NEBOSH General Certificate Exams

The NEBOSH General Certificate is assessed in a two-step process:

• GNC1/GIC1: An online open-book exam (OBE) and supporting closing interview
• GNC2/GIC2: A workplace-based practical risk assessment

The GNC1/GIC1 exam and GNC2/GIC2 assessment are both submitted via the NEBOSH Exam Portal. You must pass both of them to achieve your qualification.

You can find further details on the OBE exams in the NEBOSH Guide here:

OBE Learner Guide

Remember, you need to register for your NEBOSH General Certificate exam at least 5 weeks before your chosen exam date. Please select your dates carefully; your exam registration cannot be cancelled or transferred after the registration deadline has passed.

2018 Specification Disclaimer: The final assessment date for the 2018 specification NG2/IG2 Assessment is in August 2026. If you have not passed your assessment by then, you will be moved to the new specification.

GNC1/GIC1 Open Book Exam Dates

GNC2/GIC2 Practical Assessment Submission Dates

NG1/IG1 Open Book Exam Dates

NG2/IG2 Practical Assessment Submission Dates

Please click here to book your exam.

GNC1/GIC1 Scenario-Based Open Book Exam

You will be sent login details for the NEBOSH online exam portal 3 days before your exam date. These will arrive by email directly from NEBOSH. You should take this time to get to know the platform and address any challenges before your exam day.

Exam Day

Your open-book exam paper will be available from 11:00am UK time. You will have 24 hours to complete and submit your exam, although it is expected to take you around 3 hours to complete.

Closing Interviews

Closing interviews are held within the weeks following your open-book exam, and you will be able to arrange a suitable date and timeslot for this. The interview should last around 10 minutes and will be completed online through Microsoft Teams.

Don't worry, the interview doesn't impact your marks for your paper. It's simply there to confirm your identity and make sure it was you who completed the exam.

GNC2/GIC2 Practical Risk Assessment

The GNC2/GIC2 tests your ability to apply your learning in a real-world workplace. You will be required to produce a risk assessment of your workplace that identifies a range of hazards, and be able to evaluate the risks accordingly and suggest relevant control measures and planning to prevent incidents. The minimum pass mark is 60%.

The deadline to submit your practical risk assessment is 10 working days from your chosen GNC2/GIC2 exam date. NEBOSH recommends you spend around 4 hours on the risk assessment in this window. This should allow you to show your understanding and complete a quality risk assessment; however, you can take more or less time if you wish. Just remember to submit your final assessment by the submission date you’ve registered against. This is assessment is also submitted via NEBOSH's online assessment platform.  

You can find further guidance on the GNC2/GIC2 practical assessment here in our blog:

GNC2/GIC2 Guidance

Results and Certificate Delivery

Both units' results will be issued 60 working days from your chosen assessment date for that specific Unit. This means that learners will receive the outcome of their whole qualification at the same time.  This is sent directly from NEBOSH.

If you are successful, your certificate will arrive in the post 6-8 weeks after your notification of results.

Exam Re-sits

If you have had a referral on a NEBOSH General Certificate exam, don't worry!

Our exam advisor can provide you all the useful information you need to re-sit your exam and offer useful resources to help you prepare.

A re-sit exam is £230 GBP (+VAT).

Course Extensions

Online learners have 12-months access to the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety materials via the Astutis LMS.

If purchasing the exam with the course, online learners have 12-months from the point of purchase to book and sit their exams.

Learners may purchase a course extension which includes the new NEBOSH exam fee if they are unable to complete their studies in the 12-months.

This extension must be purchased before the elapse date.