What are NEBOSH courses?
NEBOSH courses are globally recognised qualifications which cover health and safety, risk management, fire hazards, environmental and wellbeing subjects.
The full range of NEBOSH certifications takes students from entry-level understanding to becoming fully qualified health and safety professionals.
Over 50,000 people take NEBOSH qualifications every year. Currently, a total of 170,000 people hold the NEBOSH General Certification. But fewer still have gone on to complete the gold standard diploma course.
NEBOSH qualifications cover different levels of expertise, from entry-level to advanced, and are suitable for individuals at various stages of their health and safety careers. They are highly regarded by employers and professionals in various industries worldwide.
What Does NEBOSH Stand For?
NEBOSH stands for the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health.
Since its inception as an examination board in 1979, NEBOSH has specialised in providing internationally recognised occupational safety and health (OSH) training to workers across various industries. In fact, through its learning partners, NEBOSH delivers safety courses in more than 130 countries.
NEBOSH Accredited Qualifications
NEBOSH offers globally recognised health and safety qualifications that cover:
- Risk management
- Fire Safety
- Construction Management
- Environmental Management
- Process Safety Management
- …and more.
If you’re looking to progress your career in health and safety, you’ll become very familiar with NEBOSH and the various courses and training opportunities they offer.
A Standard for Health and Safety Careers
Many job opportunities and adverts specify NEBOSH’s qualifications as an entry requirement as they’re highly regarded by employers and professionals in various industries worldwide.
The qualifications cover different levels of expertise, from entry-level to advanced, and are suitable for individuals at various stages of their careers.
Who can do a NEBOSH course?
Anyone responsible for health and safety can take a NEBOSH course, leading to a highly sought-after qualification.
Typically, NEBOSH’s courses are aimed at:
- Senior managers, managers and supervisors
- Health and safety professionals
- Anyone with health and safety responsibilities in the workplace
- Anyone who wants to further their health and safety career
Ways to take a NEBOSH course
Our NEBOSH courses are available on our open programme, with a calendar of virtual and classroom events.
You can book a place for yourself, an employee or a group of staff.
Every NEBOSH course in the TSW Open Programme can be delivered digitally via e-learning, remote training and distance learning.
Why Choose TSW Training’s NEBOSH Courses?
- TSW is a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner: We are a widely respected Health and Safety Training provider approved to NEBOSH’s highest level and awarded NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner Status.
- Our Achievement Rates: We successfully deliver hundreds of health and safety qualifications each year, helping learners achieve their NEBOSH Certification and further their health and safety careers. Our exam pass rate is well above the national average, a testament to the level of support and learning we provide to learners.
- Tutor Expertise & Support: Working towards your NEBOSH qualifications, TSW Training gives you access to our quality-assured network of health and safety experts, consisting of chartered health and safety practitioners.
NEBOSH Courses FAQs
Who should take NEBOSH courses?
Anyone who is responsible for health and safety can take a NEBOSH course, leading to a highly sought-after accredited qualification.
Typically, NEBOSH’s qualifications are aimed at:
- Managers and supervisors
- Health and safety professionals
- Anyone who wants to further their health and safety career
Are NEBOSH qualifications internationally recognised?
Yes, NEBOSH qualifications are globally recognised and respected by employers, professional bodies, and regulatory authorities in many countries.
Why do a NEBOSH course?
Earning a NEBOSH qualification demonstrates your competence and knowledge in health, safety, and environmental management. It can enhance your career prospects, improve job opportunities, and help you make a positive impact in the workplace by ensuring a safer and healthier environment.
What are the benefits of NEBOSH qualifications for businesses?
Having NEBOSH-qualified employees helps businesses provide a safe working environment, and comply with health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
How do I know which NEBOSH course to take?
Choosing the right NEBOSH course depends on various factors such as your current job role, career aspirations, industry sector, and level of experience in health, safety, and environmental management.
Take time to assess each option available to you, consider your experience level, skillset, career aspirations and course syllabuses. If you’re still unsure, get in touch with our expert team of NEBOSH-accredited health and safety trainers.
How long does it take to complete a NEBOSH course?
