NEBOSH National General

The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety provides a broad understanding of Health & Safety issues and is an essential qualification for anyone with health and safety responsibilities as part of their role or working in Health & Safety.

COURSE DURATION: 10 Day Course (2 Weeks Split)

Ten days classroom based, revision, plus an open book examination within a few weeks of the course. You need to attend an interview following the examination.

The NG2 Practical work-based risk assessment project exam is required to be submitted within 2 weeks of the NG1 exam date, for formal marking.

NEBOSH NG Learner Guidance:

NG-learner-guide-v3.3 MAY2025.pdf

NG1 Exam Tips:

This video will help you understand how to structure your exam questions and the steps you should take when answering the questions.

Things to remember:

You have 24-hours to complete this exam.
Read ALL questions carefully.
Double check how many points EACH question is.
Answer ALL questions - even if you're unsure about them.
READ/RE-READ THE SCENARIO - so that you fully understand it.
Take breaks in between - good to have a break to get back with a fresh mind.
Upload your exam ON TIME to the NEBOSH Portal.
Make sure people around you know you are taking an exam.
REMEMBER the P.E.E Method (Point, Evidence, Explain) to help you structure your answers!

On the Exam Day:

Download the file available on the NEBOSH website at 9am BST.
You have a 24-hour window to complete the exam.
Do not write more than around 3,000 words + 10%.
Manage your time well!
Use your materials - NG books, websites etc... just remember to reference!
Include references.
The exam is not invigilated.
You are presented with a workplace scenario and task you will need to complete.

Sample NG1 paper:

ng1-sample-eng-obe-qp (1).pdf

Closing Interviews:

Have you prepared for your CLOSING INTERVIEW?

Here are the guidelines that NEBOSH have given in preparation for your closing interview.

The closing interview can be done via video link and will be conducted by an interviewer nominated by your Learning Partner.
You need to bring any of these documents for identification purposes: Passport, Driving License, or National Identity card.
You will be notified by your Learning Partner for the date and time for your closing interview. This can be accessed through smart phone, tablet or desktop.
Interviews must be done alone in a private room, unless subject for some reasonable adjustments (such us caring children or vulnerable person). Reasonable adjustments need to be approved by NEBOSH.

Things to expect during the interview:

You will be asked to show your identification to the interviewer and this will be cross-checked with the registration details.
You will also be asked to show your room, to make sure that there is no available notes or electronic devices that you can access during the interview.
The interviewer will ask you questions based on your open book examination. This is to satisfy that the output submitted was your own work and did not ask for any assistance in completing the assessment.

If the interviewer is convinced that the output is your own , your mark will be declared in line with published NEBOSH timeframes. If unsatisfactory, the learning partner will notify NEBOSH and you will be contacted for the next step of possible next interview.

You have nothing to worry upon attending the Closing Interview as this will only to assess that your output is your personal work and this will not affect your exam marking.

Best of luck!

NG2 Risk Assessment Tips:

NG2: Learner Guidance booklet

NG2-guidance-v4 MAY2025.pdf

Step - by - step video guidance for NG2:

Video 1/6 : Background

Watch this video to help you understand how to fill out the front page of your NG Risk Assessment.

Video 2/6 : Methodology

Watch this video to help you understand how to complete 'Outline how the risk assessment was carried out' from Part 1.

Video 3/6 : Risk Assessment

Watch this video to help you understand what each column of the risk assessment means and what you should include in each column.

Video 4/6 : Moral, General Legal and Financial Arguments

This video will help you understand what information you could include in your Moral, legal and financial arguments.

Video 5/6 : Actions

This video will help you understand the 'Justifications' section a bit better. What you should include to get a pass.

Video 6/6 : Review

This video includes information about the last part of your risk assessment.

Risk Matrix:

We recommend that you use the Risk Matrix to show the scoring for 'Likelihood x Severity' in Part 3 of your NG2 (Consideration of likelihood AND severity) - this will show the examiner why you have chosen the specific action as it will be clear with how high the risk is.

(There is information on the Risk Matrix in the NG book on pages 122 - 125.)

Information you could include about the Risk Matrix:

Explain briefly what the risk matrix is - what it's used for and how it works
You could include a picture of the risk matrix (with reference where you got it from).
If you don't use a picture of the risk matrix, write what each of the numbers mean for likelihood x severity.

(For example: 1 - …, 2 - …, 3 - …, 4 -..., 5 - … for both likelihood and severity and then likelihood x severity = ….).

Figure 2: 5 x 5 risk matrix (page 124 in NEBOSH book)

Tips for NG2:

Don't rush it! Take your time filling out all sections.
Don't waffle, be clear with your points and answer ALL questions/bullet points!
To keep in mind: If you would give your NG2 to someone who doesn't know much about Health & Safety or your workplace, would they understand it?
Send final NG2 papers to us, to submit it for you on the NEBOSH Portal.

Exam Dates & Results:

Pass Marks and Re-sits:

NG1

Refer: 0 - 44

Pass: 45 - 64

Credit: 65 - 74

Distinction: 75+

If you score below 45 (Refer), you can choose to go for a 're-mark' (if it's reasonable to, for example if you scored: 43 or 44). Otherwise, you can re-sit.

NG2

You can only achieve a 'Pass' or 'Refer' in this unit.

If you get a 'Refer', you'll receive feedback from NEBOSH on the areas you would need to improve on to pass. (You only have to change the areas you failed on and not redo the entire Risk Assessment). You can then choose if you'd like to re-sit the paper.

YOU MUST achieve a 'PASS' in both units (NG1 and NG2) to be awarded the qualification.

You have a 5-year period that starts from the date you have passed your first successful unit to re-sit, in this period there is no limit how many times you can re-sit. However, any unit that is five or more years old will not count towards the qualification.