OSHA 10 Hour Online: Providers, Costs & DOL Card (2026)

Getting your osha 10 hour online training is a straightforward process: you find an authorized online provider, complete the course material over a minimum of two days, and pass the final assessment to earn your official Department of Labor (DOL) card. This training is a crucial first step for any career in the skilled trades or general industry. Whether your employer requires it or you’re looking to boost your resume, understanding the steps is essential.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about getting your osha 10 hour online training, from picking the right course to avoiding common scams.

What is the OSHA Outreach Training Program?

The OSHA Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Its main purpose is to teach workers basic safety practices and how to recognize hazards on the job. It’s important to know that this training is for awareness and is not a certification. Even with an OSHA 10 card, your employer is still responsible for providing specific training on the equipment and hazards at your actual job site.

The program first kicked off way back in 1971 and has grown massively since then. It uses a “train the trainer” model, where OSHA authorizes qualified instructors who can then teach thousands of workers. It’s incredibly effective; in the fiscal years from 2021 to 2025 alone, over 6.5 million workers received this training.

While the program is voluntary on a federal level, many employers and even some states have made it a requirement. At least nine states, including New York, Nevada, and Massachusetts, require OSHA 10 hour training for construction workers on certain projects, especially public works jobs. In practice, it has become a baseline safety credential for many industries.

Finding an Authorized OSHA 10 Hour Online Provider

If you want to get your osha 10 hour online card, you must use a provider that is officially authorized by OSHA. OSHA keeps a tight leash on who can offer these courses online to ensure quality and legitimacy. Taking a course from an unapproved website means you could end up with a worthless, fake card.

OSHA’s website has an official list of authorized online providers. Before you sign up and pay for any course, you should always check that the company is on that list.

Taking the course online is popular because you can learn at your own pace. The cost for an osha 10 hour online course typically ranges from $50 to $150, with the average falling between $60 and $80. The good news is that platforms are making this training more accessible and affordable. For example, you can get your legitimate OSHA 10 training through a provider like SkillCat (see our OSHA 10 Hour Course Guide) for a very competitive price, ensuring you get your official Department of Labor (DOL) card without breaking the bank.

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

Both the 10 hour and 30 hour courses are part of the Outreach program, but they are designed for different people.

• OSHA 10 Hour Training: This is the entry level course. It’s perfect for general workers and anyone new to the workforce. It covers basic hazard awareness, worker rights, and essential safety principles. Think of it as Safety 101.

• OSHA 30 Hour Training: This is a much more in depth course designed for supervisors, foremen, and anyone with safety responsibilities. It covers a wider range of topics in greater detail, focusing more on policies, procedures, and hazard prevention strategies.

Because of the difference in content, there are also different time requirements. An OSHA 10 course must be spread over at least two days. The 30 hour course must take a minimum of four days. This rule ensures you have enough time to actually absorb the material. Naturally, the 30 hour course costs more, typically averaging around $160 to $190.

If a job requires you to have OSHA 10 hour training, having a 30 hour card will always meet that requirement.

OSHA Training by Industry: Choosing the Right Course

OSHA training isn’t a one size fits all program. The courses are tailored to the specific hazards of different work environments. The main categories are Construction, General Industry, Maritime, and Disaster Site Worker. Choosing the right one for your job is key.

OSHA 10 Hour Construction Training

This course is designed specifically for workers on construction sites. The curriculum is heavily focused on the most common dangers in this field. A huge part of the training is dedicated to the “Focus Four” hazards:

• Falls

• Electrocution

• Struck By objects

• Caught In or Between objects

These four areas are responsible for the vast majority of fatalities in construction. In fact, falls alone accounted for over a third of all U.S. construction worker deaths in 2019. The course also covers personal protective equipment (PPE) and health hazards like silica dust and noise. This training is so critical that many states and most major contractors require it before you can set foot on a job site.

