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IOSH Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health Principles and Practice

This qualification is for new and aspiring occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals in a variety of sectors. It provides the knowledge and skills you need at the start of your career. It’s also suitable if you already have a role with some responsibility for OSH and want to build your knowledge. You may be working as a supervisor, manager, team leader or preparing to work at this level.

What you will learn

You'll learn how to apply safety systems and positively influence OSH performance within organisations.

The content reflects the significant changes in the workplace over the past decade. You'll develop the real-world skills and knowledge employers are looking for.

There are four units of study.

  1. Fundamentals of occupational safety and health principles and management systems.
  2. Principles and application of occupational safety and health risk management.
  3. Principles and application of occupational safety and health incident management.
  4. Improving occupational safety and health performance and culture.

How are you assessed?

There is one multiple choice knowledge exam and one scenario-based assessment. Both must be passed successfully to achieve the qualification.

The multiple choice knowledge exam consists of 80 questions, you are allowed two hours to complete it and the pass mark is 70 per cent.

You can try out a practice multiple choice exam to see how it works. The practice exam has a small sample of questions and provides an insight into the style and types of question and how to navigate our online assessment platform. You do not need to enter an eight-character keycode to start the test, just choose 'OK' on the first screen. You will not get a result at the end of the practice exam.

The scenario-based assessment consists of four tasks, a workplace inspection, a risk assessment, an incident investigation, and preparation for a toolbox talk. The duration of this assessment is also two hours, and the pass mark is 50 per cent.

How do remote exams work?

There is one multiple-choice knowledge exam and one scenario-based assessment. You must pass both to complete the qualification.

Both the exam and assessment are undertaken online and remotely invigilated. This means you can take them, under exam conditions, at home, work or wherever you are.

Remote invigilation takes place online using a specialist exam platform and security software. This gives you flexibility as to where you take your exams as long as you have a stable internet connection, but they are delivered using robust procedures just like attending a test centre.

You are observed and recorded online using cameras and a shared screen.

Once your exams are scheduled, you will be sent clear instructions on how to prepare and test your equipment ahead of the exam.

You will need to have a laptop with a built-in camera, microphone, and speakers, along with a smart phone to use the exam platform and remote invigilation.

Successful completion of the Level 3 Certificate meets the academic requirements for IOSH Technical membership (TechIOSH).

We approve study centres to deliver this qualification. We're always keen to offer more choice to our learners and welcome applications from education providers to become a study centre.

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Coming soon – paper certificates

You'll soon be able to request a paper version of your certificate. We'll publish details of how to order one when this service is available.