Laser Safety Officer Certification

Common Questions About LSO Certification

What is a Laser Safety Officer?

A Laser Safety Officer, or LSO, is the person designated by an organization to help administer its laser safety program. The LSO’s responsibilities may include evaluating laser hazards, establishing control measures, reviewing procedures, determining PPE requirements, maintaining records, supporting incident response, and periodically reviewing the program.

The organization should give the LSO enough knowledge, responsibility, and authority to carry out these duties. Learn more about the role of a Laser Safety Officer.

Who should complete LSO certification?

LSO certification is intended for people who have been designated or are preparing to serve as their organization’s Laser Safety Officer. This may include safety managers, facility managers, laboratory managers, supervisors, engineers, clinical personnel, practice owners, or other employees assigned responsibility for laser safety.

Selection should be based on the person’s responsibilities, knowledge, authority, work environment, and the hazards created by the facility’s laser systems.

How do I become a Laser Safety Officer?

A common path is to be selected by your organization, complete LSO certification appropriate to your work environment, and receive the authority needed to administer the laser safety program.

LSC offers separate certification options for industrial, healthcare, cosmetic, and veterinary environments. After certification, the organization must still define the LSO’s authority, responsibilities, procedures, and site-specific program duties. Review the steps for becoming an LSO.

Can LSO certification be completed online?

Yes. LSC’s LSO certifications are completed online and are self-paced. Students can access the assigned certification through the online system and complete the lessons, quizzes, and final assessment according to their own schedules.

Written and video formats are available for industrial, healthcare, cosmetic, and veterinary settings.

How much does LSO certification cost?

Current written LSO certification prices range from $149 to $199, depending on the work environment. Video LSO certification prices range from $199 to $249.

Optional bundles combine a video LSO certification with employer program resources. Review the applicable certification page for current pricing and included materials.

How long does LSO certification take?

Completion time depends on the certification format, course scope, and individual student. Comprehensive LSO certifications may take several hours and can be completed at the student’s own pace.

Students must complete the required material, quizzes, and final assessment before receiving a certificate of completion.

Is LSO certification the same as an LSO license?

An LSC certificate documents successful completion of an online LSO certification and assessment. It is not a government-issued professional license.

Licensing and registration requirements can vary by state, profession, laser application, and type of equipment. Organizations should verify any state or local requirements that apply to their operations.

What does an LSC certificate document?

The LSC certificate documents the student’s successful completion of the assigned certification, including the required course material, quizzes, and final assessment.

The digital PDF certificate identifies the student, completed certification, and completion date. It can be downloaded or printed for workplace records.

What is the difference between written and video LSO certification?

The written and video formats cover the same core certification content. The written format allows students to work through text-based lessons at their own pace, while the video format provides guided audiovisual instruction.

Both formats include quizzes, a final assessment, and a printable certificate after successful completion. The best choice depends on the student’s preferred learning format.

Which LSO certification should I choose?

Choose the certification that matches the environment where the laser systems are used:

• Industrial: Manufacturing, fabrication, research, testing, and industrial laser systems
• Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, and medical facilities
• Cosmetic: Salons, spas, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, and aesthetic settings
• Veterinary: Veterinary hospitals, clinics, and animal-treatment settings

When an organization operates lasers in more than one type of environment, it should evaluate the applications and responsibilities covered by each certification before selecting a course.

What responsibilities remain with the employer?

The employer remains responsible for selecting its LSO, assigning appropriate authority, evaluating site-specific hazards, implementing engineering and administrative controls, developing procedures, selecting PPE, providing equipment-specific instruction, maintaining records, and reviewing the laser safety program.

LSO certification and optional program resources support these responsibilities. Site-specific implementation remains the responsibility of the organization. Review common LSO duties.

Does LSO certification expire?

An LSC certificate documents successful completion on a specific date. The need for refresher certification should be determined by the employer’s policies, applicable requirements, changes in equipment or duties, new hazards, procedural changes, incidents, and the results of program reviews.

Organizations should maintain completion records and establish a review schedule appropriate to their laser systems and work environment.

We recommend refresher training or full recertification every 3 years.