NEBOSH has announced revisions to both the National and International General Certificates in Occupational Health and Safety. Teaching under the revised syllabus begins on 2 February 2026, with first assessments from 4 March 2026.
The changes are relatively minor which reflects the qualification’s continued strength. Satisfaction among certificate holders remains exceptionally high. The most significant adjustments affect how the practical unit is administered and assessed.
What’s Changing?
Unit names
The familiar unit codes are being updated:
- NG1 / IG1 becomes GNC1 / GIC1
- NG2 / IG2 becomes GNC2 / GIC2
Assessment structure
- GNC1/GIC1 — Online open-book examination (OBE) with a supporting closing interview GNC2/GIC2 — Workplace-based practical risk assessment
Both assessments are submitted through the NEBOSH Exam Portal, and you must pass both to achieve the qualification.
GNC1 / GIC1: Open-Book Exam
Login credentials for the NEBOSH Exam Portal are sent to you by email, directly from NEBOSH, three days before your exam date. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the platform before exam day.
Your exam paper will be available from 11:00am UK time on the day. You have 24 hours to complete and submit it, though the paper is designed to take approximately 3 hours to complete.
Closing Interview
Following your exam, you will complete a brief closing interview, typically around 15 minutes. You will be able to choose a suitable date and time from the available slots.
Importantly, the closing interview does not affect your exam marks. Its sole purpose is to verify your identity and confirm that you completed the assessment.
GNC2 / GIC2: Practical Risk Assessment
This unit tests your ability to apply what you have learned in a real workplace setting. You will conduct a risk assessment of your own workplace, identifying a range of hazards, evaluating associated risks, and proposing appropriate control measures and preventive actions.
The minimum pass mark is 60%.
You have 10 working days from your registered GNC2/GIC2 assessment date to submit your completed risk assessment via the NEBOSH online assessment platform. NEBOSH recommends allocating around four hours to this task — enough time to demonstrate genuine understanding and produce a quality submission. You may take more or less time, but your final assessment must be submitted by your registered deadline.
Results and Certificates
Results for each unit are issued within 60 working days of your chosen assessment date for that unit, sent directly from NEBOSH.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2 February 2026 | Teaching begins under revised syllabus |
| 4 March 2026 | First assessments under new specification |
| 6 August 2026 | Final assessments under current (October 2018) specification |
What This Means Depending on Where You Are
- Haven’t started NG2/IG2 yet — You will move onto the new GNC2/GIC2 specification.
- Currently referred on NG2/IG2 — You remain on the current specification and have until August 2026 to resubmit. If you do not pass by then, you will transition to GNC2/GIC2.
- Already completed NG2/IG2 — No change; you remain on the current specification until the August 2026 final assessment date.
Recognition and Professional Membership
Both the revised and current qualifications maintain their SQA Accreditation at SCQF Level 6 (equivalent to RQF/CQFW Level 3). Certificate holders remain eligible for:
- Affiliate Membership (AIOSH) with IOSH, and the qualification continues to meet the academic requirements for Tech IOSH with appropriate experience
- Associate Membership (AIIRSM) with IIRSM
Questions?
If you are currently studying towards your NEBOSH IGC with CortexTD, or considering enrolling, get in touch with us to discuss how these changes affect your learning plan.
Further Reading
NEBOSH Resources webpage.
