OSHA 10: 2025 Guide to Training, DOL Card & Requirements

Ever heard someone on a job site mention they have their “OSHA 10”? It’s one of the most common safety credentials for entry level workers in the United States. The OSHA 10 is a 10 hour introductory safety course from OSHA’s Outreach Training Program, designed to give workers a basic awareness of common job site hazards and their rights. The goal isn’t to make you an expert on every single OSHA rule but to teach you how to recognize, avoid, and prevent workplace safety and health hazards.

Whether you’re starting a new career in the trades or an employer building a safety program, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about OSHA 10 training.

OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30: What’s the Difference?

You’ll often hear about the OSHA 30 course mentioned alongside the OSHA 10. They are both part of the same popular Outreach Training Program. It’s important to know that upon completing either course, you don’t receive a license or a certification. Instead, you get an official OSHA 10 course completion card from the U.S. Department of Labor that signals a fundamental understanding of workplace safety.

The two courses serve different audiences:

• OSHA 10: This 10 hour course is for entry level workers. It provides a general awareness of job site safety.

• OSHA 30: This more in depth 30 hour course is designed for supervisors, foremen, and anyone with safety responsibilities. It covers a broader range of topics in much greater detail, including how to manage safety programs.

While both courses lead to a DOL card, the OSHA 10 is far more common for the general workforce.

Finding the Right OSHA 10 Course for Your Industry

The OSHA 10 isn’t a universal program. The training is tailored to specific industries to ensure the content is relevant to the hazards workers will actually face.

OSHA 10 Construction

This is the most well known version of the course. It’s designed for laborers and tradespeople in the construction industry and is based on OSHA’s construction standards (29 CFR 1926). A huge part of this training focuses on the “Focus Four” hazards, which are the leading causes of death on construction sites:

1. Falls

2. Electrocution

3. Struck by Object

4. Caught in or between Objects

Understanding these four risks is a core component of the OSHA 10 Construction course.

OSHA 10 General Industry

This course is for workers in just about every other sector, including manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, and retail. It’s based on OSHA’s general industry standards (29 CFR 1910). Topics often include things like machine guarding, preventing slips and falls on walking surfaces, electrical safety in an industrial setting, and hazard communication for chemicals.

OSHA 10 Maritime

This is a more specialized course for workers in shipyards, at marine terminals, and in longshoring operations. It covers the unique hazards found in these environments, like confined space entry on vessels, crane safety, and risks specific to working on or near water.

OSHA 10 Disaster Site Worker

A specialized 15 hour course is available for workers involved in cleanup and recovery after natural or man made disasters. This training covers the unique safety and health challenges found on disaster sites, which can differ significantly from standard construction sites. It is essential for ensuring worker safety during response and cleanup efforts.

What Will You Learn? A Look Inside the Curriculum

Every OSHA 10 course, regardless of industry, starts with an Introduction to OSHA. This module covers your rights as a worker, your employer’s responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.

From there, the curriculum dives into specific hazards.

• In a Construction course, you’ll spend significant time on the Focus Four, as well as topics like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and health hazards like silica dust exposure.

• In a General Industry course, you’ll cover electrical hazards, fire prevention and emergency exit plans, machine guarding, and understanding Safety Data Sheets for chemicals.

The key takeaway is that an OSHA 10 provides a broad safety orientation. It does not replace the specific training on tools, equipment, or processes that your employer is required to provide by law. For deeper dives on safety topics across the trades, explore the HVAC Technician Blog.

Key Safety Topics Covered

Depending on the course and trainer, your OSHA 10 may cover several other crucial safety areas. These modules are often chosen as electives to match the common risks of a particular industry.

• Hazardous Materials (HazCom): Learn how to read labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to understand chemical hazards and protect yourself.

• Lockout/Tagout: Understand procedures for de energizing machinery or equipment to prevent the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance.

• Welding Safety: Covers fume hazards, fire prevention, and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for welding, cutting, and brazing.

• Ergonomics: Learn to recognize and reduce musculoskeletal stressors by fitting the job to the worker, which helps prevent strains and sprains.

• Excavation and Trenching Safety: Focuses on identifying soil types, understanding protective systems like shoring and sloping, and recognizing the signs of a potential cave in.

• Material Handling: Covers safe techniques for lifting, carrying, and storing materials to prevent back injuries and accidents from falling objects.

• Powered Industrial Trucks: Addresses the safe operation of forklifts and other powered trucks, including stability, inspection, and load handling.

• Scaffold Safety: Learn requirements for proper scaffold construction, inspection, and use to prevent collapses and falls.

• Stairway and Ladder Safety: Covers how to select, inspect, and use ladders and stairs correctly to prevent fall hazards.

• Hand and Power Tool Safety: Focuses on the proper use, maintenance, and guarding of tools to prevent injuries from hazards like electrical shock and moving parts.

The Big Question: Is OSHA 10 Required by Law?

This is where things get a little tricky. At the federal level, OSHA considers the Outreach Training Program to be voluntary. Federal OSHA does not require any worker to have an OSHA 10 card.