OSHA 10 Hour General Industry Training

If you work in manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, retail, or any other non construction field, this is the course for you. The osha 10 hour online General Industry training covers a broad range of workplace safety topics based on OSHA’s 1910 standards.

Key topics include:

• Walking and working surfaces (to prevent slips, trips, and falls)

• Emergency action plans and fire safety

• Electrical safety

• Hazard Communication (working with chemicals)

Hazard Communication is a major focus because it is consistently one of the most frequently violated OSHA standards. This training ensures you know how to read safety data sheets and understand chemical labels. This training is invaluable for anyone entering a trade like HVAC or facilities maintenance. You can see our How to Become an HVAC Technician guide for the full path from beginner to hire. That’s why SkillCat integrates OSHA 10 General Industry training into its curriculum, so aspiring technicians graduate with both technical skills and essential safety knowledge. If you’re starting in HVAC, pair OSHA 10 with our EPA 608 certification online guide to get job‑ready fast.

How to Handle a Lost or Damaged OSHA Card

If you lose your OSHA 10 or 30 hour card, don’t panic. You can get a replacement (step-by-step DOL card guide), but you have to go through the right channels. You cannot request one directly from OSHA.

Instead, you must contact the original OSHA authorized trainer or online provider who issued your card. They are required to keep training records for five years. They can verify your completion and request a replacement card on your behalf. There is usually a small processing fee for a new card.

A key fact to remember is that under federal rules, your OSHA Outreach training card does not expire. However, if you took the course more than five years ago, your trainer may no longer have the records needed to issue a replacement.

Spotting and Avoiding OSHA Training Card Fraud

Unfortunately, fake OSHA cards are a real problem. Card fraud involves selling counterfeit cards or issuing cards to people who never actually completed the required training. This is dangerous because it puts untrained workers on job sites, risking their safety and the safety of others.

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• A provider promises you can get a card in just a few hours.

• The price is extremely low or seems too good to be true.

• The online provider is not on OSHA’s official list of authorized trainers.

• An instructor is unwilling to show you their OSHA trainer credentials.

OSHA takes this issue seriously and even maintains a public “Outreach Trainer Watch List” for trainers who have violated program rules. The bottom line is simple: never “buy” an OSHA card. You must earn it by completing the full training from a legitimate source.

Finding a Local In Person Trainer

While taking an osha 10 hour online course is convenient, some people prefer in person classes. OSHA makes it easy to find a local, authorized trainer through its public database. If you’re comparing classroom options vs. online, see How Much Does Trade School Cost? to understand the total costs beyond tuition. You can use the “Find a Trainer” tool on the OSHA website to search for instructors in your area.

The database lists nearly 19,000 trainers who have voluntarily made their information public. You can filter your search by location, industry (Construction or General Industry), and even language to find the right class for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions about OSHA 10 Hour Online Training

How long does an osha 10 hour online course really take?

By OSHA rule, the 10 hours of training must be spread over a minimum of two calendar days. You cannot complete a legitimate course in a single day.

Does my OSHA 10 card expire?

No. According to federal OSHA, cards issued for Construction, General Industry, and Maritime do not have an expiration date. Some local regulations or employers may require refresher training every few years.

Is an osha 10 hour online card legitimate?

Yes, as long as it is from an OSHA authorized online provider. The card you receive from an approved online course is the same official Department of Labor card you would get from an in person class.

How much does an osha 10 hour online course cost?

The price varies by provider but typically falls between $50 and $150. Many reputable providers offer the course in the $60 to $80 range.

What kind of topics are on the OSHA 10 test?

There isn’t a single standardized test. Most courses include quizzes or a final exam with multiple choice questions that cover the material presented in the training modules, like the Focus Four hazards or hazard communication.

Can I get my OSHA card instantly?

No. After completing your osha 10 hour online training, you can usually print a temporary certificate. The official, durable plastic card from the Department of Labor is mailed to you and typically arrives within a few weeks.