Certified Electrical

Safety Worker
Program Overview

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

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About This Program Overview
This program overview provides details specific to the Certified Electrical Safety Worker (CESW)
certification program including the exam blueprint and domain weighting criteria. The Certification
Candidate Handbook, available at nfpa.org/for-professionals/certification/cesw, will familiarize
certification candidates with the overall general policies and procedures of NFPA certification
programs. It is 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.

Program Description
The NFPA Certified Electrical Safety Worker (CESW) program is designed to meet the needs of
Electricians, Electrical Testing Technicians, and other electrical professionals who perform hands-on
electrical work and are therefore exposed to significant electrical hazards.
The CESW program application can be completed online by going to the NFPA certification
management system (CMS) at onlinecertification.nfpa.org/nfpassa.

Eligibility Requirements
All candidates for the CESW certification must meet all of the following requirements:
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Completed a minimum of 40 hours of training on NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety
in the Workplace®, or other electrical safety training within the last three years, from NFPA,
IBEW, NEC, IEC, or other reputable training source
NOTE: Training on NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) is not considered
electrical safety training for this requirement but is recognized as an important
foundation. Therefore, such training counts on a ½ basis (i.e. 10 hours of NEC training
counts as 5 hours toward this 40 hour requirement) and can only be counted toward a
maximum of 5 of the required 40 hours.

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 • Must be an electrician, electrical testing technician, or other electrical worker who has
met one of the following three requirements:
o Completed an apprenticeship program that provides both a minimum of 576
hours of related instruction and 8,000 hours of verifiable work experience with
electrical power systems (training and work hours will be verified using
transcripts or certificates of completion); or
o Completed a minimum of 250 hours of related instruction (verified using
transcripts or certificates of completion) and a minimum of 12,000 hours of
verifiable work experience with electrical power systems; or
o Be a certified (NETA or equivalent) Level III or IV Electrical Testing Technician in
good standing.

Exam Specifications
The CESW 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
CESW 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/cesw.

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 CESW 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 the 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.)

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• Be familiar with the 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 CESW 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 books 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 four domains of
the CESW exam. The exam blueprint lists the sub-components of each of those domains.

Domain Weighting
Domains % of Exam
I. Understand Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices 20%

II. Establish an Electrically Safe Work Condition 20%

III. Identify Precautionary Techniques for Work Involving
20%
Electrical Hazards
IV. Perform an Electrical Hazard Risk Assessment 40%

Exam Blueprint
I. Understand Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices
A. Identify and define terminology related to electrical safety
B. Define requirements to be qualified to work on electrical equipment and systems
C. Recognize potential electrical hazards
i. Identify the hazards associated with energized electrical conductors and circuit
parts
a. Explain when a shock hazard exists
b. Explain when an arc flash and arc blast hazard exists
c. Identify how hazards change with respect to location in the system or
equipment
ii. Explain the relationship between electrical hazards and potential injuries
a. Contact injuries (e.g., current flow through tissue, burn)
b. Arc flash and arc blast injuries (e.g., thermal burn, hearing damage,
concussion)
iii. Identify methods to control the risk associated with electrical hazards
a. Hazard elimination (i.e., create an electrically safe work condition)
b. Substitution (e.g., use of non-electrical equipment, battery-operated hand
tools)
c. Engineering control (e.g., GFCIs, barriers)
d. Awareness controls (e.g., signs, labels, barricades)
e. Administrative controls (e.g., training, job planning, procedures)
f. Personal protective equipment (e.g., insulated tools, arc-rated apparel,
voltage-rated gloves)
D. Determine the nominal voltage of exposed energized electrical conductors and circuit
parts
E. Distinguish exposed energized electrical conductors and circuit parts from other parts
of electrical equipment
F. Identify emergency procedures for assisting victims of electrical incidents
i. Identify methods of release from contact

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 ii. Identify emergency response requirements
G. Identify requirements for a job briefing
H. Understand worker responsibility to implement employer's electrical safety program

