Unit Validity Extension for Certificate

Qualifications
Version 2a

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Contents
1. Policy .............................................................................................................................. 3

2. Unit validity extension rules .......................................................................................... 3

2.1 Unit validity extension process .............................................................................. 3
2.2 Additional extension requests ............................................................................... 5

3. Appeals ............................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Stage 1 Appeal ..................................................................................................... 6
3.1.1 Application ............................................................................................................. 6
3.1.2 Cost ....................................................................................................................... 6
3.1.3 Procedures ............................................................................................................ 7
3.1.4 Outcomes .............................................................................................................. 7

3.2 Stage 2 Appeal ..................................................................................................... 7

3.2.1 Application ............................................................................................................. 7
3.2.2 Cost ....................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.3 Procedures ............................................................................................................ 8
3.2.4 Outcomes .............................................................................................................. 8

3.3 Unresolved Appeals ............................................................................................ 8

3.3.1 Application ............................................................................................................. 9
3.3.2 SQA costs, procedures and outcomes .................................................................. 9

Appendix A – Example of a completed timetable ............................................................. 10

Appendix B – unit validity extension request reasons and required evidence ............. 12

Published by NEBOSH
April 2020

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health

Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1QW

tel +44 (0)116 263 4700

fax +44 (0)116 282 4000
email info@nebosh.org.uk
www.nebosh.org.uk

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1. Policy
This policy is to document the requirements to request a unit validity extension for
NEBOSH Certificate level qualifications that require successful completion of more than
one unit within a specific time period. Such qualifications are:
• NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management
• NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety
• NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety Certificate
• NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management
• NEBOSH International Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management

2. Unit validity extension rules

If the Learner cannot complete the qualification within the validity period, then the
Learner may apply to NEBOSH for an extension.

A Learner can only apply for one extension for each of the units associated to a
qualification. If the remaining units of a qualification are not successfully completed
within the extension period, the extended unit will no longer be valid, and the Learner will
be required to re-sit the unit(s) that have expired to complete the qualification.

Learners are only able to request an extension up to a maximum of 12-months. The

amount of time provided to each unit validity extension request is reviewed on a case by
case basis.

2.1 Unit validity extension process

Where qualifications require more than one unit to successfully complete the overall
qualification each successful unit has a validity period. Unit validity period information is
available in the qualification’s syllabus guide. If you would like to confirm the expiry date
of your individual units please contact our Customer Experience Team on +44
(0)1162634700, email us on info@nebosh.org.uk, or chat to us online at
www.nebosh.org.uk.

A unit is valid towards the qualification for unit validity period minus one day from the
declaration date (the date printed on the NEBOSH results letter and, when issued, the
unit certificate).

For example, the unit validity for the NGC1 is five years. A declaration date of 15
October 2018, the unit will expire on 14 October 2023.

The following table show the unit validity for each multiple unit certificate level
qualification

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 Qualification Unit
Validity
NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety 5 years
NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety 5 years
NEBOSH National Certificate in Environmental Management 2 years
NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety 5 years
NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety Certificate 5 years
NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management 5 years
NEBOSH International Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management 5 years
NEBOSH National Certificate in the Management of Health and Well-being at 2 years
Work

If the Learner is unable to successfully compete all the required units to complete the
overall qualification due to extenuating circumstance, an application to extend the unit(s)
validity can be submitted.

Only Learners who can evidence extenuating circumstances will be granted an

extension to a unit validity period.

The reasons which would be considered include:

• maternity or paternity leave which means that the Learner cannot complete a
practical assignment (NG2/IG2/ICC2/NCC2/FC2);
• the Learner has a serious illness or injury, has undergone major surgery or has
pregnancy complications;
• the Learner’s spouse/partner/child has a serious illness or injury or has
undergone major surgery;
• the death of a close relative e.g. the Learner’s spouse, partner, parent, child or
sibling;
• the Learner is posted overseas on active duty and is unable to complete the unit
assessment(s);
• other issues of a similar nature e.g. those issues covered by the Equality
Act 2010.
• Local/Global interruption resulting in restriction in examinations

Work commitments will generally not be accepted as an extenuating circumstance.

However, all requests will be reviewed, and a decision made on a case-by-case basis.

The application must be accompanied by:

• a timetable for completion of the qualification (see Appendix A);
• supporting evidence which shows why the Learner was unable to complete the
qualification and needs an extension to the validity period of a unit(s) e.g.
medical evidence (see Appendix B).

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 Requests must be submitted via the Learning Partner. Learners who do not have a
current Learning Partner can contact the NEBOSH Customer Experience Team on
+44(0)116 263 4700, or info@nebosh.org.uk for further advice.

If the extension is successful, the unit validity period for each unit forming the application
will be extended by a period which NEBOSH considers adequate to allow the Learner to
complete the qualification but will be no longer than 12-months. The extension period
will start from the expiry date of the unit in question, irrespective of when the extension is
requested. Once an extension has been applied to a unit’s validity date, this will
automatically extend the validity period.

