Obtain a Site Safety Manager Certification

STEP 1: Applying & Scheduling for the Site Safety Manager Exam

Candidates must take and pass a written exam before submitting a background application to become a Site Safety Manager. Payments must be made through the License Exam Application/Payment function on the DOB NOW Public Portal. A DOB NOW account is not required, this option is available to all users.

To proceed, open the License Exam Application/Payment bar, click New Payment, select Site Safety under License Type and complete the required information. When you have filled out the form, click Create and the system will prompt you to pay the $585 fee via eCheck or Credit Card.

After submitting the exam application, if accepted, candidate will receive an email from the exam administrator within one (1) to two (2) weeks with instructions on how to schedule for the exam. Exams are offered at several locations throughout the tri-state area.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and assesses the candidate’s knowledge of the rules that ensure the safety of the public and property at New York City construction sites.

Reference materials are not permitted during the exam.

The passing score is seventy percent (70%).  If you pass the written exam, you will be notified at the testing location on the day of the exam.

If you have questions about your exam application or about the exam application process, please direct your inquiry to LicenseExams@buildings.nyc.gov.

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STEP 2: Qualifications

To obtain a Site Safety Manager Certification, you must meet all the following qualifications prior to submitting your background application:

1. be at least eighteen (18) years old
2. be able to read and write the English language
3. be fit to perform the work authorized by the certification
4. have good moral character so as not to adversely impact your ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Site Safety Manager
5. must pass a department-sponsored examination administered for Site Safety Manager and within the one (1) year of passing the examination for licensure to commence the license application
6. completed a department-approved 40-hour Site Safety Course within one (1) year prior to submitting their application
7. possess a valid Site Safety Training (SST) Supervisor card and
8. meet one of the following experience criteria upon background application submission:

• Is a registered design professional and has at least three (3) years of field experience, within the five (5) years prior to application, either
  • serving in a supervisory  role with the responsibility over workers engaged in  construction or demolition work subject to a site safety plan at major buildings in the City of New York; or
  • providing site safety oversight during the construction or demolition work subject to a site safety plan at major buildings in the City of New York, including but not limited to conducting site safety risk assessments, developing or implementing the site safety hazard control measures, managing site safety operations, or performing inspections to verify compliance with requirements imposed by Chapter 33 of the New York City Building Code and related rules.
• Holds a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and has at least three (3) years of field experience, within the five (5) years prior to application, either
  • serving in a supervisory  role with responsibility over workers engaged in the construction or demolition work subject to a site safety plan at major buildings in the City of New York; or
  • providing site safety oversight during the construction or demolition work subject to a safety plan at major buildings in the city of New York, including but limited to conducting site safety risk assessments, developing or implementing the site safety hazard control measures, managing site safety operations, or performing inspections to verify compliance with safety requirements imposed by law
• Is a New York City certified site safety coordinator and has at least three (3) years of experience, within the five (5) years prior to application, serving as a designated site safety coordinator during the construction or demolition of major buildings in New York City
• Is a New York City registered concrete safety manager and has at least four (4) years of experience,  within the seven (7) years prior to application, serving as a designated concrete safety manager during the construction or demolition of major buildings in the city of New York;
• Holds a Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and has four (4) years of field experience, within eight (8) years prior to application, either
  • serving in a supervisory role with responsibility over workers engaged in construction or demolition work subject to a site safety plan at major buildings in the city of New York; or
  • providing site safety oversight during the construction or demolition work subject to a site safety plan at major buildings in the city of New York City, including but not limited to conducting site safety risk assessments, developing or implementing the site safety hazard control measures, managing site safety operations, or performing inspections to verify compliance with safety requirement imposed by law
• Has at least five (5) years of experience, within eight (8) prior to application, serving in a  supervisory role with  full-time responsibility over workers engaged in construction or demolition work subject to a site safety plan at major buildings in the city of New York;
• Has eight (8) years of experience, within ten (10) years prior to application, as a New York City Department of Buildings enforcement official, as determined by the commissioner.  At least four (4) of those years of experience must have been in the inspection of major buildings under construction or demolition for compliance with the provision of chapter 33 of  the New York City building code and related rules
• Has completed an 18-month on-the-job site safety manager training program within two (2) years prior to application, conducted under the direct supervision of a certified site safety manager during the construction or demolition of major buildings in the city of New York.   Such on-the-job training program shall conform to title 1: Rules of the City of New York §104-08  promulgated by the department,  During the on-the-job training, the applicant shall only serve as a site safety manager in training, and shall serve in such on a full-time basis.  The supervising site safety manager shall register the trainee with the department prior to the commencement of the training program and shall certify the trainee’s satisfactory completed of the training program at the conclusion of the program; or
• Has successfully completed a site safety manager apprenticeship program approved by the New York State Department of Labor.

