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NEBOSH General Certificate Classroom Course

The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is the UK’s most widely recognised health and safety qualification. Developed and awarded by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), it is the standard qualification for anyone pursuing a career in health and safety or taking on a dedicated health and safety role.

The qualification covers health and safety law, risk management, hazard identification and workplace safety management across all industries. It is recognised by employers throughout the UK and internationally, and is often specified as an essential or desirable requirement in health and safety job descriptions. Completing the NEBOSH General Certificate demonstrates a serious commitment to workplace safety and is widely regarded as the benchmark qualification for health and safety professionals.

Available as classroom training, online instructor-led and e-learning — all formats lead to the same NEBOSH National General Certificate.

Course Details

  • Duration: Typically 10 days plus assessment
  • Format: Classroom
  • Awarding body: NEBOSH
  • Qualification: NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
  • Suitable for: Managers, supervisors, safety representatives and those starting a health and safety career
  • Prerequisites: No formal entry requirements

Prices vary by provider, location and delivery format. Use the course search below to compare dates and fees.

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NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety infographic showing course syllabus, benefits, and study options including classroom training, online instructor-led learning and e-learning.

What is the NEBOSH General Certificate?

The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is one of the world’s most widely held health and safety qualifications, with over 70,000 people completing it every year globally. It provides a comprehensive understanding of health and safety principles, legal duties and risk management that can be applied across any industry or workplace.

The qualification is awarded by NEBOSH — the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health — a UK-based awarding body whose qualifications are recognised by employers across the UK and in over 130 countries worldwide. Holding the NEBOSH General Certificate is widely regarded as the benchmark for health and safety competence in management and supervisory roles.

What is NEBOSH?

NEBOSH stands for the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. It is a UK-based awarding body that develops and awards qualifications in health, safety, environmental management and risk management. NEBOSH was established in 1979 and its qualifications are recognised by employers across the UK and internationally in over 130 countries.

NEBOSH qualifications are endorsed by the major health and safety professional bodies including IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).

Who should attend the NEBOSH General Certificate?

The NEBOSH General Certificate is suitable for anyone with responsibility for health and safety in the workplace or those looking to develop a career in health and safety:

  • Health and safety officers and advisors
  • Managers and supervisors with safety responsibilities
  • Health and safety representatives
  • Facilities managers
  • HR professionals with safety responsibilities
  • Those starting a career in occupational health and safety
  • Those looking to progress from IOSH Managing Safely

The course is suitable for learners in any industry — construction, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, education, hospitality and office environments. No prior health and safety qualification is required.

What does the NEBOSH General Certificate cover?

The course covers essential principles of occupational health and safety management across two units — NG1 (Management of Health and Safety) and NG2 (Risk Assessment):

  • Legal, moral and financial reasons for managing health and safety
  • Health and safety management systems and policy
  • Planning, organising, controlling and reviewing health and safety
  • Consultation and communication with workers
  • Risk assessment and control measures
  • Hazard identification and workplace inspections
  • Fire safety and emergency procedures
  • Manual handling, work equipment and workplace hazards
  • Occupational health — noise, vibration, dust, COSHH and DSE
  • Incident investigation, RIDDOR and performance monitoring
NEBOSH General Certificate assessment and exams

The NEBOSH General Certificate is assessed through two units:

  • NG1 — Management of Health and Safety: Open-book examination completed remotely. Uses scenario-based questions to test understanding and application of health and safety management principles. 24-hour window to complete.
  • NG2 — Risk Assessment: Practical workplace-based risk assessment submitted after the taught element of the course. Learners must identify hazards, assess risks and make suitable recommendations for improvement in a real workplace environment.

Both units must be passed to receive the NEBOSH National General Certificate. Results are graded as Distinction, Credit, Pass or Fail.

How long does the NEBOSH General Certificate take?

The taught element is typically delivered over 10 days, though some providers deliver it as evening or weekend classes spread over several weeks. After the taught element, learners complete the NG1 open-book exam and submit their NG2 practical risk assessment. The total study period from enrolment to certification is typically 3 to 6 months depending on the delivery format and the learner’s pace.

NEBOSH General Certificate prerequisites

There are no formal entry requirements for the NEBOSH General Certificate. The following conditions apply:

  • A good understanding of written and spoken English is recommended — assessments are completed in English
  • Access to a suitable workplace or equivalent environment is required for the NG2 practical risk assessment

Although not mandatory, completing IOSH Managing Safely beforehand can be a helpful foundation.

What is the difference between NEBOSH General Certificate and NEBOSH Diploma?

The NEBOSH General Certificate is a qualification for those with health and safety responsibilities as part of a broader management or supervisory role. The NEBOSH Diploma is a higher-level qualification for dedicated health and safety professionals seeking to specialise in the field. The Diploma is broadly equivalent to a degree-level qualification and is typically pursued after completing the General Certificate. Many health and safety advisors and managers hold the General Certificate, while more senior safety professionals and consultants pursue the Diploma.

Progression after the NEBOSH General Certificate
Find NEBOSH General Certificate classroom courses near you

NEBOSH General Certificate classroom courses are available at venues across the UK:

Related Training

NEBOSH General Certificate Online Instructor-Led Course

The NEBOSH General Certificate online instructor-led course provides live, tutor-led training delivered remotely via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The course follows the same NEBOSH-approved syllabus as classroom training and leads to the same NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

This is not self-paced e-learning — it is live, interactive training with a qualified NEBOSH-accredited tutor over a structured programme of sessions. Delegates attend scheduled sessions, ask questions, interact with the tutor and engage with other learners in real time, exactly as they would in a classroom setting.

