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Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

Special Requirements

Most jobs require a bachelor's degree in occupational health, safety, or a related field; some require advanced degrees. All specialists are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training.

Education and training:

Most employers require occupational health and safety specialists to have a bachelor's degree in occupational health, safety, or a related field, such as engineering, biology, or chemistry. For some positions, a master's degree in industrial hygiene, health physics, or a related subject is required. High school students interested in enrolling in a college program should complete courses in English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics. College courses may include radiation science, hazardous material management and control, risk communications, principles of ergonomics, and respiratory protection. Course work will vary depending on the degree pursued. For example, course requirements for students seeking a degree in industrial hygiene will differ from course requirements for health physics degree seekers.

In order to become credentialed, most accrediting bodies require that specialists have attended either a regional or nationally accredited educational institution. Work experience is important in this occupation; it is typically beneficial for prospective students to select an education program that offers opportunities to complete internships.

All occupational health and safety specialists are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training.

Certification and other qualifications:

Credentialing is voluntary, although many employers encourage it. Credentialing is available through several organizations depending on the specialists’ field of work. Organizations credentialing health and safety professionals include the American Board of Health Physics; the American Board of Industrial Hygiene; and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

Requirements for credentials vary. Most require specific education and experience in order to be eligible to sit for the certification exam. Once certified, specialists are usually required to complete periodic continuing education for recertification. For information on credentials offered and requirements contact the credentialing organization.

