The Transitional Safety Practitioner (TSP) designation was created by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) as a way to recognize the achievements and dedication of those who have obtained credentials that represent a fundamental knowledge of safety practice.
The TSP serves as an alternate path for qualified individuals to pursue the Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Obtaining the TSP satisfies the requirement an individual hold a BCSP qualified credential, one of a few necessary requirements, before sitting for the CSP exam. The TSP program recognizes that individuals who complete a Qualified Equivalent Program (QEP)* are prepared for entry into, or advancement in, professional safety practice.
Currently, there are three QEPs, the first program qualified for QEP status was the CP-12 Professional Certificate in Safety and Occupational Health (CP-12). Awarded by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC), the CP-12 affords U.S. Army members a path to the CSP and professional safety certification.
Joshua J. Franklin, CSP, SMS, CET joined the BCSP staff in February as the Business Growth and Partnership Director. Franklin knows the importance of the TSP and its path to the CSP. After sustaining a back injury in the sixth year of his 21 total years in the United States Air Force, Franklin’s doctor informed him he would have to retrain for another career field.
“The chief master sergeant in my squadron recommended going into safety and, at first, I thought he was joking. I had no idea it was a real job!” he recalls. “He had me visit a larger Air Force base with a safety office, and after 30 minutes with the safety professionals there I was hooked.”
The CP-12 Certificate was qualified as a QEP on June 18, 2018, and is awarded to military civilians and federal employees serving in safety and occupational health job roles, and who have completed course training or its equivalency.
“After seeing the positive difference that accredited safety and health certifications made in both the careers of Air Force safety and health professionals and in the safety of the military members around the world, I was ecstatic when the US Army’s CP-12 program was granted BCSP QEP status. For those graduating from the program and applying for the TSP, the designation allows them to be one step closer to the gold standard of the CSP,” said Franklin.
The other two QEPs are the Master in Occupational Safety and Health from the University of Turin, Italy, the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO), and the National or International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).
Benefits of obtaining the TSP include waiver of the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) examination requirements for CSP eligibility, recognition for being on a qualified path toward the CSP, a certificate awarding the TSP designation, and access to the BCSP Career Center.
There is also no fee to apply for the TSP. Maintaining the TSP requires payment of an annual renewal fee, which may be reimbursed through the Department of Defense (DoD) for DoD civilians and military members.
Visit bcsp.org/TSP for more information on the TSP designation and to apply today!
*QEP is Qualified Equivalent Program, a curriculum-based certificate, diploma, or international degree program in the safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) field that meets BCSP standards for participation and demonstrates a substantial match to the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) examination blueprint.