The full NCSO course list
The Alberta NCSO requires 11 compulsory courses and 2 electives — 13 in total, plus 3 years (6,000 hours) of construction field experience within the last 10 years, and a final exam requiring 75%. The full list is published in ACSA’s NCSO Information Booklet (February 2025) and reproduced below.
The 11 compulsory courses
| Compulsory course | Length |
|---|---|
| Alberta OHS Legislation Awareness | 1 day |
| Principles of Health & Safety Management | 2 days |
| Auditor Training Program | 3 days (needs Principles first) |
| Leadership for Safety Excellence | 2 days |
| WHMIS 2015 Train-the-Trainer | 1 day |
| Contractor Management | 1 day |
| Communication and Ethics for the Safety Leader | 2 days |
| Worksite Investigation Basics | 1 day |
| Construction Safety Administration | 1 day |
| Standard First Aid | Approved provider |
| CSTS 2020, ESTS or PCST | 1 day, online |
Auditor Training Program requires Principles of Health & Safety Management as a prerequisite. Construction Safety Administration is described by ACSA as the final compulsory course in the programme.
The 2 electives (choose any two)
- Alberta Temporary Traffic Control
- Alcohol, Drugs and Worksite Guidelines
- Basic Instructional Techniques
- Confined Space Entry/Monitor
- Defensive Driving (3 Demerits Reduction)
- Fall Protection End-User
- First Level Supervisor Training Program
- Flagger Train-the-Trainer
- Ground Disturbance 201
- Hazard Management
- Scaffolding Awareness
- Powered Mobile Equipment
- Respectful Workplaces
Course equivalency
ACSA states that health and safety certifications from a recognised training agency or another provincial safety association may qualify for equivalency. The certification must be dated no more than 5 years ago, and you must submit the equivalency application form with a copy of the certificate.
What the courses do not cover
Completing all 13 courses does not prepare you for the exam by itself. The courses teach the material; the exam tests whether you can retrieve it under a two-hour clock at 75%. That gap is where most rewrites come from.
Questions people ask
How many courses do you need for NCSO?
13 in total: 11 compulsory courses and 2 electives, per ACSA.
Can previous safety training count toward NCSO?
ACSA allows equivalency for certifications from recognised training agencies or other provincial safety associations, provided the certificate is dated no more than 5 years ago and you submit the equivalency application form.
Last updated 9 August 2026.
Find out where you actually stand
Train on real NCSO-style questions and get a single Readiness score across all 10 modules. Works offline on any device.
Sources
Exam facts on this page come from the certifying body's own published material. Last verified 9 August 2026.
- ACSA, NCSO Information Booklet (February 2025) — 75% pass mark, up to 2 hours, $65 initial / $80 rewrite, 3-month deferral, 11 compulsory + 2 elective courses, 3 years (6,000 hours) field experience within 10 years.
- Alberta Construction Safety Association — NCSO program
- Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations
NCSO Prep is an independent study tool, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by ACSA or the CFCSA.