When Does OSHA 10 Expire? Federal vs State Rules (2026)

You’ve completed your OSHA 10 hour training, you have your card, and you’re ready to work safely. But then a question pops into your head, or maybe a supervisor asks, “Is your OSHA 10 current?” This leads to the big question many workers face: when does OSHA 10 expire?

The answer is a little more complicated than a simple date. While the official card from the Department of Labor doesn’t have an expiration date, other rules from employers or local governments can require you to refresh your training. Let’s break down what that means for you.

The Official Federal Rule: Your OSHA 10 Card is for Life

Let’s get the main point out of the way first. According to the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA, your federal OSHA 10 card does not have an expiration date. Once you earn it, it’s considered valid indefinitely at the federal level. The plastic card you receive in the mail won’t even have an expiry date printed on it, which reinforces that OSHA sees the training as permanent.

So, in the eyes of federal OSHA, the answer to “when does OSHA 10 expire?” is never. However, that isn’t the end of the story.

Why You Might Be Asked to Renew Your OSHA 10

Even though your card is technically good forever, you’ll often find that employers or specific job sites have their own rules. This is where most of the confusion comes from. These requirements usually fall into two categories. To keep your skills sharp, bookmark our skilled trades articles for ongoing safety and compliance tips.

Employer Renewal Policies

Many companies have internal safety policies that require employees to retake OSHA training periodically, often every 3 to 5 years. They do this for a few good reasons:

• Staying Current:Safety standards and best practices can change over time.

• Reinforcing Knowledge: A refresher course helps ensure critical safety information stays top of mind.

• Liability and Insurance: Keeping training records up to date is crucial for legal and insurance purposes, showing a company’s commitment to safety.

An employer might not accept an OSHA 10 card that’s more than five years old for a new hire or to grant access to a job site. This doesn’t mean your card is invalid, just that the company requires more recent training as a condition of employment.

State and City Specific Rules

This is the other major reason you might need to renew. Several states and cities have passed their own laws that mandate OSHA 10 or 30 hour training and, in some cases, require it to be recent. These local laws create a “recency” requirement where your training is only considered valid for a certain period, often five years.

Here are a few key examples:

• Nevada: State law requires construction workers to retake their OSHA 10 training every 5 years.

• Connecticut: For state funded public works projects, workers must complete refresher training every 5 years.

• Philadelphia: The city requires that licensed construction contractors have at least one supervisor on staff who has completed an OSHA 30 course within the past 5 years.

A Closer Look at New York’s Unique Rules

New York is a perfect example of how complex these local rules can be, with different requirements depending on where you are in the state.

New York City’s 5 Year Renewal Requirement

If you work in construction in New York City, you’ll definitely need to know the answer to when does OSHA 10 expire in the five boroughs. Under Local Law 196, most construction workers need a Site Safety Training (SST) card to access job sites.

To get or renew an SST card, your OSHA 10 or 30 training must have been completed within the last 5 years. If your training is older than that, NYC’s Department of Buildings considers it “stale,” and you’ll need to take a refresher course or retake the entire OSHA class. This rule was put in place to address the high number of job site accidents in the city. For instance, in 2020 alone, NYC saw 484 job site accidents, leading to 502 injuries and 8 deaths. To build a stronger safety culture on your crew, review our Team Discipline resources.

What About the Rest of New York State?

Outside of NYC, the rules are different. For public works projects contracted by the state (like building schools or roads with a value over $250,000), New York State Labor Law §220 h requires workers to have an OSHA 10 card.

However, unlike the city’s rule, the state law is a one time training mandate. Once you have your card, it is good for life for any Article 8 public work project, with no renewal required. If you work in property management, our Apartment Maintenance Technician training pairs well with OSHA requirements on public projects.

Special Cases and Common Mix Ups

To fully understand when does OSHA 10 expire, it’s helpful to clear up a few other common points of confusion.

Do Maritime OSHA Cards Expire?

Previously, OSHA cards for the Maritime industry (covering shipyards and marine terminals) did have a 5 year expiration. However, that changed on April 1, 2019. OSHA officially removed the expiration date for Maritime cards to align them with the Construction and General Industry cards.

If you have an older Maritime card with an expiration date printed on it, don’t worry. OSHA considers that card valid even after the date has passed.

The 5 Year Rule That Trips Everyone Up: Replacement Cards

Here is the number one source of confusion about a “5 year expiration.” While your training never expires, your ability to get a replacement card does.

If you lose or damage your OSHA 10 card, you can only request a replacement if you took the course within the last five years. This is because OSHA authorized trainers are only required to keep class records for five years. After that period, they can no longer verify your training, and you cannot get a new card.

So, what happens if you took your course six years ago and lost your card? Your only option is to retake the 10 hour training course to get a new card. This policy is often mistaken for the training itself expiring, but it’s really about record keeping and card replacement logistics. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t sweat it. You can easily sign up for an affordable, authorized course online. Taking a convenient online OSHA 10 course through a provider like SkillCat is a great way to get a new card and refresh your safety knowledge. If you’re in HVAC, you may also need to maintain refrigerant credentials. See our EPA 608 certification resources.

The Bottom Line: Renewing Your Training is a Smart Move

So, when does OSHA 10 expire? Federally, never. But in practice, it depends on your employer and where you work. The best approach is to treat your safety education as an ongoing process.

Even if it’s not required, retaking your OSHA 10 training every few years is a great way to keep safety principles fresh and stay aware of any new standards in your industry. You can start with our Advanced Training for Techs. With flexible and affordable options available, staying compliant and safe has never been easier. Ready to get your OSHA 10 card or update your training? Check out SkillCat’s online OSHA training to get started today.

Frequently Asked Questions about OSHA 10 Expiration

1. So, to be clear, when does my official OSHA 10 card expire?

Your official Department of Labor OSHA 10 card never expires at the federal level. OSHA considers the training to be valid for life.

2. Why does my employer say my OSHA 10 is expired after 3 years?

Many employers implement their own safety policies that require refresher training every 3 to 5 years to ensure workers’ knowledge is current and to meet insurance or liability standards. This is a company policy, not an OSHA rule.

3. How long is OSHA 10 good for in New York?

It depends. In New York City, your OSHA training is only considered valid for 5 years for the purpose of getting a required Site Safety Training (SST) card. For public works projects in the rest of New York State, your OSHA 10 card is valid indefinitely.

4. I lost my OSHA 10 card from 6 years ago. What do I do?

Because it has been more than five years, you are no longer eligible to receive a replacement card. Your only option is to retake the 10 hour training course to earn a new card.

5. Do I have to retake the OSHA 10 course every 5 years?

There is no federal requirement to do so. However, you may need to retake it if your employer requires it, if you work in a state or city with a renewal law (like Nevada or NYC), or if you lost your card after the five year replacement window closed.

6. Is an online OSHA 10 course valid for renewal?

Yes, as long as the course is provided by an OSHA authorized online training provider. These courses are a convenient way to meet employer or local requirements and will result in an official DOL card. For day-to-day troubleshooting between courses, use our Technical Support for Field Techs library.