HSEM®

Certified Health, Safety & Environmental Management (HSEM^®)

Global Professional Certification Framework for HSE Leaders: 

🏅🎓Certified HSE Professional– Level1

🏅🎓Certified HSE Manager – Level2

🏅🎓Certified HSE Director – Level3

🏅🎓Certified HSE Consultant – Consultancy level

The UN Global Compact reports an estimated 2.78 million workers are fatally injured, and an additional 374 million suffer non-fatal injury through occupational health and safety accidents each year. These numbers translate to 7,500 lives lost every single day around the world due to unsafe working conditions. Furthermore, the global economic loss due to poor occupational safety and health is estimated to be approximately 3.94% of the global GDP, or around $3 trillion annually, based on data from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Then, Preventing falls. Ergonomics. Environmental impact. Workplace Safety. These are the headlines that are the day-to-day concerns of companies globally. Employers and human resource managers are looking for HSE managers who have a broad understanding of national & international regulations and industry standards that apply as well as keen management skills. It meets employer requirements for safety or industrial hygienist.

With HSEM^® certification, you give yourself a competitive edge and strengthen your career options.

HSEM^® tests technical knowledge of safety, health and environment plus working knowledge of business and financial principles and assesses your understanding of hazard analysis, accident investigation, safety audits, workers comp, product safety, environmental laws, labor relations, and more.

The HSEM^® certification framework is a globally benchmarked professional system designed to develop, assess, and recognize competence in Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Management across operational, managerial, executive, and consultancy levels.

The framework aligns with Global Technical Competence Standards, international HSE management systems, and leading practices reflected in ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and risk-based governance models. It supports organizations and professionals in protecting people, assets, and the environment while improving business resilience, compliance, and sustainability.

HRMI^® is focused on putting you on the right path to advance your career. We accept various combinations of education and experience, while providing a straight-forward application process. Our Mentoring and Veteran’s Reimbursement programs are intended to provide HSE professionals with resources to be successful.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 

The HSEM framework aims to:

• Develop globally recognized HSE competence across four progressive professional levels.
• Equip professionals with the skills to design, implement, manage, audit, and continuously improve HSE systems.
• Integrate technical HSE knowledge with leadership, governance, and business risk management.
• Prepare professionals to influence safety culture, environmental performance, and regulatory compliance across industries.

HSEM PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION LEVELS 

The certification framework consists of four structured levels, each aligned with increasing responsibility, authority, and strategic impact:

Level 1 – Certified Health, Safety & Environmental Management Professional (HSEM-L1)

Target Role: HSE Officers, Supervisors, Coordinators, Technical Specialists

Scope & Competence:

• Fundamental HSE principles and hazard control
• Regulatory compliance and safe work practices
• Incident prevention and basic risk assessment
• Operational implementation of HSE procedures

This level validates operational technical competence and safe execution of HSE tasks.

Level 2 – Certified Health, Safety & Environmental Manager (HSEM-L2)

Target Role: HSE Managers, Site HSE Leads, Department Heads

Scope & Competence:

• HSE management system implementation (ISO 45001 / 14001)
• Risk-based planning and preventive strategies
• Contractor and workforce safety management
• Performance monitoring, audits, and reporting

This level confirms managerial capability in leading HSE programs and teams.

Level 3 – Certified Health, Safety & Environmental Director (HSED)

Target Role: HSE Directors, Senior Executives, Corporate HSE Leaders

Scope & Competence:

• HSE governance and board-level reporting
• Strategic risk management and compliance oversight
• Safety culture leadership and organizational transformation
• Integration of HSE with business strategy and ESG goals

This level certifies executive-level leadership and governance competence in HSE.

Consultancy Level – Certified Health, Safety & Environmental Consultant (HSEC)

Target Role: Independent Consultants, Advisors, Auditors, Policy Specialists

Scope & Competence:

• Advisory and consultancy services across industries
• Independent audits, gap assessments, and system design
• Regulatory advisory and expert witness roles
• Strategic improvement programs and sector benchmarking

This level validates advanced professional authority and consultancy competence.

HSEM BODY OF KNWELDGE 

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility Requirements 

• HSEM-L1: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with HSE-related roles
• HSEM-L2: Minimum 5–7 years HSE experience, including supervisory or managerial responsibility
• HSED (Level 3): Senior leadership experience in HSE governance and strategy
• HSEC (Consultancy): Extensive professional experience, demonstrated advisory capability, and advanced HSE expertise

Applications are reviewed by the Certification Board to ensure competence equivalency.

Assessment & Certification

Certification is awarded through a combination of:

• Competency-based examinations
• Case studies and applied assessments
• Professional experience validation
• Strategic or consultancy project evaluation (for Level 3 & Consultancy)

Assessments are aligned with international competence-based certification principles.

Value to Professionals & Organizations

For Professionals:

• Global recognition and career mobility
• Clear professional progression pathway
• Enhanced technical, managerial, and leadership credibility

For Organizations:

• Reduced risk exposure and improved compliance
• Stronger safety culture and environmental performance
• Alignment with global ESG and sustainability expectations