Level 3 RQF qualification (unit CN1), the UK’s leading construction health and safety qualification for site managers, supervisors and CDM duty-holders.
The NEBOSH Construction Certificate (formally the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety) is the UK’s leading specialist construction health and safety qualification for site managers, CDM advisors and Principal Designer / Principal Contractor support roles. It sits at Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (Level 7 SCQF in Scotland) and gives you the technical knowledge to identify construction site hazards, assess risk and meet your duties under CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022. Compare it with our other NEBOSH courses. The qualification is structured around a single Unit CN1 (Health and safety management for construction) covering the principles of construction H&S management, CDM 2015 duty-holder roles, working at height and scaffolding, contractor management, temporary works, plant and equipment, and incident investigation. Assessment is a 48-hour open-book scenario exam.
By the end of the NEBOSH Construction Certificate you’ll have the technical depth and practical confidence to lead site H&S on UK projects, from small refurbishments to Tier 1 infrastructure programmes and HRB remediation under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Identify Client / Principal Designer / Principal Contractor / Designer / Contractor / Worker duties and apply them to live UK projects.
Produce written risk assessments and method statements for high-hazard construction activities aligned to HSG65.
Apply Work at Height Regulations 2005, TG20:21 scaffold inspection, MEWPs, ladders and edge protection.
Plan inductions, monitor subcontractor performance and apply CDM 2015 information-management duties.
Apply LOLER, PUWER and BS 5975 to excavations, formwork, lifting operations and demolition planning.
Lead investigations, complete RIDDOR reporting and feed lessons-learned into project H&S systems.
Common path: NEBOSH General Certificate first, then add the NEBOSH Construction Certificate as a recognised specialism, especially if you work in social housing, FM, NHS estates or the high-rise residential sector under the Building Safety Act.
A NEBOSH Construction qualification (the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety, also widely searched as the NEBOSH Construction Certificate) is the qualification employers list when hiring for construction H&S roles across Tier 1 main contractors, HRB remediation, infrastructure programmes and Building Safety Act 2022 duty-holder positions. Many candidates take this on top of the NEBOSH General Certificate as their construction-sector specialism.
Indicative UK ranges. Higher on Tier 1 main contractors, HRB / Building Safety Act remediation projects and major UK infrastructure (HS2, Hinkley, Thames Tideway).
Salary indicators sourced from Reed.co.uk, Indeed UK and Glassdoor UK, April 2026. Actual pay varies by sector, location and experience.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
The Building Safety Act 2022 has redrawn the H&S landscape for UK construction. Higher-Risk Building (HRB) duty-holders, Principal Designers and Principal Contractors must now demonstrate explicit competence, "golden thread" information management and Gateway 2/3 sign-off. The NEBOSH Construction Certificate gives you the underpinning knowledge to evidence that competence.
CDM 2015, which superseded CDM 2007 plus BSA 2022 competence framework. Coordinate H&S during pre-construction; document the golden thread.
Construction phase plan, daily site control, subcontractor competence verification, Gateway 2 build-stage approvals on HRBs.
Building Safety Regulator interactions, mandatory occurrence reporting, resident engagement and Gateway 3 sign-off for occupation.
The NEBOSH Construction Certificate is increasingly listed as a preferred or required qualification on Tier 1 contractor and HRB remediation projects since the Building Safety Act came into force.
A 48-hour open-book scenario exam, around 8 hours of actual writing time. Submit via the NEBOSH portal at a time that works around your week. 45% pass mark. Four NEBOSH-set sittings each year (4 Feb, 6 May, 5 Aug, 4 Nov 2026).
On passing CN1 you become eligible for the CSCS AQP card (Academically Qualified Person) and the TechIOSH membership pathway. NEBOSH publishes results ~50 working days after each sitting. If referred, resit at the next NEBOSH-set sitting on payment of the resit fee.
Every KeyOstas tutor is an active construction H&S practitioner with real CDM 2015, working-at-height and contractor-management experience to bring to the room.
Structured tutor support through the 48-hour CN1 open-book scenario exam, from preparation through to question technique.
95%
of course participants report a significant improvement in their ability to manage and lead construction health and safety initiatives.
60%
Organisations that have implemented course principles have seen a 60% reduction in construction site incidents and near-misses.
90%
of participants noted a marked improvement in their organisation's CDM 2015 compliance and contractor management.
“The NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety provided by KeyOstas was invaluable. The course’s practical approach, combined with expert guidance, significantly enhanced my ability to manage safety in construction environments. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge and skills in this field.”
Jamie Lawrence, Construction Site Manager
Top-tier accreditation status with NEBOSH, the recognised mark for centres meeting the highest delivery and learner-outcome standards.
