NEBOSH stands for National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. It is a UK awarding organisation offering professional qualifications in health, safety and environmental practice and management.

NEBOSH doesn’t deliver health and safety training courses; instead, it provides qualification syllabuses, exams and assignments to Accredited Course Providers (NEBOSH Learning Partners), such as Horizon Risk Consultancy Ltd, who in turn deliver training courses to prepare candidates for NEBOSH qualifications.

Those working in health and safety are often required to hold the appropriate NEBOSH qualification for their job role, and for many, career progression is closely linked to enhanced NEBOSH qualifications.

The qualifications are also recognised by professional membership bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). This means that successful candidates can apply to use letters such as TechIOSH, GradIOSH, CMIOSH, and MIIRSM after their name.

Each year over 30,000 candidates take a course that leads to a NEBOSH qualification, and courses are offered in 33 countries around the world – so if this is something that you are considering you’re not alone! NEBOSH qualifications range from introductory Health and Safety at Work Qualification to the professional safety practitioner level NEBOSH Diploma.

NEBOSH Policies and Procedures

Learner Terms and Conditions

As an examination board, NEBOSH provides a syllabus and exams for training providers. NEBOSH courses are varied and cater to all levels of staff in a range of workplaces.
The courses offer globally recognised qualifications such as the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, which are excellent first steps towards becoming a fully qualified health and safety professional.

The NEBOSH National General Certificate is an ideal starting point for people looking to begin a career in health and safety management or to formalise previous training. Both this and the NEBOSH International General Certificate do not require any previous health and safety knowledge but are a good basis for those looking to progress to a NEBOSH National Diploma.
The NEBOSH National Certificate (NGC)  is targeted at people working in the UK.
The NEBOSH International Certificate is for people working outside the UK or for a multinational organisation and want a more portable health and safety management qualification. It’s an internationally recognised qualification.
The qualification offers an excellent understanding of foundation health and safety concepts, so it’s ideal for people with responsibilities in health and safety. However, 70% of people taking the NEBOSH Certificate are working in a broad range of job roles where health and safety is not their main responsibility.
Learn more about who is the National and International General Certificate for here

A wide range of NEBOSH courses are available for different needs and requirements:

NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

The National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is the most popular health and safety qualification in the UK. Specified in a significant number of health and safety job adverts, holders will have improved job prospects and the ability to apply for IOSH membership.
NEBOSH Courses can be delivered via the following modes of study:

• Distance or E-learning
• Day or evening courses over a number of weeks
• Block release or modular courses

We also run courses “in house” at your workplace. This can be a cost-effective option if you have a number of staff who require a NEBOSH qualification.

Yes, the Certificate is exactly the same. You cannot tell the method of study from the Certificate, so choose what is right for you.

The price that course providers charge for the NEBOSH Certificate can vary considerably. Certain factors will influence the price, so it’s important to consider what you need in order to learn successfully and pass the 2 assessments. These are just a few important factors to ask course providers to understand the real value:

• Learning method – online so you can access the course on a computer or tablet vs a classroom-based and structured course led by a tutor(s);
• Class size (Smaller class sizes might be more effective as you have more opportunities to ask questions);
• Tutor’s experience and qualifications (practical industry experience, teaching degree and professional qualifications e.g. NEBOSH Diploma);
• Exam question practice with feedback;
• Pass rates;
• Materials and resources they offer;
• Tutors’ qualifications and NEBOSH training experience;
• Are the exam fees included?

For online courses:

• The degree of interactivity studying the NEBOSH General Certificate online.
• The level and type of tutor support i.e. phone, email, webinars etc.

Learner fee list

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires all employers to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of their employees.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 expands on this by setting out a number of specific situations where training must be provided. These include when employees first start work and when employees are exposed to new or increased risks. Under these regulations, workers (including contractors and self-employed associates) must be given adequate information and instruction by the host or main employer about the risks.
Employers need to know who is legally responsible for health and safety at work. They are required to appoint a ‘competent person’ to help them meet their health and safety duties. This person must have the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to manage health and safety. If the employer is not confident of their ability to manage the health and safety risks or do not have adequate internal resources, external help or advice may be required.

