IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety (IOG) is being withdrawn. The qualification's content has been superseded by our NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management, which teaches best practices suitable for all process industries, including oil and gas.

  • The final enrolment date has now passed, 31 March 2025. New Learners are unable to enrol for this qualification.
  • Final assessment date for existing learners: 30 September 2026

Please see our recent news release for more information: Withdrawal of the NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety (IOG)


The International Oil and Gas Certificate is aimed primarily at managers, supervisors and health and safety advisers with safety responsibilities in the oil and gas industry. The qualification focuses on operational process safety and is intended to enable learners to apply and implement effective process safety management across all areas of their operation, anywhere in the world.

This qualification provides the underpinning knowledge, which when combined with experience enables holders to identify, evaluate and control a wide range of workplaces hazards. It is based around international standards and management systems that enable the effective discharge of workplace safety responsibilities both onshore and offshore.

Globally, employers in the oil and gas industries find that the International Oil and Gas Certificate can improve the safety culture of their organisation by providing line management and staff with a sound understanding of operational safety management.

Our qualifications are developed based on extensive research with health and safety professionals, employers, professional bodies and regulators to ensure that they remain relevant, rigorous as well as achievable and practical.

You will be assessed on your ability to apply your skills and knowledge to a wide range of issues and how to deliver positive change to a real workplace. 


Who is it for?

Individual

This qualification is for those working in the oil and gas (or related) industries, who need to gain a sound understanding of the principles of operational health and safety that apply in their specialist area.

For some, the International Oil and Gas Certificate can be an important step towards establishing a lifelong professional career in occupational health and safety. Some who take their International Oil and Gas Certificate progress on to one of our Diploma level qualifications.

NEBOSH strongly recommend that you should already have an underpinning knowledge of health and safety issues prior to taking the course equivalent to the NEBOSH International or National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

Employer

The NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety benefits oil and gas companies working to international standards who are seeking to implement effective safety and process safety management across all areas of their operation.

It is used effectively by many in the industry to improve the health and safety skills and knowledge of managers, supervisors and health and safety advisors, in order to gain sustainable health and safety improvements. Quite simply, the International Oil and Gas Certificate is a qualification that should lead to safer workplaces.

People who hold this qualification understand their responsibilities and how to reduce potentially damaging incidents that can lead to loss of life, injury and loss of reputation, wherever they are operating in the world.

NEBOSH qualifications are held in high esteem throughout the world. Employing people who hold a NEBOSH qualification demonstrates a commitment to health and safety and an assurance to others. It can even help you achieve recognised standards and win new business.

It is based around international standards and best practice recommendations.

 


What you will learn

What does the course cover?

The NEBOSH Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety covers one main unit (IOG1) entitled ‘Management of international oil and gas operational safety’.

The key topics covered by the qualification are:

  • Hazards inherent in the extraction, storage and processing of raw materials and products
  • Hydrocarbon process safety
  • Risk management techniques used in the oil and gas industries
  • Contractor management
  • Fire and explosion controls in the oil and gas industries
  • Marine and Land logistics

This unit is divided into the following five key elements:

  • Health, safety and environmental management in context
  • Hydrocarbon process safety (1)
  • Hydrocarbon process safety (2)
  • Fire protection and emergency response
  • Logistics and transport operations

NEBOSH does not set specific formal entry requirements for this qualification. However it should be noted that: The achievement of the NEBOSH International or National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent prior to undertaking the International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety course is highly recommended. 

This qualification is designed as a specialist sector-specific supplement to the NEBOSH International and National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety rather than to replace knowledge and understanding of general health and safety gained as part of these qualifications. Further information regarding the NEBOSH International General Certificate can be found by clicking here and the NEBOSH National General Certificate by clicking here.

How is the qualification assessed?

Students are assessed by one two-hour written examination.  The examination consists of ten ‘short-answer’ questions and one ‘long-answer’ question. Scripts are marked by competent external examiners appointed by NEBOSH.

The overall qualification parchment will be issued on successful completion of the qualification.

 

Entry requirements and exemptions

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification, but we do recommend that students have an underpinning knowledge of safety issues. This may have been achieved by studying a NEBOSH General Certificate level qualification. 

It is also important that students have a suitable standard of English language in order to understand and articulate the concepts contained in the syllabus.

NEBOSH recommends that students undertaking this qualification should reach a minimum standard of English equivalent to an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher in IELTS tests.

