NEBOSH Exam Resits and Results: How to Resit and Pass Next Time

Referred? You Can Resit

A "Refer" result means you have not yet reached the pass standard for that unit. It is not the end of your qualification. Across NEBOSH qualifications you resit only the unit you did not pass, and units you have already passed keep counting, as long as you stay within your qualification's time limit.

This guide explains how NEBOSH results and grades work, how resits work (using the International General Certificate as a worked example), and what you can do to give yourself a better chance next time. The rules differ in detail between qualifications, so always check the qualification guide for your course on the NEBOSH website.

How NEBOSH Qualifications Are Assessed

Most NEBOSH qualifications are made up of units, and you must pass every unit to receive the qualification. Units are assessed in different ways depending on the course:

• Open book examinations — scenario-based questions answered using your own knowledge and reference material, in your own words. Used at Certificate and Diploma level, for example in the IGC, the Environmental Management Certificate and the International Diploma.
• Practical assessments — for example a risk assessment of your own workplace, as in the IGC and other certificates.
• Assignments and research-based work — used at Diploma level, where you apply your learning to a workplace in more depth.
• Shorter assessments — some Award-level courses use shorter tests.

Understanding Your Results

Each unit result is either a Pass (sometimes with a grade) or a Refer:

• Pass — you reached the pass standard for the unit.
• Refer — you did not reach the pass standard yet. You can resit or resubmit that unit.
• Grades — where a qualification is graded, NEBOSH usually bases the grade on a specific unit and awards Pass, Credit or Distinction depending on your mark. Practical units are often marked only as Pass or Refer and do not affect your grade.

Your results normally include feedback showing where marks were gained or lost. This is the most valuable document you have for your resit.

Worked Example: The NEBOSH IGC

The International General Certificate has two units. In the 2026 update, IG1 was renamed GIC1 and IG2 was renamed GIC2:

• GIC1: Management of health and safety — a scenario-based open book examination taken within a 24-hour window on a set date. NEBOSH's provisional pass mark is 45%.
• GIC2: Risk assessment — a practical risk assessment of a real workplace, marked out of 100, with a pass mark of 60. Results are Pass or Refer only.

The IGC grade comes only from GIC1: Distinction 75 marks or higher, Credit 65–74, Pass 45–64.

IGC resit rules from NEBOSH's current qualification guide:

• No limit on attempts within the time limit.
• Five years to complete, counted from the date you passed your first unit. A unit five or more years old no longer counts.
• Your best mark stands. If a resit scores lower, you keep your original mark. Resit marks are not capped.
• Don't book too early. No refund is given if you register for a resit before your original result is known.
• Improving your grade. You can resit GIC1 to aim for a Credit or Distinction, but you must tell NEBOSH in writing within 20 working days of the result of your second successful unit.
• GIC2 resubmission requires a new registration and fee. Your results include a marks-per-item summary.

Other NEBOSH qualifications follow similar principles, but time limits, pass marks and grading differ. Check the qualification guide for your course, or ask us.

Think Your Mark Is Wrong?

You can submit an Enquiry About Result (EAR) to NEBOSH. For fixed-date exams the deadline is 20 working days from the results notification date. A fee applies and is refunded if the enquiry is successful. Decide on this before you book a resit.

Step by Step After a Refer

1. Read your feedback line by line and note exactly which questions or sections lost marks.
2. Find the real cause. It is usually how knowledge was applied, not a lack of knowledge.
3. Choose a realistic date on the NEBOSH exam calendar. Booking the very next date only makes sense if you can fix your weak areas in time.
4. Register through your Learning Partner. A NEBOSH fee applies per unit. Contact us for current fees.

How to Give Yourself a Better Chance of Passing

For open book examinations

• Answer the command word. "Identify" needs a short point; "describe" needs a clear picture; "explain" needs the reason why; "discuss" needs points weighed with justification. Many referred answers stop at identify level.
• Use the scenario. Refer to the people, tasks, equipment and events in the scenario. Generic textbook answers score poorly.
• Let the marks guide you. Questions worth more marks need more developed points.
• Plan your time across all questions and leave time to check. Don't spend the whole window on one question.
• Write in your own words. Copying from notes, websites or other people is malpractice, and answers are checked.
• Don't rely on "open book". Know where things are in your notes. Searching for answers during the exam costs time.

For practical assessments and assignments

• Read the official guidance and use the latest NEBOSH template.
• Choose a suitable workplace with enough variety for the task. Limit a very large site to a manageable area.
• Be specific. "Wet floor at the canteen entrance after cleaning, used by 40 staff at shift change" scores; "slips" doesn't.
• Evaluate, don't just list. Say whether existing controls are adequate and why.
• Make recommendations realistic, with a responsible person and sensible timescales.
• Complete every section. Rushed final sections are a common reason for a Refer.
• Talk to your tutor about your approach early. NEBOSH does not allow tutors to pre-mark drafts.

Study habits that make the difference

• Practise past-style questions under timed conditions.
• Get feedback on practice answers before the real exam.
• Revise little and often instead of cramming.
• Cover the whole syllabus, not just topics you like.
• Make sure your English reading and writing are at the level NEBOSH recommends, or allow extra practice time.

Resit with OHS Compliance Group

As a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner, we support candidates resitting across NEBOSH qualifications, including those who studied elsewhere:

• exam registration;
• revision focused on your feedback;
• timed mock practice with tutor marking;
• guidance for practical assessments using the latest official templates.

Get resit support

Sources: NEBOSH qualification guides and assessment guidance (including the IGC guide, specification June 2025), NEBOSH Enquiries About Results policy, and NEBOSH's January 2026 General Certificate update. Always check the latest NEBOSH documents for your course before booking.