The Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) credential is accredited by the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI). Accreditation is one of the major milestones that the USOLN has achieved. During the accreditation process, the CUSP certification program was evaluated against eight standards of performance improvement along with a rigorous code of ethics. The ISPI accreditation provides an independent, third-party validation of the quality and effectiveness of the CUSP credential by a respected and trusted world leader in performance improvement and workplace productivity. It affirms the role of the CUSP credential in creating a safe and productive utility workplace. The ISPI accreditation provides additional credibility to the CUSP certification that is being adopted across the U.S. and Canada.
The CUSP certification was developed in 2009 when a group of dedicated volunteers recognized the need for a utility-specific safety certification. The USOLN was formed to create and administer the CUSP certification program. It coordinated the work of volunteers to develop the body of knowledge that was used to create the CUSP Green and Blue exams, which are used to assess the competence of utility safety and operations professionals. The CUSP certification offers five endorsement exams: Electric Transmission and Distribution, Gas, Power Generation, Civil and Utility Line Clearance Arborist. CUSPs are required to recertify every two years by demonstrating continuing professional development. There are currently over 1,200 active CUSP credential holders. The CUSP certification program continues to rely on volunteers to serve as governing board members and committee members.
About ISPI
Founded in 1962, ISPI is the leading international association dedicated to improving productivity and performance in the workplace. ISPI serves as an independent third-party accrediting agency that assesses education, performance improvement and training programs, courses, and services offered by for-profit and nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, corporations, departments, vendors/consultants, associations, military and government entities. Organizations document their adherence to a set of standards and undergo an interview and/or site visit by trained CPT-certified reviewers. It is the goal of ISPI’s accreditation program to bring recognition to those organizations, departments, programs, courses and services that produce worthy, measurable results.