*A major building is defined as a building that is:

• 7 or more stories
• 75 feet or more in height
• a building footprint of 100,000 square feet or more, regardless of height
• designated by the Commissioner

Service Notice – As of December 11, 2024, the definition of a ‘major building’ has changed.

NOTE: Please see section 202 of Chapter 2  of the New York City Administrative Code for full requirements for licensure.

STEP 3: Background Application Investigation

To be eligible for Site Safety Manager certification, applicants are required to successfully pass the Site Safety Manager examination and undergo a background investigation. Applicants must upload clear PDF copies of the required documents.  All required documents must be uploaded to the designated slot. All documents must be signed and notarized within the last 90 days from the date of submission. The following documentations are required:

• Examination Score Report Form with a passing score
• LIC62: Physical Examination Form must be fully completed by a physician within the 90 days prior to submitting the background application. Form must have physician’s stamp.
• Experience Verification Form (EVF) must be fully completed and signed by all supervisors for the years the applicant is claiming as experience
  NOTE: EVF  filled out by Human Resources or the applicant  will not be accepted.
• Valid Site safety training (SST) Supervisor Card
• 40-Hour Site Safety Manager course certificate: course must be completed within one (1) year prior to submitting your background application.
• Valid government issued photo ID (driver license, learner’s permit, State ID, permanent resident card, or passport)
• Social Security Card
• Latest paystub and/or W-2
• Social Security History of Earnings: please request a detailed itemized earnings statement for the years the applicant is claiming experience.
  NOTE: There is a fee charged by the Social Security Administration for this service. You must request the report to be run by 'company name.' You may request the information via their website or visiting your local social security office.  Please note, not all locations may offer this therefore we strongly recommend that you call in advance and confirm if they accept walk-ins.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (if applicable)

• Original proof of certification of a New York State Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, if applicable
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation card and certificate from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), if applicable
• Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) designation card and certificate from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), if applicable
• 18 months on-the-job training program documentation, if applicable:
• notarized summaries on company letterhead specifying the location and the nature of construction activity engaged at the location, completed by supervising site safety manager, at the end of every month
• New York State Department of Labor Site Safety Manager Apprenticeship Certification, if applicable:

If you have questions about  your background investigation or would like to inquire  the status, please direct your inquiry to lbackgrounds@buildings.nyc.gov.

NOTE: Please review your application carefully before submission.  All required documents must be fully uploaded and completed in DOBNOW at the time of submission.  If any required document is missing, incomplete, illegible, or incorrect, the application will be returned with an objection, resulting in avoidable delays.

Continued failure to submit all required documentation may result in the denial of the application for failure to provide necessary information.

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they meet the requirements, and all required documents are submitted correctly and in full before filing.

STEP 4: Obtaining the Certification Card

If the Department determines that you have met all qualifications and successfully pass the background investigation, you will receive a determination email generated through the DOBNOW portal with instructions for your next steps.  If you do not see an email from the DOBNOW portal in your inbox, please check your spam or junk email. 

If your application is denied, you will receive a denial letter sent to the email address listed in your DOBNOW portal explaining the reason for the denial.

You will have one (1) year from the date of approval in DOBNOW to pick up your license card. Failure to do so will result in the portal automatically closing your application as a denial, and you will be required to restart the entire application process. 

If you have any questions or concerns, you must contact the Licensing & Exams Unit at (212) 393-2259 or via email at licensingdob@buildings.nyc.gov, as all subsequent steps in the process are handled by that unit.

RECONSIDERATION

An applicant who has been notified that they failed to meet the fitness and qualification requirements may request reconsideration if they have additional relevant information or documentation for the Department’s review. All supporting documentation must be submitted at the time the reconsideration request is filed.

The Department must receive the request for reconsideration no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the license denial notification. For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for and upload a reconsideration request, refer to the DOB NOW: Licensing Presentation (Site Safety Coordinator/Manager and Construction Superintendent)

NOTE: Failure to timely respond to the Department’s objection will result in automatic denial and closure of the application. Such denials are final and ineligible for reconsideration.

Helpful Links

• Licensing FAQs
• CHAPTER 4: Licensing and Registration of Businesses, Trades and Occupations Engaged In Building Work
• 1 RCNY §104-01 License Qualifications 
• 1 RCNY §104-08 Qualifications for Site Safety Manager and Site Safety Coordinator Certificates
• 1 RCNY §104-26 Deactivation of License