# Do OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Cards Expire? > Federal OSHA 10 and 30 cards never expire, but many states, cities, employers, and unions require refresher training every 3 to 5 years. Here's when you may need to retake the course. URL: https://oshawithzahid.com/guides/do-osha-cards-expire.html Author: Zahid Presswala, OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer Updated: 2026-10-25 No. OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 cards issued through the federal Outreach Training Program do not expire. However, some states (such as Nevada), cities (such as New York City), employers, unions, and project owners require workers to retake the course or complete refresher training, commonly every 3 to 5 years. ## Key takeaways - Federal OSHA Outreach cards have no expiration date. - Some state and local laws set their own renewal periods, often 5 years. - Many contractors and facilities only accept cards earned within the last 3 to 5 years. - Replacement cards for lost originals are limited, so an old lost card may mean retaking the class. - Regulations change. A refresher keeps your knowledge current even when it's not required. ## The federal rule: no expiration OSHA's Outreach Training Program is voluntary, and the cards it produces are proof that you completed a course. They're not licenses, so **federal OSHA puts no expiration date on them**. A card earned in 2012 is still a valid record that you took the course in 2012. That said, the date on the card matters more than most people think. ## When OSHA cards effectively "expire" ### State and local laws Some places that require Outreach training also require it to be renewed: - **Nevada** requires OSHA 10 for construction workers and OSHA 30 for supervisors, and requires renewal every five years. - **New York City** requires Site Safety Training (SST) cards for many construction workers. OSHA courses count toward the hours, and SST cards must be renewed every five years. - Other states, such as New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Missouri, require OSHA 10 for certain public construction work. Some also require supervisors to hold OSHA 30. Rules differ, and some set their own timeframes. ### Employer and project requirements This is where most workers run into it. General contractors, facility owners, hospitals, universities, and unions often write their own rules into contracts and site policies, such as "OSHA 10 within the last five years" or "OSHA 30 for all supervisors, renewed every three years." These rules are just as binding on that job as a law would be. ### Lost cards If you lose an old card, you may not be able to replace it. Trainers and providers can only issue replacements for a limited period after the class. After that, the only way to prove your training is to take it again. ## Should you retake OSHA 10 or 30 even if you don't have to? From years of teaching, my honest answer is yes, if it's been more than about five years. Here's why: - **Standards change.** Respirable silica, hazard communication updates, walking-working surface rules, and penalty amounts have all changed in the last decade. - **Your role changes.** If you've moved up to lead or foreman since your OSHA 10, it's time for OSHA 30. - **Habits drift.** A refresher is a chance to reset the shortcuts that creep in on every crew. ## How to keep your crew's cards current 1. Keep a simple spreadsheet with each worker's card type, industry, and completion date. 2. Flag anyone approaching 5 years, or whatever period your projects require. 3. Schedule one on-site class for everyone due, instead of sending people out one at a time. Need to refresh a group? [Book an on-site class](https://oshawithzahid.com/book.html) and Zahid will train everyone at once. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long is an OSHA 10 card good for? Under federal rules, indefinitely. The card shows you completed the training and doesn't carry an expiration date. Check your state, city, employer, or project requirements, since some only accept cards from the last 3 to 5 years. ### Does Nevada require OSHA 10 renewal? Yes. Nevada requires construction workers to complete OSHA 10 and supervisors to complete OSHA 30, and requires the training to be renewed every five years. ### Do I have to retake the whole course to renew? Usually, yes. There is no official federal 'OSHA 10 refresher' card. When a state, employer, or project requires renewal, workers generally retake the full 10 or 30-hour course and receive a new card with a new completion date. ### What if I lost my old card? Contact the trainer or provider who issued it. Replacements are limited and generally only available for a set period after the course. If that window has passed, you'll need to take the course again. ## Sources & further reading - [OSHA Outreach Training Program FAQs for students](https://www.osha.gov/training/outreach/student-faqs) - [OSHA Outreach Training Program](https://www.osha.gov/training/outreach)