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Last updated: April 2026
Your OSHA 10 card says it’s valid for life. The general contractor on your next job might say otherwise.
That gap between the official policy and the on-site reality is where workers get caught. You show up with a card from 2015, the site supervisor turns you away, and you lose a day’s work finding out what you actually need. After 34 years of training New York’s construction workforce, we’ve seen this play out more times than we can count. Here’s the straight answer — and what it means for your next project.
In this article:
No. OSHA 10 does not expire. The OSHA Outreach Training Program does not set an expiration date on the 10-hour construction safety card. Once you complete the course and receive your card, OSHA considers it valid. There is no federal requirement to renew it on any schedule, and no expiration date is printed on the card.
That’s the official answer. Keep reading, because it’s not the whole story.
OSHA’s outreach training program — which is what the 10-hour and 30-hour courses fall under — is voluntary at the federal level. OSHA issues the card as proof of training completion, not as a license that needs renewal. The agency’s position hasn’t changed on this.
But here’s where workers run into problems: OSHA sets the training standard, not the job site rules. And those are two different things.
New York City construction sites operate under requirements that go significantly beyond federal OSHA policy. Under Local Law 196, workers on most major DOB-permitted construction sites must hold a Site Safety Training (SST) card — a 40-hour credential that includes OSHA 10 as a baseline. New workers may start a job after completing OSHA 10 but must reach the full 40-hour SST requirement within six months to continue working on site.
That means in NYC, OSHA 10 alone is often not enough. It’s the entry point, not the finish line.
New York State adds its own layer. Under NY Labor Law Article 8, Section 220-h, every worker on a publicly funded construction project of $250,000 or more must have completed OSHA 10-hour training before performing work under the contract. That’s a statewide legal mandate — not just an employer preference.
What we see in practice, after training tens of thousands of workers across New York, is this: most NYC construction employers treat 3-5 years as the practical lifespan of an OSHA 10 card. They’re not always legally required to demand a refresh — but they often do. It protects them in the event of a worksite incident, and it ensures the worker knows current safety protocols.
If you’re doing renovation work in NYC under a permit, working on a project with a Site Safety Manager, or bidding on union work, assume your employer will ask about the age of your card. A refresher is 10 hours. It’s worth not losing a job over. You can review EEA’s full OSHA safety training and HazMat course options to see which program fits your work type.
Both cards come from the same OSHA Outreach Training Program. The difference is depth of coverage and who they’re designed for.
| Factor | OSHA 10 | OSHA 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | 10 hours | 30 hours |
| Designed for | Entry-level workers | Supervisors and foremen |
| Topics covered | Core hazard recognition | All OSHA 10 topics plus management, recordkeeping, advanced hazards |
| Card color | Green | Blue |
| NYC DOB / SST | Counts toward 40-hour SST requirement | Counts toward 40-hour SST requirement |
| Typical cost | $89-$179 | $179-$299 |
| Format available | Online + in-person | Online + in-person |
OSHA 10 is the floor for most construction workers in New York. If you’re a foreman, site supervisor, or safety manager, OSHA 30 is expected — and for NYC’s SST requirements, both count toward the 40-hour total. Getting OSHA 30 when you only need OSHA 10 doesn’t hurt you. It makes you a more competitive hire.
One thing that trips people up: OSHA 30 does not replace OSHA 10 as a separate card. They’re different training tracks. If a job asks specifically for OSHA 10, your OSHA 30 satisfies it — NYC DOB accepts OSHA 30 as meeting the OSHA 10 baseline. But if a job asks for OSHA 30, completing only OSHA 10 does not satisfy it.
The OSHA 10-hour construction course takes 10 hours total. That’s not negotiable — OSHA requires the full 10 hours to issue the card, and OSHA limits instruction to a maximum of 7.5 contact hours per calendar day. That means the course must span at least two days regardless of format.
How those 10 hours are structured depends on the provider and format:
Online: You complete the 10 hours at your own pace over at least two sessions. The 7.5-hour daily cap applies online as well as in person. Most workers finish in 2-3 days. EEA’s online training resources include options for workers who need schedule flexibility.