However, many states, cities, and employers have made it a requirement. At least seven states have laws mandating OSHA 10 training for workers on certain construction projects, particularly those funded with public money. These states include:

• Connecticut

• Massachusetts

• Missouri

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New York

• Rhode Island

Some sources also list Pennsylvania and West Virginia as having certain requirements. Nevada has one of the strictest laws, requiring all construction workers to complete an OSHA 10 course within 15 days of being hired. New York City has its own local law (Local Law 196) that requires even more extensive safety training for its construction workforce, starting with an OSHA 10.

Because it is a federal program, OSHA 10 training is recognized nationwide, but its requirement is a matter of state, local, or employer policy. Beyond state laws, many general contractors, unions, and private companies require an OSHA 10 card as a condition of employment or for site access to promote a culture of safety.

Getting Your Card: Logistics and Verification

Ready to get your OSHA 10? Here’s what you need to know.

Who is Eligible for an OSHA 10 Course?

Anyone can take an OSHA 10 course. There is no minimum age requirement, making it a great safety introduction for teenagers and young adults entering the workforce through vocational programs or summer jobs. You also do not need to be currently employed. Many job seekers complete the training on their own to make their resumes more competitive. The training is available to workers within the geographic jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.

Finding and Verifying an Authorized Trainer

To receive a legitimate DOL card, you must take your course from an OSHA authorized trainer. OSHA doesn’t conduct the training itself but authorizes qualified individuals and organizations to do so. To stay authorized, trainers must complete an update course every four years to remain current on OSHA standards and policies. This ensures the information you receive is up to date.

It’s critical to verify your trainer’s credentials. Ask to see their current OSHA Outreach Trainer card, which lists their name, the industry they can teach, and an expiration date. This simple step helps you avoid fraudulent courses. Services like SkillCat simplify this process by partnering exclusively with OSHA authorized providers, ensuring your training is legitimate.

Online Training, Accessibility, and Spanish Options

Yes, you can take OSHA 10 training online and in languages other than English. Online training has exploded in popularity. These courses offer flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Just be sure to use one of the providers officially authorized by OSHA.

High quality online providers often design their courses to be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. While OSHA does not mandate this for private websites, it is a marker of a quality provider.

The course is also widely available in Spanish, both online and in person. OSHA maintains a list of trainers who can conduct classes in Spanish, ensuring that all workers can receive critical safety information in the language they best understand. For those starting their careers, accessible platforms like SkillCat provide affordable and bilingual training options to help you get the credentials you need.

Earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Many OSHA 10 courses are accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). This means that by completing your training, you may also earn CEUs. These units are often required by professional organizations to maintain licenses or certifications in various fields. Earning CEUs while getting your OSHA 10 card adds significant value to your professional development.

Managing and Protecting Your OSHA 10 Card

Once you’ve completed the training, your card is an important credential. Here’s how to manage it.

How to Verify a Card Is Legitimate

OSHA itself does not keep a central database of every student who has completed the course. Verification responsibility falls to the trainer or provider who issued the card. They are required to keep training records for at least five years. To verify a card, you should contact the trainer or organization listed on it. Modern cards are plastic and have security features like a QR code to help deter fraud.

What to Do if You Lose Your Card

If you lose your card, contact the original trainer or online provider who conducted your class. If your training was within the last five years, they can verify your completion from their records and order a replacement card for you (usually for a small fee). If it has been more than five years, their records may be gone, and you might need to retake the course.

Avoiding and Reporting Fraud

Unfortunately, fraud exists. To protect yourself, remember these tips:

• Avoid “Instant Cards”: A real course requires 10 hours of instruction, usually over at least two days. Anyone promising a card with no class time is running a scam.

• Use Authorized Providers: Stick to trainers you can verify or online providers authorized on OSHA’s website.

• Understand It’s Not a License: The card is proof of training completion, not a professional certification. Be wary of anyone selling “OSHA certification.”

If you encounter a fraudulent trainer or website, you can report it to OSHA. Complaints can be filed with the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education via email or a fraud hotline to protect other workers.

Frequently Asked Questions About OSHA 10

How long does it take to get my OSHA 10 card?

After you finish the course, you’ll typically receive a temporary certificate of completion immediately. The official plastic DOL card is mailed and usually arrives within a few weeks, though trainers have up to 90 days to issue it.

Does my OSHA 10 card expire?

According to federal OSHA, the card never expires. However, some states (like NYC), job sites, or employers may require you to take a refresher course every few years to ensure your knowledge is current.

Is OSHA 10 the only safety training I need?

No. The OSHA 10 is a general safety orientation. Your employer is still legally required to provide specific training on the unique hazards, machinery, and procedures of your particular job. If you handle refrigerants, you’ll also need EPA Section 608 certification.

Can I take the OSHA 10 course on my phone?

Yes! Many OSHA authorized online providers offer courses that are friendly for mobile devices. Platforms like SkillCat are designed for on the go learning, allowing you to complete your training conveniently from a phone or tablet.

How much does an OSHA 10 course cost?

Prices vary depending on the provider, but online courses are often very affordable. For instance, you can find OSHA authorized partner courses for around $50, making it an accessible investment in your career safety.