Safety
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OSHA 10, OSHA 30 & safety certifications
What OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 cards are, who needs them, how to earn one from an authorized trainer, and other safety credentials tree workers commonly need.
OSHA Outreach cards at a glance
| Course | Length | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA 10-Hour General Industry | 10 hours | Entry-level tree workers and ground crew | DOL wallet card |
| OSHA 10-Hour Construction | 10 hours | Crews on construction or land-clearing sites | DOL wallet card |
| OSHA 30-Hour General Industry | 30 hours | Crew leaders, foremen, safety leads | DOL wallet card |
| OSHA 30-Hour Construction | 30 hours | Supervisors on construction projects | DOL wallet card |
Tree care is mostly General Industry (29 CFR 1910). Pick Construction when you work under 29 CFR 1926 on building sites.
How to earn an OSHA 10 or 30 card
- Take the course only from an OSHA-authorized Outreach trainer or an OSHA-accepted online provider. Check for the provider on osha.gov before you pay.
- Online courses limit you to 7.5 hours a day, so OSHA 10 takes at least 2 days and OSHA 30 at least 4 days.
- You have 6 months from the start to finish an online course.
- Pass the final exam (usually 70% or higher, with up to 3 tries).
- Download a printable certificate right away. The plastic DOL card is mailed to you within about 90 days.
- Typical cost: about $60–$90 for OSHA 10 online and $160–$190 for OSHA 30 online. In-person classes vary.
OSHA cards don't expire under federal rules, but many employers, unions and states require a refresher every 4–5 years.
States that require OSHA cards
- Some states require OSHA 10 or 30 on public or construction jobs, including Nevada, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, Pennsylvania (some public work), Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
- Rules change — check your state labor department and the job's contract before starting.
Other safety credentials for tree workers
| Credential | From | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| EHAP | TCIA | Industry-standard electrical hazard awareness for work near power lines. |
| CTSP | TCIA | Certified Treecare Safety Professional for crew safety leaders. |
| First Aid / CPR / AED | Red Cross, AHA, NSC | Required by ANSI Z133 for crew near hazards. |
| Aerial rescue | Employer or training provider | Required for crews working aloft; practice yearly. |
| Flagger certification | ATSSA or state DOT | Required in many states to direct traffic at a work zone. |
| CDL (Class A or B) | State DMV | Needed to drive most chip trucks and bucket trucks. |
| Chainsaw safety (e.g. Game of Logging) | Training provider | Proven saw handling and felling skills. |
| ISA Certified Arborist / Tree Worker | ISA | Professional credentials — see Certifications in the app. |
Where to start
- New to tree work: OSHA 10 General Industry, first aid/CPR and EHAP.
- Climber or bucket operator: add aerial rescue and an ISA Tree Worker credential.
- Crew leader or foreman: OSHA 30, CTSP and flagger certification.
- Ask your employer — many pay for OSHA and EHAP training.
Cautions
- Only cards from OSHA-authorized trainers are valid. Watch out for sites selling fake cards.
- Prices and state rules change. Check osha.gov/training/outreach and your state labor department for current details.