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CERTIFICED QHSE PROFESSIONAL®
CQHSE-P®

 

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

CERTIFIED QHSE PROFESSIONAL® (CQHSE-P®)

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 Professional® (CQHSE-P®).

Overview

The Certified QHSE Professional® (CQHSE-P®) targets mid-level QHSE practitioners who are ready to take on greater responsibility for managing integrated management systems, leading internal audits, and driving continuous improvement initiatives within an organization.

Our objective with the CQHSE-P® is to strengthen your expertise in ISO management systems, advanced risk assessment methodologies, and your ability to contribute significantly to organizational QHSE leadership. You’ll move beyond daily tasks to strategic system management.

Upon successful completion, you’ll master competencies like:

  • Managing and maintaining integrated Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management Systems (IMS), ensuring they’re fully aligned with ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 standards.
  • Leading internal audits with confidence, conducting thorough root cause analysis, and developing effective corrective and preventive actions.
  • Developing and implementing comprehensive QHSE manuals, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and robust risk registers to standardize and control processes.
  • Driving continual improvement initiatives and monitoring performance to enhance organizational QHSE maturity.
  • Possessing a deep understanding of legal and regulatory compliance requirements relevant to your operational context.

This certification is specifically designed for professionals who are ready to take on more significant responsibility for system integrity, compliance oversight, and overall performance within an organization.

Requirements

To earn your Certified QHSE Professional® (CQHSE-P®) certification, here’s what you’ll need:

Qualification Prerequisites:

  • Certification Pathway: You must hold the Certified QHSE Field Specialist® (CQHSE-FS®) certification.
  • OR Experience Pathway: Alternatively, you can qualify with a minimum of three (3) years of documented full-time experience in a QHSE role, with at least one (1) year in a supervisory or dedicated system management capacity.
  • Formal Training: You must provide proof of completion of a recognized third-party training course on ISO management system implementation. This could be, for example, an ISO 9001, 14001, or 45001 Lead Auditor or Lead Implementer course.

Examination Format:

  • The assessment for this certification is comprehensive, featuring a case study analysis, essay questions on system management principles, and potentially a project submission or a viva voce (oral examination) to evaluate your in-depth understanding and application skills.

Certification Validity:

  • Your CQHSE-P® certification is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

Renewal Requirements:

  • To maintain your certification, you’ll need to demonstrate 30 hours of relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This includes advanced specialized training, presenting at conferences, or active participation in professional bodies. You’ll also be required to submit a portfolio detailing your involvement in significant system management or auditing activities during the renewal period, ensuring your expertise remains current and applied.

Suitable For

The Certified QHSE Professional® (CQHSE-P®) is an excellent credential for individuals aspiring to or currently in key roles such as:

  • QHSE Coordinators: Overseeing and integrating various QHSE programs and initiatives across departments.
  • System Leads: Professionals responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of specific Quality, Environmental, or Safety management systems.
  • Internal Auditors: Leading and conducting internal audits to ensure compliance with ISO standards and organizational policies.
  • Compliance Specialists: Focusing on ensuring that an organization adheres to relevant legal, regulatory, and internal QHSE requirements.

Application & Certification Process

Your journey to becoming a Certified QHSE Professional 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 assessment for this certification is comprehensive, featuring a case study analysis, essay questions on system management principles, and potentially a project submission or a viva voce (oral examination) to evaluate your in-depth understanding and application skills.
  • Examination Fee: The examination fee for the CQHSE-P® is $800 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 $250 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 Professional® 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 $100 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-P® is valid for 5 years. At the end of this period, a recertification (renewal) fee of $300 USD will be required, along with evidence of your accumulated recertification points/CPD hours, to renew your certification for another 5 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