NVQ Level 3 Certificate Overview

Studying the NVQ level 3 Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, candidates will develop their knowledge and practice the skills required to manage regular workplace duties from an occupational health and safety perspective.
The NVQ is assessed based on your day-to-day working tasks within your role – this is known as “on-the-job training“. Evidence collected in the past 2 years can be submitted towards your NVQ certification. There is no treading over old ground, just pull-up your historic records and connect with your NVQ assessor to check what is suitable.
You may already have the evidence in your hands to pass this fantastic NVQ certificate course from ProQual.
Who is this NVQ certificate for?
This NVQ level 3 certificate in health & safety is typically intended for mid-level managers, supervisors and workers with existing Health and Safety responsibilities involved in their day-to-day working procedures and processes.
The aim of this NVQ certificate course is to improve the basic SHE knowledge, understanding and skills of employees.
A Level 3 NVQ is an ideal qualification for those looking to enhance their career progression. To progress further, we suggest moving on to a Level 6 NVQ.
What level is this NVQ in Health & Safety?
As the name suggests, this NVQ is a level 3 qualification in health and safety, based on the UK’s national qualification framework or NQF. A Level 6, on the Scottish framework (SCQF) and equivalent to a University Bachelors Degree Internationally.
Main Benefits of the NVQ Level 3
The NVQ Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety Practice is a Higher-Education Level qualification – equivalent to a NEBOSH general certificate. Developed with consultation from Kea Skill and IOSH, the NVQ course meets the demanding standards of occupational health and safety practice within any industry.
On the Job Training
Vocational qualifications are a preferred learning style of employers, the competency of an employee is assessed and proven “on the job” by external qualified assessors
Training Cost Savings
Completing a training course “on the job” is also cost-effective. While undertaking this qualification, your working processes and procedures are reviewed, our assessors will guide you to make improvements, which will be a massive benefit to your employer.
NVQ training costs are often many times less than those associated with traditional training, including:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Expenses
- Employee downtime
Career Progression
A stepping stone for natural progression from the NEBOSH Award or IOSH Level 2 course, to progress your professional development.
You Cannot Fail an NVQ Certificate
It’s almost impossible to fail an NVQ, you are either competent or not yet competent. Unlike academic qualifications, there are no exams to fail and re-sit. This means no more headaches for those who struggle in exam conditions.
No Examinations
You can complete a Higher-Education Level qualification without having to sit an exam. NVQ level 3 is equal to a NEBOSH Certificate or Higher Education A-Level on the UK qualification framework and it is solely based on evidence you produce of your day to day employment.
An NVQ with Global Reach
Candidates can enrol on to this NVQ Level 3 Certificate from anywhere in the world, for example:
- MOD bases (great for MOD-ELC students)
- Offshore rigs (inc. shipping/supply vessels)
- Secure Installations (nuclear plants, government building, etc.)
- Isolated locations (desert facilities)
- All countries (study an NVQ from anywhere!)
IOSH Membership
Older qualifications have been removed by IOSH for not meeting their strict membership criteria. The NVQ Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety meets the requirement for IOSH Membership, allowing those qualified to apply for Assocaite (AIOSH) or Technical (Tech IOSH) membership.
Course Details: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Safety
Candidates must achieve 31 total credits, studying 5 mandatory and at least 2 optional units.
To pass this NVQ you’ll need to achieve:
- 23 credits from the Mandatory units, plus
- A minimum of 8 credits from the Optional units
ProQual – Recognised and Approved by Ofqual as a level 3 qualification (equivalent to NEBOSH Certificate)
Anyone responsible for developing / implementing day-to-day Health and Safety procedures
Approximately 310 hours time dedication is required to be completed over a two year period. On average candidates complete this NVQ in 6-9 months
You will continue to perform your daily on-the-job tasks. The documentation you have can then be re-purposed as evidence towards completing this level 3 NVQ Certificate.
There are 5 mandatory units you must study, achieving 23 credits or more.
You must also choose to study at least 2 optional units, achieving at least 8 credits.
NVQ support is included with this course. Our assessors will provide you with all the guidance you need to complete this NVQ.
There are NO EXAMS for this course, you are assessed solely on your submitted work-based evidence and documents
Essentially there are 4 steps to passing this NVQ Level 3 Certificate in OHS.
- NVQ assessors guide you as you submit your evidence.
- Our internal verifier checks over your submitted evidence.
- Your evidence is sent to ProQual to be externally verified.
- Certificate Delivery – Once your work has been checked and passed, we will arrange for your certificate to be posted to you.
NVQ assessors guide you as you submit your evidence.
As an NVQ candidate, you will submit relevant documents against the syllabus criteria. Your evidence is then uploaded to an Online Portal to store in one convenient location. Our NVQ assessors will guide you, providing feedback until you have all the necessary evidence to prove your competency.
Our internal verifier checks.
Our internal verifiers will check your evidence, any issues will be brought to your attention to correct. Once internally verified your evidence is sent to ProQual to be externally re-checked.
Your evidence is sent to ProQual to be externally verified.
ProQual external verifiers will check candidate submissions to ensure a high standard is met and satisfied.
Certificate Delivery
Finally, once your work has been checked and passed, you’ll receive a certificate as proof you have passed the NVQ level 3 certificate in occupational health and safety practice. We will arrange for your certificate to be posted to you at an address of your choosing.