The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the new Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional(CESCP) certification program, created to encourage electrical safety within the industry.

The program is based on NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2012 Edition, which sets requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel by reducing exposure to major electrical hazards.  Professionals can now earn certification that will document advanced professional knowledge of NFPA 70E, which helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast. 

“It is vital for electrical professionals to prove their competency in their practice areas, especially where it involves safety,” said Mark Earley, NFPA’s chief electrical engineer. “This certification is a significant professional credential in electrical safety that shows a commitment to appropriate industry safety measures.” 

The CESCP certification program consists of a set of eligibility requirements (completed prior to program application), a 100-question computer-based examination (with a retest process in the event that you do not pass the exam), and a set of recertification requirements (based on a points system) that must be completed within a three (3) year time period following initial certification. 

The CESCP program application form is found in the CESCP candidate handbook as well as online at www.nfpa.org/cescp. Participants have twelve (12) months after they are accepted as a CESCP applicant to take and pass the exam.  

The exam is a three (3) hour maximum, open-book, 100 multiple choice question, computer-based, proctored exam taken at an approved testing center. The exam costs $300 USD and may be retaken up to two (2) additional times within twelve (12) months from the day your original CESCP application was accepted.  

Once you become CESCP certified, you must recertify every three (3) years.