How Can I Get a NEBOSH Certificate?
What is the difference between a Certificate and a Diploma?
When people refer to the NEBOSH Certificate, they usually mean the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety which is equivalent to a Level 3 qualification. Most people who have never done a NEBOSH qualification before will usually opt to complete this first when pursuing a career in health & safety. The General Certificate covers UK legislation so is not suitable for learners based in other countries to complete.
When the NEBOSH Diploma is referred to, the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals is what is meant by this. This level 6 qualification is equivalent to degree level and is not recommended for those at the start of their health & safety career or for learners who have not completed a NEBOSH Certificate level qualification.
Are there different types of NEBOSH Certificate?
As stated earlier, when talking about a “NEBOSH Certificate”, people are generally talking about the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. As the name implies, this course covers a broad range of health & safety issues within the UK, being ‘general’. However, there are other NEBOSH Certificate courses that are industry specific. Let’s look briefly at two other popular NEBOSH Certificate courses:
NEBOSH Health & Safety Management for Construction Certificate (UK)
The Construction Certificate provides a broad understanding of construction related health & safety issues and covers topics such as Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM). It is suitable for those working in the construction industry or for health & safety professionals wanting to expand their career options within the construction industry.
NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety
The Fire Certificate is specific to fire safety and provides the knowledge and understanding to advise on fire protection of premises and workers, and carry out fire risk assessments in low to medium risk workplaces.
How can I get a NEBOSH General Certificate?
To complete the NEBOSH General Certificate successfully, you must complete a minimum of 68 taught hours and approximately 40 hours of private study and background reading.
However, if you choose to enrol in a classroom course with Compass, you can fast track to complete the qualification in 10 working days.
Following on from this, you will need to complete an open book exam for the first module NG1, as well as complete a practical based assessment for NG2 which involves submitting a risk assessment based on your workplace (however, Compass can find you a suitable workplace for your risk assessment if you are currently unemployed).
If you successfully pass both NG1 and NG2, NEBOSH will issue your certificate which should be received within 50 working days from the date of the examination or submission of assignment.
What are my study options?
Compass Skills Training provide three types of delivery method for studying the NEBOSH General Certificate, each which has it’s own advantages. Typically, students tend to learn best in a classroom based environment. However, what is best for you will depend on your own learning style and personal circumstances.
In-person classroom
Our in-person classroom is our most popular study option. Being based in Chorley, Lancashire, in-person classroom courses take place at Compass House which is located right beside the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Students who choose this option will find it easier to concentrate on their studies, free from the distractions of work or home life. They will also enjoy peer networking as they get to know other health & safety professionals throughout the course and learn from their experiences, further enriching the learning experience. Attendance of an in-person course also includes physical study guides, the Compass MyKademy Portal, and lunches each day of the course.
Virtual online classroom
Students can attend a real-time virtual classroom from their comfort of their own home or office. The virtual classroom is connected to the in-person classroom so will always run over the same dates. Learners will be able to take part in classroom discussions and activities remotely. Students also get access to the Compass MyKademy Portal and physical study guides.
eLearning
Our eLearning study option, accessed through the Compass MyKademy Portal, is ideal for self motivated learners who are not able to attend a classroom course. Students who opt for eLearning have 6 months access to the online portal and can study at their own pace utilising the quizzes, study guides, mock exam & videos found there.
How much does a NEBOSH Certificate cost?
Prices start at £995 + vat for eLearning, and exam costs for the General Certificate will be £184 from April 2025. For more information on costs, click the link to see our course page here NEBOSH National General Certificate – Compass Skills Training.
Progression from the NEBOSH General Certificate
After successfully completing the NEBOSH General Certificate, learners are entitled to:
- Affiliate Membership (AIOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
- The qualification also meets the academic requirements for Technical Membership (Tech IOSH) of IOSH with appropriate experience.
- Associate Membership (AIIRSM) of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).
- An invitation to the Compass Annual Celebration Evening
Learners may also want to progress on to the NEBOSH National Diploma, mentioned earlier in this article.
Want your questions answered by a real person?
Speak directly to our Sales & Marketing Manager, Izzi, who completed a NEBOSH certificate qualification in 2023.
