Should I Become a Certified Safety Engineer?
Safety engineers, also referred to as health and safety engineers, ensure that job sites are hazard-free and that employers provide optimal working conditions for employees. These professionals also ensure that buildings or products comply with health and safety regulations, and they examine employee safety programs. Health and safety engineers usually work in comfortable office environments, though they also might have to travel to various places of employment to perform their safety investigations.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Bachelor's degree required |
| Degree Field | Industrial, electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering or other related fields |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years of experience typically needed |
| Licensure and Certification | A few states require licensure; voluntary certifications available |
| Key Skills | Problem-solving, creativity, observation and critical thinking skills, ability to interpret regulatory information |
| Salary | $97,330 per year (2020 average salary for all health and safety engineers) |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Online Job Posting (July to August 2015)
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement for safety engineers. This degree can be in any of a variety of subjects related to engineering, including mechanical, industrial, electrical and chemical engineering. One can also consider a bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering or systems engineering. In addition to laboratory and classroom work, bachelor's degree programs in engineering may also involve field studies in applied engineering. When considering degree programs, students should ensure that the curriculum involves courses in ergonomics, occupational safety and health, environmental safety and industrial hygiene.
Success Tips:
- Consider a cooperative-education program. Since many employers prefer candidates who have previous experience, aspiring safety engineers might consider enrolling in an engineering program that offers cooperative education. These programs contain a combination of classroom-based learning with practical work experience and provide students with academic credit for completing structured work experiences.
- Complete an internship or participate in research. Although completing an internship or research project is not required, it can help one acquire valuable work experience in the field. Many engineering programs offer numerous opportunities for students to become involved in research or complete an internship.
Step 2: Become Licensed
There are only a few states that require safety engineers to be licensed, and licensure is generally recommended for anyone considering a career in systems safety engineering. Licensed safety engineers are able to use the Professional Engineer (PE) credential. To meet licensing requirements, one must obtain a degree from an engineering program accredited by ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), receive a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, have at least four years of work experience and receive a passing score on the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.
Step 3: Become Certified
Although voluntary, most safety engineers choose to become certified. The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) credentials are the two primary certifications earned by safety engineers. The Board of Certified Safety Professionals offers the CSP credential, while the American Board of Industrial Hygiene offers the CIH credential. To be eligible for either credential, one must meet requirements regarding education and experience, in addition to passing an examination.
Step 4: Maintain Licensure and Certification
Requirements for renewing the PE credential vary for each state. Some states require safety engineers to meet continuing education requirements to keep their license active. The CIH certification is active for five years and can be renewed by obtaining certification management points over the 5-year period. Individuals can also choose to retake the exam rather than obtain certification maintenance credits. To keep the CSP credential active, an individual must achieve a minimum of 25 recertification points every five years.
Step 5: Consider a Master's Degree for Career Advancement
Although a bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry-level work as a safety engineer, a master's degree may qualify professionals for management and leadership positions. Candidates with a master's degree will typically be eligible for positions that allow the safety engineer to implement and develop safety programs and be able to work with greater independence and less supervision. Most master's programs allow students to select an area of emphasis for further study. Additionally, some schools offer 5-year accelerated programs that lead to a bachelor's and master's degree.
