Why Should You Study the NEBOSH National General Certificate?
The NEBOSH National General Certificate is one of the most recognised health and safety qualifications for people who want to manage workplace risks, improve safety standards, and support safer working environments.
Updated for 2026, the qualification is designed to reflect the needs of today’s workplaces. It is suitable for managers, supervisors, and anyone with health and safety responsibilities, as well as learners looking to begin a career in occupational health and safety.
By completing the NEBOSH General Certificate, you can build practical risk management skills, understand how to apply health and safety principles at work, and gain a qualification that is respected by employers across different industries.
💡 Did You Know? The NEBOSH National General Certificate is accredited and credit-rated at SCQF Level 6 with 11 SCQF credit points, which is comparable to RQF Level 3 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Who is the NEBOSH National General Certificate For?
The NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is suitable for anyone with health and safety responsibilities at work or who wants to move into a recognised safety role. It is commonly chosen by managers, supervisors, team leaders, business owners, and those starting a career in occupational health and safety.
This qualification helps learners understand how to identify workplace hazards, manage risks, support employee wellbeing, and contribute to safer working practices. It is also useful for professionals who want to strengthen their health and safety knowledge, improve compliance, and build confidence when handling health and safety duties in the workplace.
For those aiming to progress in the sector, the NEBOSH National General Certificate provides a strong foundation for further study, professional recognition, and long-term career development in health and safety.
NEBOSH National General Certificate Course Programme
The NEBOSH National General Certificate is designed to build both health and safety knowledge and practical risk management skills. The qualification follows the 2026 syllabus, with the units tailored to modern workplace hazards, replacing the legacy NG1 and NG2 structure.
The course is made up of two units: GNC1: Management of Health and Safety and GNC2: Risk Assessment. Together, these units help learners understand how to manage workplace health and safety and apply that knowledge through a practical risk assessment.
Unit GNC1: Management of Health and Safety
GNC1 focuses on the core principles of health and safety management. It helps learners understand how workplace risks are controlled, how legal duties apply, and how organisations can improve their safety performance.
- Reasons for Managing Health and Safety: Understand the moral, legal, and financial reasons for protecting people at work.
- Health and Safety Law: Learn how duties apply to employers, employees, and others in the workplace.
- Management Systems: Explore how organisations plan, monitor, review, and improve health and safety arrangements.
- Safety Culture: Understand how leadership, communication, and worker behaviour influence workplace safety.
- Emergency Planning: Learn how safe systems of work, emergency procedures, and control measures support safer operations.
Unit GNC2: Risk Assessment
GNC2 focuses on identifying hazards and applying practical risk assessment controls across core environmental areas, including physical, psychological, musculoskeletal, chemical, biological, and equipment safety.
- Workplace Profiling: Review a real workplace and identify relevant hazards, activities, and people at risk.
- Hazard Identification: Recognise physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards.
- Risk Assessment: Evaluate existing controls and decide what further action is needed to reduce risk.
- Action Planning: Create a realistic plan that explains what needs to be done, by whom, and within what timeframe.
- Review and Communication: Present findings clearly and understand how risk assessments should be reviewed over time.
Benefits of the Course
The NEBOSH National General Certificate provides reliable training with key benefits:
- ✓ Globally recognised qualification valued by employers.
- ✓ Opportunities for career growth in health and safety roles.
- ✓ Practical skills to improve workplace safety immediately.
- ✓ Enhanced employability for top-tier safety positions.
- ✓ Ability to implement effective safety systems and compliance.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for the NEBOSH National General Certificate, but it is recommended that learners have a basic workplace knowledge and a suitable standard of English to fully engage with the course content.
NEBOSH advises that learners should have an English proficiency equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher to understand and articulate the concepts in the syllabus. This course is open to anyone seeking a career in health and safety, from managers to entry-level workers.
How Long is the NEBOSH National General Certificate Course?
The NEBOSH National General Certificate includes guided learning, independent study, and assessment preparation. Learners should plan for at least 66 hours of taught learning, with additional time set aside for private study, reading, and revision.
You can book the course in different study formats, including online self-paced learning, classroom training, and onsite training for organisations. Online self-paced learning gives learners more flexibility around their schedule, while classroom training follows a more structured timetable. On-site training is suitable for employers who want a provider to train multiple staff members at their workplace.
In addition to the taught element, learners are expected to complete around 40 hours of self-study and background reading. Fast-track learners may complete the qualification in as little as 10 working days, although the overall timeframe will depend on the provider, learning format, study pace, and assessment schedule.
How Do I Complete the NEBOSH National General Certificate?
To complete the NEBOSH National General Certificate, learners must study through a NEBOSH-accredited Learning Partner before taking the required assessments. You can book the course through Hurak and choose from available study options delivered by approved Learning Partners, including online self-paced learning, classroom training, and onsite training for organisations.
The process usually includes the following steps:
- Choose your study option: Select online self-paced, classroom, or onsite training based on your schedule and learning preference.
- Complete the required learning: Study the course content with your chosen Learning Partner before moving on to assessment registration.
- Receive your registration email: NEBOSH will send a Confirmation of Registration email with your learner number and assessment details.
- Check your personal details: Review your name and learner details carefully, and report any errors before the assessment date.
- Access the exam platform: NEBOSH will send separate login details for the online examination platform before your digital assessment.
- Complete the GNC1 assessment: Learners have 24 hours to access, complete, and submit the digital paper from 11 am UK time.
