OSHA 10 Card: Who Needs It, How Long It Takes, Expiration
OSHA 10 is a 10-hour awareness course for workers; trainers can teach at most 7.5 hours a day, so it takes at least 2 days[osha.gov]. Federal OSHA doesn't require it, and the construction card has no expiration date. 6 states require it by statute on some or all construction jobs.
| OSHA 10 | OSHA 30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Meant for | Workers (hazard awareness) | Supervisors and workers with safety duties |
| Hours | 10 | 30 |
| Fewest days | 2 | 4 |
| Expires | No (construction card) | No (construction card) |
| Required by federal OSHA | No | No |
Day counts from the 7.5-hour daily limit on instruction[osha.gov].
Which states require an OSHA 10 card?
6 states have a statute on the books; Nevada's covers every construction worker, who must show the card within 15 days of hire[leg.state.nv.us]. The others apply to public works, most above a dollar threshold.
| State | Who it covers | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Public works projects under C.G.S. 31-53 (contract entered on/after 2009-07-01); applies only if new construction total cost >= $1,000,000 or remodeling/refinishing/rehabilitation/alteration/repair total cost >= $100,000 (31-53(h)(1)) | Each contract must require proof, with certified payroll for each employee's first week, of an OSHA-approved 10-hour construction safety course (or MSHA new-miner training / 29 CFR 1910.268 telecom training). Plumbers and electricians whose 10-hr course is 5+ years old need a 4-hr OSHA-authorized-trainer refresher. Noncompliant workers removable if no documentation by day 15. Completion cards accepted if dated within 5 years before project start. Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-53b(a)-(c); 31-53(h)[cga.ct.gov] |
| Massachusetts | Public works and public buildings estimated > $10,000 | Bidder certifies all employees have completed OSHA-approved 10-hr construction course; documentation with first certified payroll M.G.L. c.30 s.39S[malegislature.gov] |
| Missouri | Public works (public body contracts), on-site employees | 10-hr OSHA construction program; employees who have not completed must do so within 60 days of beginning work; 20 days to produce documentation before removal RSMo 292.675[revisor.mo.gov] |
| Nevada | All construction workers statewide (not just public) | OSHA-10 card within 15 days of hire; supervisory employees OSHA-30; employer must suspend/terminate if not presented within 15 days NRS 618.983, 618.987[leg.state.nv.us] |
| New Hampshire | Public works/buildings, state agency or municipality, total project cost >= $100,000 | OSHA 10-hr construction card before beginning work; removal if no documentation by day 15 after noncompliance found RSA 277:5-a[gencourt.state.nh.us] |
| Rhode Island | Municipal and state construction projects >= $100,000 | OSHA 10-hr construction safety program for on-site employees; card carried on person while working R.I. Gen. Laws 37-23-1[webserver.rilegislature.gov] |
| New York | Not confirmed Read N.Y. Labor Law 220-h | |
Does the OSHA 10 card expire?
No. OSHA's construction, general industry and disaster site student cards have no expiration date[osha.gov]. An employer, union or state rule can still ask for a recent course; Connecticut public works accept cards dated within 5 years before the project starts[cga.ct.gov].
Is an OSHA 10 card a license?
No. OSHA says the card is not a certification or license, there is no minimum age, and you don't need a job to take the course[osha.gov].
Where do you take OSHA 10?
OSHA doesn't teach the course or host online classes. OSHA-authorized trainers and private online providers deliver it, and there is no national database for checking a card[osha.gov].
How do you replace a lost OSHA 10 card?
Ask the trainer or provider who taught your class. OSHA keeps no student records and can't issue replacements; the trainer may charge a fee. If a card hasn't arrived 90 days after the class, contact the trainer[osha.gov].
Sources
- OSHA Outreach Training Program FAQ (osha.gov, 2026-10-27)
- Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-53b(a)-(c); 31-53(h) (cga.ct.gov, 2026-10-27)
- Massachusetts: M.G.L. c.30 s.39S (malegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
- Missouri: RSMo 292.675 (revisor.mo.gov, 2026-10-27)
- Nevada: NRS 618.983, 618.987 (leg.state.nv.us, 2026-10-27)
- New Hampshire: RSA 277:5-a (gencourt.state.nh.us, 2026-10-27)
- Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws 37-23-1 (webserver.rilegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)