Posted on: July 20, 2023

OSHA 10 vs. 30: Key Differences to Decide Which You Need

Osha 10 vs 30

If someone tells you that you need a "DOL card," they’re likely referring to the Department of Labor card issued after you complete the OSHA Outreach course you need.

Unfortunately, knowing you need to take OSHA Outreach is only the beginning. After that, there are a bunch of other questions. Which "industry" do you need: Construction vs. General Industry vs. Maritime? Which course level do you need: OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30?

It can get confusing in a hurry.

We've already discussed the differences between OSHA industries in the past. Today, we'll tackle the difference between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30.

What is the Difference Between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?

There are a few key differences between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30.

Length of OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30

The number part of OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 is actually the length of the curriculum.

OSHA 10 courses include 10 hours of instructional time, plus quizzes, tests, and breaks.

OSHA 30 is three times as long.

Target Audience of OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30

OSHA 30 is much longer because it's targeted at workers with supervisory responsibilities. That includes, but isn't limited to, supervisors, managers, engineers, site leads, project managers, and safety specialists.

OSHA 10 is designed for workers that are only responsible for themselves.

OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30 Curriculum

All OSHA Outreach courses, regardless of industry or level, start with an Introduction to OSHA. This helps everyone learn what OSHA is, why it's important, and the workers' rights and employers' responsibilities that OSHA enforces.

Beyond this one topic, the OSHA Outreach curriculum will vary by industry and level. Each industry has a list of mandatory topics that focus on that workplace's most prominent and problematic hazards and a list of elective topics that cover more role-specific hazards.

Generally speaking, OSHA 10 spends most of its time on mandatory topics (6 or 7 of the 10 contact hours). The remaining time has to cover a number of elective topics, which allows instructors to tailor the curriculum a little to the audience.

OSHA 30 covers Intro to OSHA and the most common hazards, but then it goes broader and deeper. Most of the extra hours go into the "broader" category – since a supervisor needs to understand all the rules that apply to their entire team, OSHA 30 covers many additional elective topics.

But OSHA 30 also covers the "how" of OSHA by going deeper. Since it's targeted toward supervisors, all OSHA 30 courses have a mandatory topic called Managing Safety and Health, which teaches the various responsibilities that OSHA places on management – including job site inspections, injury and illness prevention programs, accident prevention programs, hazard identification, and control, how to conduct safety meetings, supervisory communication, and more.

How Do You Know If You Need OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30?

For most people, the choice between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 is fairly clear-cut. Does your job include oversight or responsibility for anyone else? Then you need the 30-hour version of your industry's Outreach program. If not, you can take the 10-hour version.

There are exceptions, however.

Some states, counties, or municipalities have laws that require OSHA Outreach (or another safety training program) for certain types of workers. If you're affected by one of these laws, then the exact course requirements are probably spelled out for you.

Your employer may also have relevant policies that dictate what's required or preferred for your position.

It's a good idea to check for any government- and employer-imposed requirements before you pick a class.

Do You Ever Need Both OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?

Over the course of your career, you may end up taking both – OSHA 10 as a non-supervisor and OSHA 30 if you come into a position of authority.

However, there are a few cases where people think they might need to take both courses, and they don't.

Do You Need OSHA 10 Before OSHA 30?

No – OSHA 10 doesn't function as a prerequisite for OSHA 30. You can take the 30-hour course even if you've never had the 10-hour course.

So, for example, if you have a position that requires you to get the supervisor-level OSHA Outreach course but you've never earned the 10-hour certificate, that's perfectly fine. You can just start with the course that your employer requires.

Do I Need OSHA 10 If I Have OSHA 30?

Some states require everyone to have an OSHA 10 card, while other states require even non-supervisors to get an OSHA 30 card. If you've already taken OSHA 30 and moved to a state that requires OSHA 10, do you need to retake the course?

Probably not. Most states explicitly build into their regulations that OSHA 30 is an acceptable alternative to OSHA 10. However, some states have a required renewal frequency where the DOL card "expires." If that's the case, you may need to take a new course if your original certificate was earned too long ago.

Does OSHA 30 Cover OSHA 10?

OSHA 30 courses do cover everything that's taught in that industry's OSHA 10 course, which is why OSHA 10 isn't a prerequisite for OSHA 30 and why you don't need to take the 10-hour curriculum if you already have the 30-hour certificate.

Why Do You Sell Packages with OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?

If it's rare for one person to ever need both courses, why do providers like us offer packages that contain both courses?

So you can team up with someone else and save! Packages that contain both courses cost a little less than purchasing the courses separately. Find a buddy and reap the benefits.

Where Do You Get OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Cards?

OSHA doesn't offer Outreach courses directly. Instead, they "train the trainers" by putting third-party training providers through extensive industry-specific coursework. These training providers are then considered "OSHA-authorized" to issue official OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 cards.

As an OSHA-authorized training provider, we can provide online training for both 10-hour and 30-hour courses in either Construction or General Industry.

Our new and improved OSHA course material includes games and activities where you'll apply what you've learned, increasing your understanding and retention of the material.

They're mobile-friendly and available 24/7, so you'll be able to complete the required coursework at your own pace, when and wherever it's convenient.

At the end of the curriculum, we'll issue a certificate of completion and send a durable plastic DOL card in the mail.

Enroll today to get started!