The outcome will usually be sent to the Learner within 20 working days of receipt of the
application.

Should the Learner’s application be declined, they will have the opportunity to appeal. If
an appeal is made, then the Learner or the Learning Partner must follow the Appeals
Procedure which forms part of this policy. The enrolment period/unit validity periods will
continue/remain the same during the appeal, e.g. the remaining enrolment period will
not be suspended during the Appeal Procedure.

Applications which are submitted without a completion timetable and supporting

evidence are unable to be processed until the relevant information is received.

2.2 Additional extension requests

Once an extension request has been processed per unit no subsequent requests will be
accepted. If the Learner does not complete the qualification after the extension, they will
need to re-sit any expired units in order to achieve the qualification. There is no right of
appeal against this rule.

2.3 Learners who have been banned and/or had results declared void
Learners who have been banned/declared void must note that the original unit validity
periods will continue and not be suspended during the period of the ban. For example, if
the Learner has a unit with a four-year validity period and is banned for two-years, the
unit will be valid for two-years after the ban has been lifted.

3. Appeals
If a Learner or Learning Partner is dissatisfied that the extension request was declined,
they may request an appeal. There are two stages in the appeal process. Stage 1
consists of a review of the case by a senior NEBOSH Officer not previously involved in
the case. Stage 2 consists of consideration of the case by an Appeals Panel.

Please note that the original unit validity period will continue and not be suspended
during the appeals process i.e. if the Learner has 8-weeks of their original or extended
enrolment period remaining, the Learner will have 4-weeks of their enrolment period
remaining after a Stage 1 Appeal.

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 When making an appeal, the Learner or Learning Partner should establish the grounds
for the appeal. These may include:
• a reasonable belief that the case was not dealt with in accordance with the policy and
procedures;
• a reasonable belief that the evidence has been misinterpreted;
• further evidence coming to light which changes the basis of the decision;
• a reasonable belief that the outcome is not in line with the guidelines or procedure.

3.1 Stage 1 Appeal

3.1.1 Application
Notification of an intention to appeal must be made within 14-days of the date of the
outcome of the unit validity extension request.

To submit a Stage 1 appeal the Learner or the Learning Partner must write to NEBOSH
at the address below and include the following details:
• NEBOSH Learner number and name;
• Learning Partner name;
• grounds for the appeal (see above) and any supporting evidence where applicable;
• payment (see current NEBOSH Fees Schedule available at www.nebosh.org.uk );
• where a Learning Partner is appealing on behalf of a Learner consent must be
obtained from the Learner.

Head of Customer Experience

NEBOSH
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1QW

NEBOSH will acknowledge the request within 5-working days of receipt.

3.1.2 Cost
The Stage 1 appeal fee covers the administrative costs of the investigation.

For the cost of submitting a Stage 1 appeal, if you are a Learning Partner please see the
current NEBOSH Fees Schedule available from the NEBOSH website:
www.nebosh.org.uk. Please refer to the Learner’s fees list for the current fees Learner
fee list.

The Customer Experience Department can be contacted on +44 (0)116 263 4700 or
info@nebosh.org.uk. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to ‘NEBOSH’.
NEBOSH also accepts credit/debit card and BACS payments.

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3.1.3 Procedures
A Stage 1 appeal consists of an investigation of the case by a senior NEBOSH staff
member nominated by the NEBOSH Head of Customer Experience. The investigation
will focus on whether:
• NEBOSH used procedures that were consistent with the regulatory criteria;
• NEBOSH applied procedures properly and fairly in arriving at judgements;
• the Learner has been disadvantaged by a failure to apply these procedures;
• any further work relating to the appeal should be authorised.
The written evidence and the findings of the investigation will be reviewed by the
NEBOSH Head of Customer Experience.
The Head of the Learning Partner or Learner will receive written confirmation of the
outcome within ten working days of the Stage 1 appeal request being received.

3.1.4 Outcomes
If the Stage 1 appeal investigation recommends that an enrolment extension should be
granted, then the unit validity period will be extended by 12-months from the date of the
Stage 1 appeal decision or the unit declaration date expiry whichever is the later.
If the decision is successful, any fees paid by the Learner for the appeal will be refunded.

3.2 Stage 2 Appeal

If a Learner or Learning Partner remains dissatisfied after the Stage 1 appeal they may
proceed to Stage 2.

3.2.1 Application
Notification of an intention to make a Stage 2 appeal must be made within 10 working
days of the date of issue of the outcome of the Stage 1 appeal.
To submit an appeal the Learner or Learning Partner must write to NEBOSH at the
address below and include the following details:
• NEBOSH Learner number and name;
• Learning Partner name;
• grounds for the Appeal and any supporting evidence where applicable;
• payment (see current NEBOSH Fees Schedule available at www.nebosh.org.uk).
• where a Learning Partner is appealing on behalf of a Learner consent must be
obtained from the Learner.
Head of Customer Experience
NEBOSH
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester LE19 1QW
NEBOSH will acknowledge the request within 5-working days of receipt.