II. Establish an Electrically Safe Work Condition

A. Identify requirements for de-energization according to employer program
B. Explain how to identify all possible sources of electric supply
i. Interpret a single-line diagram
ii. Identify the power sources and disconnecting means
C.
i. Differentiate between load-break and a non-load-break switch and/or disconnect
ii. Visually verify isolation where possible
D. Identify and apply lockout/tagout (LOTO) devices in accordance with a documented
and established policy
E. Identify the steps to verify the absence of voltage
F. Identify temporary protective grounding equipment requirements (include 120.3)
G. Identify the components and elements of the LOTO program and procedures
i. Training
ii. Procedures
iii. Forms of control
a. Simple
b. Complex
iv. Coordination
v. Equipment
vi. Elements of control

III. Identify Precautionary Techniques for Work Involving Electrical Hazards

A. Identify justification for not establishing an electrically safe work condition
i. Greater hazard to de-energize
ii. Infeasibility
iii. Less than 50 volts (consider capacity)
B. Determine energized electrical work permit requirements
i. Identify the permit elements
ii. Identify exemptions to the permit
C. Define the requirements for reenergizing circuits after operation of overcurrent
protective devices (OCPD)
D. Understand the use of test instruments
i. Understand rating requirements
ii. Verify the operation of the test instruments and accessories
iii. Select test instruments and equipment appropriate for the environment
iv. Perform visual and mechanical inspection of the test instruments and equipment

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 E. Understand the use of other equipment
i. Understand the appropriate use of portable electric equipment
ii. Perform field tests of GFCI protection devices in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendations
iii. Perform visual and mechanical inspections of portable electric equipment and cord
sets
F. Identify alerting techniques
i. Signs and tags
ii. Barricades
iii. Attendants
iv. Look-alike equipment

IV. Perform an electrical hazard risk assessment

A. Identify the components of a shock risk assessment
i. Explain how to identify the voltage of electrical conductors and circuit parts
ii. Explain how to identify the approach boundaries for shock protection
iii. Describe the limited approach boundary and its use
iv. Describe the restricted approach boundary and its use
v. Describe the prohibited approach boundary and its use
B. Identify the components of an arc flash risk assessment
i. Describe incident energy
ii. Identify the effect of clearing time, short circuit current, and worker distance on
incident energy
iii. Interpret hazard information conveyed on equipment labels
iv. Describe the arc flash boundary
v. Explain how to apply the arc flash boundary
vi. Interpret hazard/risk category classifications
a. Understand that the tables incorporate risk
b. Understand that the tables are task/equipment based
c. Identify table limiting parameters
C. Determine PPE requirements for electrical hazards
i. Types
a. Head, face, neck, and chin protection
b. Eye protection
c. Hearing protection
d. Body protection
1. Arc-rated garments
2. Layering
3. Underlayers
e. Hand and arm protection
f. Foot and leg protection
ii. Identify the requirements for the care and maintenance of PPE
a. Testing

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 b. Inspection
c. Care, maintenance, and storage
iii. Prohibited materials
iv. Ratings
a. Voltage
b. Arc
v. Limitations
vi.
vii. Identify PPE requirements when using the hazard/risk category classification
method
D. Select other protective equipment (e.g., insulated tools, ladders, shields)
E Anticipate equipment failure

Certification Maintenance
Once you attain your CESW 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 CESW 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 pricing, see the website at nfpa.org/for-professionals/certification/cesw.

Recertification Points System

Recertification of your CESW 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
CESW Recertification Requirements
To maintain currency and relevancy in the CESW field of practice, certificants 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
Electrical Safety Training: 1 point per contact 20 50 Certificate or letter of
Classroom or online training in hour completion from
electrical safety* provider

NFPA 70, National Electrical 0.5 point per contact 0 16 Certificate or letter of
Code (NEC) training hour completion from
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.

Conversion: 1 CEU = 10 contact hours = 10 points

*Training for this section can be on NFPA 70E, NFPA 70B, NESC, OSHA electrical safety training, arc flash,
or any other course that is genuinely about electrical safety (such as electrical thermography), subject to
approval by the NFPA Admin & Support Services.

NFPA offers numerous NFPA 70E related training options. For more information, go to nfpa.org/for-
professionals/training-for-me, or call NFPA toll free at 1-800-344-3555.

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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