One of NEBOSH’s longest-standing accredited centres, centre number 009, trading and training since 1984.
Across our NEBOSH portfolio. We invest in tutor coaching, mock papers and CN1 walk-throughs to keep that number high.
Need to spread the cost? Pay in 3 interest-free instalments at checkout with Klarna.
We run our NEBOSH Construction courses across three venues so you can pick the location that suits you, head office in Southam plus regional centres in Bromsgrove and Manchester Airport.
Our flagship classroom centre. Tutor-led Unit CN1 delivery, free parking, lunch and refreshments included.
Hotel-based classroom delivery for learners across the Midlands. On-site parking and catering included.
A convenient northern delivery venue for the NEBOSH Construction Certificate. Close to motorway and rail links.
FAQ
The NEBOSH Construction Certificate (formally the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety) is a Level 3 RQF qualification covering CDM 2015 duty-holder roles, working at height, contractor management and site risk assessment. It’s assessed via a single Unit CN1 open-book scenario exam.
It’s a Level 3 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Level 7 on the SCQF in Scotland. That’s the same level as the NEBOSH General Certificate.
The NEBOSH Construction Course typically takes around 80–120 study hours. Classroom delivery runs over 9 days plus revision and assessment time. Live virtual delivery is similar. E-learning typically takes 3–10 months alongside a normal job.
Construction-specific H&S roles including Site H&S Adviser, CDM Advisor, Principal Designer / Principal Contractor support and SHEQ Manager. It’s a preferred or required qualification for Tier 1 main contractors (Mace, Skanska, Balfour Beatty, Multiplex) and HRB duty-holders under the Building Safety Act 2022.
13 official elements covering H&S management foundations, CDM 2015 duty-holder roles, hazards and control on construction sites, workplace transport and vehicles, working at height, excavation and confined spaces, demolition, manual handling, plant and equipment, fire and explosion on site, plus health, welfare and environmental hazards.
One open-book scenario exam (CN1) over a 48-hour window. Approximately 8 hours of actual writing time. 45% pass mark. Results published in approximately 50 working days. NEBOSH-set sittings are 4 Feb, 6 May, 5 Aug and 4 Nov in 2026.
No formal entry requirements. NEBOSH recommends English at IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Some prior site H&S exposure helps but isn’t required.
NEBOSH refers (rather than fails) candidates who don’t reach the standard. Referrals can resit CN1 at the next NEBOSH-set sitting (February, May, August or November) on payment of the resit fee. Most KeyOstas learners pass first time, our pass rate is 85%+.
Yes, eligible for the CSCS AQP (Academically Qualified Person) card since 2023. Apply via cscs.uk.com once your certificate is issued by NEBOSH.
Choose NEBOSH Construction if your role is construction-specific (site management, CDM advisory, principal designer support, SHEQ in construction). Choose NEBOSH General if your role spans multiple sectors. Both sit at RQF Level 3 with the same UK recognition.
SMSTS (CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is a 5-day card-issuing scheme that isn’t academically recognised at RQF Level 3. The NEBOSH Construction Certificate is an RQF Level 3 qualification with deeper scope, an open-book CN1 exam and CSCS AQP card eligibility, the standard route for site managers wanting an academic H&S qualification.
NEBOSH Construction Certificate online cost at KeyOstas is £1,142 +VAT for live virtual delivery; classroom delivery is £1,534 +VAT, and POA for in-company training. All prices include NEBOSH registration, the CN1 exam fee, study materials and tutor support. See Learning Options above for full breakdown.
Yes, we deliver the NEBOSH Construction Certificate online via live virtual classroom alongside our face-to-face option in Southam. The NEBOSH Construction Certificate online route covers identical CN1 content, the same NEBOSH-set exam and the same outcomes as our classroom delivery.
Directly. The certificate covers CDM 2015 duty-holder responsibilities for Principal Designer and Principal Contractor and the competence framework underpinning Higher-Risk Building (HRB) Gateway 2 and Gateway 3 duty-holder obligations under the Building Safety Act 2022, increasingly required across social housing, public-sector estates and Tier 1 contractor remediation work.
The NEBOSH Construction Certificate is RQF Level 3 - same level as the General Cert. It assumes some site or construction-management exposure but no prior H&S qualifications. The CN1 unit is a single open-book exam. Most delegates with construction experience pass first time when they have used the course materials and KeyOstas mock papers. Pass rates across our portfolio sit at 85%+.
Speak to a senior NEBOSH tutor about your situation, study mode and start dates.
Or talk to a tutor: 0330 056 9534
Last reviewed: April 2026 - content checked against the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety syllabus guide.
