Confined Space Entry Training: Certification Requirements (2026)

Confined spaces kill workers every year. Tanks, vaults, sewers, silos, and vessels can contain atmospheric hazards that are invisible until it’s too late. That’s why OSHA requires specific training for anyone who enters, monitors, or supervises entry into permit-required confined spaces.

The rules are covered under 29 CFR 1910.146 for general industry and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA for construction.

What Is a Permit-Required Confined Space?

A confined space becomes “permit-required” when it has one or more of these characteristics:

• Hazardous atmosphere Contains or could contain oxygen-deficient, oxygen-enriched, flammable, or toxic air
• Engulfment hazard Material inside could trap or suffocate a worker (grain, sand, water)
• Configuration hazard The shape could trap or asphyxiate an entrant (converging walls, sloped floors)
• Any other recognized serious hazard Electrical, mechanical, or process-related dangers

Common permit-required confined spaces:

• Storage tanks and vessels
• Manholes and sewers
• Grain silos and bins
• Boilers and furnaces
• Pits and vaults
• Underground utility vaults
• Tank cars and tanker trucks
• Pipeline segments

If a space is large enough to enter, not designed for continuous occupancy, and has limited entry/exit, it’s a confined space. If it also has any of the hazards above, it requires a permit program.

Who Needs Confined Space Training?

OSHA requires training for three roles. Each role has different responsibilities and training needs:

Authorized entrants Workers who physically enter the confined space. They need to understand atmospheric hazards, proper PPE use, communication procedures, and self-rescue techniques.

Attendants Workers stationed outside the confined space who monitor conditions and maintain communication with entrants. They must know how to summon rescue services and prevent unauthorized entry.

Entry supervisors Workers who authorize and oversee confined space entry. They verify that conditions are acceptable, permits are completed, and rescue services are available. This is typically a supervisor or safety officer.

Rescue teams Workers trained to perform rescue operations inside confined spaces. This can be the employer’s own rescue team or a pre-arranged outside rescue service.

Each role requires different training. Entrants and attendants typically need 2-4 hours. Entry supervisors need 4-8 hours. Rescue teams need additional specialized training.

What Does the Training Cover?

For all roles:

• Recognizing confined space hazards
• Understanding the permit system
• Atmospheric testing (oxygen, combustible gases, toxic gases)
• Communication procedures
• Emergency response and rescue procedures

For entrants:

• Proper use of entry equipment (harnesses, lifelines, ventilation)
• PPE selection and use for atmospheric hazards
• Self-rescue techniques
• Signs and symptoms of exposure

For attendants:

• Monitoring atmospheric conditions
• Maintaining accurate count of entrants
• Ordering evacuation when hazards are detected
• Summoning rescue services

For entry supervisors:

• Completing entry permits
• Verifying atmospheric testing results
• Confirming rescue services are available
• Canceling permits when conditions change
• Determining acceptable entry conditions

Cost Breakdown

Confined space training costs vary widely based on the type of training:

Online awareness courses: $20 to $35. These cover the basics but don’t satisfy the hands-on requirements for entrants or rescue teams.

Classroom entry training: $150 to $259. Covers entrant and attendant roles with instructor-led content.

Full courses with hands-on: $200 to $895. Includes atmospheric monitoring practice, equipment use, and simulated entry exercises. Required for entrants and rescue teams.

OSHA Institute courses: The OSHA 2264 (Permit-Required Confined Space Entry) course runs about $895 and includes 4 days of in-depth instruction.

Your employer is responsible for providing and paying for this training. OSHA places the training obligation squarely on the employer.

Employer Obligations

Employers with permit-required confined spaces must:

1. Evaluate the workplace to identify all confined spaces and determine which are permit-required
2. Develop a written permit space program that includes entry procedures, atmospheric testing requirements, and rescue provisions
3. Train all affected employees before they enter or work around permit spaces
4. Provide atmospheric testing equipment and make sure it’s properly calibrated
5. Arrange rescue services before any entry occurs (either in-house rescue team or pre-arranged outside service)
6. Issue entry permits for each entry, documenting conditions, testing results, and authorized personnel
7. Review the program annually or after any incident

Failure to comply is one of OSHA’s most common citation categories. Confined space violations appear regularly in OSHA’s enforcement actions.

Renewal and Retraining

OSHA doesn’t specify an exact refresher interval for confined space training. However, retraining is required when:

• An employee’s duties change
• The confined space program changes
• An employee’s performance shows inadequate understanding
• A new hazard is identified in a confined space

Most employers conduct annual refresher training. This is considered best practice and helps maintain compliance. Many insurance providers also recommend or require annual retraining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is confined space training required by OSHA? Yes. Under 29 CFR 1910.146, employers must train all employees who enter, attend, or supervise entry into permit-required confined spaces. The training must occur before the employee performs any confined space duties.

Can I complete confined space training online? Awareness training can be completed online. But entrants who will physically enter confined spaces typically need hands-on training with equipment (atmospheric monitors, harnesses, ventilation systems). Online training alone usually isn’t sufficient for entry roles.

What’s the difference between confined space training for construction vs. general industry? General industry follows 29 CFR 1910.146. Construction follows 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA. The construction standard was added in 2015 and has some differences in continuous monitoring requirements and rescue provisions. Both require worker training.

How many workers die in confined space incidents? OSHA reports an average of about 100 confined space fatalities per year. Many involve would-be rescuers who enter without proper training or equipment. Proper training saves lives.