Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)

Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA)

Credential: Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA)
Credentialing Agency: Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)

Renewal Period: 1 year

The Board of Environmental Auditor Certifications, Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA) is credential for professionals working in fields which require expertise in both safety and process. Earning the CPSA demonstrates one's understanding of important Process Safety elements and regulations for all industries with processes that involve explosive materials. Candidates must meet a combination of education and experience requirements. Candidates must pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    low

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 15 years
  • Education: High School Diploma/GED
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 1 year

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)

6005 W St. Joe Hwy
Ste 300
Lansing, MI  48917

Phone: 517-321-2638

Fax: 517-321-4624
Email: info@ehscredentialing.org

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Candidate must provide evidence of audit experience within the previous five years, consisting of either a minimum of 20 comprehensive process safety audits, OR have audited for a minimum of 100 days, including at least 20 days on-site.

Candidate must have verifiable process safety experience gained during the last 10 years in at least two of the areas described below:

  • Implementation of Process Safety programs
  • Process Hazard Analysis
  • Management of Change
  • Pre start-up safety reviews
  • Mechanical Integrity
  • Process Safety Information
  • Product Stewardship, Transportation or Distribution of hazardous products
  • Requirements of Process Safety laws, regulations and related documents
  • Process Safety Management systems and standards
  • Process Safety auditing procedures, processes and auditing techniques

Option 1:

Candidate must have at least 15 years' experience with a high school diploma.

Option 2:

Candidate must have at least ten years' experience with an Associate's degree.

Option 3:

Candidate must have at least seven years' experience with a Bachelor's degree.

Candidate must have at least 40 hours training in the past three years. At least 32 hours of training should be specific to process safety, and the remaining eight hours should be relevant to auditing, health, and safety, or management systems.

The Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidate must provide proof of identification in the form of a copy of the candidate’s current official driver’s license, passport or national identity card with indicated current status; expired documents will not be accepted official passport or national identity card. All documents must be scanned and uploaded through the Document Upload Portal in a manner that ensures the photo is clearly legible.
  • Candidate must provide two character references, from a responsible person such as a supervisor or a manager. Individuals providing references must have known the applicant for a minimum of two years and have knowledge of the candidate's experience and skills relative to auditing.
Show Written Exam Requirements / Hide Written Exam Requirements

  • Ethics and Standards of Conduct for Auditors
  • Audit Program Design
  • Audit Activities
    • Pre-Audit Activities
    • On-Site Activities
    • Post-Audit Activities

  • Mechanical Integrity (15%)
  • Process Safety Information (PSI) (14%)
  • RMP Hazard Assessment/ Risk Management Plan/ External Emergency Plans (10%)
  • Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and Risk Analysis (10%)
  • Operating Procedures (8%)
  • Regulatory Framework (5%)
  • Safe Work Practices (Including Hot Work) (5%)
  • Training (5%)
  • Contractors (5%)
  • Management of Change (MOC) (5%)
  • Incident Investigation (5%)
  • Emergency Management (5%)
  • Pre-startup Safety Review (PSSR) (3%)
  • Compliance Audits (3%)
  • Employee/Contractor Participation (2%)

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA)

Renewal Period: 1 year

The Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA) credential has the following recertification information:

  • CPSA certification holders performing process safety auditing functions must complete a total of 20 hours of acceptable CPD every year and pay an annual certification fee.  Additional information about recertification can be found on The IIA website.
  • Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

Click to go to the external ANAB web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

Click to go to the external ICAC web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

Click to go to the external ABSNC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

Click to go to the external NCCA web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

Click to go to the external IAS web site.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

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This is an official U.S. Marine Corps website
Updated: February 26, 2021
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