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3.2.2 Cost
The Stage 2 appeal fee covers the administrative costs of the investigation.
For the cost of submitting a Stage 2 Appeal, if you are a Learning Partner please see the
current NEBOSH Fees Schedule available from the NEBOSH website:
www.nebosh.org.uk. Please refer to the Learner’s fees list for the current fees: Learner
fee list.
The Customer Experience Department can be contacted on +44 (0)116 263 4700, or
info@nebosh.org.uk. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to ‘NEBOSH’.
NEBOSH also accepts credit/debit card and BACS payments.

3.2.3 Procedures
The case will be presented to an Appeals Panel consisting of:
• two senior NEBOSH representatives (ie managers) who have not been involved in
the original investigation and;
• one independent representative.
In line with the regulatory criteria the investigation will focus on whether:
• NEBOSH used procedures that were consistent with the regulatory criteria;
• NEBOSH applied procedures properly and fairly in arriving at judgements;
• the Learner has been disadvantaged by a failure to apply these procedures.
The Head of Learning Partner or Learner will receive written confirmation of the outcome
within 50 working days of the Stage 2 request being received.

3.2.4 Outcomes
If the Stage 2 appeal investigation recommends that an extension should be granted,
then the unit validity date will be extended by 12-months from the date of the Stage 2
appeal decision or the declaration date expiry whichever is the later.
If the decision is successful any fees paid by the Learner for the Stage 1 and/or Stage 2
appeal will be refunded.

3.3 Unresolved Appeals

If following the outcome of an appeal, the Learner or Learning Partner remains
dissatisfied, and where the relevant NEBOSH qualification is accredited in Scotland by
SQA Accreditation and was assessed within the UK, they may seek regulatory advice
from SQA Accreditation: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/39083.html.
A list of NEBOSH qualifications accredited by SQA Accreditation can be found here:
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/46406.html
NB: Appeals relating to qualifications not accredited by SQA Accreditation, or
cases where an SQA-accredited qualification has been assessed outside the UK,
may not be submitted for SQA regulatory review.

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3.3.1 Application
To make an application for regulatory review of an unresolved Stage 2 appeal, the
Learner or Learning Partner has 10 working days from the date of issue of the Stage 2
appeal outcome. To apply please write to this address:

The Senior Regulation Manager

SQA Accreditation
Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow G2 8DQ

3.3.2 SQA costs, procedures and outcomes

These will be communicated by SQA Accreditation following receipt of the application for
regulatory review.

4. Document control
Policy reference: CX023
Version: v2a
Date: March 2020
Owner: Head of Customer Experience
Review due date: March 2023

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Appendix A – Example of a completed timetable

TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETION OF A NEBOSH CERTIFICATE*

* See Section 1.

Section 1 – instructions for completion

This form must be completed and uploaded as part of the Learner’s unit validity extension request. An application for an extension which does not include a
completed timetable will not be processed by NEBOSH.

Section 2 Please complete with all requested Learner’s details and indicate whether these have changed since the Learner’s last contact with NEBOSH.
Section 3 Please give details of all units which the Learner has successfully completed (include the assessment and declaration dates).
Section 4 The timetable must be completed to show how the Learner is intending to complete the qualification during the extension period. The Learner
should include the unit and month/year that each assessment is to be attempted.

Section 2 – Learner details

Learner name: Mr John Smith Learner number: 00000000

Learner address: Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester. LE19 1QW

Learner’s email address: john.smith@exampleemail.co.uk Learner’s contact telephone number/s: +44(0)116 263 4700

Qualification: National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Enrolment expiry date: dd/mm/yyyy

Learning Partner (name and number): ABCD Training (5001)

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Section 3 - details of completed units
Please complete the following table:
Unit Assessment date* Declaration date**
* Assessment date (this will be shown on the Learners CPI record)
NGC1 dd January yyyy 15 April yyyy
** Declaration date (the date printed on the unit certificate)

Section 4 – timetable for completion of outstanding units

Please complete the following table to show when the outstanding units will be taken:

Assessment Date January February March April May June

NGC1
Units to be taken 05 January 2020

Assessment Date July August September October November December

Units to be taken

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Appendix B – unit validity extension request reasons and required evidence

Other reasons not stated here will be considered on a case-by-case basis by NEBOSH.

Reason Evidence required

Military deployment / posting overseas Letter from employer

• Statutory notification form

Pregnancy / Maternity / Paternity Leave
• Letter from employer
Letter from Learner confirming the details with
Sole carer for close relative due to illness
confirmation from the Learning Partner

Personal health issues Letter from GP or hospital

Death, illness or injury of spouse/partner or other Letter from Learner confirming the details with
immediate family members confirmation from the Learning Partner

Stress or other mental illness such as depression Letter from doctor

Jury service Letter from the relevant Court

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