How to get your CRST® designation | UNB

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College of Extended Learning

How to obtain your CRST® designation

BCRSP®exams are held twice per year in March and August, over a 10-day window.

The Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST®) is the national standard for practicing occupational health and safety practitioners. The CRST® designation denotes technical accomplishment and professional practice.

CRST® tools and resources

The following briefly describes the tools and resources available to help you navigate the maze of applications, study group participation, preparation courses and other useful resources.

To obtain your CRST® designation, you must pass the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP®) exam. This exam contains approximately 200 multiple-choice questions, which must be answered within a three-and one-half hour period. The exam follows the 2015 BCRSP® blueprint.

To be allowed to write the BCRSP® exam, you must apply and be approved by the board. Approval of your application is based on completion of an approved academic program and related work experience.

The BCRSP® provides three distinct pathways of eligibility criteria for those wishing to write the examination. Applicants must meet the requirements of one of the following pathways:

Pathway A

  • Formal OHS education: Have successfully completed a one-year OHS certificate program from a recognized academic institution (this may be met with the UNB COHS program).

  • At least one year of OHS work experience, 12 months within the last 24 months prior to application (at least 35% of duties are OHS).

Pathway B

  • Formal Education: Have successfully completed a two-year Non-OHS formal education program (diploma/certificate program) from a recognized educational institution (Community College or University) OR is qualified to journeyman status in a trade.

  • Technical Skills Development: Have completed professional development courses or training related to the nine competency categories before submitting the application (this may be met with the UNB COHS program).

  • At least one year of OHS work experience, at least 12 months within the last 24 months prior to application.

Pathway C (for Graduates of Recognized OHS Programs)

  • Formal OHS Education: An approved 2-year (900 hour) OHS program from a recognized academic institution will allow you to apply for the CRST® examination without work experience (the UNB COHS and UNB DOHS programs combined meet this requirement).

  • On earning 48 months of relevant, professional level OHS experience, you will be eligible to apply for the CRSP® certification. Your OHS experience must have been within 72 months prior to applying for certification.

The process

The following are a few possible pathways to CRST® designation:

  1. Get a job in the OHS field to acquire work experience and determine if this is a good career fit.

  2. Register into a program of formal study, such as UNB's Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (pathways A and B) or the Diploma in OHS (complete both programs for pathway C). Courses in these programs are 100% online, instructor-supported, and available anywhere, anytime. Intake is continuous, meaning that you may register at any time and complete the courses in a flexible and self-paced fashion- start and finish the courses at times that are convenient for you.

  3. On completion of your OHS program, and having the required work experience (pathways A and B), you may apply to write the CRST® Examination.

  4. Join a local study group to act as a support to you during this intensive period of self-preparation. Local CSSE Chapters run study groups on an ongoing basis.

  5. Practice exam writing ahead of the BCRSP® exam with online exam testing tools. This has proven to be a big help to people preparing to write the exam.

  6. UNB offers an online CRST® Preparation course. We recommend using this study aid in the six months leading up to your examination date. To register, contact us at customerservice@unb.ca or call us at 506 453-4694 (or toll-free at 1 888 259-4222).

  7. Complete the BCRSP® application, including the professional practice questionnaire, and get two professional references. Submit your application. The deadlines for the application associated with each planned sitting of the exam are listed on the BCRSP® website. Candidates typically write the exam in March and August each year.

  8. Write the exam, pass it, sign a copy of the BCRSP® Code of Ethics and, voilà, you have your CRST® designation!