How to Become a COSS^® Instructor

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist Instructor Requirements:

In order to apply to become an approved COSS instructor, you must:

• Have a minimum of five years’ experience in the occupational safety and health field
• Be an authorized OSHA outreach trainer in both construction and general industry (OSHA 500 and 501)
• Have successfully completed a COSS course, and are still in good standing (i.e., not expired)
• Be affiliated with a COSS Authorized Training Provider (ATP) (view list here)
• Maintain professional standards of conduct

AND, you must successfully complete the following 7 steps in sequential order:

Step One - Document Submission

Submit the following documents: a cover letter, a resume of relevant education and work history, names and contact information of three references supporting your expertise in the subject matter, and a photocopy of your OSHA outreach training certificates for OSHA 500 and OSHA 501. The cover letter must address your relevant experience, including the SIC/NAICS codes for the industries in which you have taught; your interest in becoming a COSS instructor; and your teaching philosophy. Your resume must demonstrate at least five years’ experience in the occupational safety and health field. All references must come from industry professionals. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in step two.

Step Two – Screening Interview

Selected applicants will be invited to complete a screening interview with a representative from the COSS Review Committee. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in step three.

Step Three – 45-Minute Presentation

Selected applicants will be asked to present a 45-minute lecture and conduct an exercise on a safety topic from the COSS curriculum, to representatives from the COSS Review Committee. This presentation will be evaluated for demonstrated knowledge and presentation style. Successful applicants will be invited to become COSS instructor candidates and move on to step four.

Step Four – Instructor Development Course

Selected candidates will be required to attend a 3-day COSS Instructor Development Course (IDC) and pass the IDC performance review. The cost for this course is $1,595. Successful candidates will be invited to proceed to step five.

Step Five – Team Teach

Candidates will be invited to co-instruct a COSS course with an authorized COSS instructor. Coaching and feedback will be provided. The COSS Instructor will provide a written evaluation of the Team Teacher’s performance to the COSS Review Committee, who will then decide if the candidate is to be named a Probationary COSS Instructor and move on to step six.

Step Six – Probationary COSS Instructor

Approved candidates will lead a 40 hour COSS class on his/her own. The class will be monitored by an authorized COSS instructor and/or members of the COSS Review Committee. Additional coaching and feedback will be provided throughout the weeklong course. If the desired teaching skills are demonstrated, the probationary COSS instructor will move to step seven.

Step Seven – Authorized COSS Instructor

At the conclusion of the probationary period, the COSS Review Committee will meet to vote on the acceptance of the candidate as a COSS Instructor. Approved candidates will be welcomed as authorized COSS instructors, and will receive their COSS Instructor Certificate.