Who Should Take This Course?
Hazardous Materials Technicians are emergency responders who are trained to approach the point of a hazardous material spill or release, while using personal protective equipment (PPE), in order to stop or control the hazardous substance. HAZMAT Technicians perform advance control, containment, and confinement operations and use decontamination procedures.
Our online HAZMAT Technician Level III Responder course is designed to help Hazardous Materials Technicians meet the OSHA HAZWOPER requirement of 24 hours of training per 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii). Per OSHA, annual refresher training is required with sufficient content and duration to maintain competencies.
This 24 Hour HAZMAT Technician course is comprised of three 8 hour parts, which are completed online:
- Part 1 – First Responder Operations training / FRO training
- Part 2 – Transitioning from an FRO to a Hazardous Materials Technician
- Part 3 – Equipment familiarization and scenario exercise
Our online 24 Hour HAZMAT Technician training is a brand-new course offering, with state-of-the-art training features, including:
- Animations showing an entire HAZMAT emergency from incident notification to termination.
- Video Demonstrations (50 short video clips) which show HAZMAT Response equipment in great detail, as if the student were attending our 8 Hour Hands-on Training.
- Online Tabletop Exercise which allows students to interactively simulate the role of a HazMat Technician, and play their role in a simulated emergency response.
- Fully narrated slides with text, photos, and interactive quizzes.
- Downloadable course manual for reference or note-taking. See adjacent sample page.
For more information on OSHA HAZMAT Technician training requirements or the HAZMAT Tech courses we offer, visit our HAZMAT Technician Training page.
Course Outline
Part 1 – First Responder Operations | FRO
Module 1 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
1 | Introduction to Hazmat Emergency Response Need for hazmat training | Hazmat incidents and responder training | HAZWOPER regulation | Hazmat emergency responder training levels | Emergency response planning. |
2 | Hazmat Emergency Responders Level 1 – First Responder Awareness (FRA) | Level 2 – First Responder Operations (FRO) | Level 3 – Hazardous Materials Technician | Level 4 – Hazardous Material Specialist | Level 5 – Hazardous Materials Incident Commander | Awareness level responders, PPE and limits. |
3 | Hazardous Materials, Substances and Wastes Definitions of hazardous materials, hazardous substances, and hazardous wastes | EPA, DOT & OSHA definitions. |
4 | Recognizing Hazmat Incidents First step of hazmat response | Recognition clues: Eyewitness accounts, DOT placards and labels, makers and markings, container types and packages, non-obvious clues. |
Exam 1 |
Module 2 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
5 | Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Overview ERG origin | ERG training requirement per OSHA | Initial response phase of a hazmat incident | ERG contents | White pages of the ERG | ERG familiarity, acquisition, and download. |
6 | ERG White Pages Quiz |
7 | ERG Yellow-bordered & Blue-bordered Pages Overview and use | Violent polymerization | Toxic inhalation hazards. |
8 | ERG Yellow-bordered & Blue-bordered Pages Quiz |
9 | ERG Orange-bordered Pages Safety recommendations and emergency response | Guide titles and layout. |
10 | ERG Orange-bordered Pages Quiz |
11 | ERG Green-bordered Pages Toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) materials | Spill size | Initial isolation distances | Protective action distances. |
12 | ERG Green-bordered Pages Quiz |
Exam 2 |
Module 3 | |
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Section | Title |
13 | Managing Hazmat Incidents for the FRO Managing a hazmat incident | Incident Command System (ICS) | National Incident Management System (NIMS) | ICS principles | Incident management and command | First responder | Incident Command Post (ICP) | Division and groups | Assistant safety officer. |
14 | Basic Actions for all First Responders Hazmat emergencies | OSHA hazmat emergency responders | Managing and taking command of hazmat incidents | Using the ERG | First responder safety | Hazard and risk assessment. |
Exam 3 |
Module 4 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
15 | Road Trailer Identification First Responder Operations redefined | Advance identification for the FRO | Non-pressure liquid tanks | Low pressure chemical tanks | Corrosive liquid tanks | High pressure tanks | Cryogenic liquid tanks | Compressed gas/tube trailers | Dry bulk cargo trailers | Mixed cargo trailers | Intermodal tanks. |
