I. Legal Framework

The accreditation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Practitioners in the Philippines is governed by the following laws and issuances:

Article 162, Book IV, Presidential Decree No. 442 (Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended) – mandates the promulgation of occupational safety and health standards and the training and accreditation of personnel responsible for their implementation.
Republic Act No. 11058 (An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations under DOLE Department Order No. 198-18, as amended by Department Order Nos. 208-20, 216-21, and subsequent issuances.
Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS), as amended, particularly Rule 1030 (Training and Accreditation of Personnel on Occupational Safety and Health).
DOLE Department Order No. 183-17 (Revised Guidelines in the Accreditation of OSH Practitioners and OSH Consultants).
DOLE Department Order No. 136-14 (Amendments to Rule 1030 of the OSHS).
DOLE Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2021 and succeeding circulars on the online processing of OSH practitioner accreditation through the Occupational Safety and Health Practitioner Accreditation System (OSHPAS).

All establishments covered by the Labor Code (except public sector and very small informal undertakings) are required to have accredited OSH personnel commensurate to their risk classification and worker count.

II. Definition and Categories of OSH Practitioner

An OSH Practitioner is a person accredited by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to perform occupational safety and health functions in one or more establishments as a safety officer or OSH professional.

There are two distinct accreditations:

OSH Practitioner – typically employed full-time or part-time by a single employer or group of companies to act as its Safety Officer (SO1 to SO4).
OSH Consultant – an independent professional or firm accredited to render OSH advisory, audit, and training services to multiple clients.

This article focuses exclusively on accreditation as an OSH Practitioner.

III. Types of OSH Practitioner Accreditation (Safety Officer Levels)

Level	Applicable Establishments	Minimum Training Required	Experience Required for Initial Accreditation	Allowed Functions
SO1	Low-risk, ≤ 9 workers	40-hour BOSH/COSH (for supervisors/managers)	None	Basic OSH orientation only
SO2	Low to medium-risk, any size; or high-risk with ≤ 50 workers	40-hour BOSH or COSH	None (but must be employed as SO)	Full-time/part-time Safety Officer
SO3	High-risk/hazardous, > 50 workers	40-hour BOSH/COSH + 80-hour Advanced/Specialized OSH Course + 320 hours LCM (or equivalent)	At least 2 years experience as full-time SO2 in a similar industry	Safety Officer with authority to issue work stoppage in imminent danger situations
SO4	Highly technical/high-risk establishments (e.g., large petrochemical, semiconductor, shipbuilding with ≥ 200 workers)	40-hour BOSH/COSH + 80-hour Advanced + additional 160 hours specialized training	At least 5 years experience as SO3 or equivalent	Full OSH program management, can act as OSH Manager/Head

For construction projects, the equivalent is Construction Safety Officer (CSO) accredited via COSH, with similar leveling.

IV. Minimum Qualifications for Initial Accreditation as OSH Practitioner (SO2 – most common)

Must be at least a high school graduate. College degree is preferred and often required by employers.
Must have completed the prescribed 40-hour Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) training for general industries or Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) for construction projects from a DOLE-accredited Safety Training Organization (STO) within the last three (3) years.
Must be employed or about to be employed as a Safety Officer in a covered establishment (proof of employment is required at the time of application or within 60 days thereafter).
Must be physically and mentally fit (medical certificate issued within the last 6 months).

Nurses, engineers, and other allied professionals may use their relevant experience and additional OSH training to apply for higher levels.

V. Application Procedure (As of 2025 – Fully Online via OSHPAS)

DOLE now processes all OSH practitioner accreditations exclusively online through the Occupational Safety and Health Practitioner Accreditation System (OSHPAS) at https://oshpas.dole.gov.ph.