The NEBOSH Certificate is highly respected by employers in all sectors globally,  it can open lots of doors for you when looking for a job, here are some reasons why you should undertake a NEBOSH General Certificate Course:

• It develops your career opportunities – the NEBOSH name is a mark of excellence for those seeking a successful career in health and safety
• 87% of UK employers request the NEBOSH General Certificate course to improve health and safety skills and knowledge of managers, supervisors and staff in order to gain health and safety continuous improvements
• “90% of the job advertisements for safety, health and environmental (SHE) roles reviewed, specified one or more NEBOSH qualifications; up from 83% last year (2016).” 
• A National General Certificate (NGC) is specified in most health and safety job adverts, which means that people who hold the NGC have far better job prospects
• It will increase your health and safety knowledge, giving you practical skills to use in your job
• It will help you to maintain compliance and improve H&S performance in your company
• NEBOSH’s qualifications are recognised by relevant professional membership bodies

Fostering an attitude of appreciation for lifelong learning is also key to workplace success. A NEBOSH course will build the foundations for holders to develop their skill set, to add value to their organisation and for their own career development, within a practical environment.

Highfield Award Level courses provide delegates with an introduction into basic health and safety principles and practices that can be adapted to suit any workplace.
NEBOSH National Certificates is the starting point for people seeking a career in health and safety management. More than 90% of health and safety job adverts specify a NEBOSH qualification.
The NEBOSH National Diploma is essential for those seeking a senior position in health and safety management, and is the route to graduate membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (Grad IOSH) and from there to chartered membership (CMIOSH).

In the UK, the NEBOSH General Certificate is equivalent to an SCQF Level 6 qualification. This is comparable to NQF/QCF Level 3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or A-level standard.

The NEBOSH General Certificate meets the academic requirements for Technical Membership (TechIOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Associate Membership (AIIRSM) of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).

The NEBOSH National General Certificate and NEBOSH International General Certificate are both versions of the NEBOSH General Certificate. The National General Certificate course is available in the UK only and the International General Certificate is available to all countries outside of the UK.
They’re the same level, have the same units, elements and learning outcomes and they both follow the same exam structure and grading system.
The course content isn’t that much different either. They both teach you how to manage health and safety based on the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” management system. But they reference different standards, legislation and regulation. The national certificate is based on UK regulations. The international certificate is based on best practice and international standards, like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, recommendations and codes of practice.  Find out more about the difference in versions here.

The qualification does demand a commitment to study time to make sure you understand the concepts and can apply them in a workplace scenario. And, of course, to make sure you can complete the exam and risk assessment.

If you have an experienced and reputable learning provider providing effective learning resources, ongoing tutor support and exam question practice with constructive feedback that you take advantage of, you will be well placed to pass your NEBOSH General Certificate.

How to choose a NEBOSH General Certificate Provider?

Choosing a provider for a course like the NEBOSH General Certificate can be really difficult because there are so many providers and you want to ensure you get the best value for money. There are many ways to help you choose which provider is best for you.
We always recommend you choose the provide at NEBOSH website. You can visit the NEBOSH Where to Study  section to find a NEBOSH course near you. The learning partners are graded into Gold, Silver and Bronze, NEBOSH will award Gold Learning Partner status to Learning Partners who can demonstrate they exceed NEBOSH’s learning excellence principles. You can search in ‘Find a courses’ or ‘Find a Learning Partner’ and examinations based on location and your chosen course or qualification. If you are unable to locate a learning partner in a location near you, you may contact us for a Virtual class or E-learning option.
You can also gauge opinion from others who’ve already undertaken training. Reviewing online reviews and testimonials will also highlight providers who give the best learning experience. It is important to consider things like the methods of learning they provide, the experience of tutors, the course material you will be provided with and how much tutor support you’ll get.
Researching a provider will also provide information on how much in-house experience they have. Tutor experience should also be a consideration when choosing a provider such as their background, the qualifications they possess (teaching qualification and NEBOSH qualification, etc.) and how long they’ve been delivering training.
Finally, pass rates are also important to consider. You need to have confidence that your provider will help you gain that all important pass mark so ensure you check out what their pass rates are and how students are prepared for their exams at the end of the course.
Horizon Risk Consultancy Ltd is a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner and we strive to deliver excellence in the training we offer to our learners.

