NCSO Module Cheat Sheet - All 10 Modules
The NCSO exam covers 10 modules drawn from current Alberta OHS legislation. This cheat sheet summarizes each one - key acts and regulations, required program elements, hazard control hierarchy, and more - so you can review the whole scope on one page.
Use this as a quick-reference review, then drill each module with original practice questions. The NCSO exam is closed book with a 75% pass mark ([ACSA Information Booklet](https://www.youracsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/NCSO-Information-Booklet-Feb-2025.pdf)).
1 Legislation
- Key acts: Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Regulations: OHS Regulation.
- OHS Code: the OHS Code sections (e.g. Part 18 Personal Protective Equipment, Part 32 Fall Protection, Part 5 Confined Spaces).
- Adopted standards: WHMIS 2015 under the amended Hazardous Products Act.
- Know: duties of employers, workers, suppliers, and prime contractors; the internal responsibility system; reporting obligations.
Practice: Legislation questions (free module)
2 Health & Safety Program
- 8 required elements of an H&S program: (1) Hazard assessment, (2) Hazard control, (3) OHS policy, (4) OHS program implementation and training, (5) Qualifications and orientation, (6) Incident investigation, (7) Emergency response, (8) Program administration and evaluation.
- HSMS: a Health and Safety Management System integrates these elements across all levels of the organization.
- Foundation: visible management leadership and commitment.
- On-the-Job Training (OJT): four steps - Tell, Show, Do, Review.
Practice: Health & Safety Program questions
3 Hazard Assessment
- Four steps: Identify, Assess, Control, Communicate.
- Hierarchy of controls: Elimination, Engineering, Administrative, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - in that order of preference.
- Identify: look for hazards before work begins and when conditions change.
- Control: apply the highest-level control reasonably practicable.
- Communicate: inform workers of the hazards and controls; review and update regularly.
Practice: Hazard Assessment questions
4 WHMIS
- Symbols: know the WHMIS 2015 pictograms (flame, corrosion, exclamation mark, health hazard, gas cylinder, exploding bomb, biohazard, skull and crossbones, flame over circle, environment).
- Labels: supplier labels and workplace labels - required content and format.
- SDS: Safety Data Sheets - the 16-section format; must be accessible to workers.
- Replaced: the old Controlled Products Regulations (WHMIS 1988) are replaced by the Hazardous Products Regulations (WHMIS 2015).
Practice: WHMIS practice test
5 Fall Protection
- 3 m threshold: fall protection is required when a worker is exposed to a fall of 3 metres or more, or at any height where a fall could cause injury regardless of distance.
- Equipment: full-body harness, lanyard, lifeline, anchor point; travel restraint vs fall arrest.
- Equipment inspection: inspect before each use; remove from service if defective.
- Anchor points: must meet the required load capacity.
- Guardrails: the preferred control where practicable.
Practice: Fall Protection questions
6 Confined Spaces
- Entry permit: a confined space entry permit is required before entry; it authorizes and documents the entry.
- Atmospheric testing: test for oxygen levels, flammable gases/vapours (LEL), and toxic substances - before and during entry.
- Definitions: a space that is not designed for continuous occupancy and has restricted entry/exit.
- Controls: isolation (lockout), ventilation, purging, and a standby worker/attendant.
- Rescue: a rescue plan must be in place before entry.
Practice: Confined Space questions
7 Inspections
- Types: informal (daily/ongoing) and formal (scheduled, documented).
- Frequency: regular site inspections; formal inspections on a set schedule.
- Documentation: record findings, assign corrective actions with owners and dates, and follow up.
- Focus: conditions, behaviours, equipment, and compliance with the H&S program.
Practice: Inspection questions
8 Incident Investigation
- Root cause: look beyond the immediate cause to the underlying system failures (root cause analysis).
- Reporting: certain incidents must be reported to Alberta OHS (e.g. fatalities, serious injuries); a written investigation is required.
- Types: immediate cause vs basic/root cause; near misses must also be investigated.
- Process: secure the scene, gather evidence, interview witnesses, analyze, recommend corrective actions, and implement them.
Practice: Incident Investigation questions
9 Emergency Preparedness
- Response plans: written emergency response plans covering likely scenarios (fire, medical, spill, evacuation, violence).
- Drills: conduct and document drills; review and update plans based on results.
- Elements: roles and responsibilities, communication, evacuation routes, assembly points, and contact lists.
- Training: workers must know the plan and their role in it.
Practice: Emergency Preparedness questions
10 COR Audit
- Audit principles: a COR audit evaluates an employer's H&S management system against the ACSA standard (Part 1 and Part 2 of the audit tool).
- Evidence methods: documentation review, interviews, and observation (the three types of evidence).
- Scoring: each element is scored; a minimum overall score is required for COR certification.
- Qualification: the Auditor Training Program qualifies you to conduct internal COR audits; Principles of Health & Safety Management is a prerequisite.
- Continual improvement: audit findings drive corrective actions and program improvement.
Practice: COR Audit questions
How to use this cheat sheet
Read each module summary once, then immediately practice that module's questions. The cheat sheet helps you recall the structure; the practice questions test whether you can apply it. The NCSO exam rewards understanding, not memorisation - so a cheat sheet alone is not enough. Aim for a Readiness score above 75% across all 10 modules before you sit the exam ([CFCSA](https://www.constructionsafety.ca/ncso/)).
Practice every module
Drill all 10 modules with original Alberta-specific questions, each with an explanation and a citation. Try the free legislation module first - no credit card.
Questions people ask
What are the 10 modules on the NCSO exam?
The 10 NCSO exam modules are: Legislation, Health and Safety Program, Hazard Assessment, WHMIS, Fall Protection, Confined Spaces, Inspections, Incident Investigation, Emergency Preparedness, and COR Audit. Each is summarized on this cheat sheet.
Is this cheat sheet enough to pass the NCSO exam?
No. A cheat sheet is a quick-reference summary, not a substitute for practice. The NCSO exam is closed book with a 75% pass mark and tests how well you apply Alberta legislation on a real site. Use the cheat sheet to review, then drill with original practice questions across all 10 modules.
What legislation does the NCSO exam test?
The NCSO exam tests the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, the OHS Regulation, and the OHS Code, plus adopted standards such as WHMIS 2015. The exam is Alberta-specific, so references must be to current Alberta law.
What is the fall protection threshold on the NCSO exam?
Under the Alberta OHS Code, fall protection is required when a worker is exposed to a fall of 3 metres or more, or at any height where a fall could cause injury regardless of distance. Equipment must be inspected before each use.
Where can I practice each NCSO module?
NCSO Prep offers a dedicated practice page for each of the 10 modules, with original questions written from current Alberta legislation, answer explanations, and citations. The legislation module is free with no credit card.
Last reviewed 15 August 2026.
Sources
Last verified 15 August 2026.
- ACSA, NCSO Information Booklet (February 2025) - exam structure, 75% pass mark, closed book, up to 2 hours, 11 compulsory + 2 elective courses, 3 years (6,000 hours) field experience.
- Alberta Construction Safety Association - NCSO program
- Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations - NCSO
NCSO Prep is an independent study tool, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by ACSA or the CFCSA.