Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network

What Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network does

Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network (USOLN) is a 501c6 non-profit professional association founded in 2009 and headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois. USOLN administers the Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) credential, the only safety certification program specifically designed for utilities, utility contractors, and communication providers. The organization serves investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, contractors, and telecom providers with a portfolio spanning credentialing, continuing education, peer networking, and industry publishing.

USOLN's core product is the CUSP certification, offered in two pathways: CUSP Blue for operations management and supervisor roles, and CUSP Green for dedicated safety and training leadership. The credential requires passing a 100-question base exam plus at least one of five endorsement exams covering Electric Transmission & Distribution, Gas, Power Generation, Civil, and Utility Line Clearance Arborist. CUSP exams are delivered online 24/7 through the FastTest platform operated by Assessment Systems Company, with live proctoring via Monitor Edu. Supporting products include the CUSP Prep online preparation course (built by the Incident Prevention Institute), a two-year recertification cycle requiring 30 CUSP points, and an Emeritus status option for retired professionals. USOLN achieved ISPI accreditation in 2021.

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: annual USOLN membership at $175, CUSP base-plus-endorsement exam fees ($400 member / $524 non-member), an optional CUSP Prep + Exam bundle ($1,299 member / $1,523 non-member), annual maintenance fees ($160 member / $180 non-member), application fees, exam retake fees, conference registrations for the annual iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo, and merchandise sales through the CUSP Store. The organization is managed by Utility Business Media (UBM), which also produces the bi-monthly Incident Prevention magazine and the Utility Safety Podcast network.

Name

Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network

Legal name

Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network

Website

https://usoln.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network (USOLN) is a 501c6 non-profit association that administers the Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) credential for utility safety and operations personnel across investor-owned utilities, contractors, municipalities, cooperatives, and telecom providers in the U.S. and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Safety Certification

akta.pro primary industry

Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credential, Education & Professional License Verification (BPAKAEAI), Secure Browser, Device Lockdown & Exam Security Tools (EDAFADAI)

Keywords

• Utility safety certification
• Professional safety credential
• Safety professional association
• Utility operations training
• Industry safety accreditation

Headquarters

HQ city

Crystal Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. USOLN Membership Fees: Annual membership providing access to webinars, podcasts, white papers, Ask an Expert, benchmark studies, conference discounts, and the LinkedIn members-only page. Membership fee is $175 per year.
2. CUSP Exam Fees: Revenue from CUSP base exam plus one endorsement exam. Members pay $400, non-members pay $524. Additional endorsements are $190 each.
3. CUSP Prep Course: Optional online preparation course produced by the Incident Prevention Institute. Members pay $1,299, non-members pay $1,523 (includes exam).
4. CUSP Annual Maintenance Fees: Annual maintenance fee required to maintain CUSP credential. Members pay $160, non-members pay $180.
5. CUSP Application Fees: Application fee for eligibility review. Members pay $60, non-members pay $80.
6. CUSP Store Merchandise: E-commerce store selling CUSP branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, mugs, and other logo wear. All sales are final as products are custom orders.
7. Conference Revenue: Revenue from iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo registrations. USOLN members receive $150 discount on conference registration.
8. CUSP Emeritus Status Fee: One-time fee for retiring CUSPs to maintain emeritus designation. Members pay $250, non-members pay $300.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

USOLN administers the Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) credential, the only safety certification program designed specifically for utilities, related contractors and communication providers. Candidates pursue one of two pathways—CUSP Blue for operations management/supervisor/foreman roles or CUSP Green for dedicated safety/training leadership—and must pass a base exam plus at least one of five specialized endorsements (Electric T&D, Gas, Power Generation, Civil, or Utility Line Clearance Arborist). The credential is maintained through a recurring fee and 30 CUSP points earned via conferences, webinars and other approved education over a two-year recertification cycle.

Product overview

Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network (USOLN) offers a portfolio of professional certification, membership, and educational products for the utility industry. The core offering is the Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) certification program with two pathways: CUSP Blue (for operations management/supervisor roles) and CUSP Green (for dedicated safety/training leadership). The CUSP program includes base exams plus five specialized endorsements (Electric Transmission & Distribution, Gas, Power Generation, Civil, and Utility Line Clearance Arborist). Supporting products include CUSP Prep exam preparation, the CUSP Recertification program requiring 30 points every two years, and CUSP Emeritus status for retired professionals. USOLN also provides annual membership ($175/year) with benefits including exam discounts, conference access, webinars, podcasts, white papers, and the Ask an Expert service. Related offerings include the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo, Incident Prevention magazine, Utility Fleet Professional magazine, iP Institute online learning platform, Frontline training program, and the Utility Safety Podcast. The organization partnered with Assessment Systems Company (ASC) for exam administration via FastTest platform and Monitor Edu for live proctoring services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CUSP (Certified Utility Safety Professional): The CUSP certification is the only program that offers safety credentials to utilities, related contractors and communication providers. Created by USOLN, the CUSP credential provides industry-wide professional recognition as a utility safety professional.

