Posted on: August 17, 2023

Are Free Online OSHA Certifications Valid?

Are Free Online OSHA Certifications Valid?

Everyone likes to save money where they can. When it comes to something as tedious and mandatory as OSHA training, it's especially tempting to spend as little as possible. The problem with this is, of course, that you get what you pay for.

But are free online OSHA certifications acceptable for work use? This article aims to uncover why relying on them may put your safety knowledge at risk and explore the right path to legitimate OSHA training.

Can You Get OSHA Training Online Free?

First, let's think about what you're asking.

Is it possible to find free OSHA classes online? Sure thing.

Will those free courses have accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information on specific standards? We wouldn't count on it.

If you're searching for OSHA training, chances are you have a specific goal in mind. You might need a credential for a job, or you want to make sure your workforce understands the regulations they must obey when inspectors come around. In either case, you won't be able to meet your needs with free OSHA training – it's inherently untrustworthy.

Are There No Legitimate Free OSHA Classes?

Under certain circumstances, it's possible to find legitimate but free OSHA training. For example, some unions, professional organizations, and insurance companies sometimes offer their members quality courses at no extra charge.

You should first check the credibility of those courses, but it makes sense for certain organizations to offer that kind of perk. In those cases, the classes aren't technically "free.” The organization purchases them in bulk, and the price is either factored into your membership fee or pays for itself by reducing illnesses or injuries.

It's courses that are free to the general public that might be questionable. At best, they might be accurate but very general, like an introduction to OSHA that covers basic background information gathered from OSHA's website.

Think about it this way: becoming an OSHA-accepted training provider requires time, money, and expertise. Just earning the ability to associate yourself with the agency takes years of experience and extensive education. You need instructional skills, highly technical knowledge, and comprehension of constantly evolving regulations to provide effective OSHA training.

Why would anyone legitimately give their expertise away for free? And even if they did, how much effort would they put into creating and maintaining it over the years?

Can You Get OSHA Certification Online Free?

Any site that promises "OSHA certification" should be approached with caution.

When people say "OSHA certification," they're typically talking about taking an OSHA-authorized Outreach course like OSHA 10 or OSHA 30. These courses cover the basics of occupational safety, and at the end, you're issued a plastic card for your wallet. These are "DOL cards" because properly credentialled training providers can issue them on behalf of the Department of Labor.

But here's the problem: OSHA hates the term "certification." It's verboten for any legitimate training provider to use that terminology. OSHA will remove the ability to grant DOL cards if they catch a company doing it.

As a result, advertising something like "OSHA 10 certification online free" is a big red flag all by itself. It indicates one of two things: either they're a legitimate training provider who is sloppy (not good), or they're a scam site with nothing to lose (even worse).

OSHA Outreach courses can only be issued by training providers with properly maintained credentials, so it's even more unlikely that you'll find these for free. You're likely to sit in front of a computer for 10 hours (or even 30, for "OSHA 30 certification online free"!) and end up with nothing to show for it.

Can You Get OSHA Training Online?

Yes – OSHA allows authorized providers to offer courses online. It's just the so-called free courses that you should be wary of.

Online courses can be a great way to meet your safety training requirements. Online courses are available to you at any time of day or night, and they're usually "self-paced," – which means you can make your way through the material at your own speed.

Some courses have a minimum time frame due to OSHA requirements, but an online course will still require less time than a classroom version because you won't need to commute.

If you're looking for OSHA Outreach training, you'll find plenty of options online. Make sure you pick the right industry and the right level when you sign up, and it can also be useful to check that all the elective topics are ones that will apply directly to your job.

If you're an employer looking for OSHA compliance training, you'll also have many options. However, you might want to look for a training provider who has not only credentials and courses, but also a business or enterprise plan that provides useful perks such as:

  • Dedicated support
  • Bulk course discounts
  • A learning management system for tracking and delivering courses to all your employees

Is Real OSHA Training Expensive?

No, training doesn't have to be expensive.

Online courses also tend to be more cost-effective than in-person training since an instructor isn't present in real-time.

But that doesn't mean a real instructor isn't behind the course. OSHA requires it! OSHA also requires authorized online training providers to make themselves available for student questions. Your instructors are always just an email away.

How Do I Make Sure My OSHA Training is Legit?

OSHA keeps a list of authorized trainers, including one for instructors providing in-person training and one for online training providers. They also keep a watchlist of trainers whose credentials are suspended and revoked.

You should check these lists for your provider before you fork over any money. If you can't find their authorization information, be suspicious.

Where Do I Get Real OSHA Training?

We've been an OSHA-authorized online training provider for over 20 years. We offer DOL cards in OSHA 10 Construction and General Industry (in English and Spanish), OSHA 30 Construction and General Industry, as well as OSHA compliance courses on individual standards and safety topics.

Plus, our business solutions give you access to a variety of other courses you need for local, state, and federal compliance.

Enroll today!