NEBOSH rely on their global network of Learning Partners to provide excellent learning and support to learners and to help them prepare for their assessments. Their Learning Partner Programme helps you recognise the learning providers that go above and beyond in their design and delivery of NEBOSH training courses and improve the learning experience.
Horizon Risk Consultancy Ltd is delighted to have been accredited as a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner, the highest level on the NEBOSH Learning Partner Programme.
NEBOSH introduced a Learning Partner Programme in September 2019 which recognises those Learning Partners that provide learners with the best possible learning experience.  All NEBOSH Learning Partners have been classified based on their performance against the programme’s principles which represent global best practice in the provision of course tuition and support. The key principles are to:

• Ensure all learners understand what is expected of them and what they can expect from their Learning Provider.
• Create a learning environment that is engaging and encourages interaction that is appropriate for the course and type of delivery.
• Provide accurate course materials and continually update and improve them.
• Ensure tutors are qualified, knowledgeable, competent and engaging.
• Give learners feedback on their progress and provide appropriate support.
• Review course delivery and learner feedback and action as necessary.

Learning Partner Status: Learning Partners can be identified as follows:

• Gold – greatly exceeds the principles
• Silver – exceeds the principles
• Bronze – meets the principles

We are committed to working in partnership with NEBOSH to continually improve the learning experience.

If you’ve received a fail or referral the first thing to do is to speak to your course provider, whether you learnt online or in a classroom in order to discuss your result and look at possible reasons for your failure. They may also be able to help you with an action plan for sitting the exams again and improving upon your original mark.  Learn more on resitting your exam.

Unlike an invigilated paper-based examination, learners can have access to textbooks and the internet. However, the questions asked, and answers expected will differ; NEBOSH will test the learner’s ability to analyse, evaluate and apply their learning.
Please see NEBOSH’s press release for further information.

NEBOSH provides open book exams for multiple qualifications including the National General Certificate and the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma.

This is a common misconception, however the questions asked in open book examinations will be different from a traditional exam. Learners will be required to show greater levels of understanding, application, analysis, and critical thinking to produce a good answer.

On successful completion of a NEBOSH qualifications candidates studying the Certificate, Diploma and International Certificate will receive their certificates 10-12 weeks after the results have been issued.

NEBOSH courses are seen as the benchmark of a health and safety professional and as a result are closely linked with career progression and job security. According to the 2016 annual NEBOSH Jobs Barometer study, 83% of job advertisements demanded candidates hold a NEBOSH qualification and 45% of vacancies called for NEBOSH Certificate level qualifications.
NEBOSH qualifications are some of the most respected and sought after qualifications for employers in the health and safety sector.
If you search for NEBOSH on any popular job site and you will find a wide range of health and safety jobs which list a NEBOSH qualification as a role requirement. SHP4Jobs now lets you filter health and safety job searches by the NEBOSH qualification required.

The NEBOSH NGC course is an ideal place to start as it gives a broad grounding in the field of health and safety. The NEBOSH National Diploma course will build on knowledge gained at the NEBOSH certificate level. Whilst it is not necessary to have a pre-qualification to take the NEBOSH National Diploma, we would highly recommend it. Learn more about the difference between the NEBOSH Diploma NEBOSH General Certificate here.

