JHSC Certification Changes July 2026: What Ontario Workplaces Need to Know
JHSC certification in Ontario is changing on July 1, 2026 — but here’s the part most employers are searching for first: if your workplace already has certified Joint Health and Safety Committee members, their certifications stay valid, and nobody has to start over.
On July 1, 2026, Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) is bringing updated standards for JHSC certification training into effect. The updated standards change how providers deliver training and expand the topics they cover. They do not reset the clock on certifications your people already hold.
A Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is the in-house committee of worker and management representatives that Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires most workplaces with 20 or more regularly employed workers to maintain. At least two members must hold CPO certification: workers choose one, and the employer chooses the other. This guide breaks down exactly what is changing on July 1, 2026, what stays the same, and what employers, HR and operations leaders, and current committee members across Ontario should do next.
Quick Overview: What Is Changing on July 1, 2026?
According to Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), the CPO is amending the JHSC Certification Training Program Standard, the Training Provider Standard, and the related Training and Other Requirements, effective July 1, 2026. These standards set the rules every CPO-approved training provider in the province must follow.
In plain terms, the update does three things:
- Expands training delivery options by adding a hybrid learning format that improves access.
- Strengthens the safety topics the training must cover — with more emphasis on workplace violence and harassment, occupational illness, and a stronger classroom code of ethics.
- Makes recertification simpler — members whose certification has lapsed will be able to recertify through Refresher training instead of retaking the full program.
What’s Changing vs. What Stays the Same
| What’s CHANGING (effective July 1, 2026) | What STAYS THE SAME |
| A new hybrid learning delivery option is being added | The two-part structure — Part 1 + Part 2 — is still required to certify |
| Strengthened learning outcomes on workplace violence & harassment and occupational illness | The three-year Refresher cycle to keep certification valid |
| A stronger classroom code of ethics | The 20-worker threshold and the rule requiring two certified members |
| Expired members can recertify via Refresher instead of redoing Parts 1 & 2 | The legal foundation in Section 9 of the OHSA |
| The one-time Refresher exemption process is being removed | CPO approval of all programs and providers |
| Clarified, modernized learning expectations | The validity of every certification already issued |
Do You Need to Recertify? What Existing Certificate Holders Should Know
Short answer: no.
If you completed JHSC Part 1 and Part 2 and currently hold a valid certification, the July 2026 update does not invalidate it. Ontario confirms that existing certifications remain valid for their current terms. You do not need to retake training simply because the standard changed.
What does still apply is the ongoing Refresher requirement. Under Ontario’s rules, a JHSC certification is valid for three years after you complete an approved Part 2 program, and you must complete an approved Refresher program within that window — and every three years after — to keep your certification active. That rule is not changing.
In practice, the question we hear most from Ontario employers is what happens to a member whose certification has already expired. Before July 1, 2026, a member who let their certification lapse beyond the Refresher window generally had to retake both Part 1 and Part 2. That is one of the things changing — and it’s good news. More on it below.
What’s Actually Changing in the Updated JHSC Programs
Modernized Curriculum Delivery
The updated programs keep the same backbone but sharpen the content. According to the CPO’s published summary, the updated curriculum strengthens learning about occupational illness, workplace violence and harassment, and reinforces the classroom code of ethics that guides how providers deliver certification training.
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), one of Ontario’s official health and safety system partners, adds that the updated training focuses on JHSC member mental health, recognizing dangerous circumstances, understanding the employer’s role, and evaluating how effectively a committee functions—not just how employers establish it on paper.
Simplified Recertification and Refresher Requirements
This is the change most certified members will feel directly. From July 1, 2026:
- A member whose certification has expired will be able to recertify through Refresher training rather than repeating both Part 1 and Part 2.
- The updated rules eliminate the previous one-time exemption, making it easier for members to regain active certification.
For employers, that means a lapsed certification is no longer a multi-day rebuild. It’s a far lighter lift to get a committee back into compliance.
