OSHA 10 vs OSHA 30: Which Certification Do You Need?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “Do I need OSHA 10 or OSHA 30?” The answer depends on your job, your responsibilities, and your career goals. But here’s what most people get wrong: the choice isn’t always obvious, and choosing the wrong course wastes money and time. In this guide, we’ll break down the real differences between OSHA 10 and 30, explain who actually needs each one, and help you figure out which certification makes sense for your situation.

What Are OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?

First, let’s clarify what these certifications are—and what they aren’t. OSHA 10 and 30 are part of OSHA’s Outreach Training Program, which provides safety orientation courses in two levels:

• OSHA 10-hour: Basic safety orientation for workers (10 hours of instruction)
• OSHA 30-hour: Advanced safety training for supervisors and safety leads (30 hours of instruction) Important: These are not federal mandates. OSHA didn’t make them mandatory. Instead, employers, states, and public projects choose to require them based on job roles and hazard levels. However, many states do require OSHA 10/30 for public construction projects, so it’s worth checking your local regulations.

OSHA 10 vs OSHA 30: Side-by-Side Comparison

What You Learn in OSHA 10 (The Essentials)

OSHA 10 covers foundational safety for workers responsible mainly for their own safety.

Core Topics (6 Mandatory Hours)

1. Fall Protection & Scaffolding Safety
   • When fall protection is required (6+ feet)
   • Methods: guardrails, safety nets, harnesses
2. Electrical Hazards
   • Recognizing electrical dangers
   • Grounding, GFCIs, working near power lines
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
   • What PPE is required for different hazards
   • New 2025 requirement: PPE must properly fit each worker
4. Hazard Communication
   • Worker “right to know” about chemicals
   • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels
5. Struck-By & Caught-In Hazards
   • Being hit by equipment or objects
   • Prevention and hazard recognition
6. Materials Handling & Storage
   • Safe lifting and carrying
   • Proper storage to prevent collapse
7. Excavation & Trenching (Construction Track)
   • Competent person requirements
   • Protective systems (sloping, shoring, shielding)

Elective Topics (4 Hours, varies by provider)

Instructors can tailor the remaining 4 hours based on regional hazards or industry needs. May include:

• Ladders
• Machine guarding
• Noise and hearing protection
• Heat illness prevention
• Bloodborne pathogens (healthcare)
• Crane and rigging safety Bottom line: OSHA 10 teaches you to recognize and avoid hazards in your daily work.

What You Learn in OSHA 30 (The Advanced Dive)

OSHA 30 covers everything in OSHA 10 but goes much deeper. The extra 20 hours focus on regulations, supervisory responsibilities, and safety program development.

Additional Major Topics (Beyond OSHA 10)

1. In-Depth OSHA Regulations
   • How OSHA standards are written and applied
   • Specific regulations for different industries
2. Job Site Safety Inspections
   • How to conduct and document inspections
   • What OSHA inspectors look for
3. Incident Investigation
   • How to investigate accidents and near-misses
   • Root cause analysis
   • Documentation and reporting
4. Safety Program Development
   • Creating and implementing safety policies
   • Hazard assessment procedures
   • Training documentation
5. Risk Assessment & Hazard Analysis
   • Advanced methods for identifying hazards
   • Job safety analysis (JSA) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
6. Workers’ Rights & Employer Responsibilities
   • OSHA inspection procedures
   • Citations and fines
   • Worker protections
7. Advanced Topic Coverage
   • Deeper dives into fall protection, electrical, machinery, excavation, confined spaces, chemical safety, etc.
8. Record-Keeping & Compliance
   • OSHA 300 log (injury/illness records)
   • Documentation requirements
   • Compliance standards Bottom line: OSHA 30 teaches you to lead safety programs, inspect for hazards, and implement prevention systems—not just avoid hazards yourself.

Who Actually Needs OSHA 10?

Start with OSHA 10 if:

• You’re new to construction or your industry (first 1-2 years)
• You work as a general laborer, helper, or tradesperson (carpenter, electrician, plumber, etc.)
• Your job posting specifically requires OSHA 10
• You’re not in a supervisory role and don’t assign work to others
• You want to meet basic safety requirements quickly and affordably
• Your employer or union requires it for all site workers
• You’re working on a state or publicly funded project in a mandate state (many states require OSHA 10 for public construction) Real-world examples:
• A carpenter starting a new job and needing proof of safety training
• A helper on a construction crew (first construction job)
• A warehouse worker required by employer to take OSHA 10
• A worker in a state requiring OSHA 10 for all site access

Who Actually Needs OSHA 30?

Choose OSHA 30 if:

• You’re in or moving into a supervisory role (foreman, crew lead, project manager)
• You’re responsible for crew safety or site inspections
• You assign work or enforce safety rules
• You want to qualify for a promotion into a safety or management role
• You’re a site superintendent, project manager, or safety coordinator
• Your company or union requires OSHA 30 for leadership positions
• You want to deepen your safety knowledge and advance your career
• You plan to specialize in safety management Real-world examples:
• A journeyman carpenter promoted to foreman on a large project
• A construction supervisor responsible for a 50-person crew
• A site superintendent managing safety across multiple trades
• An HR manager at a construction company responsible for safety compliance
• A safety coordinator or dedicated safety professional

Can You Take OSHA 30 Without OSHA 10?

Short answer: Yes, absolutely. You do not need OSHA 10 before taking OSHA 30. OSHA 30 includes all the material from OSHA 10 plus the advanced content, so it covers everything. However, if you’re choosing between them:

• If you’re new to safety concepts: OSHA 10 first = faster, cheaper, and you’ll understand 30 better
• If you’re a supervisor: OSHA 30 directly (includes 10’s material)
• If you have years of industry experience: OSHA 30 may be more valuable

Do You Need Both OSHA 10 and 30?

