On 1 July 2026, Ontario is making some of the most significant updates to Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) certification training in recent years. If your workplace relies on certified JHSC committee members, and most Ontario workplaces with 20 or more workers do, these changes are worth understanding as they take effect.
Here’s a plain-language breakdown of the JHSC certification changes coming in 2026, what it means for your committee, and the key details we got straight from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), so you don’t have to.
Maintaining JHSC certification has been streamlined
Until now, a certified JHSC member who let their certification expire was required to retake both JHSC Part One and Part Two training to get recertified. That’s multiple days of training to recover a status they already held.
Starting 1 July 2026, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) is removing that requirement. Certification can now be renewed through JHSC Refresher training. This means that the path back to a current certification is now significantly shorter, simpler, and less expensive.
The one-time exemption is being removed
Right now, an active certified member whose certification is approaching its expiry date can apply for a one-time exemption to extend it by three years without completing Refresher training. That exemption is going away.
Going forward, staying current means completing Refresher training. There’s no workaround for it.
What happens if a JHSC certification lapsed before 1 July 2026?
This was the question we heard most, so we went directly to the MLITSD for a clear answer. Here’s what they confirmed:
The upcoming changes apply to all certified JHSC members, regardless of when their certification expired. If your certification has lapsed, whether before or after 1 July 2026, you will not be required to retake Parts One and Two. You’ll simply need to complete a Refresher to become recertified.
Critically, this means that lapsed committee members whose JHSC certificate expired years ago could easily recertify and rejoin your company’s JHSC.
If you have a lapsed certification and want help figuring out your next step, reach out to us, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
What to do right now
This update makes renewing your JHSC certificate easier, simpler, and more affordable than before. As of 1 July, all you need to do is book a JHSC Refresher Training to recertify. You do not need to retake Parts One and Two. The new rules apply regardless of when the certification expired. JHSC Refresher training is all that’s needed to get recertified.
Other changes coming to JHSC Certification training
JHSC Recertification isn’t the only thing getting an update. The revised standards also change how training is delivered and what it covers.
Hybrid learning is now an option
Training can now be delivered through a combination of in-person and online delivery, giving members more flexibility in how they complete certification.
Workplace Violence and Harassment content is being strengthened
The updated standards reinforce the learning outcomes in this area to ensure certified members are better equipped to recognize, address, and prevent it in their workplaces.
Occupational illness gets more coverage
Occupational illness is an area that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. The updated standards expand coverage of this topic so certified members have a stronger foundation for identifying and addressing illness-related risks in their workplace.
Classroom standards and expectations are being clarified
The code of ethics for in-person training is being strengthened, and learning expectations are being made clearer.
What stays the same after 1 July 2026
With all these changes, it’s worth being clear about what isn’t moving. Two things remain unaffected.
Training completed before 1 July 2026 still counts
If your organization has already sent committee members through certification training under the current standards, that training isn’t going anywhere. Any certification completed before 1 July 2026 remains valid and does not need to be redone under the new standards.
Your current certification is not affected
If a committee member holds a valid JHSC certification today, these changes don’t disrupt it. There’s no requirement to retrain or recertify simply because the standards are being updated. The changes only come into play when it’s time to renew.
We’re keeping up with the changes so you don’t have to
Navigating Ontario health and safety regulations isn’t always straightforward. When standards change, you can count on OSG to be watching, interpreting what it means for your workplace, and getting you the information you need. Staying on top of regulatory changes is part of what we do, so you don’t have to.
Learn more about JHSC training or get started with JHSC Refresher training.