Certified CHO Leadership Training
Protect Students. Reduce Liability. Lead with Confidence.
Flexible 3-day, 1-week, 10-week, and Self-paced programs, presented by
Safer STEM + Rutgers University.
Self-paced or Academy options available
Step into your role as a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) with the confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills needed to protect students and reduce institutional liability, all through 1-week or 10-week intensive, mentorship-driven Academy or online, self-paced options.
Chemical Hygiene Officer Leadership Training, jointly presented by Safer STEM and Rutgers University, helps CHOs think, act, and lead like high-impact safety professionals.
About the Program
The Chemical Hygiene Officer Certification Training Program, presented by Safer STEM and Rutgers University, offers both self-paced and instructor-led options, including the intensive CHO Leadership Academy, to prepare educators for science and STEM safety leadership. Participants gain practical skills in chemical management, emergency response, legal compliance, and implementation of OSHA-aligned Chemical Hygiene Plans. All courses include access to AI-powered safety tools and lead to a certificate of completion, equipping CHOs to confidently protect students and reduce institutional liability.
While essential for current and aspiring Chemical Hygiene Officers, this Academy is equally valuable for Directors of Facilities, Principals and Administrators, Science Supervisors and Educators, and Environmental Hygiene Officers. You’ll explore proven frameworks, practical strategies, and real‑world case studies that directly apply to your school or district’s safety practices, whether you manage labs, oversee facilities, or develop safety policies. By understanding the CHO’s role in depth, you’ll be able to coordinate effectively, close safety gaps, and foster a proactive safety culture, all without the constraints of a fixed class schedule.
What Makes This Academy Essential
You’ll learn how to manage hazardous chemicals and lab environments the right way, from safe storage and ventilation to waste disposal and spill response.
You’ll build an OSHA-compliant Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that protects both your staff and your school.
You’ll gain insider knowledge from certified experts and experienced CHOs who’ve turned real incidents into powerful, preventive teaching moments.
You’ll reduce institutional liability by aligning every lab and makerspace practice with national safety standards like OSHA 1910.1450, NFPA 45, and ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 D3 2020.
And with AI-powered tools built just for CHOs, you’ll be able to streamline safety audits, manage chemical inventories, and automate risk analysis, without extra paperwork.
Certification that Sets You Apart
Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion jointly issued by Safer STEM and Rutgers University, a respected credential that shows you’re not just filling the CHO role, you’re leading it.
About the Final Exam
The E-CHO Exam
The E in E-CHO stands for Educational. The exam is based on content covered in the CHO course in combination with scenarios that involve real-word situations in science departments. You can take the exam after successful completion of the CHO course.
The E-CHO Exam Format
The online, 2-hour exam blends both knowledge (multiple choice) and performance-based questions. To pass the exam, you must earn a score of 80% or higher.
What is a Chemical Hygiene Officer?
Chemical Hygiene Officers are employees designated by the employer, and who are qualified by training or experience, to provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
If there is not a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer in your school district, that responsibility automatically becomes the responsibility of the superintendent, regardless of their education, experience, training, or exposure to chemical hygiene practices and procedures.
Every District is Required by OSHA to Have a CHO.
Safer STEM and Rutgers University’s Chemical Hygiene Officer certificate programs help meet OSHA requirements for schools. Designed by CHOs with practical knowledge and experience, our courses help you better recognize hazards and resulting risks, mitigate liability, and establish standard operating procedures found in the Chemical Hygiene Plan. Courses are based on the OSHA Lab Standard (CFR 29 1910.1450) and its regulations surrounding responsible chemical management.
Did you know?
California and New York require every school to have a Chemical Hygiene Officer to ensure safer learning environments.
offerings
Which Program Is Right For Me?
Safer STEM and Rutgers University offers two types of programs: Academy and Asynchronous. Contact us to learn more about which one is right for you.
Academy
For those who thrive in instructor-led hybrid courses where participants complete pre-work, meet with their cohort at a scheduled time, and build an ongoing professional learning community with fellow CHOs.
Asynchronous
For busy individuals who have a baseline understanding of chemical hygiene and hazardous material management. This online course is ideal for those who prefer to work at their own pace.
Featured Course
A mentorship-based collaborative readiness program led by science and STEM safety experts and peers who deliver their proven frameworks and insights on how to lead as your school’s Chemical Hygiene Officer, protecting students and reducing your school’s liability. This program coaches participants on what it means to think and act as a Chemical Hygiene Officer leader.
Cohort Dates:
January 13, 2026, 10am ET or 1pm ET
(10-week course)
April 7, 2026, 10 am ET or 1pm ET
(10-week course)
Common Questions
Online – this is available 24/7 for busy individuals who have a decent understanding of chemical hygiene and hazardous material management. Ideal for those who prefer to work at their own pace.
Academy – this is a hybrid course where the participant completes pre-work on a weekly basis and meets with a cohort of fellow CHOs at a scheduled time each week for one hour. The facilitator reviews weekly content and provides realistic examples and scenarios to the class to discuss. Ideal for those who want a richer, more robust CHO educational experience. *times and dates vary for the cohorts*
Onsite – these are formal CHO Training sessions organized by school districts, BOCES, RESAs, AEAs, and other larger educational entities, in order to provide consistent, comprehensive training at the same time.
Yes it is. The Safer STEM Certificate of Completion and E-CHO designation are recognized as having met the educational, experience and examination standard to be an effective Chemical Hygiene Officer.
School districts, private and independent schools, and post-secondary institutions with formal academic laboratories or having chemicals on-site are required under OSHA CFR 29 1910.1450 to have a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) as a legal requirement. If there is NOT a designated CHO, that defaults to the most executive role in the organization, such as a Superintendent or President, regardless of their experience, education or understanding of the legal safety standards involved with responsible chemical management. Certain states require that ALL schools with formal academic laboratories have an onsite CHO to provide immediate assistance in emergency chemical management, purchasing, storage, waste disposal, inspections, on-going safety training and other related responsibilities for their schools.
The ECHO examination is based on content covered in the CHO course in combination with scenarios that involve real-word situations in the science department. It is an open book, 100 question exam, which is completed online. Successful CHOs achieve 80% or greater on the ECHO exam.
Of course! Safer STEM is here to help you make the appropriate choice for your personalized learning and to guide you into becoming a successful CHO. We care about you and your school(s). We can be reached by toll-free telephone at 833-327-2337 and online support (support@saferstem.com) to make sure you are confident in your decision to elevate the level of safety in science departments across your organization.
Ready to Make Your School Safer? Let’s Talk.
Our team of credentialed safety specialists is here to help you create safer science, STEM, CTE, and arts learning environments, while keeping your district in full OSHA compliance.
Whether you need training, safety document authoring, Virtual CHO support, or a full program safety audit, we’re just one call or click away.
📞 Call Our Safety Specialists: 833-327-2337
Speak directly with a safety expert who understands K–12 school environments.
📧 Email Us: support@saferstem.com
Get quick answers and connect with the right Safer STEM advisor for your needs.
🗓️ Schedule a Free Consultation
Book a no-obligation safety consultation and get actionable insights for your school.
Contact Information
- Call Our Safety Specialists: 833-327-2337
- Email Us: support@saferstem.com
- Schedule a Free Consultation
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