CHST vs OHST: focus, eligibility and exam

The short answer

• You work in construction safety: the CHST. BCSP asks for three years in construction safety, with at least 35% of your duties requiring technical skill and knowledge in safety, health and environmental (SH&E) work.
• Your work is industrial hygiene and safety outside a construction focus: the OHST. BCSP describes it for practitioners responsible for industrial hygiene and occupational safety at the technician or managerial level, or as a consultant.
• You do both: pick the credential your employer or contract names, and check your three years against that credential's wording.

CHST and OHST side by side

	CHST	OHST
Full name	Construction Health and Safety Technician	Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician
Focus	Construction safety, health and environmental work	Occupational hygiene and safety, including industrial hygiene sampling
Education	None listed	None listed
Experience	3 years in construction safety, at least 35% of duties requiring technical skills and knowledge in SH&E	3 years, at least 35% of duties requiring technical skills and knowledge in occupational hygiene or safety
Application fee	$140	$140
Exam fee	$300	$300
Application and exam combo	$426	$426
Exam bundle (two attempts, one self-assessment)	$550	$550
Time allowed	4 hours	4 hours
Exam delivery	Computer, at a Pearson test center	Computer, at a Pearson test center
Recertification (5-year cycle)	20 points, 0.5 from ethics	20 points, 0.5 from ethics
Renewal fee	$150	$150

Every figure is from BCSP's credentials sheet and its CHST and OHST pages, read 25 Oct 2026. BCSP says fees and passing scores can change without advance notice.

How the exams differ

The credentials share a structure, so the real difference is content. The CHST blueprint is written for construction work. It covers excavations, fall protection, cranes, silica, lead, noise and concrete, plus the program duties around them. The OHST has its own blueprint on BCSP's site, built around occupational hygiene and safety. Read both blueprints before you commit. The CHST exam outline breaks down the four CHST domains and their weights.

What each credential asks of you

Both ask for three years of experience with the same 35% duties test. Where they split is which duties count: SH&E work in construction for the CHST, occupational hygiene or safety work for the OHST. Neither lists a minimum education. For the CHST rule in detail, see the eligibility guide.

Both give you one year from approval to take and pass the exam, and both are taken on a computer at a test center.

Which one first?

1. Read the job posting or contract. If it names a credential, that settles it.
2. Match your three years. Construction safety points to the CHST. Hygiene and safety work outside construction points to the OHST.
3. Add up the cost. At BCSP's list prices the two cost the same, so price will not decide it. The cost and scheduling guide shows the CHST numbers in full.
4. Look up the ladder. The ASP and CSP are the professional-level pair, with a degree route. The CHST vs CSP vs ASP guide compares them with the CHST.

Going for the CHST? Take the free check

Take the free 10-question check. It scores you by CHST domain in minutes, with no signup, and explains every answer. Want more reps first? The free CHST practice test has worked questions. The Toe Board course adds a full-length timed practice exam, a lesson for each domain and a study plan built from your exam date.

Toe Board prepares candidates for the CHST only. It does not offer OHST prep.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by BCSP.

Sources

Show the list

• BCSP credentials at a glance, Board of Certified Safety Professionals: experience, education, fees, time allowed and recertification for the CHST and OHST. Read 25 Oct 2026.
• Construction Health and Safety Technician, Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Read 25 Oct 2026.
• Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician, Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Read 25 Oct 2026.