CRSP – What does it mean?
Today many employers across Canada require employees for occupational health,
safety, and environment positions to hold a “CRSP” designation. These letters denote
a Canadian Registered Safety Professional. This is an individual who has met the
academic, experience, and examination requirements for certification established by
the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP).
The BCRSP’s primary function is to evaluate the qualifications of prospective applicants,
administer examinations, approve and issue certificates of registration, monitor a
certification maintenance program, and initiate any disciplinary action required.
Education and Employment Requirements
Applicants must have completed a one-year college or university certificate or diploma
program in occupational health, safety or environment, or a two-year college or
university non-occupational health, safety or environment certificate or diploma
program. The applicant must currently work in an OHS&E function where OHS&E
functions and responsibilities take up more than 50 percent (900 hours a year) of
the applicant’s time. Applicants must also have three continuous years of OHS&E
experience immediately before making application.
To obtain a CRSP designation it is necessary to pass a closed book multiple-choice
examination of between 190 and 210 questions. The test lasts three-and-a-half hours
and is administered every year in May and October.
Registration Requirements
CRSP registration is a six-step process which includes application, evaluation, interview,
examination, approval and confirmation.
Applications for the CRSP designation are assessed regionally and, if approved,
candidates are then interviewed. Following a successful interview, candidates have
two years in which to complete a qualifying exam. Successful candidates are approved
by the BCRSP and receive their CRSP designation. This indicates that the OHS&E
Professional has attained a certain level of peer-reviewed knowledge and skills.
Generally, the application process can take between six months to a year or more,
longer if additional documentation/clarification is required after the initial review
process or if re-examination is required. Once candidates have completed their
interview and are recommended by the Regional Screeners they are granted a two-year
window in which to write the examination for the first time. Candidates may request
and be granted a one-time, one-year extension should they be unable to schedule the
examination writing within the initial two year period
Continued Learning
A Certification Maintenance Program has been established to ensure that CRSPs
advance their knowledge of the profession. It requires participants to earn a minimum
number of points to maintain their CRSP credentials, through academic activities,
professional pursuits or other qualifications.
Learn More
For additional information regarding the CRSP Program and/or to begin the application
process, check out the BCRSP website (click here).
