CSP® Examinations to Change in 2009
On Jan. 1, 2009, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals will begin to phase out the current editions of the two examinations leading to the Certified Safety Professional® credential: Safety Fundamentals and Comprehensive Practice. These exams will be updated to better reflect what safety professionals need to know and the skills required for the tasks and functions of today's practice, BCSP says, adding that the new exam blueprints are the result of periodic studies of safety practice, or job analysis surveys, that identify what should be covered and how the content should be distributed.
The Safety Fundamentals examination blueprint changes reflect the foundation knowledge and subject matter needed for entry-level professional safety, health, and environmental practice, BCSP says. The blueprint is divided among four main domains, each of which is further separated into several other subject matter topic areas.
The Comprehensive Practice examination blueprint changes address the continuing evolution of full-performance professional safety, health, environmental, and security practice, the Board says. The functional blueprint has three major domains in which candidates for the CSP credential must demonstrate their knowledge of global principles and practices.
The exams will continue to be multiple-choice. Details about the blueprints, their respective domains, topics, tasks, knowledge areas, skill areas, frequently asked questions, and examination cross tables can be found at http://www.bcsp.org/changes. "BCSP is committed to maintaining accreditation by ensuring the highest quality BCSP examinations," said BCSP Examination Director Steven Schoolcraft, CSP, P.E. "While candidates will have to prepare for some changes in examination subjects, there shouldn’t be any significant changes in how they prepare for the new examinations."
Those interested in pursuing the CSP certification, or those already in the process, who register and purchase a BCSP examination before Jan. 1, 2009, will take an exam based on the current blueprint. Those who register and purchase an exam on or after Jan. 1, 2009, will take an exam based on the updated blueprint. Whichever exam is purchased will be available as long as the candidate has not exceeded the time limit of 120 days. Candidates who pass the Safety Fundamentals exam prior to Jan. 1 and then register for the Comprehensive Practice exam after Jan. 1 will take the new edition of the Comprehensive Practice exam.