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NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
The NEBOSH General Certificate is a foundational step for those starting a career in health and safety. It is an excellent introductory pathway into the field and ideal for those advancing into health and safety management roles. The course has been updated with input from numerous experts and organisations, making it highly relevant to today's employers. It teaches knowledge and practical skills to manage workplace safety.
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NEBOSH General Certificate Course Overview
Employers and professional bodies highly value the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. In the UK, 87% of employers seek candidates with this qualification. It is recognised for enhancing health and safety skills and environmental management.
The Certificate empowers managers, supervisors, and employees to implement improvements and learn health and safety expertise.
Over 220,000 individuals have achieved the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, the benchmark in health and safety qualifications.
| NEBOSH National General Certificate Qualification Key Features | |
| Units and Credits | Unit NG1: Management of Health and Safety (5 credits) Unit NG2: Risk Assessment (6 credits) |
| Assessment | Unit NG1: Open Book Examination (OBE) - 4 hours Unit NG2: Practical Assessment - 3 hours |
| Qualification Level | SCQF Level 6 for Scotland. RQF Level 3 for England, Wales & Ireland |
| Entry Requirements | None |
| Recommended English Standards |
6.0 or higher in IELTS tests |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Qualification Grades |
The qualification grade is based on the result from Unit NG1: Distinction: 75 marks or higher Credit: 65-74 marks Pass: 45-64 marks Refer: 0-44 marks |
Why choose the NEBOSH General Certificate?
The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is endorsed by esteemed organisations like Thames Water, Kier Construction, and the Football Association. The qualification aids in:
- Reducing workplace injuries and illnesses
- Improves employee wellbeing
- Strengthens organisational health and safety culture.
- Provides valuable in-house health and safety expertise.
What Will I Learn in the NEBOSH National General Certificate Course?
The qualification addresses workplace issues in the health and safety sectors. Upon completion of the qualification, you will be able to do the following:
- Understanding the importance of health and safety principles
- Identifying common workplace hazards and control methods
- Conducting risk assessments and preventive measures.
- Implementing a detailed action plan
- Understanding the UK’s key legal requirements
- Investigating accidents and incidents to prevent recurrence.
Designed to offer a broad understanding of successful health and safety systems, the NEBOSH General certificate prepares learners to begin their health and safety careers confidently.
NEBOSH Course Duration
The National General Certificate requires at least 68 hours of classroom instruction and around 40 hours of independent study and supplementary reading materials.
Fast learners can finish the qualification in 10 working days.
NEBOSH Assessment
This modern qualification uses interactive learning and practical activities to provide an engaging learning experience.
Assessment involves two parts:
-
NG1: An open-book exam assesses your knowledge through scenarios and includes a closing interview.
-
NG2: A practical risk assessment (3 hours) where learners create a workplace action plan.
Examiners appointed by NEBOSH, chosen for their expertise, evaluate assessments for high standards.
Re-taking Unit Assessments
You can re-sit a unit assessment under the following circumstances:
- You passed a unit more than five years ago and need it for your qualification.
- You were 'Referred' (did not pass) in a unit.
- You want to retake Unit NG1 to achieve a higher grade (Unit NG2's result as 'Pass' or 'Refer' does not affect the qualification grade).
How often you can re-sit units within five years is unlimited. However, if you register for a re-sit before knowing the original result, you will not get a refund if you decide not to proceed.
If your re-sit score is lower than the original, your original score will still count.
If you re-sit a unit assessment and achieve a higher score than your previous attempt, you will be credited with the improved score without restriction.
NEBOSH NGC Grading Marks
| Marks | Grade |
| 0-44 | Refer |
| 45-64 | Pass |
| 65-74 | Credit |
| >75 | Distinction |
NEBOSH NGC Qualification Grading and Certification
Your qualification grade is determined by the result of the question paper (Unit NG1). However, you must achieve a 'Pass' in both units (NG1 and NG2) before receiving your qualification certificate.
Once you have completed both units, you are regarded as having finished the entire qualification.
You will receive your qualification certificate within 40 working days of completing your final unit. Individual unit certificates will only be issued upon written request.
NEBOSH General Certificate Recognition by Professional Bodies
People who complete the NEBOSH National General Certificate can join these professional groups:
- They can become an Affiliate Member (AIOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). With enough experience, they can also qualify as a Technical Member (Tech IOSH).*
- They can join as an Associate Member (AIIRSM) of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).
NEBOSH National Certificate: SCQF Level 6 Qualification
The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety has been approved and credited by SQA Accreditation. It is placed at SCQF Level 6 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, with 11 credit points.
SCQF Level 6 equals Level 3 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Following National General Certification, learners can apply for the following memberships:
| Membership Body | Membership Level |
| International Institute of Risk and Safety Management | Associate |
| Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) | Associate Technical |
NEBOSH NGC Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification, but a proficient level of English is essential for understanding and communicating the concepts covered in the syllabus.
NEBOSH advises that learners aiming for this qualification should achieve a minimum English proficiency equivalent to an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher.
NGC Qualification Requirements and Time Limitations
To earn the NGC, you need to pass two unit assessments. Each unit requires a 'Pass' grade to qualify for the certificate.
You have up to five years to complete all requirements for the qualification. This period begins when you successfully pass your first unit (the 'declaration date').
Any unit completed over five years ago will not count toward your qualification. You will need to retake these units to complete the qualification if necessary.
The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is a standalone qualification. Units from other NEBOSH qualifications cannot be used for any part of this qualification. |
NEBOSH National Certificate Course Units
The course includes two main parts, each focusing on important subjects such as basic health and safety management and various workplace risks.
NG1: Management of Health and Safety
NG1 teaches the basic principles of managing health and safety, emphasising strategies for creating an effective workplace safety system.
NG2: Risk Assessment
A module focused on preparing for and finishing assessments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The NEBOSH National General Certificate is a Level 3 qualification, equivalent to A Levels in the UK. Accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), it is placed at SCQF Level 6 with 11 credit points. This level is comparable to Level 3 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland's qualification frameworks.
No, the NEBOSH General Certificate does not expire. You will complete it if you pass both units within five years of starting the course. Once you receive your certificate, it remains valid indefinitely.
The NEBOSH General Certificate is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in health and safety. It provides fundamental skills and an understanding of the industry. While not required, completing the General Certificate before progressing to the more advanced NEBOSH Diploma is highly recommended, as it builds a strong foundation for further learning.
The NEBOSH National General Certificate and International General Certificate are variants of the same qualification. The National version is available only in the UK, while the International version is offered globally. They share identical levels, units, and exam formats and teach the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" management system for health and safety. However, they differ in the specific legal and regulatory contexts they reference.
The NEBOSH General Certificate is open to anyone seeking to improve their knowledge of health and safety and increase their job prospects. There are no specific eligibility restrictions. However, learners should be prepared to dedicate sufficient time to study and prepare for assessments. NEBOSH advises that learners grasp English well enough to fully benefit from the course content.