COR® Certificate of Recognition

What is COR® Certificate of Recognition?

The Certificate of Recognition (COR®) is a nationally recognized certification awarded to employers who have implemented a health and safety management system that meets established standards. Administered through the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) and its provincial certifying partners, COR® demonstrates that a company's safety program has been evaluated by a certified auditor and meets or exceeds the requirements of the Partners in Injury Reduction (PIR) program. It is widely required for bidding on construction contracts, particularly in Alberta and across western Canada.

COR® is primarily for construction companies and employers, not individual workers. However, many construction workers need to be aware of their employer's COR® status because it affects site access and contract eligibility. Companies bidding on government contracts, large private projects, or working as subcontractors for major general contractors are frequently required to hold COR® certification. In Alberta, COR® is essentially mandatory for any company working on larger construction projects.

Why Expiration Tracking Matters

COR® certification requires annual maintenance audits and a full external audit every 3 years. If a company's COR® lapses, it loses eligibility for WCB premium rebates (which can be substantial — up to 20% of premiums in Alberta), may be disqualified from bidding on contracts, and loses the ability to demonstrate safety commitment to clients and regulators. For workers, being employed by a company without COR® can mean being denied access to certain job sites.

Provincial Requirements & Regulations

While COR® originated in Alberta through the Alberta Construction Safety Association (now part of the safety ecosystem), the CFCSA coordinates the program nationally. Alberta's program is administered through certifying partners like ACSA. British Columbia has a similar program through BCSA. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and other provinces also have COR® programs through their respective construction safety associations. Requirements vary by province but generally include: a functional OHS management system, annual internal audits, and periodic external audits by certified auditors.

Renewal Process

COR® requires an annual internal audit (maintenance audit) to maintain certification, plus a full external audit by a certified auditor every 3 years. Companies must score at least 80% on external audits to achieve or maintain COR® status. The audit evaluates the company's health and safety management system across categories including management leadership, hazard assessment, training, inspections, emergency response, and incident investigation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the annual maintenance audit deadline, which can cause COR® to lapse
• Assuming COR® is a one-time certification — it requires ongoing annual audits
• Not keeping audit documentation organized and accessible for verification
• Confusing COR® (company certification) with individual worker safety training certificates

Issuing Authority

CFCSA

cfcsa.ca

Contact

Online form

Frequently Asked Questions