Frequently Asked
Questions

ParaQual offers a focused range of occupational health and safety qualifications: the ProQual NVQ Level 3 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace; the ProQual NVQ Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice; the ProQual NVQ Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice; and the International Diploma in Safety Engineering (IDSE) — a NOCN UK endorsed qualification at Level 6 equivalent depth, assessed through online MCQ examinations.

Visit the qualification page on our website and click Enrol or Buy Now. For IDSE, access is granted immediately after payment. For ProQual NVQ qualifications, your assigned assessor will contact you to complete a structured induction before you begin gathering evidence. If you are unsure which qualification suits your experience and goals, contact us — we will guide you.

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours on working days (Monday to Friday). Messages received on Saturdays, Sundays, or UK public holidays will be answered on the next working day. For urgent matters, call us directly on +44(0)1184050113.

Yes. Special pricing is available for organisations enrolling multiple learners. Contact us to discuss group registration options and receive a tailored quote.

Our ProQual NVQ qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and sit on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) — they are recognised across the UK and in many international jurisdictions. The IDSE is an endorsed qualification regulated by NOCN UK, recognised for professional development and CPD globally; formal recognition may vary by employer and jurisdiction. We recommend checking with your local professional body if international recognition is a specific requirement.

We accept all major debit and credit cards through our secure online payment system. One-off payment and monthly instalment options are available for most qualifications — see each qualification page for pricing details. Group invoicing is available for organisations enrolling multiple learners.

Fees may be refunded if you have not yet submitted any assessment documents or evidence. Once any submission has been made, fees are non-refundable. Please review our full Fee Refund Policy for complete details.

Your registration is initially valid for 24 months from the date of enrolment. Extensions beyond this period are considered on a case-by-case basis — please contact us before your registration expires to discuss your circumstances and available options.

For IDSE, access to e-learning content and the exam portal is granted immediately after payment. For ProQual NVQ qualifications, your assessor will contact you to conduct a structured induction — you can begin gathering and organising your evidence as soon as that induction is complete.

NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) qualifications are competence-based qualifications that demonstrate you can perform your job to a recognised national standard. They are assessed through a portfolio of workplace evidence — documents, records, witness testimonies, and professional discussions — rather than written exams. There is no pass or fail decision: if your evidence does not yet meet the standard, your assessor guides you to improve and resubmit.

No. NVQ qualifications are not pass or fail. If your submitted evidence does not fully meet the assessment criteria, your assessor will advise you exactly what additional evidence or detail is needed, and you can resubmit. There is no limit on resubmissions, and your assessor is there to support you at every stage.

The Level 3 Award is a regulated qualification on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), assessed through workplace evidence. It is designed for individuals working in, or moving into, health and safety roles — demonstrating foundational competence in managing health and safety in the workplace. It is suitable for safety representatives, team leaders, supervisors, and those new to formal OHS responsibilities.

The Level 6 Diploma is a professional-level regulated qualification equivalent in academic depth to a bachelor's degree. Assessed through a portfolio of workplace evidence, it demonstrates the ability to manage health and safety at a strategic and operational level. It is widely recognised and used to support GradIOSH and CMIOSH membership applications with IOSH.

The Level 7 Diploma is the highest-level NVQ offered by ParaQual, equivalent in depth to a master's degree. It is designed for senior OHS professionals operating at strategic leadership level — including heads of safety, principal consultants, and OHS directors. It is assessed through a portfolio of workplace evidence and professional discussion.

The Level 6 Diploma demonstrates competence at operational and management level — appropriate for OHS managers, advisors, and practitioners. The Level 7 Diploma requires evidence of strategic leadership, organisational influence, and high-level decision-making in health and safety. Level 7 is typically suited to senior OHS directors, heads of safety function, and principal consultants. Both are assessed through workplace evidence portfolios.

Yes. NVQ qualifications are competence-based — your evidence must demonstrate real, current workplace performance. You need to be working in, or have recent substantive experience in, a health and safety role appropriate to the qualification level. If you are unsure whether your role qualifies, contact us for a pre-enrolment conversation.

ParaQual uses Assesseez (assesseez.co.uk) as its online assessment management platform. After enrolment, you will be registered on Assesseez where you can upload evidence, communicate with your assessor, receive feedback, and track your progress through the qualification.

Yes. All ProQual NVQ qualifications are designed for working professionals. There are no fixed attendance requirements, live sessions, or class schedules — you gather and submit workplace evidence at a pace that fits around your job. Most learners complete their qualifications alongside full-time employment.

IDSE is a Level 6 equivalent endorsed qualification accredited by NOCN UK. Unlike NVQ qualifications, it requires no workplace evidence — it is assessed through two 60-minute online multiple choice examinations, one per unit. The course is delivered through audio-narrated e-learning, making it possible to study while commuting, travelling, or going about your daily routine. No prior OHS experience is required. Over 2,000 learners have completed the IDSE since 2017.

NVQ qualifications are competence-based and require a portfolio of workplace evidence — they demonstrate you can do the job. IDSE is knowledge-based, assessed through online MCQ examinations, and requires no workplace evidence. IDSE is ideal for those new to OHS, business managers, and career switchers seeking structured academic knowledge. NVQ qualifications suit those with existing workplace experience who want formal recognition of their competence.

No prior experience or qualification is required. The IDSE e-learning content is built from first principles using plain language and everyday examples. Whether you are completely new to occupational health and safety or an experienced practitioner wanting analytical depth, you can enrol and begin studying immediately.

No. IDSE is an endorsed qualification, not an Ofqual regulated qualification. It is endorsed and quality-assured by NOCN UK. Endorsed qualifications are widely accepted for professional development, CPD, career advancement, and IOSH membership pathways — but are not on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

After successfully passing both IDSE unit examinations, learners take part in a brief telephone-based closing interview conducted by ParaQual. This is not an additional examination — it is a short professional conversation to confirm that submitted work is genuinely your own. This process protects qualification integrity and ensures every IDSE holder is recognised for real knowledge and genuine achievement.

For ProQual NVQ qualifications, your certificate is processed after all units are signed off by your assessor, Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is complete, and any External Quality Assurance (EQA) sampling has been conducted. For IDSE, your certificate is issued after both unit exams are passed and the closing telephone interview is completed. You will be notified once the certificate has been requested from the awarding body.

Yes. Each NVQ learner is assigned a qualified assessor who provides structured induction, ongoing guidance, feedback on evidence submissions, and support throughout the qualification. Regular review meetings or check-ins help you stay on track and understand what evidence is needed at each stage.

Eligibility varies by qualification. ProQual NVQ qualifications require relevant workplace experience at the appropriate level — active involvement in a health and safety role is required for Level 6 and Level 7. IDSE is open to everyone with no prior experience required. Contact us if you are unsure which qualification is the right fit for your experience and career goals.

If you have not completed within your initial 24-month registration period, please contact us before your registration expires. Extensions are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your progress, circumstances, and the relevant awarding body policies. We will always try to find a workable solution.