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CERTIFICED QHSE ASSOCIATE®
CQHSE-A®

 

Connecting QHSE professionals to drive sustainable Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental excellence.

CERTIFIED QHSE ASSOCIATE® (CQHSE-A®)

QHSE Association – Professional Certification Framework: An Introduction

Welcome to the QHSE Association’s Professional Certification Framework, a meticulously designed tiered system created to guide and validate the expertise of individuals across the Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) landscape. Whether you’re just starting your career, advancing to a leadership role, specializing in training, or contributing at an expert level, our framework provides clear pathways for professional growth and recognition.

Each certification in this framework is built upon robust standards, ensuring that certified professionals possess the knowledge and skills vital for today’s dynamic work environments. We’re committed to fostering excellence and promoting best practices that lead to safer, healthier, and more sustainable operations worldwide.

This page details the first step in your QHSE professional journey: the Certified QHSE Associate® (CQHSE-A®)

Overview

The Certified QHSE Associate® (CQHSE-A®) is meticulously crafted for individuals just starting their journey in the Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) field. This includes entry-level professionals, recent graduates, or anyone looking to transition into this vital domain.

The primary objective of this certification is to introduce fundamental QHSE principles, essential terminology, and the basic safety practices that are indispensable for operations across all industries and workplaces.

Upon successful completion, you’ll possess a solid grasp of:

    • A clear understanding of core QHSE concepts, the specific roles within QHSE frameworks, and the fundamental purpose of internationally recognized ISO standards (specifically ISO 9001 for Quality Management, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management, and ISO 45001 for Occupational Health & Safety Management)
    • The ability to perform basic hazard identification, foster critical risk awareness, and execute immediate incident reporting procedures effectively.
    • Knowledge of the correct usage and proper maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety.
    • The capability to diligently follow basic safety instructions and effectively support routine compliance operations within a QHSE framework.

This certification provides a globally recognized baseline understanding of QHSE principles, preparing individuals for entry-level roles and setting the stage for advanced career progression in any industry worldwide.

Requirements

To achieve your Certified QHSE Associate® (CQHSE-A®) certification, here’s what you need:

Qualification Prerequisites:

  • Academic Qualification: To be eligible, candidates must hold a High School Diploma or its equivalent (e.g., a relevant Vocational Qualification). This ensures a baseline educational foundation for understanding the course content.
  • Prior Experience: No prior formal QHSE work experience is mandatory, making this certification an ideal entry point for individuals seeking to build a career in the field without previous direct experience.
  • Recommended Preparatory Training: While not strictly mandatory for eligibility, it is highly recommended that candidates complete a foundational workplace safety orientation or internal company induction training. This helps build initial familiarity with workplace safety concepts.

Examination Format:

  • The certification is achieved through an online multiple-choice assessment. This exam is designed to comprehensively cover and test your foundational QHSE knowledge.

Certification Validity:

  • Your CQHSE-A® certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

Renewal Requirements:

  • To maintain your certification status, you have two options: you can either re-take a condensed assessment to refresh your knowledge, or you can demonstrate the completion of 10 hours of relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities. Accepted CPD includes online courses, participation in safety toolbox talks, or attending relevant industry webinars that enhance your QHSE understanding.

Suitable For

The Certified QHSE Associate® (CQHSE-A®) is an ideal starting point for aspiring professionals in roles such as:

  • Site Assistants: Providing direct support to QHSE operations at job sites.
  • Safety Stewards: Championing workplace safety practices and assisting with basic safety awareness initiatives.
  • Junior QHSE Aides: Supporting senior QHSE professionals with essential documentation, basic compliance tasks, and administrative functions within QHSE departments.
  • Entry-Level Operational Support: For individuals whose primary roles require a foundational understanding of safety and environmental protocols within an operational context, ensuring compliance and contributing to a safer work environment.

Application & Certification Process

Your journey to becoming a Certified QHSE Associate® certificant begins with a straightforward application process.

1. Apply Online: You can apply for certification at any time by selecting the ‘My Profile’ portal located in the top right-hand corner of any QHSEA.ORG webpage. Simply create your account to get started.

2. Application Review & Eligibility: The QHSE Association will thoroughly review your application once it is submitted and the initial payment has been made. It is crucial that you meet all the specified certification requirements to be deemed eligible. Once your application is approved, candidates have one (1) year to schedule and successfully pass the certification’s examination.

3. Examination Details:

  • Examination Format: The certification is achieved through an online multiple-choice assessment. This exam is designed to comprehensively cover and test your foundational QHSE knowledge.
  • Examination Fee: The examination fee for the CQHSE-A® is $250 USD. This fee covers your attempt(s) at the certification exam and the initial issuance of your certificate upon passing. This can be purchased during the application process as an application and exam/exam bundle combo option, or it can be purchased after your application is approved.
  • Exam Re-sit Fee: Should you need to re-take the exam, a re-sit fee of $75 USD will apply per attempt.

4. Achieve & Maintain Certification: Candidates who successfully meet all prerequisites and pass the examination are officially awarded their Certified QHSE Associate® certification and become proud QHSE Association Certificants.

To support the continued advancement of the safety profession and ensure the recognition and value of QHSEA credentials, an annual credential maintenance fee of $50 USD is assessed to credential holders. This fee allows you to retain active use of your QHSEA credentials.

Furthermore, all credential holders must remain up-to-date with changes in professional practice by sharing their activities to earn recertification points. Your CQHSE-A® is valid for 3 years. At the end of this period, a recertification (renewal) fee of $100 USD will be required, along with evidence of your accumulated recertification points/CPD hours, to renew your certification for another 3 years.

CONTACT US

📞 Get in Touch

QHSE Association Headquarters

QHSE Association – 67 Revelon Rd, London, SE4 2PW

📧 Email:  [email protected]
📞 Phone: +44 (7481) 436696
🌐 Website: www.qhsea.org