NEBOSH has confirmed updates to the NEBOSH National and International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety qualifications, with changes coming into effect for teaching and assessments from February and March 2026.
At Kentec Training, we want to ensure our learners and clients are fully aware of what these changes mean and how they may affect anyone planning to start, or are already working towards, their NEBOSH qualification.
What are NEBOSH changing?
NEBOSH regularly reviews its qualifications to ensure they remain relevant, practical and aligned with the skills required by today’s health and safety professionals. Following its latest review, NEBOSH has confirmed that the core syllabus remains largely unchanged, reflecting strong learner satisfaction and industry confidence in the qualification.
However, there are important updates to assessment administration, particularly around the practical risk assessment.
Updated Unit Names
From 2026, the units will be renamed as follows:
- NG1 / IG1 → GNC1 / GIC1
- NG2 / IG2 → GNC2 / GIC2
Changes to the practical risk assessment (Unit 2)
Based on learner and Learning Partner feedback, NEBOSH has made the following improvements:
- Submission: The practical risk assessment will now be submitted via the NEBOSH online assessment platform, in the same way as Unit 1. Learners will have 10 working days after completing GNC1/GIC1 to submit Unit 2.
- Marking: Unit 2 will move from a met/not met outcome to a points-based marking system, with a 60% pass mark. Learners will receive a detailed mark breakdown, giving greater transparency and feedback.
- Results: Results for both units will now be issued together, 60 working days after the GNC1/GIC1 assessment. This means learners will receive the outcome of their entire qualification at the same time.
Learners who are mid-qualification will be supported through clear transition arrangements, ensuring fairness and continuity wherever possible.
Why This Matters
The NEBOSH General Certificate remains one of the most highly regarded health and safety qualifications worldwide. Recent learner data shows:
- 99% of International General Certificate holders would recommend the qualification
- 96% of National General Certificate holders would recommend it
- Over 9 in 10 learners felt prepared to carry out a low to medium risk assessment
These updates are designed to improve clarity, consistency and learner experience – without changing the strong foundations that make the qualification so valuable.
Studying with Kentec Training
Kentec Training will be delivering the updated NEBOSH General Certificate syllabus, with our next course starting from 9 March 2026 onwards.
Our experienced tutors, supportive learning environment and proven pass rates ensure you’re fully prepared – not just to pass the assessment, but to apply your knowledge confidently in the workplace. If you have any questions about the changes or how they affect you, our team will be happy to help.
📞 Want to learn more about the changes to our NEBOSH training courses? Get in touch today on 0333 666 0555 or email at info@kentectraining.co.uk. We're here to help!
