NEBOSH National General Certificate | Everything You Need to Know

The NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is the most trusted health and safety qualification in the world. The syllabus is updated consistently with input from thousands of industry experts, organisations, training providers and learners to reflect the real-world health and safety needs of a contemporary workplace.

Over 220,000 people hold a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. That makes it one of the most adopted qualifications by health and safety professionals and organisations around the world. The widespread uptake is indicative of its broad application across numerous industries, with benefits for both the employer and employee.

Because it's a foundation qualification, you don’t need any previous health and safety knowledge or experience before starting. We see Human Resource Managers, Health and Safety Officers, Directors, Public Sector Officials and all manner of employees taking the course to make their workplaces safer.

Why Is the NEBOSH General Certificate Adopted in Every Industry?

Health and safety affects us all. Every industry and profession play a part in keeping their workforce safe so that we can return home safely at the end of the day.

Most accidents and ill-health are often found to have been preventable with good health and safety management. That's why it's so important for companies to have a qualified employees with the skills and understanding to assess risk and put counter measures and processes in place.

The NEBOSH General Certificate is designed to teach learners the skills to become a health and safety specialist in any environment, from office work to construction sites. When compared to other available courses at a similar level, the NEBOSH General Certificate serves as an excellent entry point for learners hoping to eventually specialise within the health and safety profession. Businesses also choose to adopt this qualification to ensure they are remaining compliant with the relevant regulations and laws.

The course has been developed in partnership with businesses from every industry, to make sure those skills fit the needs of the employer. It's no wonder that 90% of health and safety job advertisements now ask for this qualification as a minimum requirement.

What Does the NEBOSH General Certificate Cover?

There are two versions of the course: the NEBOSH National General Certificate and the NEBOSH International General Certificate. They both follow the same structure and have the same learning outcomes; however, they differ slightly in terms of their content and application. The National version of the course covers information directly applicable to the United Kingdom, whereas the International version covers information that has worldwide applicability. If you're unsure about which is right for you, you can read more about the differences between the two courses.

Full Course Syllabus

The course has eleven elements, each with its own learning outcomes:

• Element 1: Why we should manage workplace health and safety.
• Element 2: How health and safety management systems work and what they look like.
• Element 3: Managing risk – understanding people and processes.
• Element 4: Health and safety monitoring and measuring.
• Element 5: Physical and psychological health.
• Element 6: Musculoskeletal health.
• Element 7: Chemical and biological agents.
• Element 8: General workplace issues.
• Element 9: Work equipment.
• Element 10: Fire.
• Element 11: Electricity.

The course can take anywhere between 110-125 hours to complete, depending on your chosen learning method. You’ll begin by looking at different types of laws and regulations (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 etc.) and how they apply to employees and the organisation. If the worst should happen and someone dies as a result of a workplace accident, the consequences for the company won't just be financial and a damaged reputation. 

It can also mean time in prison for anyone who has neglected their responsibilities. You’ll learn all about these consequences, the prosecution process and enforcement agencies as you work your way through the course.

Then you’ll learn about how a health and safety management system works. This includes:

• Writing a health and safety policy.
• Creating a positive safety culture.
• Improving health and safety behaviour.
• Carrying out risk assessments.
• Control measures and risk reduction.
• Developing safe systems of work.
• Investigating, recording and reporting accidents and incidents.
• Auditing management arrangements.
• Monitoring, measuring and reviewing performance.

For the rest of the course, you’ll develop the skills to confidently identify and control a wide range of common workplace hazards. For each topic, you’ll learn the key elements of the hazard and the harm they can cause to workers, contractors and the general public. You’ll then learn how to apply appropriate control measures to help reduce the risk of each hazard.

What Learning Methods Are Available for the NEBOSH General Certificate?

We offer the NEBOSH General Certificate through a full range of different methods that will service any need or requirement. The course can be delivered via:

• Online Learning: Our interactive and multimedia-rich courses are designed for staff to fit in around their other work duties. They are delivered via our innovative Online Learning Campus, which maximises productivity and information retention.
• OnlinePlus+: Combine the flexibility and ease of Online Learning, supported by virtual training sessions with dedicated tutor support.
• Virtual Learning: The Virtual Learning Academy is the most modern approach to delivering tutor-led training online without the need to travel.
• Virtual Essentials: Engage in live sessions with expert tutors, all in a streamlined package. Have access to on-demand session recordings, so you can access your training when and wherever.
• Classroom: Expert tutor-led delivery, hosted in a professional training environment across 6-sites within the UK. Alternatively, classroom training can be delivered on-site at your premises for multiple learners.
• On-Site: Professional tutor-led training delivered at your premises for multiple learners.

All of these learning methods have no hidden costs or fees. We are completely transparent about what you're paying for, so you can be sure you've paid all the necessary costs right away. We have a more detailed breakdown of the costs so you can decide the best option for you. If you require funding, there are also a number of funding options available for you to cover the cost of your education.

How Is the NEBOSH General Certificate Assessed?

The NEBOSH General Certificate has 2 assessments, which are named differently depending on whether you're completing the National or International version of the course. They are known as the GNC1 and GNC2 for the National Certificate, or the GIC1 or GIC2 for the International Certificate.

GNC1: Open Book Exam

This assessment covers the same learning outcomes from Elements 1-4, but with scenario-based questions. This helps to test your understanding and application of the knowledge, rather than memory recall. The exam is taken entirely online, so you can use digital resources and textbooks to help you.

The exam is 24-hours, which is plenty of time for you to fully work through everything and even get a bit of rest in between. You could tackle the assessment around midday, giving yourself a chance to take a rest and come back with a fresh mind the following morning. Whatever strategy you decide on, use your time well. Refine, refine, refine.

For more information on how to complete this assessment, we have a full guide for the NEBOSH GNC1/GIC1 assessment.

GNC2: Risk Assessment

The GNC2 assessment is a practical work-based assignment that assesses the ability to conduct the foundational skill of any health and safety professional - a risk assessment and control of hazards.

You can take as long as you want on your assignment, but it should only take you around 3 hours to complete.

For this assignment, you'll be asked to carry out a risk assessment of a workplace. We recommend you use your own, but you can use any workplace of your choice (even a fictional one).

The assessment is split into 4 sections, each with its own marking criteria which needs to be met:

1. Description of organisation and methodology.
2. Risk assessment.
3. Action plan.
4. Review and communicate.

We have a more detailed guide for the GNC2/GIC2 assessment available so you can complete a thorough and air-tight risk assessment.

Do not fear failure either, there are a number of actions you can take should you be unsuccessful on your first attempt.

You're now fully prepped with all the information you need to know about the NEBOSH National General Certificate. You can now head over to our course page below to try a course demo, read our FAQs and pick out your preferred learning method.