Which states accept an online bloodborne pathogens certificate?

The general rule: the employer decides, not the state

OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard applies in all 50 states (through federal OSHA or a state plan). It requires employers to provide training that covers a fixed list of elements and to give trainees a chance to ask questions. It does not approve, accredit or license training providers, and it does not name a minimum number of hours. A certificate from any course that covers the elements is evidence the training happened; the employer keeps that record for three years.

That means an online certificate works the same in Texas as in New York for nurses, CNAs, medical and dental staff, home health aides, janitors, school staff, child care workers, lab staff and anyone else whose employer must train them. The question to ask is whether your employer, school or clinical site accepts an online course; most do, and many require one.

Bloodborne Cert's certificate lists each OSHA training element the course covers and carries a verification number anyone can check at bloodbornecert.com/verify.

Cosmetology, nails and esthetics

Oregon is the clearest state rule: the Health Licensing Office requires cosmetology, barbering, nail and esthetics practitioners to hold current bloodborne pathogens training at each renewal, valid for one year, and accepts online courses. Our Oregon page covers the details.

Other state cosmetology boards fold infection control into their own licensing exams and continuing education rather than requiring a separate bloodborne pathogens certificate. Check your board's renewal page; where a certificate is required, an OSHA-compliant online course is normally what they mean.

Tattoo, piercing and body art: where a standard certificate is NOT enough

California's Safe Body Art Act requires at least two hours of body-art-specific training from a provider approved by the county, with instructor Q&A, plus a two-hour update every year. Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura and Sacramento counties keep their own lists; San Diego stopped accepting other counties' approvals in July 2024. A one-hour general course does not qualify.

Florida requires tattoo artists to complete a Department of Health-approved course of at least three hours with a 50-question exam and identity verification. Only courses on the DOH list count.

Minnesota requires five hours of coursework on bloodborne pathogens, disease transmission, infection control and aseptic technique within the year before a body-art technician application or renewal; shorter courses can be combined to reach five hours. Guest artists need two hours.

Kansas requires eight hours of infection control and bloodborne pathogens training for an initial body-art license and five hours for annual renewal, from pre-approved providers or a course submitted on the board's CE form.

Oklahoma requires current certification from a "recognized nationally accredited program" in bloodborne pathogens, plus first aid and CPR. South Carolina keeps a department-approved list and also requires Red Cross or ASHI first aid and ARC or AHA CPR. Hawaii's new tattoo artist license requires an online body-art course from one of eight listed providers followed by a state exam. Philadelphia requires a course on its approved-provider list.

Colorado has no state body-art license; counties that license body art (Denver, Boulder and others) require bloodborne pathogens training after hire and yearly renewal, and accept OSHA-compliant online courses. Illinois requires a program compliant with 29 CFR 1910.1030 with no state approval step. Michigan requires annual industry-specific training that, with the shop's site-specific training, meets MIOSHA Part 554.

If you are a tattoo or piercing artist, check our tattoo artist page for the states where our body-art track is accepted, and buy a listed provider's course where your state keeps a list.

Nursing and healthcare students

Clinical sites and nursing programs set their own requirements, almost always "an OSHA-compliant bloodborne pathogens certificate dated within the last 12 months." Online certificates are the norm. Some programs name a provider; ask the clinical coordinator before buying any course.

Questions

Will my employer accept an online bloodborne pathogens certificate?

Most employers accept an online certificate that names the OSHA standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), shows your name, the completion date and the provider, and can be verified. The employer still has to add training on its own exposure control plan and give you a way to ask a knowledgeable person questions. Some employers, schools and clinical sites require their own module or a specific provider, so ask before you buy. Bloodborne Cert certificates carry a verification number anyone can check at bloodbornecert.com/verify.

Does OSHA approve online bloodborne pathogens courses?

No. OSHA does not approve or accredit any bloodborne pathogens training provider, online or in person. An online course meets the standard when it covers the required training elements and the employer adds site-specific information and a way to ask questions.

Is an online bloodborne pathogens certificate valid in all 50 states?

For OSHA compliance, yes: the federal standard applies everywhere and the employer accepts the training record. Tattoo and body-art licensing is the exception; California, Florida, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Hawaii, South Carolina and Philadelphia set their own course requirements.

Is Bloodborne Cert accepted for tattoo licensing in California or Florida?

No. California counties and the Florida Department of Health approve specific providers and require longer, body-art-specific courses. Our one-hour course is for OSHA workplace compliance and for jurisdictions such as Colorado counties and Illinois that accept an OSHA-compliant course.