Where is the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma recognised?

This blog was updated in May 2023 to reflect changes in the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management for Professionals membership status.

So you've had a look at the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals, but now you want to know exactly where it's recognised? You are in the right place.

This blog will establish where the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma is recognised and why this qualification may very well be for you.

Who recognises the NEBOSH Diploma?

The NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals is the flagship NEBOSH qualification. It helps expand the skills and knowledge of active health and safety professionals using global best practice, such as the ILO codes of practice, U.K. legislation and OHSAS1800 / ISO45001 management systems. 

Seen as the gold standard of health and safety qualifications, companies worldwide seek out employees with the NEBOSH stamp of approval. Here are a list of the membership bodies that acknowledge the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma as a suitable entry qualification:

1. The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

Level: GradIOSH and CMIOSH

IOSH is the world's most prominent professional health and safety membership organisation. They guide the industry by setting codes of conduct, professional development standards and policies to help keep people safe and healthy in all areas of their work.

National Diploma graduates taking their qualification within the UK meet the academic requirements to apply for membership of IOSH.

*As of August 2022, IOSH have made changes to the courses recognised for GradIOSH membership, which affects any NEBOSH Diploma learners outside of the UK.  For the latest information on the changes, please refer to NEBOSH's statement on this - https://www.nebosh.org.uk/our-news-and-events/our-news/recognition-of-nebosh-qualifications/

2. The International Institute of Risk and Risk Management (IIRSM)

Level: Member (MIIRSM)

IIRSM is a professional membership organisation for those responsible for managing risks in all their forms. NEBOSH graduates are eligable to apply directly for member status and can use the designatory letters MIIRSM respectively.

IIRSM has a community of members in more than 90 countries, representing all risk disciplines from compliance, environmental management, health and safety, insurance, internal audit, quality management, security, project management and more.

3. The Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board

Level: Certified OHS Practitioner and Certified OHS Professional

The Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board was established in 2011 after identifying the need for generalist OHS professionals to be professionally certified.

They believe that OHS education should be based on technical, scientific concepts, delivered by suitably competent persons, and recognised by the profession, government, industry and the community. They review university-level OHS professional education programs and gives recognition for those programs that meet their criteria.

4. Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)

Level: Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) and Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)

The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals is a membership association for Canada's health and safety profession. Holders of the NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma will now be eligible for certification as a Canadian Registered Technician (CRST) upon completion of the CRST examination. 

For those with greater workplace experience and additional qualifications, the BCRSP offers a streamlined route to Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) certification for people with a NEBOSH Level 6 National or International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. 

5. The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

Level: Certified Safety Professional (CSP) 

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) sets and certifies technical competency criteria for safety, health and environmental practitioners worldwide in the United States. They assess standards, evaluate academic and professional qualifications and certify practitioners in the safety profession.

The National Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals is recognized as a Qualified Equivalent Program (QEP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), meeting the qualified credential requirement for the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification.  The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)  has issued 100,000 credentials since its inception in 1969 and is prevalent in the USA.

6. New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM)

Level: Graduate Level

NZISM is a national organisation dedicated to Health and Safety Practitioners and Professionals throughout New Zealand. The NZ Applicants need a combination of both a relevant qualification and the required experience to apply for accreditation at Practitioner or Professional level. The NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma is one of the qualifications recognised as a relevant qualification.

The mission of the NZISM is to build quality health and safety practitioners and to promote industry excellence. They also assist in determining standards for health and safety in New Zealand and consulting with the likes of the New Zealand Government via our association with the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ).

7. South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SAIOSH)

Level: Technical membership (TechSAIOSH)

SAIOSH is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as the professional body to register Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners in South Africa. They work to enhance and progress the OHS profession in South Africa through research, promotion, education, training, guidance and building relationships with other global networks.

SAIOSH has more than 10,000 members from a wide range of industries in the private and public sector in South Africa.  Benefits of Graduate membership include: access to free Occupational Health and Safety webinars and workshops, e-learning, OHS legal updates, discounts, access to a legal advice forum, free subscription to SHEQ Management Magazine, online networking, online CPD, career portal and much more.

8. Ofqual Accreditation

Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments, and offers regulatory protection for NEBOSH Diplomas taken internationally and in the UK. As the new title suggests, the course is remains a RFQ level 6 qualification worth 43 credits for the National Diploma, and 42 credits for the International Diploma.

Conclusion

As you can see, having an NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals qualification opens doors and establishes connections with limitless opportunities. NEBOSH will open the door, it’s now time for you to walk through it!