Expanded Access: Online, Virtual, and In-Class Options
Ontario is expanding training options by introducing a hybrid learning format designed to increase accessibility. Hybrid learning blends instructor-led and online components; the exact mode-by-mode availability for each part follows the updated CPO standard and each provider’s approved programs.
Here’s how the formats line up:
| Format | What it is | Typically available for |
| In person (classroom) | Instructor-led training, on site or at a training centre | Part 1, Part 2, Refresher |
| Live virtual (distance) | Instructor-led, real-time sessions delivered online | Part 1, Part 2, Refresher |
| Self-paced online (eLearning) | Complete the course on your own schedule | Part 1 |
| Hybrid (new — July 2026) | Blends in-class and online delivery | Being introduced to expand access |
The key difference for buyers is flexibility: Part 1 offers in-person, live online, and self-paced options, while Part 2 and Refresher require instructor-led training, either in person or through live virtual sessions.
JHSC Part 1 Training: What to Expect Under the New Framework
Part 1 is the generic foundation, and it’s the same starting point for every sector. It covers the rights, duties, and responsibilities outlined in the OHSA, explains how to recognize and assess workplace hazards, and teaches the recognize-assess-control-evaluate approach. It also clarifies how a Joint Health and Safety Committee should function in daily operations.
Under the updated framework, Part 1 carries the strengthened content described above — deeper coverage of occupational illness, workplace violence and harassment, and committee ethics. Employers must keep the same Part 1 requirement and ensure members complete Part 2 within 12 months of finishing Part 1 to earn certification.
JHSC Part 2 Training: Sector-Specific Updates (Construction, Mining, Manufacturing, Industrial)
Part 2 is where the training gets specific to your workplace. Where Part 1 is generic, Part 2 requires members to study a minimum of six hazards that are directly relevant to their own work environment — which is why Part 2 streams exist for sectors including construction, mining, manufacturing, industrial, healthcare, and public services.
Ontario will keep the sector-specific Part 2 model in place on July 1, 2026. Instead, the updated standards strengthen the learning outcomes across every stream. A manufacturing committee, a construction project team, and a warehouse committee will each still train against the hazards that matter on their floor — now with sharper guidance on emerging risks like occupational illness and workplace violence.
Because Part 2 requires an instructor, employers should choose a provider that offers the right sector-specific stream for their operations. A generic Part 2 that doesn’t map to your real hazards isn’t doing its job.
JHSC Refresher Training: What’s Changing and When You Need It
Refresher training keeps a certification alive. A certified member must complete an approved Refresher within three years of certification, and every three years after that, to remain certified.
From July 1, 2026, Refresher takes on a second role: it becomes the recertification path for members whose certification has expired, replacing the old requirement to retake Parts 1 and 2. One important detail for long-tenured teams: Ontario exempts individuals certified before the 2016 standard took effect from the Refresher requirement and continues to recognize their original certification. If you’re unsure where a specific member sits, that’s exactly the kind of question worth confirming with a CPO-approved provider before you book.
How to Choose CPO-Approved JHSC Training in Ontario
Only a CPO-approved provider can deliver a CPO-approved JHSC certification program. Training from a non-approved source does not satisfy the requirement — so verification is the first thing to get right.
Here’s how to choose well:
- Verify that the CPO has approved the provider to deliver the training you need. Ontario publishes approved programs and providers through the MLITSD. Providers should clearly state their approval.
- Match the Part 2 stream to your sector. Choose training that fits your construction, manufacturing, warehouse, healthcare, or other work environment.
- Pick a format that fits your team in person, live virtual, self-paced (Part 1), or the new hybrid option.
- Look for Ontario-based support. Choose a provider that understands provincial requirements and can advise on training and broader compliance.
