Certified Electrical Safety

Compliance Professional
Program Overview

CESCP Program Overview 2025 Page 1 of 11

Certification Content Outline
Contents
About This Program Overview ..........................................................................................................................3
Introduction to NFPA Certifications ...............................................................................................................3
Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................3
Program Description............................................................................................................................................4
Eligibility Requirements .....................................................................................................................................4
Exam Specifications ............................................................................................................................................5
Program Fees .........................................................................................................................................................5
Body of Knowledge ..............................................................................................................................................5
Preparing for the Exam .......................................................................................................................................5
Domain Weighting and Exam Blueprint .........................................................................................................6
Domain Weighting .............................................................................................................................................6
Exam Blueprint ...................................................................................................................................................6
Certification Maintenance .................................................................................................................................9
Recertification Requirements Point System............................................................................................. 10

CESCP Program Overview 2025 Page 2 of 11

About This Program Overview
This program overview provides details specific to the Certified Electrical Safety Compliance
Professional (CESCP) certification program including the exam blueprint and domain weighting
criteria. The Certification Candidate Handbook, available at nfpa.org/for-
professionals/certification/cescp, will familiarize certification candidates with the overall general
policies and procedures of NFPA certification programs. It’s important that candidates read and
understand both documents prior to applying for this certification.

Introduction to NFPA Certifications

Founded in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is a global self-funded
nonprofit membership organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic
loss from fire, electrical, and other hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through
300+ consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy, and
by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. The NFPA mission
is to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion.
NFPA provides world-class professional certifications to individuals around the globe by adhering to
the best practices of the certification industry and maintaining the highest standards of personnel
certification. NFPA uses experienced subject matter experts who actively work in their respective
industries to guide the creation of the certification programs. NFPA certifications are intended for
professionals who want to validate their knowledge and skills and demonstrate their commitment
to professionalism, upholding industry standards, and continued learning. Certifications are
awarded to professionals who meet the eligibility criteria, pass a rigorous examination, and, when
required, successfully complete a practicum.

Acknowledgments
NFPA gratefully acknowledges the following subject matter experts for their contributions to the
most recent update of this certification program.
David H. Austin Chaudhry Umair Bin Ikram George T. Cole
System Engineer Sr. Manager, Electrical Electrical Safety Consultant
Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Maple Leaf Cement Factory, Ltd. Palo Verde Nuclear Generating
Project, Idaho Environmental LinkedIn Profile Station/AZ Public Service Company
Coalition, Idaho National Laboratory LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn Profile

Suresh Deonarine Jeffery Fontenot Chuck Huddleston

AHJ for Electrical Safety Sr. E&I Engineer Sr. Manager Asset Integrity &
Brookhaven National Laboratory Rubicon (Huntsman) Reliability Services
LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn Profile Sasol
LinkedIn Profile

Ashley J. Mouser Mark Moya Nick Ravetto

Electrical Engineering Global Safety Systems Safety Manager Safety Manager
Leader ENSCO, Mission Systems Group Egan Company
Chemours LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn Profile

CESCP Program Overview 2025 Page 3 of 11

 David A. Reiter Annabel Jose Rodriguez Ashu Somany
Partner/Forensic Electrical Engineer Electrical Engineer Lead Field Engineer
Verité Forensic Engineering, LLC COO Naysac Corp./ Project Engineer UL India Pvt Ltd
LinkedIn Profile Conemco Consultants/ Instructor LinkedIn Profile
SFIT
LinkedIn Profile

Joshua K. Talbott Philip Wegener

Electrical Reliability Engineer Electrical Engineering Manager
International Paper Crayola
LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn Profile

Program Description
The NFPA Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP) program is designed to
meet the needs of electrical and safety professionals who oversee electrical safety programs or
who manage electricians and other personnel exposed to electrical hazards. It also serves as a
valuable credential for trainers and instructors, as it proves competence in NFPA 70E®, Standard for
Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. It consists of a set of eligibility requirements (completed prior
to program application), a 110-question computer-based exam, and a set of recertification
requirements (based on a points system) that must be completed within a three (3) year time
period following initial certification.
The CESCP program application can be completed online by going to the NFPA certification
management system (CMS) at onlinecertification.nfpa.org/nfpassa.

Eligibility Requirements
The CESCP certification is designed to be obtained by people with varied job roles/functions. Your
individual entry requirements will depend on several factors that may include your
educational/training background and work experience.

