The Certified Functional Safety Expert (CFSE) and the Certified Functional Safety Professional (CFSP) are global programs that apply to the field of functional safety. The knowledge required for the CFSE / CFSP programs that are based on current industry accepted practices and standards.
The CFSE is striving to be more environmentally friendly. Please email all application documentation to admin@exidacfse.com. Photocopies of your passport and diplomas must be provided.
The case study application form must be submitted by candidates to provide a description of project where they demonstrated their skills, knowledge, and responsibility for a significant element of the safety lifecycle in accord with the relevant areas of 61508/61511/62061. This must also include a supporting statement from one of the referees. (Applies to CFSE candidates only)
Requires the applicant to list referees. The following applies:
A minimum of four (4) references must be provided by the CFSE applicant and two (2) references by the CFSP applicant. An applicant is encouraged to use an immediate supervisor as a referee.
*There will be a $100USD late fee charged for any candidate applying for the exam 5 business days before the exam date.
The applicable fees for the CFSE / CFSP examination are listed on the Examination Fee information sheet. Fees should shortly follow with the application. Application fees can be paid by bank check, money order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Amex or purchase order). Applications will not be reviewed until the FULL application process has been received by the CFSE Advisory Board and the payment has been made.
CFSE only charges candidates an exam fee or retake; we are not responsible for additional fees associated with the organization holding the training or exam. Some global locations have their own fees associated with their training and/or exam.
CFSE reserves the right, to cancel without specified reason any examination three (3) weeks before the examination date. CFSE will reschedule any canceled examination at their convenience. The applicant has the right to reschedule prior to payment due date.
The initial CFSE/CFSP certificate is only valid for a period of three (3) years. After that date it must be renewed by submitting the renewal application form and accompanying fee. It is not necessary to take the exam again. The renewal consists of a confirmation that the renewal applicant is still active in their corresponding certificate specialty along with opportunities for additional supporting qualifications and experience. Once the renewal has been accepted, the certificate is valid for an additional three (3) year period.
In the event that the certificate expires through either lack of renewal from the initial issue of the certificate, it can be renewed by re-taking the examination. It is the responsibility of the candidate to renew their CFSE/CFSP certificate on time.
The CFSE examination will take six (6) hours and is divided into two (2) sessions. The examination consists of two (2) categories of questions - multiple choice and short answer/case study. The multiple choice section is two (2) hours and the short answer/case study section is four (4) hours. There will be a one (1) hour break in between; lunch.
| Category | No. of Questions | Points | Minimum Score | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | 50 | 1 | 30 | 2 hours |
| Short Answer/Case Study | Candidate chooses 50 points worth of 2-20 point questions from ~20 possible questions |
50 | 35 | 4 hours |
In order to pass the exam the candidate will have to score at least 60% in the multiple choice, 70% in the short answer/case study category, and 80% for the total examination. All CFSE exams are open book with all readily available published references allowed to be used during the exam. Please also note that the candidates are specifically encouraged to at least bring a copy of part 1 of 61508 and similar relevant parts of the sector-specific IEC standards relevant to their area. For example, Process Applications candidates should also bring at least part 1 of 61511, Machine Applications candidates should also bring at least 62061, Software candidates should also bring at least part 3 of 61508, and Hardware candidates should also bring at least part 2 of 61508. Other textbooks, publicly available published course materials, and workbooks are also allowed and may be useful to the candidates. Although occasional general hand notes in these reference materials may be allowed at the discretion of the Advisory Board appointed exam proctor, it is expressly forbidden to bring in any personal exam-specific notes.
CFSE applicants must arrange to have the following materials submitted before the application deadline (see attached schedule):
A case study must be submitted candidates to provide a description of project where they demonstrated their skills, knowledge, and responsibility for a significant element of the safety lifecycle in accord with the relevant areas of 61508/61511/62061. This will also include a supporting statement from one of the referees.
Please see application form and example.
A candidate that is applying for CFSE must have a minimum of 10 years work related experience. Please use the chart below for education credit:
| Highest Educational Level | Engineering Degree | Other Technical degree | Non-Technical Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| No higher level education | Subtract 0 years | Subtract 0 years | Subtract 0 years |
| Bachelor Degree | Subtract 3 years | Subtract 2 year | Subtract 1 year |
| Master Degree | Subtract 4 years | Subtract 3 years | Subtract 1 ½ years |
| PhD | Subtract 6 years | Subtract 4 years | Subtract 2 years |
| Professional Engineering Certification/License (PE) | Subtract 1 additional year | Subtract 1 additional year | Subtract 1 ½ additional years |
Using this table as guidance, a person with no higher level education would need at least 10 years of related experience to be considered for the CFSE program. A B.S./B.Sc./B. Eng. degree in an engineering discipline immediately reduces the minimum experience requirement to 7 years while additional certification as a licensed professional engineer by a recognized state or national body reduces the minimum requirement to 6 years. Similarly, someone with a B.S. degree in a scientific discipline such as physics or chemistry would need at least 8 years of relevant safety and engineering experience to meet the requirements.