The duration of NEBOSH courses can vary depending on the level and type of qualification you choose, as well as the mode of study (e.g., full-time, part-time, online).
Here is a general guideline of the typical durations for some of our NEBOSH courses:
- NEBOSH General Certificate – usually delivered over a period of 10 days in a classroom setting. Still, it can also be completed through virtual online or e-learning, which may offer more flexibility in terms of study time.
- NEBOSH Construction Certificate – The NEBOSH Construction Certificate is designed for those working in the construction industry. It is often delivered over a period of 10 days in a classroom or blended learning format.
- NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate – The NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate focuses on fire safety and prevention. It is usually completed over a duration of 5 to 10 days, depending on the delivery method.
- NEBOSH Environmental Certificate – The NEBOSH Environmental Certificate focuses on environmental management and is typically completed over a period of 5 to 10 days.
Are NEBOSH courses available online?
Yes, all our NEBOSH courses can be taken online or via e-learning.
How are NEBOSH courses assessed?
NEBOSH assessments typically involve written exams and practical assessments, depending on the course.
The NEBOSH General Certificate for example, consists of an online open-book exam and a practical risk assessment.
What if I fail my NEBOSH assessment or exam?
- Getting a ‘refer’ means you haven’t achieved enough marks to pass, and you’ll need to re-sit the exam.
- If the ‘refer’ process remains unchanged for the new OBE, you can re-sit the exam as many times as needed up to five years after you fail.
- The marks aren’t capped if you re-sit. You could fail the first time and get a distinction the second – NEBOSH won’t penalise you for a past fail.
- If you have an off day when you take the exam, you can take it again before you’ve even got your marks back.
- You might be charged a fee, so speak to your training provider if you need to resit straightaway.
- If you’ve been unwell, struggled with childcare, or work took over in the lead-up to the exam, that gives you flexibility.
How long do the certificates take to be awarded?
To gain your NEBOSH certification, you must complete each of the assessments required for the specific qualification.
Once you receive an official ‘pass’ grade for the required assessments, you will receive your NEBOSH certificate.
Do NEBOSH certificates expire?
No, once you have completed a NEBOSH course and gained a certificate, it never expires.
Are there any prerequisites for NEBOSH courses?
NEBOSH does not stipulate specific entry requirements for many of its qualifications; however, they do state the importance of learners being able to read and write in English.
This is so that learners can understand and communicate the information contained in the syllabus.
It is advised that Learners undertaking a NEBOSH qualification reach a minimum standard of written and spoken English equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher.
To learn more about these language requirements, please look at the IELTS website.
What is the difference between NEBOSH and IOSH?
IOSH is a Chartered body, and NEBOSH is an examination body.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, or IOSH, is a Chartered membership body for workers in health and safety that also offers qualifications.
Based in the UK, IOSH is the largest health and safety body globally, with 48,000 members worldwide.
It’s self-regulating and governing, meaning it’s widely trusted and highly respected. As a Chartered body, IOSH keeps company with Oxford and Cambridge University, among other world-leading organisations.
The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) is an awarding body, is UK-based and offers many health, safety and environmental management qualifications, delivered through its network of approved training providers (of which TSW is one).
To find out more about the difference between IOSH and NEBOSH, take a look at our article “What is the difference between IOSH and NEBOSH?“
Should I take the NEBOSH General Certificate or the IOSH Managing Safely?
The NEBOSH National General Certificate In Occupational Health And Safety is perfect for those with health and safety responsibilities, but if you are looking for a lower-level course to provide fundamental knowledge and understanding, the IOSH Managing Safely might be a better fit.
Take a look at our IOSH vs NEBOSH comparison.
What’s The Difference Between The International And National NEBOSH General Certificate?
The International and National NEBOSH General Certificates are very similar – they’re both level 3 qualifications and are a route to Technical IOSH Membership.
The qualifications differ regarding legislation and laws – the National is focused on the UK’s key legal requirements.
The International General Certificate will serve your career well wherever you choose to work in the world. If you have no plans to work overseas and your career will be UK-based, the National General Certificate is the course for you.
To find out more about the similarities and difference, take a look at our article “What’s The Difference Between The International And National NEBOSH General Certificate?“