All candidates (regardless of job function) must have:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• 40 hours of training on NFPA 70E or other electrical safety training, within the last three
years, from NFPA, IBEW, NEC, IEC, or other reputable training source
Note: Teaching approved electrical safety classes will also satisfy this requirement, but only
up to 20 hours (you must still receive some training regardless of the amount you teach)
Electricians must also meet one of the following:
• Licensed Electrician with 8,000 hours verifiable work experience with electrical power
systems
• In lieu of licensure, show proof of electrician job role and 8,000 hours verifiable work
experience with electrical power systems
Electrical Engineers must also meet one of the following:
• Associate degree in electrical engineering with 8,000 hours verifiable work experience with
electrical power systems (field work)
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in electrical engineering with 4,000 hours verifiable work
experience with electrical power systems (field work)
• Licensed Registered Professional Electrical Engineer

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Non-Electrician/Electrical Engineer candidates must also meet one of the following:
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with 6,000 hours verifiable work experience with
electrical power systems
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in engineering, technology, or other related technical
discipline with 6,000 hours verifiable work experience with electrical power systems
• Facilities/Plant/Factory safety professional with 20,000 hours verifiable work experience
with electrical power systems

Exam Specifications
The CESCP exam is a proctored computer-based exam available at in-person testing centers or via
online remote proctoring. Exam specifications include:

• Open book exam (NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2021 edition)
• 3-hour time limit
• 110 multiple-choice questions (100 scored, 10 test items)
• Currently available in English only
You have 12 months, from the application approval date, to take and pass the exam.

Program Fees
CESCP program fees are collected for the following:

• Initial program application (includes initial examination fee)

• Retest (if required)
• Recertification at the end of every three (3) year certification period
For the most up-to-date pricing, see the website at nfpa.org/for-professionals/certification/cescp.

Body of Knowledge
The 2021 edition of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, serves as the main
body of knowledge for the CESCP certification exam. The official printed version of NFPA 70E is the
only reference allowed to be used during the exam.

Preparing for the Exam

Here is a listing of recommended exam preparatory learning and reference materials:

• Through self-study and other learning methods, candidates must become thoroughly familiar
with NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2021 edition. (Note: The
NFPA original printed book is the only reference allowed in the testing room or during a remote
proctored exam.
• Be familiar with NFPA 70E, Handbook for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2021 edition.
(Note: This handbook is for optional exam preparation use only and is NOT allowed in the
testing room or during a remote proctored exam.)
• Review CESCP Exam Blueprint
• Optional NFPA 70E online training can be found at nfpa.org/for-professionals/training-for-me.
Note: Both NFPA 70E, Handbook for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2021 edition and NFPA
70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2021 edition are available for ordering on the
website at nfpa.org/catalog or by phone at 1-800-344-3555.

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Domain Weighting and Exam Blueprint
The table below indicates the percentage (%) of exam content (exam items) for the five domains of
the CESCP exam. The exam blueprint lists the sub-components of each of those domains.

Domain Weighting
Domains % of Exam
I. Electrical Safety Programs 30%
II. Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices 30%
III. Electrically Safe Work Conditions 25%
IV. Work Involving Electrical Hazards 5%
V. Safety Requirements for Special Equipment 10%

Exam Blueprint
I. Electrical Safety Programs
A. Scope and Purpose
i. Understand the scope and purpose of NFPA 70E
ii. Identify principles and components of an electrical safety program
iii. Understand risk assessment procedures
iv. Apply the hierarchy of risk control methods
B. Documentation Requirements
i. Understand general documentation requirements for electrical safety
programs
ii. Understand training documentation requirements
iii. Understand audit documentation requirements
iv. Understand lockout/tagout (LOTO) documentation requirements
C. Maintenance Requirements
i. Understand safety-related maintenance requirements for electrical
equipment and installations
ii. Identify maintenance impacts on safety-related work practices
D. Employer Responsibilities
i. Articulate electrical safety program audit requirements
ii. Understand requirements and responsibilities related to job safety planning
and job briefings
iii. Understand the requirements related to the use of test instruments and
equipment
iv. Understand requirements for qualified persons
v. Identify requirements and limitations of qualified vs. unqualified persons
vi. Understand other and additional training requirements
E. Other Party Responsibilities
i. Identify and understand employee responsibilities
ii. Identify and understand host responsibilities

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 iii. Identify and understand contract employer responsibilities

II. Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices

A. Definitions
i. Define electrical safety-related terminology
ii. Distinguish correct vs. incorrect definitions
B. Emergency procedures for assisting victims of electrical incidents
i. Identify methods of release from contact
ii. Understand emergency response requirements
C. Risk Assessment and Hazard Analysis
i. Understand the requirements and components of an electrical hazard risk
assessment
ii. Demonstrate understanding of how to perform a shock risk assessment
iii. Demonstrate understanding of how to perform an arc flash risk assessment
iv. Explain the different approach boundaries and their use
v. Describe incident energy
vi. Understand the effect of clearing time, short circuit current, and working
distance on incident energy
vii. Identify hazard information required on equipment labels
viii. Understand the use and limitations of the PPE Category Classification
Method
ix. Distinguish between normal and abnormal equipment conditions
x. Understand the required use of alerting techniques
xi. Explain how to identify look-alike equipment
D. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
i. Understand PPE ratings
ii. Understand the PPE requirements for electrical hazards
iii. Recognize differences between arc flash PPE and electrical shock PPE
iv. Understand the requirements for the care and maintenance of PPE
v. Understand limitations of PPE
vi. Understand the various methods of determining appropriate PPE
vii. Recognize requirements for other protective equipment (e.g., insulated tools,
ladders, shields)
E. Electrical Hazards
i. Identify the hazards associated with energized electrical conductors and
circuit parts
ii. Explain the relationship between electrical hazards and potential injuries
F. Other equipment
i. Understand the proper use of and requirements for portable electric
equipment
ii. Understand the operation and requirements for GFCI protection devices
iii. Understand the operation and limitations of overcurrent protective devices
(OCPD)

