A qualified person, as defined by OSHA in 29 CFR 1926.32(m), is someone who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work or the project.
The term appears throughout OSHA's construction standards, usually for design and engineering tasks such as designing scaffolds, anchorages and fall protection systems. It is often confused with a competent person, but the two roles have different definitions and different responsibilities.
What Is a Qualified Person Under OSHA?
The construction industry definitions at 29 CFR 1926.32 define "qualified" in paragraph (m) as "one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project."
Three points stand out in that definition:
- Two routes to qualification. A person can qualify through formal credentials, such as an engineering degree or professional certification, or through extensive knowledge, training and experience.
- Demonstrated ability. It is not enough to hold a title. The person must have successfully demonstrated the ability to solve problems in that subject area.
- Subject-specific. Qualification relates to "the subject matter, the work, or the project." Someone qualified to design scaffolds is not automatically qualified to design rigging or electrical systems.
The definition does not mention authority to stop work or correct hazards. That is the key feature of a competent person, discussed below.
Other OSHA Uses of "Qualified"
Some standards define "qualified" differently for their own scope. In the general industry electrical standards, for example, 29 CFR 1910.399 defines a qualified person as one who has received training in and has demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of electric equipment and installations and the hazards involved. When a standard has its own definition, that definition controls for that standard, so always check the specific rule that applies to the task.
Why the Qualified Person Role Matters
Many construction hazards are controlled by systems that must be correctly designed before anyone uses them: anchorages, guardrails, scaffolds, rigging and fall protection plans. If the design is wrong, field crews can follow every procedure and still be exposed to a failure.
OSHA assigns these design and evaluation tasks to a qualified person because they require technical problem-solving, such as calculating loads, applying safety factors or interpreting manufacturer data. Naming the right person for each task, and documenting why they are qualified, helps ensure engineered controls perform as intended.
Where OSHA Requires a Qualified Person
The construction standards call for a qualified person in many places. Common examples include:
Fall Protection
- Anchorages: under 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15), personal fall arrest anchorages must support at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached, or be designed, installed and used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two, under the supervision of a qualified person.
- Fall protection plans: under 1926.502(k), a written fall protection plan, used in limited situations where conventional systems are infeasible or create a greater hazard, must be prepared by a qualified person and developed specifically for the site.
These requirements are a central part of fall protection planning on construction sites.
Scaffolds
Under 1926.451(a)(6), scaffolds must be designed by a qualified person and constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. By contrast, erecting, moving, dismantling or altering scaffolds must be done under the supervision of a competent person. This split shows how OSHA divides responsibilities: the qualified person designs, and the competent person oversees the work in the field.
Cranes, Derricks and Rigging
Subpart CC (Cranes and Derricks in Construction) uses the same definition of qualified person and relies on it for tasks such as rigging during assembly and disassembly and rigging loads when workers are in the fall zone hooking, unhooking or guiding a load, where a "qualified rigger" is required. A qualified rigger is a rigger who meets the qualified person criteria for the rigging work being performed.
Electrical Work
Electrical standards restrict work on or near exposed energized parts to qualified persons who have the required training. This includes knowing how to distinguish exposed live parts, determine nominal voltage and maintain approach distances.
Qualified Person vs. Competent Person
The two terms appear side by side in OSHA standards, but they describe different roles. Under 1926.32(f), a competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
- Focus: a qualified person solves technical problems, often design or engineering. A competent person identifies hazards on site.
- Authority: a competent person must be authorized by the employer to take prompt corrective action. The qualified person definition has no authority requirement.
- Basis: a qualified person is defined by credentials or extensive knowledge, training and experience plus demonstrated ability. A competent person is defined by capability to recognize hazards plus authority.
- Typical tasks: a qualified person designs an anchorage or scaffold. A competent person inspects excavations, scaffolds or fall protection equipment and stops work when needed.
One person can be both, as long as they meet both definitions for the specific task. A site superintendent with engineering credentials, for example, might design a system and also have authority to correct hazards in the field.
Qualified Person vs. Registered Professional Engineer
A few standards go further and require a registered professional engineer. For example, protective systems for excavations deeper than 20 feet must be designed by a registered professional engineer under Subpart P (29 CFR 1926.652 and its mandatory appendices), although manufacturer tabulated data for those systems is treated as engineer-approved. A professional engineer may meet the qualified person definition, but a qualified person is not necessarily a licensed engineer.
How to Designate a Qualified Person Step by Step
- List the tasks. Identify each activity on your sites where a standard requires a qualified person, such as anchorage design, scaffold design or rigging.
- Read the specific standard. Confirm whether the general 1926.32(m) definition applies or the standard has its own definition or requires a licensed engineer.
- Define the required qualifications. Specify the degrees, certifications, training or experience needed for each task.
- Verify demonstrated ability. Review past work, assessments or supervised practice that show the person can solve problems in that subject area.
- Document the designation. Record the person's name, the tasks they are qualified for, the basis for qualification and the date.
- Communicate it. Make sure supervisors and crews know who the qualified person is for each task and how to reach them.
- Review periodically. Reassess designations when standards, equipment, methods or the person's role change.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the terms interchangeably: naming a competent person for a design task that requires a qualified person, or vice versa.
- Blanket designations: declaring someone "qualified" for everything rather than for specific subject matter.
- No documentation: being unable to show an inspector why the person meets the definition.
- Relying on job titles: assuming a foreman or safety coordinator is qualified without verifying knowledge, training and experience.
- Ignoring stricter rules: missing standards that require a registered professional engineer or a specific certification.
Best Practices
Keep a qualifications matrix that maps each OSHA task requiring a qualified person to the people designated for it, with supporting credentials and training records. Pair qualified person designs with competent person inspections in the field, and make sure design documents, such as scaffold drawings or anchorage calculations, are available on site. When an incident or near miss involves an engineered system, review whether the design was completed by a properly qualified person.
How SMS360 Helps
SMS360's Training Management module helps teams keep training records, certificates and qualifications in one place, so it is easier to show why a person was designated as qualified for a task. Training can be assigned and tracked, with reminders for expiring certifications and dashboards that show gaps. Mobile access lets supervisors confirm a person's records from the field before assigning work that requires a qualified person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OSHA definition of a qualified person?
Under 29 CFR 1926.32(m), a qualified person is one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work or the project. Some standards, such as the electrical standards, use their own definitions.
What is the difference between a competent person and a qualified person?
A competent person can identify existing and predictable hazards and has the employer's authorization to take prompt corrective measures. A qualified person has the credentials or extensive knowledge, training and experience to solve technical problems, often design-related, in a specific subject area. In short, a qualified person often designs a system, while a competent person inspects and oversees its use.
Does a qualified person need a degree or certification?
No. The 1926.32(m) definition allows a person to qualify either through a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or through extensive knowledge, training and experience. In both cases, the person must have successfully demonstrated the ability to solve problems in the specific subject matter. Some standards do require a registered professional engineer, so check the specific rule.
Can one person be both a qualified person and a competent person?
Yes. OSHA does not prohibit one individual from serving in both roles, provided they meet each definition for the specific task. They would need the technical ability to solve problems in the subject area and also the capability to identify hazards plus the employer's authorization to take prompt corrective action on site.
