NEBOSH FAQs

NEBOSH Frequently Asked Questions

NEBOSH has reviewed the NEBOSH National General Certificate syllabus content to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding required in the modern workplace. 

It’s been updated with the help of key stakeholders, leading experts, organisations, learners and learning partners. 

The new syllabus for the 2018 specification will be launched 30th September 2019 and will be assessed from 11th November 2019. 

So whether you’re a new learner, current leaner or thinking about taking the course, here’s what you need to know.

WHAT’S CHANGED?

The qualification structure has changed so there will only be one exam with more focus on practical application. The content from the former thirteen elements of Units NGC1 and GC2 has now been combined into eleven elements.

The specification from 2018 covers 2 units:

  • NG1 – a taught unit, 2 hours exam (written) to assess what you’ve learnt
  • NG2 – a workplace-based practical application, designed to asses what you do


IS THE COURSE LONGER?

The total qualification has decreased by 20 hours. The 2018 specification recommends 113 hours of learning compared to 133 on the 2014 specification. 

The course will still run across 2 weeks as per our previous courses. If you’re studying online, you’ll have the same amount of access to resources and tutor support. 

You’ll have 5 years to complete your NEBOSH General Certificate. This time frame starts when you pass your first exam.

HAS THE GRADING STRUCUTRE CHANGED?

A ‘pass’ must be received in both units before a parchment can be issued. 

Pass marks are as follows:

  • Unit NG1: 45 marks
  • Unit NG2: Pass or Refer

Qualification boundaries are as follows:

  • Distinction: 75 marks or higher
  • Credit: 65-74 marks
  • Pass: 45-64 marks

 

CAN I TAKE THE 2018 SPECIFICATION ASSESSMENTS INSTEAD OF THE 2014 ASSESSMENTS?

Yes – but only if you have not already registered for an NGC (November 2014 specification) assessment. 

You should consider the exam and assessments as below before making your decision:

Written Exam

The NG1 question paper will assess your knowledge of elements 1-4. This focuses on the management of health and safety at work including legislation, policy and management systems. This is currently taught and assessed in NGC1 of the 2014 specification. 

If you have put the work in, there’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to sit the NG1 questions paper while studying the 2014 specification.

Practical Assessment

NG2 is a practical risk assessment. A different marking criteria is in place for this compared to the current practical assessment of the 2014 specification – Unit GC3. The structure of the assessment is similar, but you’ll need to follow the new NEBOSH guidance to be able to pass.
Our training team can offer you more advice on this. 

HOW LONG DO I HAVE LEFT TO COMPLETE MY CURRENT COURSE?

Northern Safety Ltd will be running exams for the 2014 specification up until March 2022. 

If you have taken one or more unit assessments under the 2014 specification you will remain on this existing specification. You can continue to take assessments under the 2014 specification until 2022. Leaners will not be transferred between the old and new qualifications.

If you have not completed your qualification by this time, you will need to take both units of the revised October 2018 specification if you still want to obtain the NGC qualification. 

ONLINE LEARNERS

If you’re a first-time sitter and you haven’t already registered for your exam, you will need to register with us by 14th July 2020 to sit your exam on 9th September 2020. After that, we won’t accept new registrations for the 2014 specification. We’ll only accept registrations for resits. 

You don’t need to do anything if you’ve already registered for your exam.

The new 2018 specification will be available on our e-learning platform from the 4th November.

From the 4th November we are advising new students to enrol in the new syllabus, keeping the 2014 version for those already studying and resit students.

CLASSROOM LEARNERS

All of our classroom courses will be teaching the 2018 specification from September 2019. You’ll be registered for your exam at the time of your booking, so you don’t have to do anything. 

If you’ve sat a classroom course with us before September and failed your exams, then you’ll have until March 2022 to resit. You’ll just need to get in touch with us 8 weeks before your chosen date to register.  

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR MY EXAM?

Speak to our training team to register for your NEBOSH General Certificate exam. 

IF I FAIL MY EXAMS, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO RESIT?

You can resit your exams as many times as you need. Remember, the last exam date is March 2022.

I’VE ALREADY PASSED THE NEBOSH GENERAL CERTIFICATE, IS MY QUALIFICATION STILL VALID?

It certainly is! When you’ve passed the NEBOSH General Certificate, it cannot be taken away from you. It will still be relevant for health and safety job applications. And you can still use it to apply for membership of professional membership organisations like IOSH and IIRSM.