Overview of the Board of Laser Safety's professional certification programs for Laser Safety Officers

Laser technology has evolved as an important tool for many applications, including a variety of medical uses. The study of laser safety has similarly grown and evolved. For many advanced laser operations, ensuring the safety of people in the area of the laser requires an advanced knowledge of the arcane principles involved. The complexity of the hazards associated with many laser systems, and the unique skill set needed to effectively evaluate and implement control measures for those hazards, have created the need for organizations to clearly identify those individuals with the proficiency necessary to manage such advanced laser safety issues. To meet this need, the Board of Laser Safety (BLS) was established as a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Laser Institute of America to develop and sustain a program for safety professionals to establish and maintain recognizable competence and expertise in the area of laser safety. The BLS developed a Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) program, by which individuals who have demonstrated comprehensive knowledge in the area of laser safety may designate themselves a CLSO. Shortly thereafter, the BLS created the Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer (CMLSO) program, to recognize individuals with the knowledge and expertise necessary to evaluate and control laser hazards under the special conditions that exist in the medical arena. This paper provides an introduction to the CLSO and CMLSO programs.