The NEBOSH National General Certificate is a level 3 qualification which provides an excellent foundation in health and safety for managers, supervisors and people starting out on a career in health and safety. It is the most popular and recognised health and safety qualification of its kind with holders being able to identify, evaluate and control a wide range of workplace hazards.

The NEBOSH National Diploma builds upon the skills gained from the NEBOSH National General Certificate, and despite having no formal entry requirements, participants without previous health and safety qualifications or experience will find it difficult to pass.

The NEBOSH Certificate course takes approximately 113 hours to complete. It will depend on the method of learning you choose to study, your planned time allocation for your study and the course provider. The classroom course runs over 2 split weeks (10 days) for a “block release” course, to three months for a “day release” course.
Online courses are a lot more flexible, but you need to be motivated to study regularly. It varies from person to person how long it can take to complete an online course, but a rough guide is around 80-120 hours, on average, learners complete this course in around 6 months.
You’ll need to take the 2 assessments. The remote online exam (NG1/IG1) is able to be taken at multiple dates throughout the year. The NG2/IG2 practical risk assessment can be submitted at any time.
Diploma courses can take between nine and thirty-six months to complete depending on the pace at which you wish to proceed in your studies.
Details of the recommended taught hours and private study hours can be found in each qualification syllabus guides, these are located in the qualification section under resources.

NEBOSH has published a number of documents to assist learners in their revision:

• Syllabus Guides – Learners can adequately prepare themselves for an examination by ensuring they have full knowledge of the syllabus. Learners can do this by mapping their course materials to the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the
• NG2/IG2 Practical Guidance – NEBOSH has created the NG2/IG2 assessment pack which include the NG2/IG2 Practical Guidance and NG2/IG2 example to help learners completing the practical risk assessment.
• Learner Feedback – The examiner’s feedback to learners are produced for both Learners and Learning Partners to encourage learners to concentrate on key areas, examination technique, and learning outcomes and is designed to assist Learners and Learning Partners prepare for future assessments. It also contains common mistakes from learners and what a good answer looks like.
• Reference Sources – The reference Sources have been supplied to aid tutors when preparing their course materials and learners as part of their studies, these can be accessed by clicking on the NEBOSH Certificate webpage.
• Technical Learner Guide –  NEBOSH has created guidance documents to help learners prepare for NEBOSH Open Book Examinations (OBE). The Technical Learner Guide focuses on accessing, completing and submitting your open book examination using NEBOSH’s online examination platform. NEBOSH has created a series of video tutorials about using the online examination platform.  These videos will help you feel familiar with the platform ahead of your assessment. They may also help answer any questions you have about the examination process.

These documents are located in the Qualification section under each qualification in the resources section.

• NEBOSH’s qualifications are recognised by relevant professional membership bodies
• It entitles you to Associate Membership (AIOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Associate Membership of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM)
• Holders of the NEBOSH General Certificate can also apply for technical membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (Tech IOSH). Many students then progress to the NEBOSH National Diploma (Grad IOSH) and from there to chartered status (CMIOSH).

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact our NEBOSH training advisors, either by phone or by email.

The NEBOSH National General Certificate is the most widely held health and safety qualification in the UK.
NEBOSH launched a new health and safety career guide in March 2020, a free guide for those thinking about a career in health and safety. The 32-page guide draws on the knowledge of 24 of the world’s top health and safety thought leaders. Their advice spans everything from: how to tell if a health and safety career is for you, what qualifications to take and how to train whilst juggling a day job, through to what to look for in a good employer and how to get your first break. The experts also share their top tips for CVs, handling interviews plus the role of mentors and networking in career progression. To download your free copy of the Do Something Great guide, go to www.nebosh.org.uk/dosomethinggreat
Read our blog of How to Become a Health and Safety Practitioner here.
You can acquire professional status with a membership body such as IOSH after you achieved the NEBOSH general certificate. In 2019 IOSH updated its competency framework following extensive research and consultation with OSH professionals, employers and other stakeholders.  Learners and OSH professionals can use the framework as a reference tool to guide their career development.