Open Book Exams introduced for NGC and IGC

NEBOSH is introducing open book exams for the NEBOSH General Certificate and NEBOSH International Certificate

NEBOSH, like organisations around the world, is adapting to the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEBOSH want people to feel safe when organising or attending a NEBOSH assessment, and have therefore brought forward and expanded plans to offer remote and online assessments for a range of qualifications and courses.

The first phase of this project is to introduce open book exams for both the NEBOSH National and International General Certificates – units NG1, IG1, NGC1 and IGC1. This will replace in-person closed book exams and enable learners to sit their NEBOSH assessment in their own home or another safe and suitable location.

NEBOSH are currently adapting its internal processes and infrastructure to deliver the open book exams and anticipate that the first assessments will take place during July. People wishing to register for an assessment will be able to do so through Astutis once these details have been finalised. As a Gold Learning Partner, Astutis will support NEBOSH communicating these details to current customers and as well as our online community of health and safety professionals.

NEBOSH are also looking at alternatives for those people ready to sit a GC2 exam. Again, NEBOSH will communicate the details of this as shortly.

David Morgan, NEBOSH Interim Chief Executive, says: 

“The health of our learners is paramount. We want them to feel safe when they carry out their NEBOSH assessments and the best way to do this is transform the way we do things.

“We have worked closely with our regulator, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, to maintain the rigour and recognition people have come to expect from NEBOSH over its 40-year history. COVID-19 has certainly presented us with some challenges but the changes we’re making will enable people to gain the qualification they have worked hard for, safely.”

A phased roll-out will see other NEBOSH qualifications follow; in-person assessments are likely to be replaced by alternatives that will continue to provide the rigour and recognition people expect from a NEBOSH qualification whilst being safer for the learner during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Download the Learner Guide.

Further information about open book exams as well as frequently asked questions, is available in the Learner Guide.