Examinations

Why choose BOHS qualifications?

BOHS’ professional qualifications have been well regarded in the occupational hygiene field since their introduction in May 1969, with over 20,000 successful candidates to date.

We work closely with regulators and practitioners to ensure that our syllabi and examinations are up-to-date and relevant. Thirteen of our qualifications are currently listed in HSE guidance as being the industry standard for their particular subject.

The creation of a syllabus and examination process for any subject is complex and involves many stages to ensure the quality and integrity of the system. Our systems have been in existence for many years and are subject to a continuous review process that includes the use of many independent experts, to ensure the maintenance and improvement of all subjects.

Most of BOHS’ qualifications also have a number as well as a sometimes rather long title. For example, P402, Buildings Surveys and Bulk Sampling for Asbestos (including Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategies), is often just referred to as “P402”. If you are booking to attend a course, you should be aware that some training organisations not associated with BOHS advertise courses which refer to these numbers but do not lead to BOHS quality controlled examinations, so please check with the training organisation concerned before you book.

BOHS is a fully independent professional body which has no affiliations to any particular industry or trade organisation. As a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity, any surplus (i.e. profit) made by BOHS is automatically re-invested in the company, not paid to Directors or Shareholders.

Click here for Requirements for Participation

Click here for a list of P601 qualification holders

Click here for a list of P602 qualification holders

Click here for a list of P901 qualification holders

Click here for a list of P902 qualification holders

General Examinations Information

From 1 November 2009 all our examinations will consist of short answer questions rather than multiple choice questions.  All documents will be updated to reflect this change on 1 November 2009.

Click here to download an introduction document explaining short answer questions. 

Click here to download examples of micro-essay questions.

We are currently experiencing a high level of examinations across all [Proficiency Modules/Occupational Hygiene Modules] and this, together with the recent changeover from multi-choice to short answer question format, might affect our abililty to issue results within our target [four/six] week turnaround period.  We will continue to do our best to mark papers and issue results as quickly as possible, and hope that we can revert to our usual turnaround schedule within the next few months.  In the meantime, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Society offers six types of examination, with links below to further information on each:

1. Occupational Hygiene Modules
2. Proficiency Modules
3. Certificate of Competence in an Individual Subject
4. Certificate of Operational Competence in Occupational Hygiene
5. Diploma of Professional Competence in Occupational Hygiene
6. Refreshers in Asbestos

With effect from 1 June 2008, the following examination fees will apply:

All examination fees are payable at the time of application.

Certificate of Assessment: Candidates said to need special consideration for a module written examination - eg. for dyslexia - will have to provide the Society with a copy of their Certificate of Assessment at least ten working days before the examination.

Queries and Appeals: Click here to download a copy of our policy.

BOHS policy is consistent with the Data Protection Act 1998, under which awarding bodies are not legally obliged to provide access to examination scripts.  Schedule 7 Paragraph 9 of the Data Protection Act states that "personal data consisting of information recorded by students during an academic, professional or other examination are exempt".  'Examination' is defined under the Act as including "any process for determining the knowledge , intelligence, skill or ability of a candidate by reference to his performance in any test, work or other activity".

Duplicate Certificates

BOHS can only produce duplicate certificates for awards made on or after 1 January 2003.  If your award was before 1 January 2003 we can issue a Statement of Results.  BOHS are unable to produce certificates for examining boards which no longer exist such as BIOH, BEBOH and BERBOH.  To obtain a duplicate certificate or Statement of Results please complete the application form below and return to BOHS with payment of £25 and a copy of photo ID eg passport or driving licence.  We aim to process all applications within two weeks of receipt of the application form and payment.

Duplicate Certificate/Statement of Results Application Form


Click here for exam statistics.

If you would like to establish the authenticity of an examination certificate, please contact us by email (exams@bohs.org), and provide as many details from the examination certificate as possible in order to help us answer your query.

From time to time, our attention is drawn to forged certificates.  It is the Society's policy to report any such incidents to the relevant authorities with a view to legal action being taken against the person named on the certificate.

Please note that, while we strive to ensure that the information on these web pages is accurate, the definitive information at any time is that supplied directly by the BOHS Head Office. If in any doubt, please contact the relevant person, as listed in each section.