People interested in this occupation should be responsible and enjoy detailed work. Occupational health and safety specialists also should be able to communicate well. Work experience as an occupational health and safety professional may also be a prerequisite for many positions.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
American Board of Health Physics	Candidates for certification must meet the following requirements: Academics. As a minimum, the applicant must submit evidence (for example, official college transcripts or certified translations of official transcripts) of earning a bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in physical science or engineering or in a biological science with a minimum of 20 semester hours in physical science. Applicants shall have satisfied and documented all requirements for degrees claimed by the time application is made for either part of the written examination. Candidates for Early admission to Part I who have not received their degree at the time of application, but who are scheduled to be granted their qualifying degree by June 30, may sit for the exam by providing an official transcript showing current degree progress by the application deadline. However, an official transcript demonstrating that the qualifying degree was granted no later than June 30 of the year of the exam must be received by the Secretariat no later than October 1. Should confirmatory transcripts not be received, the candidate's examination score will be voided and the candidate's exam fees will not be refunded. Experience. An applicant must have at least six years of responsible professional experience in health physics as of July 1 of the year in which the examination is to be taken. At least three years of the experience must have been in applied health physics. The six years of professional experience, which must be documented by an applicant for Part II of the exam, must be experience that demonstrates that the candidate has been required to exercise judgment in one, or more, of the following: establishment and/or evaluation of a radiation protection program design and/or the evaluation of the design of the radiation protection aspects of a facility design and implementation of a radiation protection training course or program development of an experimental and/or measurement program designed to answer questions related to radiation protection evaluation of measurement data analysis and solution of radiation protection problems preparation, interpretation and implementation of recommedations and regulations. At the discretion of the Board, advanced degrees in health physics or a closely related area of study may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience. A master's degree may be substituted for one year, while a doctoral degree may be substituted for two years of the required experience. Technician-level experience will in no case be acceptable as meeting the experience requirements. Only military service in the commissioned officer and warrant officer grades will be accepted towards profesisonal health physics experience. An applicant may claim professional experience for an advanced degree and work experience for the same period. A maximum of one year of experience can be claimed for each calendar year. It is incumbent upon the applicant to demonstrate that he/she has met the criteria for professional experience stated above. Professional experience is generally considered to be acquired after earning a qualifying degree. However, the Board recognizes there may be cases where individuals are working at a professional level prior to completing the requirements for a qualifying degree. References. Reference statements are required from the applicant's supervisor and, if applying for Part II, from at least two other individuals who are professionally qualified to evaluate the applicant's ability in health physics. It is required that at least one reference be from a health physicist already certified by the ABHP. Written Report. Each applicant for Part II of the examination shall submit with the Application for Certification a document written by the applicant that reflects a professional health physics effort. This "effort" may be a substantive facility evaluation, a protection guidance document, a major monitoring program, or some other complex or comprehensive effort. The criteria for ABHP acceptance of this report are that it (1) be on a topic for which the ABHP tests and certifies expertise, (2) contain elements of professional judgment or application of non-regulatory protection guidance, and (3) be written solely or principally by the candidate. The Board, after examination of the application materials, may request additional such reports. All reports will be treated as confidential material. All reports submitted in fulfillment of this requirement shall be reviewed by an ABHP member. Third-party review of written reports is not acceptable. Examination. The written examination has two parts: Part I, which can be taken early in one's career, determines the competence of the applicant in fundamental aspects of health physics, and Part II determines his/her competence in applied health physics topics. Either part of the written examination must be taken within two years of notification of eligibility, or a new application must be submitted. After passing Part I, the applicant must pass Part II within a period of seven years, or retake both parts. Anyone who meets the education and experience requirements and is practicing health physics in a competent and ethical manner is strongly urged to apply to the Board for admission to the written examination. Although satisfactory performance on the written examination is not the only requirement for certification, persons who are admitted to and who perform well on the examination usually receive certification by the Board.
American Board of Industrial Hygiene	APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS To qualify for admission to the ABIH examinations, an applicant must comply with all regulations of the Board that are in effect at the time the application is filed. An applicant must: · Meet academic requirements/IH coursework. · Meet a professional industrial hygiene experience requirement supported by references. · Be in the current practice of industrial hygiene. · All applicants are evaluated without regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability or marital status. · All applicants must agree to adhere to the ABIH Code of Ethics and be governed by the ABIH Ethics Case Procedures. · Application deadlines are February 1 and August 1. · When initial review of an application/reapplication indicates that pertinent information is not clear, supplemental information may be requested from the applicant. In that case, review of the application/reapplication will not proceed until the requested information is received. When additional information is provided, one additional review will be provided during that review period. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS · Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university, or other college acceptable to the Board, with a Bachelors Degree in biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or sanitary engineering, physics or an ABET accredited program in industrial hygiene or safety is required. · The Board will consider, and may accept, any other Bachelors Degree from an acceptable college or university so long as the degree is based upon appropriate coursework and represents at least 60 semester hours of creditable subjects, with at least 15 of those hours at the upper level (junior, senior or graduate level). · An applicant who is found to have an unacceptable bachelor’s degree may remedy that degree with additional academic science coursework from an acceptable college or university, or by completion of an acceptable cognate graduate degree. Official transcripts for each degree are required. An official transcript is one sent directly to ABIH by the college or university or, as an alternative, the applicant may submit official transcripts if they are in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s stamp across the seal. For more information, please read the Candidate Handbook.
Board of Certified Safety Professionals	The general CSP requirements include education, professional safety experience, and demonstrating knowledge or professional safety practice. · The current educational requirement, based on the U.S. educational system, is holding a bachelor’s degree (4 years) or higher in any field or an associate degree (2 years) in safety and health. In the application process, BCSP uses a point system for academic credit that gives maximum credit to safety degrees. · Candidates must present a minimum of three years of acceptable professional safety experience. Additional experience may be required, depending on the degree field. · There are two examinations leading to the CSP: Safety Fundamentals and Comprehensive Practice. The former emphasizes recall and recognition of core safety subjects. The latter emphasizes practice applications. BCSP waives the Safety Fundamentals examination in certain cases. The Certification Process · BCSP understands the importance of time. Candidates who are ready to sit for an examination can register at any time and take their examinations on any business day - there is no waiting for a periodic testing day. After registering with BCSP, candidates can make an appointment for an examination at one of the many testing centers located within or outside the U.S. · Complete and submit application materials. BCSP reviews application materials determining eligibility for both the Safety Fundamentals and Comprehensive Practice examinations. If eligible, BCSP informs candidates of the length of the eligibility period and the expiration date. Unless waived, candidates must first pass the Safety Fundamentals examination and meet education/experience standards before becoming eligible for the Comprehensive Practice Exam. · Register to take the examination. Anytime during the eligibility period, candidates may register and pay for their applicable examination (Safety Fundamentals or Comprehensive Practice). BCSP notifies candidates how long they have to schedule and sit for their examination. · Make an appointment to take the examination at a test center and sit for the examination at the scheduled time. BCSP's examination provider has hundreds of test centers located around the world which are open every business day (some also have weekend and holiday hours). Examinations are delivered via computer at the test center. As soon as candidates submit their exam, unofficial results are available. BCSP sends official results within three weeks after examination dates. Candidates who fail the exam may purchase a new examination if they remain within their eligibility period. · Pay an annual renewal fee. After completing all of the requirements, BCSP will award candidates who pass the Safety Fundamentals exam the temporary Associate Safety Professional (ASP) designation. The interim ASP designation is awarded on an annual basis and those holding this designation must pay an annual fee in order to retain the use. An annual fee also applies to those who pass the Comprehensive Practice exam and earn the CSP credential. · Meet Continuance of Certification requirements. CSPs must remain up-to-date with changes in professional practice by compiling 25 Continuance of Certification points every 5 years.

Required Fees:

REQUIRED FEES
American Board of Health Physics	· Application fee: $50.00 · Examination fee: $150.00 (part one) & $200.00 (part two) · Certification fee: $100.00 · Annual Renewal fee: $75.00
American Board of Industrial Hygiene	· Application fee: $150.00 · Reapplication fee: $75.00 · Examination fee: $350.00 · Annual Renewal fee: $115.00
Board of Certified Safety Professionals	· Application Fee: $160.00 · Safety Fundamentals Examination Fees: $350.00 · Comprehensive Practice Examination Fees: $350.00 · Annual Renewal Fees CSP: $130.00 · Annual Renewal Fees CSP (Retired): $25.00 · Late Annual Renewal Payment Fee: $25.00

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)