Products and services

• CUSP Certification (Certified Utility Safety Professional) The primary certification program for utility safety professionals, offering two pathways: CUSP Blue for operations management/supervisor/foreman roles and CUSP Green for dedicated safety/training leadership roles. Candidates must pass a base exam plus at least one endorsement exam.
• CUSP Endorsements Specialized endorsement exams taken alongside the CUSP base exam covering Electric Transmission & Distribution, Gas, Power Generation, Civil, and Utility Line Clearance Arborist (ULCA) work environments. Each endorsement is a 30-question exam ($190 each after the first).
• CUSP Prep Online exam preparation tool produced by the Incident Prevention Institute, including pre-tests, test-taking strategies, live facilitated webinars, practice domain quizzes and a CUSP Exam Simulator. Sold as a standalone course or bundled with the exam.
• USOLN Membership Annual professional membership at $175/year providing exam discounts, conference discounts, member-only webinars, podcasts, white papers, Ask an Expert access, benchmark studies and the LinkedIn members-only page.
• iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo Annual industry conference offering nearly 90 hours of educational sessions. CUSPs can earn up to 18 CUSP points through conference education, plus additional points for workshops; USOLN members receive a $150 registration discount.
• CUSP Recertification Program Two-year recertification program requiring 30 CUSP Points of continuing professional development plus an annual maintenance fee ($160 USOLN member, $180 non-member), with a CUSP Orientation course and Emeritus status option for retired credential holders.
• CUSP Store Online merchandise store selling CUSP branded apparel and accessories including t-shirts, hats and mugs for credential holders. All sales are final as products are custom orders.
• Incident Prevention (iP) Magazine Official bi-monthly publication of USOLN serving utilities, contractors and communication providers, with articles written by industry experts. Available in print or digital.
• Utility Fleet Professional (UFP) Magazine Publication dedicated to utility fleet, utility contractor fleet, equipment and maintenance managers. Published five times annually with bonus distribution at key industry events.
• iP Institute (Online Learning Platform) Online learning platform for utility safety and operations professionals offering professional development courses, the iP Institute Forum, and Frontline webinars.
• Frontline (Training Program) Four-course training program building a foundation of utility safety success for frontline teams, with sample webinar experiences offering tools, tips and advice.
• CUSP Roster (Live Verification Directory) Live directory providing real-time verification of active CUSP credential holders, allowing employers to confirm that safety leaders maintain current recertification status.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 active CUSP credential holders in the utility industry
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISPI provides accreditation for the CUSP certification program, evaluating it against eight standards of performance improvement and a code of ethics. Founded in 1962, ISPI is a leading international association dedicated to improving productivity and performance in the workplace. Their accreditation provides independent third-party validation of the CUSP credential's quality and effectiveness.
• Utility Business Media (UBM)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUBM provides association management and support services to USOLN. Manages the Community Hub platform, conference organization (iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo), publications (Incident Prevention Magazine, Utility Fleet Professional Magazine), and educational products (iP Institute, Frontline).
• Assessment Systems Company (ASC)coreTechnology or IntegrationASC provides the FastTest online examination platform for administering CUSP exams. Enables 24/7 exam delivery from any location with secure testing protocols. Partnership allows candidates to take exams from home or office.
• Monitor EducoreTechnology or IntegrationMonitor Edu provides live proctoring services for CUSP online exams. Proctors guide candidates through exam setup and assist with technical challenges during the examination process.
• Incident Prevention Institute (iP Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartneriP Institute develops and delivers CUSP Prep, an online exam preparation tool with practice exams, test-taking tips, and live study sessions. Also provides Frontline training courses and hosts the iP Institute Forum webinars. Offers CUSP points-earning education.
• CUSP StoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline store (store.usoln.org) selling CUSP branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, mugs. Custom orders only with no returns accepted. Operates as e-commerce distribution channel for credential-related merchandise.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO): Non-profit credentialing body offering specialized operator certifications in a niche industrial segment. Strong structural parallel to USOLN: industry-specific credential, multiple specialty endorsements, accredited exams, and recertification.
• National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES): Non-profit that develops and administers professional licensure exams (PE, PLS, FE) for engineers and surveyors. Comparable credentialing model: exam-based certification, committee-reviewed eligibility, and recurring maintenance requirements.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Non-profit credentialing organization offering multiple tree-care certifications (ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, etc.). Closely comparable structure to USOLN, including a Utility Line Clearance Arborist endorsement that directly overlaps with USOLN's ULCA endorsement.
• Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP): Non-profit credentialing body that administers the CSP, ASP, OHST, CHST, and STS safety certifications. Closest direct comparable to USOLN: a non-profit association awarding accredited professional safety credentials with recertification cycles and exam-based entry.
• American Welding Society (AWS): Non-profit professional association that issues welding certifications with multiple specialty credentials, recertification, and a large member base. Comparable credentialing body operating in an industrial/utility-adjacent trade.

Regional players

• American Public Power Association (APPA): Trade association serving municipal and other publicly owned utilities in the U.S. Comparable in serving the same investor-owned/municipal utility customer base, but focused on advocacy and operations support rather than individual credentialing.

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP): Large established professional association for occupational safety & health, offering its own credentials, training, and member services. Broader than USOLN across all industries, but overlaps in safety professional credentialing and continuing education.
• National Safety Council (NSC): Established broad-based safety organization offering training, certifications, and continuing education across many industries. Larger and more generalist than USOLN, but overlaps in safety credentialing and member services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/usoln
• Facebookfacebook.com/USOLN1

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network