- Submit the GNC2 assessment: Complete a practical workplace risk assessment and upload it to the platform on or before the deadline (within 10 working days of your GNC1 exam date).
💡 Your Learning Partner will take care of your NEBOSH registration process, so you can focus on your study, assessment preparation, and practical risk assessment.
NEBOSH National General Certificate Assessment
To complete the NEBOSH General Certificate, learners must first enrol on a course with an accredited learning partner. Self-study candidates cannot register for the examinations independently.
Once the training programme is complete, the learning partner registers the candidate for the assessment cycle. Following registration, NEBOSH issues an automated confirmation email containing secure login credentials for the official NEBOSH online assessment platform.
The NEBOSH qualification is assessed via two distinct, mandatory components:
- Unit GNC1 – Digital Open Book Examination: This unit is assessed through a remote, scenario-based digital examination. Learners are given a 24-hour window to complete and upload the paper, starting at 11:00 am UK time on the specified examination date. NEBOSH sets strict global dates for this assessment; coordinate with the learning partner to view upcoming exam schedules.
- Unit GNC2 – Practical Risk Assessment: This practical component requires conducting a comprehensive risk assessment in a real-world workplace. Candidates must profile the workplace environment, identify operational hazards across at least five distinct categories, prioritise critical issues, and develop a justified action plan.
- Important Submission Rule: Under the syllabus rules, the completed GNC2 practical assessment must be uploaded directly to the online NEBOSH Assessment Platform within 10 working days following the GNC1 digital examination date.
- Unified Results Delivery: Results for both units are released simultaneously within 50 working days from the GNC1 exam date. Upon passing both individual components, the official NEBOSH National General Certificate is awarded.
Achieving this qualification satisfies the academic requirements to apply for Affiliate Membership (AIOSH) or Associate Membership (AIIRSM) with the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, while also creating an academic progression pathway toward Technical Membership (TechIOSH) under current IOSH professional entry guidelines.
Certification and Grading Structure
The final qualification grading (Pass, Credit, or Distinction) is determined solely by the numerical mark achieved in the Unit GNC1 written examination. The overall certificate is only issued once a passing standard is achieved in both units.
Unit GNC1 Exam Grading Scale (Out of 100 Marks):
- Distinction: 75+ marks
- Credit: 65–74 marks
- Pass: 45–64 marks
- Refer (Fail): 0–44 marks
Unit GNC2 Practical Marking Scale:
Unlike the previous pass/fail check, the updated GNC2 practical follows a structured points-based system scored out of 100 marks across core assessment stages. A minimum score of 60 marks is required to pass. Candidates receive a detailed breakdown of marks automatically upon the release of results.
Common Questions
Can I Do the NEBOSH General Certificate Online?
Yes, the NEBOSH General Certificate is available online. Full-time study usually takes around 2-3 weeks to complete. However, if you can dedicate more focused time, many learners can finish in just 10 working days. The flexibility of online learning lets you set your own pace, making it a great choice for those wanting to complete the qualification quickly.
What Payment Plans Are Available for the NEBOSH General Certificate?
We offer flexible payment options to suit your budget, allowing you to pay for your course in manageable instalments. Whether you prefer a lump-sum payment or a spread-out payment plan, we offer options to make the NEBOSH General Certificate more accessible.
Cost of the NEBOSH General Certificate Course
The course itself is £395 (£474 including VAT), which includes all the comprehensive learning resources you need to succeed. To complete your studies, there is a mandatory exam fee of £290 covering both the GNC1 and GNC2 assessments, with individual unit resits available at £145 if required. This upfront approach ensures you are thoroughly prepared for your exams with absolutely no hidden surprises.
What Career Opportunities Are Available After the NEBOSH General Certificate?
Upon completing the NEBOSH General Certificate, you will be qualified for a variety of roles in health and safety management across industries such as construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and more. Some roles you can pursue include Health and Safety Officer, Health and Safety Manager, Risk Assessor, Safety Advisor, Compliance Officer, and Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator.
These positions offer competitive salaries, typically ranging from £30,000 to £45,000 per year, depending on experience, industry, and location. With further experience, these roles offer opportunities for advancement and higher earnings, making the NEBOSH General Certificate a valuable qualification for career growth.
How Can I Advance My Career After the NEBOSH General Certificate?
After completing the NEBOSH National General Certificate, you can enhance your expertise by pursuing one of the NEBOSH Level 6 Diplomas. These diplomas provide deeper knowledge and help you advance your career in health and safety management. We offer two progression options: the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma, ideal for those wishing to specialise in UK health and safety regulations, and the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma, designed for those seeking global health and safety roles.
Both diplomas provide advanced knowledge, helping you advance to higher roles such as Health and Safety Director, Senior Safety Advisor, and more. Additionally, both diplomas can lead to Chartered Membership (CMIOSH) with IOSH, enhancing your professional credentials and career prospects.
These diplomas offer a clear pathway for professional development, enabling greater responsibility, higher salaries, and better career opportunities in the field of health and safety.
Why Book With Us?
Booking through our platform means you get reliable NEBOSH training with trusted benefits:
- ✓ 100,000+ learners trained nationwide
- ✓ Accredited courses delivered by qualified instructors
- ✓ Simple online booking with instant confirmation
- ✓ Cost-effective options for both individuals and groups
- ✓ Certificates recognised across all UK industries