16 | Rail and Other Modes of Transportation Rail car identification | Rail car markings | Transport guidelines for aircraft | Maritime shipment of hazardous materials | Shipping papers. |
17 | Other Hazmat Container Identification More advanced hazmat identification | Bulk packaging | Non-bulk packaging of hazardous materials | Radioactive labels for packages | Radioactive material packaging | Storage tanks. |
Exam 4 |
Module 5 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
18 | Introduction to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) FRO basic actions | Risk vs. gain analysis | Incident and site entry considerations | PPE overview: Structural Fire Fighters’ Protective Clothing (SFPC) | Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) | CBRN approved respirators | Chemical protective clothing (CPC) and equipment. |
19 | Fire Control on a Hazmat Incident Overview | Fire control and the ERG | Water as an extinguishing agent | Flammable liquids fire | Firefighting foam. |
20 | FRO Entry Operations at a Hazmat Incident Entry considerations | ERG and turnout gear | ERG and PPE statements | Entry requirements on a hazmat incident | The Buddy System | Back-up personnel | Basic life support. |
21 | Decontamination and the FRO Decontamination defined | Methods and types of decontamination | Decontamination strategies for the FRO | Hazmat zones | Guidelines for emergency decontamination. |
22 | FRO Mitigation Hazmat mitigation | Containment and control | OSHA FRO and hazmat technician definitions | Third mitigation option | Defensive containment: Damming, diking, diverting, covering, dispersing, foaming | Offensive control. |
23 | FRO Summary and Conclusion FRO goal and objectives | First responder priorities and actions. |
Exam 5 |
Part 2 – Transitioning from a FRO to a HAZMAT Technician
Module 1 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
1 | Introduction to Part 2 The Hazardous Materials Technician Transition from FRO to Hazmat Technician | Hazmat response team | Hazmat technician, awareness level, and operations level competencies | Competencies-based training. |
2 | Regulatory Requirements for the Hazmat Technician Laws and regulations | HAZWOPER regulation | Medical surveillance requirements | CPC requirements | Post-emergency response requirements | EPA and DOT regulations. |
3 | Medical Surveillance and the Hazmat Technician Medical surveillance need, development and components. |
4 | Emergency Response Planning Emergency response plan requirements | Elements of an ERP. |
Exam 1 |
Module 2 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
5 | Hazmat Incident Command and the Public Sector Response HAZMAT ICS | Public sector vs. private facility hazmat response | ICS groups and divisions | Hazardous materials organizational model | Modular development of hazmat incident. |
6 | Hazmat Group Functional Leaders Hazardous materials group supervisors and leaders | Entry leader | Decontamination leader | Site access control leader | Position checklists for functional leaders. |
7 | Additional ICS Hazmat Group Positions Hazmat group positions | Technical specialist | Assistant safety officer | Checklists for other hazmat group positions. |
8 | Hazmat Incident Command and the Private Facility Response Private facility: Response and command; advantages/disadvantages; use of the hazmat group; pre-planning. |
Exam 2 |
Module 3 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
9 | Hazardous Materials Referencing Hazardous materials reference sources | Internet sources | Conflicting information | Material Safety Data Sheets | Responsible parties or experts | Pre-planning reference material. |
10 | Introduction to Toxicology Regulatory requirements | Toxicology definition and terminology | Adverse effects to poison exposure | History of toxicology | Types of doses | Routes of exposure | Dose-response relationship. |
11 | Toxicology Exposures and Effects Toxic effects | Toxicological factors | Route of exposure | Chemical interactions. |
12 | Exposure Standards and Guidelines Standard vs. guidelines | Types of standards and guidelines | Occupational exposure and guidelines | OSHA exposure levels | ACGIH and NIOSH recommendations | Conflicting exposure limits. |
13 | Physical and Chemical Properties States of Matter | Phase transitions | Particulate matter | Gases vs. vapors | Physical properties | Chemical properties | Oxygen-deficient atmospheres | Oxygen-enriched atmospheres. |
Exam 3 |
Module 4 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
14 | Site Control Benefits | Legality | Elements of an effective site control plan. |
15 | Incident Safety Site safety plan development and implementation | Pre-entry briefing. |
