New NEBOSH General Certificate Syllabus

In 2019, NEBOSH introduced an updated syllabus for the NEBOSH General Certificate. This was to reflect the latest industry standards and best practices in health and safety.

Let’s explore the key changes to the NEBOSH General Certificate syllabus, including updates to assessment methods and course content.

Why Has the NEBOSH General Certificate Syllabus Changed?

After consulting with Learning Partners, delegates, employers and subject experts, NEBOSH decided to refresh their NEBOSH General Certificate training.

A new syllabus was created based on feedback from various parties, which revealed areas for improvement to enhance the course.

The new course content reflects the role of modern safety professionals, placing greater emphasis on practical skills, risk management, and real-world application.

What Are the Main Changes to the NEBOSH General Certificate Syllabus?

Whereas the NEBOSH General was originally split into three modules, NGC1/NGC2/NGC3, the course structure has been reduced to two modules.

NG1: Management of Health and Safety

NG1 explores key occupational health and safety topics, including hazard identification, risk monitoring, and the implementation of effective safety measures. This unit aims to give delegates a comprehensive understanding of how organisations can systematically manage health and safety to protect employees and comply with legal requirements.

A NEBOSH-approved trainer would teach this unit in a classroom over five days. Learners will also have to pass an Open Book Examination.

NG2: Risk Assessment

NG2 is a practical assignment that requires delegates to conduct a risk assessment at their workplace and apply knowledge gained from NG1. By engaging in this hands-on approach, delegates actively develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and practical experience. This enables them to improve health and safety within their organisations.

How Does the General Certificate Benefit an Organisation?

Upskilling your workforce with the NEBOSH General Certificate comes with multiple benefits for organisations, such as:

• Enhances credibility and reputation – Strengthens the organisation’s image and builds confidence among clients and stakeholders.
• Minimises accidents and risks – Identifies potential hazards and implements measures to reduce incidents and losses.
• Comply with legislation – Ensures adherence to industry regulations, avoiding legal penalties and maintaining ethical standards.
• Growth in clientele – Attracts new customers and business opportunities by showcasing reliability and quality.
• Minimised costs – Cuts unnecessary expenses by streamlining processes, lowers the risk of injuries, and eliminates the need for travel to training.

What is the NEBOSH Open Book Exam? 

One of the main changes to the NEBOSH syllabus is the assessment process. Previously, the delegate had to attend the NGC1 exam at a training centre. With NG1 now being assessed online, NEBOSH refers to this as the “Open Book Exam”.

Exams are scheduled on a specific day and remain accessible for a full 24-hour period. Allowing flexibility to choose a convenient time within that window to complete their assessment. This approach also accommodates different time zones, work schedules, and personal commitments.

The Open Book Exam allows delegates to use notes and course materials, which helps to reduce the pressure of the final assessment.

To take the exam, delegates must log in on a device with a screen within the allotted time window. It’s recommended to use a reliable device and to ensure a quiet environment with minimal distractions.

How Do I Attend the Open Book Exam?

To attend the Open Book Exam, the learner needs to follow this process:

• Register – 3B Training will send the individual the Delegate Registration Form, which they will need to complete and send it back to 3B Training.
• Log in to the exam – Eight days before the exam, NEBOSH will send the delegate their login details to the platform. They can then log in and familiarise themselves with the platform.
• Examination day – At 9 am, delegates will be able to access the OBE question paper on the platform. They will have 24 hours to complete and submit their completed exam.
• Closing interview – Following the exam, 3B Training will arrange a closing interview to discuss the training and gather feedback from the course.
• Get your results – NEBOSH will email the results to you up to 50 days from the exam day.

Upcoming examination dates and the predicted results notification dates for digital assessments can be found on the NEBOSH website.

Will the New Syllabus Affect NEBOSH Construction Certificate?

These changes will affect delegates who attend the NEBOSH Construction Certificate. These delegates must complete the NG1 unit, which is also featured in the NEBOSH General Certificate and an Open Book Exam.

Although there have been some changes with the NEBOSH Construction course, the delegates completing the NCC1 unit will still have to complete an in-person exam.

Conclusion

Overall, introducing a new NEBOSH General Certificate has modernised the course content and assessment methods, making the qualification more accessible and relevant to today’s professionals.

These changes not only benefit General Certificate learners but also impact those taking the Construction Certificate, ensuring consistent standards across both qualifications.

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Original Post Date September 2020

Updated August 2025