What is IOSH?

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the largest chartered professional body for health and safety practitioners. IOSH sets recognised professional standards, supports career development and provides globally respected membership grades such as CertIOSH and Chartered (CMIOSH).

What is CertIOSH?

CertIOSH is the Certified Member grade of IOSH. It recognises professionals who have:

• A relevant, recognised Level 6 or degree-level qualification in occupational safety and health, and
• Suitable, verifiable workplace experience in health and safety leadership.

Many practitioners use CertIOSH as a stepping stone to Chartered Membership (CMIOSH).

Why NVQs Are a Strong Route to CertIOSH

CADUK delivers two senior-level qualifications that can support IOSH membership applications:

• Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
• Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Health and Safety Leadership and Management

These diplomas are evidence-based qualifications built entirely on real workplace competence. There are no exams, no simulations and no classroom attendance. Assessment is based on real health and safety activities carried out in your role.

You Must Already Have Strong Experience to Start

A key point when considering IOSH suitability is that candidates must already be operating at the required level before enrolling onto the NVQ.

If a learner does not already have substantial, relevant health and safety experience, they cannot enrol onto the NVQ.

Our profiling and induction process ensures that candidates:

• Already work in a health and safety role
• Already carry out OSH responsibilities on a day-to-day basis
• Already influence health and safety policy, systems and performance
• Already have sufficient real-world evidence to demonstrate competence

By the time the NVQ is completed, the learner has demonstrated both qualification level and practical experience, aligning naturally with IOSH’s expectations for Certified Membership.

How the NVQ Supports CertIOSH Applications

Once the NVQ is achieved, candidates typically submit:

• The Level 6 or Level 7 qualification certificate
• A detailed CV outlining current and previous OSH responsibilities
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD), which IOSH requires for all professional members

IOSH reviews the qualification and experience to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for Certified Membership.

Why Professionals Choose the NVQ Route

• It is fully work-based and fits around busy schedules
• It recognises existing experience rather than requiring exams
• It provides an efficient route to a recognised professional grade
• It strengthens career prospects in consultancy, management and strategic OSH roles
• It builds a portfolio of evidence demonstrating competence in real workplace situations

The NVQ route is ideal for experienced professionals who want both a recognised qualification and clear progression toward IOSH membership.

Summary

CADUK’s Level 6 and Level 7 health and safety qualifications provide a credible and practical pathway toward IOSH Certified Membership (CertIOSH). Because only experienced OSH professionals are accepted onto these NVQs, candidates naturally meet IOSH’s experience expectations and can use the completed qualification to support their IOSH membership application.