Join the Chemical Hygiene Officer Leadership Academy

Co-developed by Safer STEM and Rutgers University
Earn your E-CHO Certificate and lead safer science labs with confidence.

Protect your students, staff, and institution with the confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills essential for today’s science and STEM environments. Whether you’re a Director of Facilities, Principal or Administrator, Science Supervisor or Educator, or Environmental Hygiene Officer, the CHO Leadership Academy equips you with the tools to strengthen safety culture and reduce institutional liability.

Offered in both 1-week intensive and 10-week mentorship-driven formats, this Academy blends expert-led instruction, real-world coaching, and collaborative mentorship to help participants lead with authority, ensure compliance with OSHA and state regulations, and proactively manage chemical and laboratory safety responsibilities.

About this course

High school science labs are more dynamic and more hazardous than ever. Today’s educators need more than good intentions; they need formal training to manage risk, protect students, and meet OSHA and NSTA-aligned safety standards.

The Chemical Hygiene Officer Leadership Training, co-developed by Safer STEM and Rutgers University, delivers exactly that. This instructor-led online course equips you with the tools and knowledge to lead with authority. 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.

What you will learn

Through 12 hours of expert-led, research-based content, you’ll gain the practical and legal knowledge needed to:

Identify chemical hazards and perform risk assessments

Implement safe chemical handling, storage, and inventory control

Respond to chemical spills and emergencies using approved PPE and protocols

Safely dispose of hazardous and biological waste

Conduct lab safety inspections with accuracy and confidence

Develop and maintain an OSHA-compliant Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

Who should take this course

If you’re responsible for science lab safety, or aspire to be, this course is built for you. Whether you’re a science teacher, lab manager, science supervisor, principal investigator, or school administrator, you’ll gain the tools to lead safety with confidence. You’ll learn how to interpret complex safety regulations, implement real-world protocols, and support a safety-first culture in your school or district. No prior certification is required, just a commitment to safer teaching and learning, and a willingness to lead.

Ready to lead science safety in your school?

Whether you’re leading operations, supervising science programs, or managing compliance, you can choose the certification track that fits your schedule and responsibility level. Our flexible learning options help Directors of Facilities, Administrators, Science Supervisors, and Environmental Hygiene Officers advance toward Chemical Hygiene Officer certification with confidence. Align your professional growth with the critical mission of making science learning safer, legally compliant, and better supported across your school or district.

Click here to register for a 10-week course starting September 16, 2025

January 6, 2026, 10am ET or 1pm ET
(10-week course)

April 7, 2026, 10 am ET or 1pm ET
(10-week course)

Connect safety with instruction

Safer labs are more than compliant; they’re essential to a thriving school culture of learning and responsibility. Whether you’re a Director of Facilities, Administrator, Science Supervisor, or Environmental Hygiene Officer, this training empowers you to support safer, inquiry-driven instruction by embedding legal safety protocols into daily school operations, lab configurations, and instructional practices. With AI-enhanced tools and real case studies, you’ll go beyond checklists, gaining both the technical compliance expertise and leadership capacity to drive schoolwide safety transformation.

Exclusive tools for CHOs

Gain access to AI-powered tools developed specifically for science and STEM educators, including:

Automated activity risk analysis

Chemical storage matrix checklists

Inspection tracking and reporting templates

Certification that counts

Upon completion, you’ll earn an official E-CHO Certificate, a Certificate of Completion jointly issued by Safer STEM and Rutgers University. This credential demonstrates your readiness to lead safety efforts and prepares you for the Chemical Hygiene Officer certification exam from the National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC).

Course details

Course Details

Format: Instructor-led+ self-guided tasks
Instructor: James Palcik, NRCC
Duration: ~12 hours
Start Anytime: Learn on your schedule
Recommended For:
- K–12 science teachers and instructional leads
- Designated school or district Chemical Hygiene Officers
- Principal investigators and lab managers
- Makerspace/STEM program leaders
- Facilities Directors

Why this course matters

Chemical Hygiene Officers are more than safety monitors; they’re instructional leaders, legal stewards, and student advocates. This course prepares you to lead confidently, protect your learning community, and fulfill your professional and legal responsibilities in any K–12 science or STEM environment.

Ready to get started?

Join the next generation of certified CHOs. Enroll today and take your science and STEM safety leadership to the next level.

Certification Courses

Consultative Services

AI Safety Tools

Contact Information

2073-3218 E. Bell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032