The OSHA 30 course is the supervisor-level tier of OSHA's Outreach Training Program — a 30-hour safety curriculum built for foremen, safety coordinators, and anyone with responsibility for other workers' safety on the job. Unlike a single-topic safety briefing, it's a full curriculum covering hazard recognition, worker rights, and industry-specific risks, split into two distinct tracks depending on where you work.

This guide breaks down exactly what's in the course, who actually needs it, and how the enrollment and exam process works.

What Is the OSHA 30 Course?

OSHA 30 sits above the entry-level OSHA 10 course in the Outreach Training Program hierarchy. While OSHA 10 gives new workers a basic hazard-awareness foundation, OSHA 30 goes deeper into regulatory detail, safety program management, and a wider range of hazard categories — which is why it's aimed at supervisors, project managers, and safety officers rather than entry-level staff.

There's no requirement to complete OSHA 10 first. You can enroll directly in OSHA 30 regardless of prior training.

OSHA 30 Construction vs. General Industry: Which Course Do You Need?

The course splits into two tracks that are not interchangeable — enrolling in the wrong one won't satisfy a job site or state requirement that specifies the other.

OSHA 30 Construction (29 CFR 1926)

Built for anyone in new construction, alterations, demolition, or repair work — carpenters, electricians, masons, plumbers, sheet metal workers, and site supervisors. Core topics include:

• Introduction to OSHA and worker rights
• The Focus Four hazards: falls, electrocution, struck-by, and caught-in/between
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Health hazards (silica, lead, asbestos, hearing conservation, respiratory protection)
• Stairways and ladders
• Scaffolding, cranes, and rigging
• Excavation and trenching
• Concrete and masonry safety
• Confined space awareness
• Fire protection and prevention
• Welding, cutting, and brazing

OSHA 30 General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

Built for non-construction workplaces — manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, and utilities. Core topics include:

• Introduction to OSHA and Managing Safety and Health
• Walking and working surfaces, including fall protection
• Exit routes, emergency action plans, and fire prevention plans
• Electrical safety
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Materials handling
• Hazard Communication (GHS)
• Machine guarding
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures
• Flammable and combustible liquids
• Industrial hygiene

Quick rule of thumb: if you work at a job site building, repairing, or demolishing something, take Construction. If you work in a fixed facility — a plant, warehouse, or hospital — take General Industry.

Who Needs an OSHA 30 Course?

• Foremen and site supervisors on construction projects
• Safety coordinators and safety managers
• Project managers with oversight of field crews
• Supervisors in manufacturing, warehousing, or facility operations
• Workers whose state or job site mandates the credential — states like New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Nevada require it for certain publicly funded projects or licensing paths

OSHA itself doesn't universally mandate the course, but many general contractors, unions, and state programs require it as a condition of site access or supervisory certification.

How the Course Is Structured

Regardless of provider or track, every legitimate OSHA 30 course follows the same federal structure:

• 30 total instructional hours, covering lessons, quizzes, and a final exam
• Maximum 7.5 hours per day, so completion takes a minimum of four days
• 70% minimum passing score on lesson quizzes and the final exam, with up to three attempts each
• A completion window (commonly 90 days to six months, depending on provider) to finish the course and required survey
• An end-of-course survey, which OSHA requires before a card is issued

How to Enroll in an OSHA 30 Course

1. Determine your track — Construction or General Industry — based on your job type or your employer's requirement.
2. Confirm the provider is OSHA-authorized. This is the step that actually determines whether you'll receive a valid card.
3. Register and complete the modules, respecting the daily time cap and any state-specific proctoring rules (New York City requires biometric proctoring for Site Safety Training compliance).
4. Pass all quizzes and the final exam at 70% or better.
5. Complete the end-of-course survey.
6. Receive your Department of Labor (DOL) card, typically by mail within a few weeks of the provider submitting your completion.

OSHA 30 Course FAQ

How long does the OSHA 30 course take?

It requires 30 total instructional hours, and because of the 7.5-hour daily limit, it must be spread across a minimum of four days — even if taken entirely online.

Do I need OSHA 10 before taking OSHA 30?

No. OSHA 10 is not a prerequisite. You can enroll directly in OSHA 30 regardless of your training history.

What's the difference between OSHA 30 Construction and General Industry?

Construction focuses on job-site hazards like falls, scaffolding, and excavation under 29 CFR 1926. General Industry focuses on facility-based hazards like machine guarding and lockout/tagout under 29 CFR 1910. They cover different regulatory codes and aren't interchangeable.

Is the OSHA 30 course available online?

Yes. Authorized providers offer self-paced online versions that follow the same 30-hour structure, daily time cap, and exam requirements as classroom training, resulting in the identical DOL card.

How many attempts do I get on the final exam?

Most authorized providers allow up to three attempts to pass the final exam, and three attempts per lesson quiz, with a minimum passing score of 70%.