Comprehensive Guide to Bloodborne Pathogen Training
Author:
CPR Select Editorial Team
Last updated:
1/3/2026
A pathogen is defined as a microorganism, such as a bacterium or a virus, that can cause disease. Some bloodborne diseases are curable, while others are not. Hepatitis C and malaria are curable with appropriate treatment, whereas HIV and chronic hepatitis B currently have no cure but can be medically managed. However, the best treatment for these diseases is to protect yourself from contracting them in the first place. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about bloodborne pathogen training.
How Do People Get Infected With Bloodborne Pathogens?
Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted through contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials via broken skin, mucous membranes, or percutaneous injury, not through typical respiratory droplets.
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Bloodborne pathogens are spread when you have contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person through bites, mucous membranes, cuts, or puncture wounds. There are four main methods of contracting bloodborne pathogens:
1. Direct contact – When infected fluids from one individual enter another individual’s body.
2. Indirect contact – When infected fluids from one person contaminate a surface or item that another individual will have to interact with.
3. Respiratory droplet transmission – When an individual inhales contaminated body fluids from an infected person, for example, if an infected individual coughs or sneezes around you.
4. Vector-borne transmission – When an individual’s skin is perforated by an infected source, such as getting a bite from a mosquito carrying malaria.
OSHA requires employers to provide bloodborne pathogen training to employees with occupational exposure at the time of assignment and at least annually thereafter. OSHA defines other potentially infection materials as:
Human body fluids are as follows: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, anybody fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids.
Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a living or dead human.
HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions, and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.
If you are a nurse, paramedic, doctor, dentist, or anyone else who may be in contact with contaminated bodily fluids, you will need to take bloodborne pathogen training. Even if you may not be directly in contact with infected individuals but will be exposed to contaminated surfaces or items (needles, scalpels, drainage tubes, etc.), you will need to take the course. OSHA penalties vary by violation type and severity. As of 2025, maximum federal penalties are $16,550 per serious violation and $165,514 per willful or repeat violation. You can take our FREE BBP Practice test to test your knowledge in Bloodborne Pathogens.
Why Should I Take Bloodborne Pathogen Training?
Engineering controls: methods that can be used to remove the risk of infections (e.g., proper contaminated items disposal methods and de-contamination methods)
Personal protective equipment: protective gear to reduce the risk of infection, including gloves, masks, aprons, and scrubs.
Personal hygiene: preventing infection through personal cleanliness, including washing hands after handling contaminated materials.
Cleaning and Disinfecting: Cleaning and disinfecting supplies and equipment, ensuring the cleanliness of contaminated equipment through proper physical or chemical cleaning processes.
Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up: In an exposure incident, your employer will need to arrange for the appropriate confidential medical follow-up, including blood tests and counseling.
Universal precautions: Universal precautions shall be observed to prevent contact with blood or OPIM.
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Engineering controls, work-practice controls, and PPE are designed to eliminate or reduce exposure risk, but they do not guarantee zero risk in all situations.
Where can I take the Bloodborne Pathogens Training?
Your employer may arrange for classroom training for the company, but if they don’t, you can take it online from organizations like CPR Select or American Red Cross. However, many organizations offer this training. Just be sure that OSHA recognizes it. At the end of your BBP training, you should receive a nationally recognized course completion card in the mail, valid for one year. It may be a good idea to set a reminder on your calendar so you’ll remember to re-certify yourself the following year. And don’t forget to speak with your employer after taking the training, as your workplace will have specific bloodborne pathogen procedures and policies you’ll need to follow.
Do I Need to Do More Than Just the Course if I’m an Employer?
If you are an employer and your employees may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, you must have a written BBP exposure control plan for your workplace as part of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. This plan will be used to negate occupational exposures to these pathogens, and it is suggested by OSHA your plan follow their online templates. Employers must provide the hepatitis B vaccination and appropriate personal protective equipment at no cost to employees with occupational exposure, with the vaccine offered within 10 working days of initial assignment and training. You will also be responsible for providing cleaning for the employees’ personal protective equipment and replacing it when needed.
If you’d like to learn more about bloodborne pathogen standards or looking for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Certification, you can check out the standard on CPR Select or call them at 1-866-610-8435.
Frequently Asked Questions About BBP Training
Who Is Covered by the OSHA Standard?
The OSHA standard applies to all staff and employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
How Long Is Bloodborne Pathogen Training Good For?
How Often Must the Exposure Control Plan Be Reviewed?
Employers must maintain a written Exposure Control Plan and review and update it at least annually, or whenever job duties or exposure risks change. Also, whenever there are changes in tasks, procedures, or employee positions affect or create new occupational exposure, the existing control plan must be reviewed and updated accordingly.
How Do You Train for Bloodborne Pathogens?
You may complete your OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Training Online! All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone and access to the Internet.
Conclusion:
Bloodborne Pathogen Training is critical for protecting the safety and health of healthcare workers and other professionals at risk of exposure to bloodborne diseases. BBP training teaches them to guard themselves and their co-workers against infection and other pathogen dangers. It also ensures employees are qualified to work in this specialized environment. Get your Bloodborne Pathogen Training Certification today. With our BBP online training, you’ll have the convenience and confidence to fully implement the latest blood pathogens certification. You can also try our free bloodborne pathogens practice test.
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