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 III. Electrically Safe Work Conditions
A Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition
i. Understand the proper sequence of steps to establish and verify an
electrically safe work condition
ii. Understand the purpose and application of single-line diagrams
iii. Recognize the requirements for temporary protective grounding equipment
iv. Understand the requirements related to the use of test instruments
B Lockout/ Tagout (LOTO)
i. Understand LOTO principles and procedures
ii. Understand forms of control
iii. Understand the requirements for LOTO equipment

IV. Work Involving Electrical Hazards

A. Energized Electrical Work
i. Identify criteria for justification of energized work
ii. Recognize exceptions to energized work requirements
iii. Identify the elements of energized electrical work permits
iv. Understand when an energized electrical work permit is and is not required

V. Safety Requirements for Special Equipment

A. Electrolytic Cells
i. Understand safety-related work practices for electrolytic cells
ii. Identify electrical safety requirements related to electrolytic cells
B. Batteries and Battery Rooms
i. Identify electrical safety requirements related to batteries and battery rooms
C. Lasers
i. Understand safety-related work practices for lasers
ii. Identify electrical safety requirements related to lasers
D. Power Electronic Equipment
i. Understand safety-related work practices for power electronic equipment
ii. Identify electrical safety requirements related to power electronic equipment
E. Research and Development Laboratories
i. Understand safety-related work practices for research and development
laboratories
ii. Identify electrical safety requirements related to research and development
laboratories
F. Capacitors
i. Understand safety-related work practices for capacitors
ii. Identify electrical safety requirements related to capacitors

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Certification Maintenance
Once you attain your CESCP certification, you must recertify every three years. Failure to meet all
recertification requirements within that three-year period will result in the expiration of your
certification and will require you to reapply as a new CESCP candidate. NFPA will send reminder
emails in advance of your certification expiration date to the email address you provide in your CMS
account. It is your responsibility to ensure this email is up to date.
Recertification applications are submitted online at onlinecertification.nfpa.org/nfpassa. For the
most up-to-date recertification fees, see the website.

Recertification Points System

Recertification of your CESCP is accomplished by accumulating a required amount of
recertification points, as shown in the table below, before your three-year certification period ends.
It is important that you begin accumulating the required points as soon as possible. If college
courses are declared for training hours, the same course cannot be taken twice within the three-
year recertification period, and the candidate must convert credit hours to actual hours spent in the
classroom.
It is highly recommended that you track your accumulated recertification points over the three-year
period using the NFPA CMS at onlinecertification.nfpa.org/nfpassa.

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Recertification Requirements Point System
CESCP Recertification Requirements
To maintain currency and relevancy in the CESCP field of practice, certification holders are required to
submit a minimum of 50 points of documented professional development for recertification. The 50 points
must be earned during the three-year recertification cycle and must be related to the electrical safety
profession.

Training and Professional Minimum Maximum Required

Allotted Points
Education Points Points Documentation
NFPA 70®: National Electrical 1 point per contact 20 50 Certificate or letter of
Code® (NEC®), training hour completion from
provider

Electrical Safety Training: 0.5 point per contact 0 16 Certificate or letter of

Classroom or online training in hour completion from
electrical safety* provider

Other Professional Minimum Maximum Required

Allotted Points
Development Points Points Documentation
Attendance at an electrical 10 points per 0 10 Proof of registration
safety conference (such as the conference
NFPA Conference & Expo® or
others)

Instructing or lecturing by the 2 points per hour of 0 40 Letter from supervisor

certification holder delivered training or organizational
training record

Membership on the NFPA 70E 10 points per 0 10 Official listing as

Technical Committee recertification period technical committee
(3 years) member

Publication by the certification 5 points per blog / 0 30 Copy of article

holder self-published Copy of title page
identifying author
10 points per article in
a periodical

30 points per book

Conversion: 1 CEU = 10 contact hours = 10 points

* Electrical safety training may include NFPA 70E, NFPA 70B, NESC, OSHA electrical safety training, arc flash, or other
courses genuinely about electrical safety (such as electrical thermography), subject to approval by NFPA.

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NFPA certifications are a critical piece of the
NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ and
contribute to a skilled global workforce.

Learn more about NFPA certifications:

National Fire Protection Association

Quincy, MA USA
Email: [email protected]
Web: nfpa.org/For-Professionals/Certification
Exam Application: onlinecertification.nfpa.org/nfpassa