In-person: Typically completed over 1-2 days in a classroom setting. EEA offers in-person OSHA 10 across New York, including Buffalo, Manhattan, Rochester, and Syracuse. See all NYS training locations.
Hybrid: Some providers offer online modules for theory, with a brief in-person component.
After completing the training, your instructor submits your information to OSHA’s trainer network. The physical card arrives by mail — typically 2-8 weeks after submission, though it can take up to 90 days during busy periods. Providers can issue a completion certificate immediately to show your employer while the card is in transit.
Important: make sure your provider is an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer. EEA instructors are authorized through OSHA’s outreach training program. Cards from unauthorized providers are not valid. You can learn more about who teaches our courses and their credentials.
Getting certified for the first time: Find an authorized OSHA Outreach Training provider, complete the 10-hour course, and your trainer submits your information to receive the card. View EEA’s OSHA 10 course schedule on our training calendar and register directly at environmentaleducation.com.
Can’t find your old card: OSHA does not maintain a central database of card holders. Your card was issued through the trainer who ran your course. Contact that provider — they keep records and may be able to reissue documentation. If the provider is no longer operating, you may need to retake the training.
Card too old for a job site: Take the course again. The refresher covers updated OSHA standards and resets the clock on your training record. Most workers complete it in a day or two.
Verifying your card is legitimate: Ask your provider for their OSHA Outreach Trainer authorization number. Legitimate providers can show this without hesitation. You can review EEA’s policies and certifications for full transparency on how our programs are administered.
No. OSHA does not set an expiration date on OSHA 10 cards. The card is valid indefinitely under federal OSHA policy, and no expiration date is printed on it. However, many employers — especially on NYC construction sites — treat cards older than 3-5 years as outdated and may require a refresher before allowing site access. NYC’s Local Law 196 SST requirements add another layer of training obligations beyond the basic OSHA 10.
Yes, in specific contexts. New York Labor Law Article 8, Section 220-h requires OSHA 10 completion for all workers on publicly funded construction projects of $250,000 or more. NYC’s Local Law 196 requires workers on major DOB-permitted sites to meet SST requirements, starting with OSHA 10 as the baseline. Many union agreements and public contracts add further requirements.
Yes. OSHA permits online delivery for the 10-hour course, subject to the 7.5-hour daily maximum. You still need to complete the full 10 hours over at least two sessions with an authorized trainer. EEA offers both online and in-person options across New York State. See our online training resources for current availability.
On NYC DOB-permitted projects covered by Local Law 196, working without required Site Safety Training can result in removal from the site. For publicly funded NY State projects covered by Labor Law 220-h, the contractor may face contract penalties. Federal OSHA serious violations carry fines up to $16,550 per violation; willful or repeat violations can reach $165,514.
OSHA 10 training typically runs $89 to $179 depending on the provider and format. Avoid providers offering the card for under $50 — OSHA requires authorized trainers, and unusually cheap options are often unauthorized. Review our payment policy and course fees for current EEA pricing.
Your OSHA 10 card doesn’t have an expiration date printed on it. But the job site you’re trying to get onto has its own standards — and in New York City, Local Law 196 means OSHA 10 is the starting point, not the finish line. The safest move: treat your OSHA training like any professional credential and keep it current.
EEA offers OSHA 10 construction training across New York, including in-person courses in Buffalo, Manhattan, Rochester, and Syracuse, and online options for workers who need flexibility. View the current schedule on our training calendar or visit our OSHA safety training resources to get started.
About the Author
Andrew J. McLellan is the founder and training director of Environmental Education Associates, which he established in 1992 in collaboration with SUNY Buffalo’s Toxicology Research Center. He has designed and overseen accredited safety training programs for more than three decades, certifying tens of thousands of construction and environmental professionals across New York and nationally. Andrew directs all OSHA, lead, asbestos, and mold training programs at EEA. Meet our full instructor team.
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026