You must possess a four-year degree from an accredited school, and your current profession must involve safety as a primary function for 50 percent of the time. If you have an advanced degree, it can be substituted as part of your work experience.
There are many available certifications for safety professionals. As well as general certification in the form of comprehensive practice examinations and safety fundamentals, there are also industry-specific safety certifications such as The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) for petrochemical and construction safety workers.
The BCSP states that individuals who become certified safety professionals have an advantage over other candidates when seeking employment. Certified safety professionals earn approximately $17,000 extra per year than those who are not certified, according to a 2003 study by the American Society of Safety Engineers.