HAZWOPER 24-Hour Training: Who Needs It & How to Get Certified (2026)

The HAZWOPER 24-Hour training is the limited-exposure version of the HAZWOPER 40-Hour course. It’s designed for workers who visit or work at hazardous waste sites on an occasional basis and won’t be performing hands-on cleanup activities.

If you work around hazardous substances but don’t handle them directly or full-time, this is likely the course you need.

Who Needs HAZWOPER 24-Hour Training?

Under 29 CFR 1910.120(e), the 24-hour course is appropriate for workers who:

• Work at hazardous waste sites in a limited capacity
• Won’t be exposed to concentrations above permissible exposure limits (PELs)
• Don’t perform hands-on hazardous waste cleanup
• Visit remediation sites for monitoring, sampling, or oversight
• Respond to hazardous substance incidents as secondary responders

Common roles:

• Environmental consultants who visit sites for assessment
• Part-time or occasional hazmat responders
• Field technicians collecting samples at contaminated sites
• Government inspectors visiting hazardous waste sites
• Support personnel at cleanup operations

The key distinction: If your job involves regular, direct handling of hazardous waste, you need the 40-hour course. If your exposure is limited and you won’t exceed PELs, the 24-hour is sufficient. Your employer makes this determination.

What Does the Training Cover?

The HAZWOPER 24-Hour curriculum covers the same core topics as the 40-hour version but in less depth:

• Hazard recognition and identification
• PPE selection and use for hazardous environments
• Decontamination procedures
• Emergency response basics
• Site control and monitoring
• Toxicology and health effects of chemical exposure
• Air monitoring fundamentals
• Regulatory framework (29 CFR 1910.120)

The 24-hour course doesn’t include the hands-on field training component required in the 40-hour course. However, OSHA does require one day of supervised field experience, which is the employer’s responsibility.

Cost Breakdown

Online: $150 to $199. Covers the full 24-hour classroom curriculum.

In-person: $695 to $750. Includes classroom instruction in a traditional setting.

Most employers cover the cost since OSHA places the training responsibility on them.

Renewal Requirements

Same as the 40-hour course. You must complete an 8-hour annual refresher within 12 months of your last training. If you miss the deadline, you lose your certification and must retake the full 24-hour course.

The refresher costs $39-$50 and is available online.

Can I Upgrade From 24 to 40 Hours Later?

Yes. If your job duties change and you need the higher-level certification, you can take additional training to bridge from 24 to 40 hours. Some providers offer specific upgrade courses. Others require you to complete the full 40-hour course. Check with your training provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the 24-hour course be completed entirely online? Yes. Unlike the 40-hour course, the 24-hour doesn’t require in-person hands-on training from the provider. Your employer must still provide one day of supervised field experience.

How do I know if I need 24 or 40 hours? Your employer makes this determination based on your exposure level and job duties. If you’ll be handling hazardous waste directly, it’s 40 hours. If your exposure is limited and below PELs, 24 hours is sufficient.

Is the annual refresher the same for both courses? Yes. The 8-hour refresher is identical regardless of whether you hold a 24 or 40-hour certification.