Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

Safety Management Specialist (SMS)

Credential: Safety Management Specialist (SMS)  GI Bill resource  ANAB (ANSI) resource
Credentialing Agency: Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), Safety Management Specialists (SMS) certification provides a candidate with management skills required for a business's safe operation. SMS candidates define and utilize an organization's safety management systems; risk management; incident investigation and emergency preparedness; maintain current knowledge of safety, health and environmental (SH&E) concepts; and identify the business case for safety. Candidates must meet the minimum work qualifications of either part-time or full-time in an occupational health or safety (at least 35% of the job tasks related to management of safety related programs, processes, procedures, and/or personnel). Candidate's must must pass a written exam.

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

Safety Management Specialist (SMS)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    low

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 10 years recommended
  • Education
  • 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: 5 years

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

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

8645 Guion Road
Indianapolis, IN  46268

Phone: 1-317-593-4800

Fax: 1-317-593-4400
Contact Page

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Candidate should have at least 10 years of experience in occupational health or safety. The candidate's work experiences must have at least 35% of job related tasks to the management of safety related programs, processes, procedures, and/or personnel.

The Safety Management Specialist (SMS) credential has the following other requirements:

Written Exam

  • Management Systems (20%)
  • Risk Management (17.1%)
  • Safety, Health and Environmental Concepts (33.1%)
  • Incident Investigation and Emergency Preparedness (11.5%)
  • Business Case of Safety (18.3%)

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Safety Management Specialist (SMS) 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 Safety Management Specialist (SMS) credential where checked:

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

  • For more information on the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Safety Management Specialist (SMS)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Safety Management Specialist (SMS) credential has the following recertification information:

  • SMS recertification is every 5 years and certification holders must earn and report 25 points of continuing education activities. There are 10 categories of activities, each providing points toward meeting that goal. There is no limit to the number of points in some categories, while other categories have annual and/or total point limits.

    Certification holders must pay an annual renewal fee and meet recertification requirements to maintain certification. 


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

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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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

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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

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Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

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

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

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Updated: January 29, 2021
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