HAZWOPER 8-Hour Annual Refresher: Requirements & Online Options (2026)

The HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher is an annual training requirement for every worker who holds a HAZWOPER 40-Hour or HAZWOPER 24-Hour certification. It’s mandatory under 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8). Miss it, and you lose your HAZWOPER certification entirely.

The good news: it’s short, cheap, and available entirely online.

Who Needs the Refresher?

Every worker who completed HAZWOPER 40-Hour or 24-Hour training must take the 8-hour refresher annually. There are no exceptions based on experience level, years in the field, or job title.

This applies to:

• Environmental remediation workers
• HAZMAT technicians
• Superfund and brownfield site workers
• Emergency responders with hazmat duties
• Environmental consultants who work at contaminated sites
• Site supervisors at hazardous waste operations

It doesn’t matter whether you hold the 40-hour or 24-hour certification. The refresher is the same course for both.

What Does the Refresher Cover?

The 8-hour refresher reviews and updates the key topics from your original training:

• Changes to OSHA regulations and HAZWOPER standards
• Updated health and safety procedures
• Hazard recognition refresher
• PPE selection and use
• Decontamination procedures
• Emergency response updates
• Review of chemical, biological, and radiological hazards
• New technologies and best practices

The content changes year to year to reflect regulatory updates and industry developments. It’s not just a repeat of the same material.

The Deadline: Don’t Miss It

You must complete the refresher within 12 months of your last HAZWOPER training date. This means:

• If you completed your initial 40-hour course on March 15, 2025, your first refresher is due by March 15, 2026.
• After that, each refresher resets the clock for another 12 months.

What happens if you miss the deadline? Your HAZWOPER certification lapses. To get re-certified, you must retake the full 40-hour or 24-hour course. There’s no grace period and no shortcut. A $39 refresher becomes a $200-$895 re-certification.

Set a calendar reminder. Your employer should track this, but don’t rely on them.

Cost

Online: $39 to $50 per person. Bulk discounts are common for companies re-certifying multiple workers.

This is the most affordable ongoing safety training cost. There’s no reason to let your certification lapse when the refresher is this cheap and this accessible.

How to Complete It

1. Choose an online provider. The refresher is available entirely online through most major safety training providers.
2. Complete 8 hours of training. The course is self-paced. Most people finish it in one day.
3. Pass the assessment. A final quiz or exam confirms you retained the material.
4. Save your completion certificate. Your employer needs it for compliance documentation.

There’s no hands-on field component required for the refresher. It’s classroom (online) training only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the refresher before my 12 months are up? Yes. You can take it early. The new 12-month clock starts from the date you complete the refresher.

Is the 8-hour refresher the same for 40-hour and 24-hour holders? Yes. The same refresher course satisfies the requirement for both.

Do I need to take the refresher if I’m not currently working at a hazardous waste site? If you want to maintain your HAZWOPER certification for future work, yes. If you let it lapse, you’ll need to retake the full course to re-certify.

Can my employer provide the refresher training? Yes. Employers can conduct the refresher in-house using a qualified trainer. Many companies combine the annual refresher with their own site-specific training.