The examination will take four (4) hours and is one (1) session. The examination consists of two (2) categories of questions - multiple choice and short answer.
| Category | No. of Questions | Points | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | 40 | 1 each | None except 80% overall requirement |
| Short Answer | Candidate chooses 10 out of 12 possible questions | 2 - 4 each | None except 80% overall requirement |
In order to pass the exam the candidate will have to score at least 80% for the total examination. All CFSP exams are open book with all readily available published references allowed to be used during the exam. Please also note that the candidates are specifically encouraged to at least bring a copy of part 1 of 61508 and similar relevant parts of the sector-specific IEC standards relevant to their area. For example, Process Applications candidates should also bring at least part 1 of 61511, Machine Applications candidates should also bring at least 62061, Software candidates should also bring at least part 3 of 61508, and Hardware candidates should also bring at least part 2 of 61508. Other textbooks, publicly available published course materials, and workbooks are also allowed and may be useful to the candidates. Although occasional general hand notes in these reference materials may be allowed at the discretion of the Governance Board appointed exam proctor, it is expressly forbidden to bring in any personal exam-specific notes.
CFSP applicants must arrange to have the following materials submitted before the application deadline (see attached schedule):
A candidate must have a minimum of 2 years related experience with credit given for education as follows:
| Highest Educational Level | Engineering Degree | Other Technical degree | Non-Technical Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| No higher level education | Subtract 0 years | Subtract 0 years | Subtract 0 years |
| Bachelor Degree | Subtract 3 years | Subtract 2 year | Subtract 1 year |
Completed application materials and payment must be received by the CFSE Governance board at least 2 weeks prior to the exam date. The specific date is usually noted on the exam schedule information page. Please note that because of the tight deadline, incomplete applications will not be guaranteed a place at the exam. It is strongly recommended that all applicants send in their information well in advance of this deadline to insure a place at the exam. If the Governance Board does not receive your application prior to the exam, you may take the CFSE / CFSP exam at your own risk prior to acceptance to the exam. There are no refunds.
The CFSE Governance Board will publish a general list of dates and locations. For all dates and locations the cancellation policy applies. Organizations can also request examination dates and locations. Contact the CFSE Governance Board for more information.
Results will be mailed approximately 8 weeks after the examination. No results will be given over the phone. Please do not call the CFSE Governance Board for test results. If the applicant did not report for the examination, or did not pass the examination, the results letter will explain how to schedule for a retake examination, and state the applicable fees.
Exams will not be released with out a complete application. Please check the CFSE / CFSP Tracker for updated information.
Candidates are expected to exhibit proper examination decorum throughout the examination. Government issued identification is required. Candidates will be required to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of examination. Candidates will not be admitted to the examination after the announcements have been given. Detailed instructions concerning arrival will be included with the admission notice. Published reference materials are permitted. Only non-programmable calculators will be allowed.
Documents & Devices NOT permitted for the CFSE/CFSP exam
Documents & Devices permitted for the CFSE/CFSP exam*
Other textbooks, publicly available published course materials, and workbooks are also allowed and may be useful to the candidates. Although occasional general hand notes in these reference materials may be allowed at the discretion of the Advisory Board appointed exam proctor, it is expressly forbidden to bring in any personal exam-specific notes.
* You must supply your own documentation, manuals, standards, and/or calculator for your exam. You may NOT share documents or devices.
Currently examinations are only available in the English and Spanish language.
Admission Applicants must allow two (2) weeks for full processing of their complete applications. At least one week prior to the examination date, an admission notice will be sent to eligible candidates and will confirm dates, times, and location of the examination. For the due date of the examination fee see paragraph 3. If the admission notice has not been received at least one (1) weeks prior to the examination date, the candidate must contact the CFSE Governance Board.
There will be no refunds.
Training classes are not required to be eligible for the test. However, many candidates may prefer to receive training oriented toward the curriculum required for the examination.
A candidate must have 4 referee statements from other professionals (preferably CFSEs) recommending candidates.