For further information please see the latest version of the IELTS Handbook or consult the
IELTS website:

http://www.ielts.org/institutions/test_format_and_results.aspx.

Students wishing to assess their own language expertise may consult the IELTS website for
information on taking the test:

http://www.ielts.org/faqs.aspx

Exemptions

There are no exemptions available for this qualification.

 


Entry requirements and exemptions

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification,  but we do recommend that learners have an underpinning knowledge of safety issues. This may have been achieved by studying a NEBOSH General Certificate level qualification. 

It is also important that learners have a suitable standard of English language in order to understand and articulate the concepts contained in the syllabus.

NEBOSH recommends that learners undertaking this qualification should reach a minimum standard of English equivalent to an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher in IELTS tests.

A chart mapping IELTS scores to the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR) can be found on the British Council and IELTS websites:

Learners wishing to assess their own language expertise may consult the IELTS website for information on taking the test. Your chosen Learning Partner may also be able to recommend a method of pre-learning assessment of language. 

Exemptions

There are no exemptions available for this qualification.


How to study

It is no longer possible to enrol for this qualification. You may be interested in the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management

Existing learners who are already enrolled for the International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety should contact their Learning Partner to discuss completing the qualification before the final assessment date, 30 September 2026


What does it cost and how long does it take?

Course fees are determined by individual learning partners and vary depending on the format of the course.

For this qualification you should plan your study around a minimum of 34 taught hours and approximately 20 hours of private study and background reading.

Further information on taught hours can be found in the syllabus located in the 'Resources' section below.

 


Professional recognition and SQA Accreditation

Maintaining Professional Standards

In the UK – and, increasingly, worldwide – regulatory accreditation is recognised as a badge of quality, allowing our qualifications to retain their highly regarded professional status.

UK accredited qualifications provide you with certain guarantees that the qualification:

  • Meets specific quality criteria that ensure it is fit for its purpose
  • Includes relevant content
  • Uses appropriate assessment methodology
  • Is mapped to relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS)
  • Is supported by relevant stakeholders including employers

The NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety is not accredited by the SQA Accreditation. However it is broadly comparable to Level 6/7 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), comparable to RQF Level 4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries chart issued by the UK regulators.

Valued by Employers

NEBOSH qualifications can play an important part in ensuring that the health and safety provision businesses have in place is effective.  This may explain why so many organisations choose to include NEBOSH qualifications on their competency matrices.  


Examinations

Examination registration

Learners must be registered before they can take an examination. All examination registrations must be completed by an accredited learning partner.

Examination entry confirmation

Once your learning partner has registered you to an examination, they will send you an Examination Entry Confirmation that includes your learner number, and important information relating to your examination and results process. Please ensure that you check your name is spelt correctly and report this to your learning partner and NEBOSH if any changes are required.

The Examination Entry Confirmation is essential to gain entry to the examination room, you will need to show a form of photographic identification to the invigilator and then sign the Examination Entry Confirmation. Please contact your learning partner if you have not received your Examination Entry Confirmation.

Examination dates

IOG1 -  Invigilated paper based exams. 

Exam dates will be decided and arranged by Learning Partners. Please speak to your Learning Partner for the next available date and to register.

Examination Results

All results for assessments taken in English (including those for the practical application) should be received within 50 working days from the date of the examination or submission of assignment. The specific date is written on your examination entry confirmation.

For assessments taken in any language other than English, all results (including those for the practical application) should be received within 70 working days.

Certificate-level practical assessments must normally be taken within 10 working days of a written examination, so the practical result will be included with the result for the written examination. 


What next?

Many who gain the International Oil and Gas Certificate, go on to seek a further NEBOSH Certificate or Diploma qualification. This particularly applies to those who wish to achieve a professional career in health safety and environmental management.

While successful completion of one of our Certificates is not mandatory in order to enrol on a NEBOSH Diploma, it is strongly recommended given that our Diploma syllabuses assume knowledge equivalent to having undertaken such a programme of study.

The connections between our qualifications are illustrated in more detail in the Qualifications Progression Leaflet found in the Resources section below.


Resources

This section provides guidance and useful information in support of this qualification.

If you would like any further information please get in touch through our Contact Us page - our Customer Enquiry Team will be happy to help.

Syllabus Guide

Examiners' Reports

Sample Question Paper

Guidance on Command Words

Policies and Procedures

Learner Terms and Conditions

Learner Fees List

 

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