date. The Outreach Training Program rules don't set a fixed expiration date for general industry or construction completion cards; Maritime cards specifically have not expired since April 1, 2019.
What if I lose my OSHA 30 card or never received it?
You must contact the original trainer who conducted your training to request a replacement, and this is limited to one replacement per class as long as the class completion date is within the last five years; if the card was never issued, a new set can't be requested more than 90 calendar days after the class end date.
Sources
- 1.OSHA Outreach Training Program Requirements (Revised, effective October 01, 2024) — U.S. Department of Labor — OSHA Outreach Training Program (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 2.Outreach Training Program — Construction Industry Procedures (Revised July 01, 2024; Effective October 01, 2024) — U.S. Department of Labor — OSHA Outreach Training Program (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 3.Outreach Training Program | Occupational Safety and Health Administration — U.S. Department of Labor — OSHA Outreach Training Program (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- Outreach Training Program — Construction Industry Procedures (Revised July 01, 2024; Effective October 01, 2024)U.S. Department of Labor — OSHA Outreach Training Programosha.gov
- OSHA Outreach Training Program Requirements (Revised, effective October 01, 2024)U.S. Department of Labor — OSHA Outreach Training Programosha.gov
- Outreach Training Program | Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationU.S. Department of Labor — OSHA Outreach Training Programosha.gov
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