16 | Hazard and Risk Assessment FRO and HAZMAT Tech competencies | Hazard and risk assessment | Decision making | Critical assessment information | Container stresses, failures and assessment | Dispersion patterns. |
17 | Hazmat Technician Mitigation Techniques Incident mitigation | Hazmat responder competencies | Confinement and containment | Control techniques | When containment won’t work. |
18 | Hazmat Technician Decontamination Decontamination and competencies | Gross and technical decontamination | Emergency decontamination | Mass decontamination | Decontamination plans and methods. |
19 | Special Considerations Handling and opening drums and containers | Confined space considerations | Hazmat rescue operations. |
Exam 4 |
Module 5 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
20 | Hazmat Incident from Notification to Termination Part 1 Incident discovery | Notification | Initial assessment | Initial team assembly | Establishing objectives | Running vs. moving with urgency | Transition of command | Pre-entry briefing. |
21 | Hazmat Incident from Notification to Termination Part 2 Entry operations | Flammable environments | Communication with entry team | Decontamination | Terminating an incident | Cleanup | Incident critique. |
Summary and Conclusion for Part 2 |
Part 3 – Responder Equipment & Online Tabletop Exercise
Module 1 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
1 | Introduction to Part 3 Equipment for Hazardous Materials Technician | Emergency response scenario | Additional training. |
2 | Introduction to Respiratory Protection Respirator need, use/misuse, reliability, variables, and maintenance | Use requirements | Respiratory protection program. |
3 | Types of Respiratory Protection Positive and negative pressure | Airborne hazards | Respirator classifications | Air-purifying respirators (APRs) | Atmosphere-supplying respirators | Limitations. |
4 | Respirator Video Clips Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) | SCBA cylinders | Cylinder testing | Air-purifying respirator (APR) | SCBA pre-donning inspection | Donning an SCBA | On demand and positive pressure | Emergency escape respirators. |
Exam 1 |
Module 2 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
5 | Chemical Protective Clothing Overview CPC protection and risks | CPC applications | CPC ensemble and components | Selection factors | Levels of protection | Protective clothing or equipment available. |
6 | Medical Considerations for Chemical Protective Clothing Heat stress | Heat-related illnesses | Emergency first-aid treatment for heat-related injuries | Other CPC-related stressors | Rest periods | Pre-entry and post-entry assessments | Heat stress prevention | Personal exposure records. |
7 | Chemical Protective Clothing Program Written CPC management program | CPC program objectives | CPC program review and evaluation | Standard operating procedures. |
8 | Chemical Protective Clothing Selection Selecting protective clothing components | CPC selection responsibility | CPC selection factors | Permeation | Penetration | Degradation | Chemical breakthrough sources of information | Resource limitations | Field selection of CPC. |
9 | Chemical Protective Clothing Classifications Classification of protective clothing | Protective clothing with no chemical protection | Full-body protection | Classification of chemical protective clothing | Protective clothing design | Protective clothing performance | NFPA standards | Protective clothing and respiratory protection | Reusable vs. disposable clothing. |
10 | Donning Chemical Protective Clothing Defining donning and doffing | Donning the ensemble | Sample donning procedure | Suit sizing. |
11 | Doffing Chemical Protective Clothing Doffing overview and procedure | SCBA low pressure alarm considerations. |
12 | Decontaminating Chemical Protective Clothing Decontamination review and purpose | Preventing contamination | Types of decontamination | Testing effectiveness | Decontamination plan and process | Emergency decontamination. |
13 | Inspection and Maintenance of Protective Clothing Inspection, storage and maintenance of protective clothing. |
14 | Training and Monitoring for Protective Clothing Protective clothing training | Problems while using protective clothing | User monitoring | Heat stress. |
15 | Level A Video Section Level-A suit demonstration | Flash protection | Storage | Testing | Suit donning preparation | Doffing. |
16 | Level B Video Section Level-B suit demonstration | Alternatives | Donning a Level-B ensemble | Using optional hard hat. |
17 | Other Protective Equipment Video Clips CPC components and accessories | Inner gloves | Outer chemical gloves | Chemical boot options | Boot covers | In-suit communications. |