Many workers do eventually get both, but in a strategic sequence:

Path 1: Start Small, Advance Later (Most Common)

1. Get OSHA 10 when starting in the industry
2. Work for 2-5 years, gain experience
3. Pursue OSHA 30 when promoted to a supervisory role Benefit: You apply OSHA 10 knowledge on the job, then deepen it with OSHA 30 when you need it.

Path 2: Jump to OSHA 30 (If You’re Already Supervising)

1. Skip OSHA 10; go straight to OSHA 30
2. Save time and money on separate courses Benefit: Faster path if you’re already in a leadership role.

Path 3: Get OSHA 10, Then Upgrade (Some Employers)

1. Take OSHA 10 to meet basic requirements
2. Retake OSHA 30 within 5 years (if employer requires refresher) Benefit: Complies with 5-year renewal policies at some firms.

Construction vs. General Industry: Does It Matter?

Yes, there’s a difference. OSHA offers separate tracks for different industries:

• OSHA 10 Construction: Covers construction-specific hazards (fall protection, scaffolding, trenching, excavation, cranes, etc.)
• OSHA 10 General Industry: Covers hazards in factories, warehouses, offices, healthcare, etc. (machinery, electrical, chemical handling, etc.) Choose the right track:
• Working on construction sites? → Construction track
• Working in a manufacturing plant, warehouse, hospital, or office? → General industry track The hazard topics are different, so taking the wrong track wastes your study time. Use the free osha.study diagnostic quiz to determine which track you need based on your job.

Cost Comparison: OSHA 10 vs OSHA 30

| Option | Cost | | --- | --- | | OSHA 10 Online | $60-80 | | OSHA 30 Online | $160-200 | | OSHA 10 In-Person | $250-400 | | OSHA 30 In-Person | $400-600 | Value analysis:

• OSHA 10: Quick, affordable introduction to safety basics
• OSHA 30: Higher cost, but spreads across 4+ days (4-6 hours/day is more manageable than cram 2 days)

How Long Do OSHA 10 and 30 Take?

OSHA 10 Timeline

• Minimum: 2 calendar days (10 hours at 7.5 hrs/day max)
• Typical: 2-3 days (depending on your schedule and pace)
• Realistic: Many workers take 1-2 weeks doing 1-2 hours daily on their own time

OSHA 30 Timeline

• Minimum: 4 calendar days (30 hours at 7.5 hrs/day max)
• Typical: 4-6 days (spread across 1-2 weeks)
• Realistic: Many workers stretch it to 2-4 weeks doing 1-2 hours daily Pro tip: Online courses offer flexibility. You can study 30 min one day and 2 hours the next—there’s no strict daily schedule like in-person classes.

State Requirements: Do You Need OSHA 10 or 30?

Several states legally require OSHA 10 or 30 for certain projects: States with OSHA Training Mandates:

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Missouri
• Nevada (requires OSHA 30 for supervisors on covered construction sites)
• New York
• Rhode Island
• West Virginia Rules typically apply to:
• State-funded projects (schools, roads, government buildings)
• Public construction above certain dollar amounts
• All workers on covered projects must have certification before starting Action item: Check your state and local regulations. If you’re in a mandate state or working on public projects, confirm which certification is required and when you need it.

Career Impact: Will OSHA 10 or 30 Help Your Career?

OSHA 10 Impact

• Shows basic safety knowledge: Employers see you take safety seriously
• Meets entry-level requirements: Many construction jobs require or prefer OSHA 10
• Improves job prospects: Especially in union and large contractor hiring
• Increases pay slightly: Some employers offer $1-2/hour premium for OSHA 10
• Builds foundation: Prepares you for future advancement

OSHA 30 Impact

• Demonstrates advanced expertise: Shows you understand regulations and supervision
• Required for supervisor roles: Many companies require OSHA 30 to become a foreman or PM
• Significant pay increase: Supervisor roles typically pay 20-40% more than crew positions
• Enables safety management roles: If interested in becoming a safety coordinator/manager
• Supports business advancement: If you plan to start a construction company or become a consultant

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Get?

Use this simple decision tree: Are you supervising others or responsible for safety oversight? → YES: Get OSHA 30 → NO: Get OSHA 10 Do you want to advance into a supervisory or safety role in the next 1-2 years? → YES: Plan OSHA 30 after getting some experience → NO: OSHA 10 is fine for now Is your state or employer requiring a specific course? → YES: Get what they require → NO: See above

Don’t Know Which You Need? Take the Free Quiz

The osha.study diagnostic quiz asks 10 simple questions about your role, industry, and goals—then recommends which course you actually need. Takes 2 minutes, saves you money and time.

FAQ

Can I take OSHA 30 if I’ve never taken OSHA 10?

Yes. OSHA 30 includes all OSHA 10 material, so OSHA 10 is not a prerequisite.

If I have OSHA 30, do I still need OSHA 10?

No. OSHA 30 covers all of OSHA 10 plus more. Most states recognize OSHA 30 as meeting OSHA 10 requirements.

How long is an OSHA 10 vs 30 valid?

Both are valid for life under OSHA. However, some employers and states require a refresher every 5 years.

Is OSHA 10 or 30 worth the cost?

Yes. OSHA 10 typically pays for itself in 1-2 weeks of higher-wage work. OSHA 30 often leads to supervisor roles with 20-40% pay increases.

Can I take OSHA 10 and 30 in the same week?

Technically yes, but not recommended. Take OSHA 10 (2-3 days), then OSHA 30 (4+ days) a few weeks later.