NEBOSH IGC to GIC Explained: New Unit Names, Assessments, and What It Means for You

NEBOSH has officially announced important updates to its flagship National and International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. These changes are designed to improve clarity, fairness, and learner experience while keeping the qualification fully aligned with modern workplace realities.

Teaching of the updated syllabus begins on 2 February 2026, with the first assessments from 4 March 2026. The existing specification will be fully phased out after August 2026.

 

Make a Course Enquiry

 

Why NEBOSH Updated the General Certificate

The NEBOSH General Certificate remains one of the most respected entry-to-intermediate level health and safety qualifications globally. As part of its quality assurance process, NEBOSH carried out an extensive review involving learners, course providers, employers, and professional bodies.

Feedback confirmed that the syllabus content itself is strong and highly relevant. However, learners asked for clearer marking of the practical risk assessment and better alignment between theory and practice. The 2026 update directly addresses these concerns.

New Unit Names: What Has Changed?

As part of the update, NEBOSH has revised the unit titles and codes:

• The former NG1 (National) and IG1 (International) are now called GNC1 and GIC1

• The former NG2 and IG2 practical risk assessments are now GNC2 and GIC2

This change reflects the updated specification while keeping the structure familiar to learners and employers.

Unit 1 (GNC1 / GIC1): What Stays the Same

The theory-based unit remains a 24-hour scenario-based assessment, testing how learners apply health and safety knowledge in realistic workplace situations. There are no changes to the assessment style, duration, or learning outcomes for this unit.

This ensures continuity for learners and training providers, while maintaining NEBOSH’s strong emphasis on practical understanding rather than rote learning.

 

Make a Course Enquiry

 

Major Improvements to the Practical Risk Assessment (Unit 2)

The most significant changes affect the practical unit, previously known as NG2 / IG2.

Online submission
Learners will now submit their practical risk assessment through the NEBOSH Assessment Platform, the same system used for the theory assessment. This replaces email-based submission and improves tracking, transparency, and consistency.

Clear submission deadline
The practical assessment must be submitted within 10 working days after the Unit 1 assessment date, creating a clear and predictable assessment timeline.

Points-based marking system
Instead of a simple “Met / Not Met” outcome, Unit 2 is now marked using a points-based system, with a 60% pass mark. Learners will also receive a mark breakdown document, showing how marks were awarded across the assessment criteria.

This is a major improvement, giving learners clearer feedback and better insight into how to improve future assessments.

Faster and More Transparent Results

Another key enhancement is the way results are released. Learners will now receive Unit 1 and Unit 2 results on the same day, exactly 60 working days after the Unit 1 assessment.

This removes long waiting periods between units and allows learners to receive their full qualification outcome at once, making planning for career progression much easier.

 

Make a Course Enquiry

 

Professional Recognition Remains Unchanged

Despite these updates, the professional value of the NEBOSH General Certificate remains fully intact.

The qualification continues to be:

• Credit-rated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

• Positioned at SCQF Level 6, comparable to RQF Level 3

• Recognised by professional bodies such as IIRSM and IOSH, supporting eligibility for Tech IOSH (subject to experience)

This means learners can still confidently use the qualification for career progression, promotions, and international recognition.

Transition Arrangements for Existing Learners

NEBOSH has introduced clear transition rules to protect learners already registered under the current syllabus.

Learners who have not yet attempted the practical unit will move to the new Unit 2 specification. Learners resitting the old NG2 or IG2 after March 2026 can continue under the old format until the final assessment window in August 2026. Learners who have already completed the practical unit are not affected.

These arrangements ensure fairness and continuity during the changeover period.

What This Means for Safetify Academy Learners

For learners enrolling with Safetify Academy, these updates mean:

• Clearer assessment expectations

• More transparent marking and feedback

• Faster, more predictable results

• A qualification that remains globally respected and employer-approved

Our training programmes are already aligned to the 2026 NEBOSH General Certificate specification, ensuring you are fully prepared for success under the updated assessment system.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 update to the NEBOSH General Certificate is not a radical overhaul, but a well-targeted improvement focused on learner experience, fairness, and practical competence. It reinforces NEBOSH’s position as the global benchmark for occupational health and safety qualifications.

If you are planning to start or continue your NEBOSH journey, this is an excellent time to enrol with Safetify Academy and benefit from expert tuition aligned with the latest NEBOSH standards.

For registration, course schedules, or academic guidance, contact Safetify Academy today.

 

Make a Course Enquiry