Evaluating LSO Training and Certification Options

Preparing an individual to serve as a Laser Safety Officer requires thoughtful consideration. The primary consensus standard for laser safety for end-users around the world, Z136.1—Safe Use of Lasers, establishes expectations for knowledge and authority but does not prescribe how that knowledge must be obtained.

Organizations therefore have flexibility in selecting training and determining whether to pursue voluntary professional certification.

This page explains how to evaluate LSO training programs, understand the value of certification, and avoid shortcuts that may compromise safety effectiveness.

Training and Certification: Distinct but Complementary

Training and certification serve different purposes.

Training provides structured education in laser hazards, control measures, and program implementation. It builds foundational knowledge aligned with the Z136.1 standard.

Certification is a voluntary credentialing process administered by an independent organization. It evaluates an individual’s knowledge and experience against defined criteria and typically includes examination and ongoing professional development requirements, consistent with internationally recognized personnel certification frameworks such as ISO/IEC 17024, Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons.

The Z136.1 standard does not require certification. However, some organizations choose to recognize certification as part of their internal qualification standards.

One example of voluntary certification is administered by the Board of Laser Safety (BLS). Certification through BLS is independent of ANSI, LIA, or the Z136.1 standard and does not replace management responsibility under the standard.

The Value of Comprehensive LSO Training

Not all training programs provide equivalent depth or scope. Comprehensive LSO training should address:

Laser classification and exposure limits
Biological effects and hazard mechanisms
Engineering and administrative control strategies
Procedural oversight and documentation
Practical application of the Z136.1 standard

Because ANSI Z136.1 is structured around risk-based decision-making rather than prescriptive checklists, effective training must emphasize analysis and application, not memorization alone.

Organizations should consider whether a program meaningfully prepares an individual to fulfill responsibilities described in Section 1.3 (Laser Safety Programs) of the Z136.1 standard.

Evaluating Training Providers

When assessing a training program, organizations may evaluate:

Alignment with the current edition of ANSI Z136.1
Instructor qualifications and subject-matter expertise
Coverage of both technical and administrative responsibilities
Opportunities for applied problem-solving or case discussion
Transparency regarding course objectives and scope

Training selection should reflect the complexity and hazard level of the laser environment.

Avoiding Shortcuts

Because the Z136.1 standard does not prescribe course length, training programs vary in duration and format. Course length alone does not determine quality. However, organizations should be cautious of programs that claim to provide equivalent preparation in a fraction of the time without addressing the full scope of responsibilities described in the standard.

Serving as an effective LSO requires understanding hazard evaluation, control selection, procedural oversight, and administrative authority (Source: Z136.1–2022, Appendix A1. Laser Safety Officer (LSO)).

Programs that significantly compress complex technical and administrative material may not provide sufficient depth, particularly for environments involving Class 3B or Class 4 lasers.

Training should be evaluated based on substance, not marketing claims.

The Value of Voluntary Certification

Voluntary certification may provide:

Independent validation of knowledge
Recognition of professional commitment
Additional credibility in regulated or audited environments

Certification does not replace the need for training. It does not transfer management responsibility. Instead, it may complement comprehensive training by providing external verification of competence.

Organizations should determine whether certification aligns with their operational complexity, institutional policies, or stakeholder expectations.

A Balanced Approach

Many organizations adopt a layered approach:

Comprehensive training aligned with ANSI Z136.1
Ongoing professional development
Consideration of voluntary certification where appropriate

This approach supports informed oversight, strengthens credibility, and reinforces alignment with recognized safety principles.