Course Details

  • Format: Live online instructor-led virtual classroom
  • Duration: Typically 10 days plus assessment
  • Awarding body: NEBOSH
  • Qualification: NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
  • Platform: Zoom or Microsoft Teams
  • Equipment needed: PC or laptop with webcam, microphone and stable internet
  • Suitable for: Managers, supervisors, safety representatives and those starting a health and safety career

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What is the online instructor-led NEBOSH General Certificate?

The online instructor-led NEBOSH General Certificate allows managers, supervisors and health and safety professionals to complete NEBOSH-approved training remotely with a live qualified tutor. Sessions are delivered via video conferencing over a structured programme and follow the same NEBOSH syllabus as classroom training, leading to the same qualification.

This is not self-paced e-learning — delegates participate in real time, ask questions and engage with the tutor throughout, exactly as they would in a classroom setting.

What does the online course cover?

The online course follows the full NEBOSH General Certificate syllabus — the same content as the classroom version:

Why choose online instructor-led NEBOSH training?
  • Study remotely from home, office or any suitable location
  • Learn from a live qualified NEBOSH-accredited tutor in real time
  • Avoid travel, accommodation and venue-related costs
  • Same NEBOSH-approved syllabus as classroom delegates
  • Ask questions and interact with the tutor during live sessions
  • Same NEBOSH National General Certificate as classroom training
  • Suits busy schedules, remote workers and geographically dispersed teams
Online vs classroom — which should I choose?

Both formats lead to the same NEBOSH National General Certificate. The right choice depends on your preference, schedule and employer requirements.

Online instructor-led Classroom
Location Home, office or any location Physical venues across the UK
Instructor Live qualified tutor via video call Live tutor in classroom setting
Cost Lower — no travel or accommodation May include travel/accommodation
Certificate NEBOSH National General Certificate NEBOSH National General Certificate
Best for Remote workers and dispersed teams Those preferring face-to-face learning
NEBOSH General Certificate assessment and exams

The qualification includes two assessments — both must be passed to receive the certificate:

  • NG1 — Management of Health and Safety: Open-book examination completed online within a 24-hour window. Uses scenario-based questions to test understanding and practical application of health and safety principles.
  • NG2 — Risk Assessment: Practical workplace-based risk assessment submitted after the taught element. Learners must identify hazards, assess risks and make suitable recommendations in a real workplace environment.

Results are graded as Distinction, Credit, Pass or Fail.

Technical requirements for online learning
  • A PC or laptop with a working webcam and microphone — mobile phones and tablets are not suitable for NEBOSH online assessments
  • Stable broadband internet connection
  • Zoom or Microsoft Teams installed and working before sessions begin
  • A quiet, private space to attend sessions and complete the NG1 assessment
  • Access to a suitable workplace for completing the NG2 practical risk assessment
Progression after the NEBOSH General Certificate

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NEBOSH General Certificate E-Learning Course

The NEBOSH General Certificate e-learning course provides flexible self-paced online study for learners who want to complete the qualification at their own pace. All course materials are accessed online through a digital learning platform, making this format ideal for those balancing training alongside work, family or other commitments.

The e-learning course covers the same NEBOSH-approved syllabus as classroom and instructor-led training and leads to the same NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

Course Details

  • Format: Self-paced e-learning
  • Duration: Self-paced — study at your own pace
  • Awarding body: NEBOSH
  • Qualification: NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
  • Access: Online learning platform
  • Suitable for: Managers, supervisors, safety representatives and flexible remote learners
  • Prerequisites: No formal entry requirements

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What is the NEBOSH General Certificate e-learning course?

The NEBOSH General Certificate e-learning course is a flexible online version of the qualification delivered through a digital learning platform. Content is delivered through interactive modules, videos and online exercises, allowing learners to progress through the material at their own pace without attending scheduled sessions.

The course covers the same NEBOSH-approved syllabus as classroom and instructor-led formats and leads to the same NEBOSH National General Certificate.

What does the e-learning course cover?

The course covers the full NEBOSH General Certificate syllabus:

Why choose NEBOSH General Certificate e-learning?
  • Study at your own pace — no fixed schedule or attendance requirements
  • Access course materials from any location with an internet connection
  • Fit training around work, travel and personal commitments
  • Revisit modules at any time to reinforce learning
  • Interactive digital content — videos, exercises and online modules
  • Same NEBOSH-approved syllabus and certificate as classroom training
  • No travel costs or time away from work for scheduled sessions
Comparing all three course formats

All three formats lead to the same NEBOSH National General Certificate. Choose the format that best suits your schedule, learning preference and employer requirements.

Classroom Online instructor-led E-learning
Schedule Fixed dates, set location Fixed dates, remote Study at any time
Instructor Live tutor in classroom Live tutor via video No live instructor
Flexibility Low Medium High
Certificate NEBOSH National General Certificate NEBOSH National General Certificate NEBOSH National General Certificate
Best for Face-to-face learners Remote/dispersed teams Self-directed learners
NEBOSH General Certificate assessment and exams

The qualification includes two assessments — both must be passed to receive the certificate:

  • NG1 — Management of Health and Safety: Open-book examination completed online within a 24-hour window. Uses scenario-based questions to test understanding and practical application of health and safety principles.
  • NG2 — Risk Assessment: Practical workplace-based risk assessment submitted after completing the course content. Learners must identify hazards, assess risks and make suitable recommendations in a real workplace environment.

Results are graded as Distinction, Credit, Pass or Fail.

Requirements for e-learning study
  • A reliable internet connection
  • A PC, laptop or tablet for accessing course materials
  • A suitable environment for studying and completing assessments
  • Access to a suitable workplace for completing the NG2 practical risk assessment
  • A good understanding of written and spoken English — assessments are completed in English
Progression after the NEBOSH General Certificate

Related Training