Train with a CPO-approved Ontario provider. Phascorp is a CPO-approved JHSC certification training provider delivering Part 1, Part 2, and Refresher programs in both live virtual and in-class formats for workplaces across Brampton, Mississauga, the GTA, and Ontario. As a health and safety consulting firm not only a training vendor Phascorp also supports COR and ISO 45001 programs, helping employers connect committee certification to a wider safety management system. Explore Phascorp’s JHSC training
When you verify an individual member’s certification, Ontario gives employers three options: accept the certification record issued by the CPO, access the member’s proof (with their consent) through the ministry’s certification management system, or contact MLITSD directly to confirm.
Effective Dates and Next Steps for Ontario Workplaces
- Before July 1, 2026: Previous standards remain in effect for completed training, and members retain the certifications they earned.
- Since July 1, 2026: Training providers must follow the updated Program, Provider, and Training standards when delivering all new training.
- Ongoing: Existing certifications stay valid and the three-year Refresher cycle continues.
A practical checklist for employers
- Confirm you have at least two certified members (one worker-side, one employer-side) if you regularly employ 20 or more workers.
- Check your members’ Refresher dates so no certification quietly lapses.
- Schedule Part 2 within 12 months of any Part 1 completion.
- Book training with a CPO-approved provider, choosing the format and sector stream that fit.
The bigger 2026 compliance picture: Beyond the JHSC update, Ontario’s safety-enforcement landscape has tightened. The Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025, and since January 1, 2026 a new administrative penalty framework under section 69.1 of the OHSA has allowed Ministry inspectors to issue monetary penalties directly, without a court proceeding. The regulation currently sets a penalty for a single contravention in public-sector construction procurement. The Ministry of Labour has already put the enforcement process in place. It is a separate change from JHSC certification, and it points the same direction: getting the fundamentals right, including a properly certified committee, matters more than it did. We cover the framework in detail in what the Working for Workers 7 Act means for Ontario employers.
Takeaway
Ontario’s July 2026 JHSC update changes training delivery, course content, and the route back for members with expired certification. Existing certifications remain valid, and the Part 1 + Part 2 structure continues.
Confirm that your committee is fully certified. Track Refresher dates, and book new training with a CPO-approved Ontario provider.
Not sure what your committee needs? Book a free 10-minute call with Phascorp’s team. Confirm your certification requirements and map out Part 1, Part 2, or Refresher training in virtual or in-class formats across Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ontario changing in JHSC certification programs on July 1, 2026?
Ontario’s July 1, 2026 update changes training delivery and strengthens key curriculum requirements. It also lets members with expired certification recertify through Refresher training rather than repeating Part 1 and Part 2. Existing certifications remain valid.
Do existing JHSC certificate holders need to recertify in 2026?
No. Existing JHSC certifications remain valid, and the update does not require members to retake training. Certified members must still complete Refresher training within their regular three-year cycle.
Is JHSC Part 1 training changing in Ontario?
Yes but only in content and delivery, not in its role. Part 1 remains the generic foundation required before Part 2, and it now includes strengthened coverage of topics such as occupational illness, workplace violence and harassment, and committee ethics, with more flexible delivery options.
Is JHSC Part 2 training still required after July 2026?
Yes. Worker and management representatives must complete both Part 1 and Part 2 to become fully certified JHSC members. Part 2 remains sector-specific and must cover hazards relevant to the workplace.
Can I complete JHSC training online in Ontario?
Yes, depending on the training part and provider. You can take Part 1 through self-paced online learning, live virtual sessions, or in person. Instructors lead Part 2 and Refresher training, either in person or through live virtual sessions.
How often is JHSC Refresher training required in Ontario?
Complete an approved Refresher within the applicable three-year certification cycle and every three years afterward. Check the member’s certification category if you are unsure which rule applies.
Who needs JHSC certification in Ontario workplaces?
Workplaces that regularly employ 20 or more workers generally must have a Joint Health and Safety Committee with at least two certified members one representing workers and one representing the employer under Section 9 of the OHSA. Some workplaces, such as smaller construction projects, have different thresholds.
What happens if my JHSC certification has expired?
Starting July 1, 2026, members with lapsed certification can recertify by completing Refresher training instead of retaking both Part 1 and Part 2. This is a key change in the updated standard.