FS Expert Certification: A 5-Step Process for Experienced Functional Safety Professionals

The Risknowlogy FS Expert certification is a structured, evidence-based process for experienced functional safety professionals who want internationally recognised recognition of their expertise. Here is how it works.

Who FS Expert certification is for

FS Expert certification is designed for senior professionals who have already built substantial experience in functional safety — engineers, safety managers, and project leaders who have been applying IEC 61508 or IEC 61511 in real projects over multiple years.

It is not a training course with an exam. It is a competence assessment — evaluating what you have actually done, not just what you know.

The key question is: can you demonstrate — with evidence — that you have applied functional safety in real projects at an expert level?

The 5-step process

1. Step 1 — Apply. Submit your application with a summary of your functional safety experience and relevant background.
2. Step 2 — Evidence submission. Provide documented evidence of your project work, safety lifecycle activities, and competence demonstrations.
3. Step 3 — Assessment. Your evidence is independently reviewed against the FS Expert competence framework.
4. Step 4 — Interview (if required). A competence interview may be conducted to clarify or deepen the assessment.
5. Step 5 — Certification. On successful assessment, you receive the FS Expert certificate and Safety Passport® entry.