Exam 2 |
Module 3 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
18 | Gas Detection Basics Gas detection application | Gas detectors and gas monitors | Sensor technology | Data logging. |
19 | Preventing Sparks Explosion proof | Intrinsically safe | Hazardous locations | Temperature code/class. |
20 | Sensor Technology Gas sensor overview | Five types of gas sensors | Electrochemical | Catalytic bead | Infrared | Solid state | Photoionization. |
21 | Types of Gas Detection Systems Single-gas, multiple-gas, personal gas, and portable gas detectors | Fixed monitor systems. |
22 | Colorimetric Tubes and Diffusion Tubes Definition of colorimetric tubes | Advantages / disadvantages of colorimetric tubes | Manufacturers | Basic operation | Cross sensitivity | Color diffusion tubes. |
23 | Flammability and CGI’s (Combustible Gas Indicators) Combustible gas indicator (CGI) description | Flammable range | Fire triangle | Dealing with a flammable environment | Defining conversion factors when measuring a flammable environment. |
24 | PIDs and FIDs Photoionization detectors (PIDs) | Ionization potential and electron volts | Correction factors | Flame ionization detectors (FIDs). |
25 | Other Detection Devices Indoor air quality | Radiological monitoring and detection | Resource information for radiation | Chemical warfare detection devices. |
26 | Monitoring and Detection Video Clips pH paper | Colorimetric tubes | Combustible gas indicators (CGIs) | Photoionization detectors (PIDs) | CGI and PID combined | Radiological monitoring | WMD monitoring | Monitor types. |
27 | Miscellaneous Tools Equipment Video Clips Chemical identification | Drum sampling | Worker creativity | Sample collection. |
Exam 3 |
Module 4 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
28 | Scenario & Exercise |
Summary & Conclusion |
Course Exam
This course includes 12 exams. One exam must be taken at the completion of most of the modules.

Course Format
Designed by Certified Outreach Trainers, this course includes up-to-date, high quality training created with your safety and learning as our top priority. The course features interactive training modules, which combine audio and visual elements for maximum retention. The course is completed entirely online using a computer with an internet connection and is available 24/7 through our state-of-the-art Online Training System (OTS). For your convenience, it can be completed over time, and your progress will be saved to the last section completed. Students are given 6 months to complete the course after enrollment. We are so certain you will be satisfied with your experience, that we offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee*.
Once the course is completed, you will immediately be able to download, save or print your Course Completion Certificate which is provided in PDF format. Within 24 hours of course completion, you will also be mailed a PVC credit card style Wallet ID Card with optional photo, showing training course completion.
Accreditation
Our online 24 Hour HAZMAT Technician Level III Responder course was designed by OSHA Certified Outreach Trainers. It is OSHA accepted and meets the requirements for 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii).
24 Hour HAZMAT Technician Certification
Once the course is completed, you will immediately be able to download, save or print your Course Completion Certificate which is provided in PDF format. Within 24 hours of course completion, you will also be mailed a PVC credit card style Wallet ID Card with optional photo, showing training course completion.

Course Objectives
The objectives of our OSHA 24 Hour Hazmat Technician training are to meet:
- Federal OSHA HAZWOPER training requirement of 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii) for general industry
- Federal OSHA HAZWOPER training requirement of 29 CFR 1926.65(q)(6)(iii) for construction
- HAZWOPER training requirements for EPA and State OSHA regulations
Per 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii) and 29 CFR 1926.65(q)(6)(iii):
Hazardous materials technician. Hazardous materials technicians are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release. They assume a more aggressive role than a first responder at the operations level in that they will approach the point of release in order to plug, patch or otherwise stop the release of a hazardous substance. Hazardous materials technicians shall have received at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level and in addition have competency in the following areas and the employer shall so certify:
- Know how to implement the employer’s emergency response plan.