Step-by-step procedure:

Create an account in OSHPAS using a valid email address and mobile number.
Complete the online application form for “OSH Practitioner” (select SO2, SO3, or SO4 as applicable).
Upload scanned copies (clear, colored, PDF format, max 5MB each) of all required documents.
Pay the accreditation fee online via Landbank Link.BizPortal, GCash, Maya, or other DOLE-accredited payment channels.
- Fee: ₱500.00 (initial accreditation, valid 3 years)
- Fee for SO3/SO4: ₱1,000.00
Submit the application. The system will generate an Application Reference Number.
DOLE Regional Office evaluates the application within five (5) working days.
If approved, the electronic Certificate of Accreditation (with QR code and digital signature) is downloadable from the OSHPAS portal. A laminated ID card may be requested for an additional ₱200.00.
If disapproved, the system will indicate the deficiencies. Applicant has 30 days to comply.

Physical submission is no longer accepted except in areas without internet access (walk-in at DOLE Regional Office with prior appointment).

VI. Complete List of Documentary Requirements (Initial Accreditation – SO2)

Duly accomplished Application Form (online).
Two (2) recent 2×2 colored pictures with name tag (white background).
Original or authenticated copy of Certificate of Completion of the 40-hour BOSH or COSH training from a DOLE-accredited STO (must contain the STO accreditation number and DOLE approval).
Proof of employment or Job Offer/Contract indicating designation as Safety Officer (if not yet employed at the time of application, submit a notarized Affidavit of Undertaking to submit proof within 60 days).
Medical Certificate issued by a DOLE-accredited OSH clinic or government physician within the last six (6) months stating that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to perform OSH duties.
For SO3/SO4 applicants:
- Certificates of additional advanced/specialized trainings.
- Certificate of Employment or Service Record proving required years of experience as full-time Safety Officer.
- Notarized affidavit of OSH-related accomplishments.
Proof of payment of accreditation fee.

All uploaded documents must be authentic. Submission of falsified documents is punishable under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to RA 11058 (fine of ₱100,000 + imprisonment).

VII. Renewal of Accreditation (Every 3 Years)

Renewal must be filed not earlier than 6 months nor later than 30 days before expiry.

Requirements for renewal (SO2):

Accomplished online renewal form in OSHPAS.
At least 24 hours of OSH-related seminars/trainings within the last 3 years (refresher courses, webinars, conventions) with certificates.
- Alternatively, completion of a 24-hour OSH Refresher Course from a DOLE-accredited STO.
Updated medical certificate.
Updated proof of current employment as Safety Officer.
Renewal fee: ₱500.00.

Failure to renew on time results in automatic revocation. Re-application will be treated as initial application.

VIII. Duties and Responsibilities of an Accredited OSH Practitioner

Under RA 11058 and DO 198-18, the accredited Safety Officer shall:

Develop, implement, and monitor the company’s OSH program.
Conduct risk assessment, safety inspections, accident investigation, and toolbox meetings.
Advise the employer on OSH compliance matters.
Submit monthly OSH reports to DOLE via the DOLE Electronic Reporting System (https://reports.dole.gov.ph).
Issue Work Stoppage Order (for SO3/SO4) in cases of imminent danger.
Serve as secretary to the Health and Safety Committee.

IX. Prohibitions and Penalties

An accredited OSH Practitioner cannot act as OSH Consultant unless separately accredited as such.
Practicing with expired, fake, or suspended accreditation is punishable by ₱50,000 to ₱100,000 fine per day under RA 11058.
Employers who appoint non-accredited persons as Safety Officers are liable for ₱100,000 administrative fine per violation.

X. Important Reminders (2025)

BOSH/COSH certificates issued before 2019 may no longer be accepted for new applications unless validated.
All trainings must be from currently DOLE-accredited STOs (list available at https://bwc.dole.gov.ph/accredited-safety-training-organizations).
DOLE regularly conducts validation audits; practitioners found not actually performing OSH functions may have their accreditation revoked.
Starting 2024, all accredited practitioners must register in the National OSH Registry and maintain an active OSHPAS account.

Accreditation as an OSH Practitioner is not merely a compliance requirement—it is a professional commitment to protect Filipino workers from workplace hazards. With RA 11058’s stringent penalties, having a duly accredited and competent Safety Officer has become non-negotiable for every covered establishment in the Philippines.