NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate Exams

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

EMC1: An online open book exam (OBE) and supporting closing interview

EMC2: A workplace-based practical risk assessment

You need to pass both assessments to achieve your qualification.

Please note: For any assessments taken after 1st August 2023, all assessments must be submitted in PDF format only.

EMC1: Open Book Exam

Unit EMC1 is assessed with an open book exam which is submitted online. The exam should take around 3 hours, but you'll have 24 hours to download your exam paper, complete your answers, and submit them to the NEBOSH portal for marking.

The exam paper will include a case study and set of task-based questions which relate to the content covered in elements 1-9 of the course. 

The aim of the exam is to test your ability to apply your learning to a real workplace scenario. Your answers should be relevant to the given situation and, when appropriate, reference evidence from it directly.

EMC2: Practical Risk Assessment

Unit EMC2 is a marked risk assessment. You need to apply your understanding of elements 3-9 by reviewing the environmental aspects and impact of your own workplace. 

The risk assessment is split into 4 stages, based on the requirements of ISO 14001:2015:

• Introduction to the organisation and methodology used
• Identification of environmental aspects, associated impacts, an existing controls
• Significant aspects, key issues, and recommended additional measures
• Communication and review

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 Environmental Management Certificate exam at least 5 weeks before your chosen exam date.

EMC1 Open Book Exam Dates

EMC2 Practical Assessment Submission Dates

NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate Open Book Exam Process

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.

Please note: For any assessments taken after 1st August 2023, all assessments must be submitted in PDF format only.

Exam Day

Your open book exam paper will be available from 11:00 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 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.

Your NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate Exam Results

Results for your exam paper should be emailed to you within 50 working days of your exam date. Your full qualification will not be complete until you pass your EMC2 practical assessment.

Upon successful completion a certificate is issued and sent in the post directly from NEBOSH. This can take up to 6-10 weeks after receiving your results.

If you have had a referral on a NEBOSH Environmental Management 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).