- Know the classification, identification and verification of known and unknown materials by using field survey instruments and equipment.
- Be able to function within an assigned role in the Incident Command System.
- Know how to select and use proper specialized chemical personal protective equipment provided to the hazardous materials technician.
- Understand hazard and risk assessment techniques.
- Be able to perform advance control, containment, and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available with the unit.
- Understand and implement decontamination procedures.
- Understand termination procedures.
- Understand basic chemical and toxicological terminology and behavior.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the student should be able to:
- Describe the laws and regulations that Hazmat Emergency Responders must follow
- Describe HAZMAT Emergency Responder training requirements
- Understand why an effective Emergency Response Plan is needed
- Describe the elements of an effective Medical Surveillance Program
- Implement the Incident Command System as part of an emergency response
- Use the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) as a reference at a hazardous materials incident site
- Execute scene size up during a hazardous materials emergency response
- Recognize hazardous materials incidents and use different references to determine the associated hazards
- Know the principles of basic toxicology and how it relates to chemical exposure
- Select and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Understand the medical considerations of wearing Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC)
- Understand the principles of decontamination and the methods used for decontamination
- Understand hazardous substance physical and chemical properties
- Understand the importance of a Site Specific Safety Plan
- Use containment and control techniques on hazardous substance spills
- Recognize the detection and monitoring tools available
- Understand incident termination procedures and Post Incident Analysis techniques

The HazMat Student Advantage
- Fully Narrated, High Quality Training
- Easy to Use Online Interface
- Self-Paced with Saved Progress
- Custom Animations and Video Demonstrations
- Online Interactive Tabletop Exercise
- Take Up to 6 Months to Complete
- Excellent Customer Support
- 100% Money Back Guarantee*
- Course Certificate & ID Card
- Volume Pricing Available

HAZMAT Tech Course Options
- The three parts are taken 100% online (this course)
- Parts 1 and 2 are taken online, part 3 is taken in classroom
- Parts 2 and 3 are taken online, with verifiable part 1 / FRO training prerequisite*
- Part 2 is taken online, with verifiable part 1 / FRO training prerequisite*, and part 3 is taken in classroom.
- All parts taken in classroom – Federal version
- All parts taken in classroom – California State Certified version
*FRO certification must be refreshed within the past year.
Additional Training
Please note that this online HAZMAT Tech training class provides valuable training information which applies to a general population of employees who work in HAZMAT teams, Spill Response teams or Emergency Response teams. This course is not meant to replace company-specific or function-specific training provided by your employer on equipment use and procedures for your particular work environment. You must be trained by your employer on the hazards, equipment, engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, policies and procedures and emergency plans specific to your role and workplace. OSHA requires workers to have adequate training of specialized equipment before use in a hazardous work environment. Regardless of whether online or classroom training is chosen, students should complete equipment training with the actual equipment used in their workplace and role.
In ALL situations, employers are required to ensure their employees are adequately trained to do their job.

HAZMAT Technician Training & Incident Commander Courses
Online HAZMAT Technician & Incident Commander Training
- 24 Hour HAZMAT Technician Level III
- 24 Hour HAZMAT Technician Level III – 16 Hrs Online w/ Prior FRO
- 8 Hour HAZMAT Technician Refresher
- 4 Hour HAZMAT Technician Refresher
- HAZMAT Incident Commander Level V Responder Refresher (4 Hour)
OSHA HAZMAT Technician Online/Classroom Blended Training
- 24 Hour HAZMAT Technician Level III (16 Hrs Online/8 Hrs Classroom)
- 24 Hour HAZMAT Technician Level III (8 Hrs Online/8 Hrs Classroom, w/ Prior FRO)
Classroom Hazardous Materials Technician and Incident Commander Courses