There's no public national database of OSHA card holders. To verify an OSHA 10 or 30 card, check that it's an official Department of Labor card with the student's name, course, industry, and the issuing trainer or provider, then contact that trainer or provider to confirm the student completed the course. You can confirm the trainer is authorized in OSHA's Outreach trainer directory.
Key takeaways
- Real cards are issued by the U.S. Department of Labor through authorized trainers and accepted online providers.
- There's no public lookup by worker name, so verify through the issuing trainer or provider.
- Current cards include security features, and many include a QR code or other way to verify them.
- Paper certificates are temporary records, not the official card.
- Same-day cards, cash-only deals, and misspelled cards are red flags.
What a legitimate card looks like
OSHA 10 and 30 cards are issued through the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Outreach Training Program. A real card shows:
- The Department of Labor / OSHA Outreach Training Program identity.
- The course length (10-hour or 30-hour) and industry (Construction or General Industry).
- The student's name.
- Information identifying the authorized trainer or OSHA-accepted online provider.
Cards issued in recent years also include security features designed to make counterfeiting harder, and many providers offer a QR code or other verification method.
How to verify a card, step by step
- Look at the card itself. Check that it's a durable wallet card (not just a printed certificate), and that the name matches the worker's ID.
- Identify the trainer or provider. Note the trainer or online provider shown on or with the card.
- Confirm the trainer is authorized. Search OSHA's trainer directory for in-person trainers, or check OSHA's list of accepted online providers.
- Contact the trainer or provider. Ask them to confirm the student's name, course, and completion date. Use any QR code or verification tool they provide.
- Keep a copy. Store a photo or scan of the card with the worker's training records.
Red flags
Be suspicious if: the card was "earned" in a single day, the worker can't remember the trainer or any details of the class, the card has misspellings or poor printing, the provider only takes cash and gives no receipt, or the name doesn't match the worker's ID.
Federal investigators have charged people for selling fake OSHA cards, and contractors have been caught with workers on site who never took the training. Beyond the legal risk, a fake card means a worker who may not recognize the hazards that kill people in construction.
Temporary certificates vs official cards
When students finish a course, they often get a printable certificate or completion letter right away. That's a legitimate temporary record. The official card follows, and OSHA requires trainers to issue it within 90 days. If a worker only has a certificate from more than a few months ago, ask why.
Make verification easy
The simplest way to be sure your crew's cards are real is to train them yourself with an authorized trainer. When Zahid trains your crew on-site, you get a roster of everyone who completed the course, and every card comes from a verifiable OSHA-authorized trainer. Book a class.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an online OSHA card lookup?
Not a public national one. OSHA doesn't publish a searchable list of card holders. Verification goes through the authorized trainer or online provider who issued the card. Some newer cards include a QR code or verification method from the provider.
What should a real OSHA 10 card show?
A legitimate card shows that it's from the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA Outreach Training Program, the course (10 or 30-hour), the industry (Construction or General Industry), the student's name, and information identifying the trainer or provider.
What happens if a worker has a fake card?
Using a fraudulent card can get a worker removed from a site, and knowingly selling fake cards has led to federal criminal charges. Employers who rely on fake cards may also fall short of contract or legal requirements.
How can I verify a trainer?
Search OSHA's authorized Outreach trainer directory by name. For example, Zahid Presswala's listing is publicly available on OSHA.gov.