The International Occupational Hygiene Modules are overseen by the Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA), for which the BOHS Faculty is one of the examining boards. These Modules are at the intermediate level of the OHTA’s international qualifications scheme and are based on the original BOHS UK Occupational Hygiene Modules, but without specific reference to UK or other national legislation.
The examinations are open book and are taken at the end of training courses run by independent Course Providers who have been registered by BOHS on behalf of OHTA. Additional assessment is carried out over the period of the training course as well and forms part of the final qualification.
All bookings and payments are made directly with the Course Providers and not through BOHS.
Subject areas
The foundation level qualification is W201 Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene and enables entry to the BOHS Faculty at the new Associate grade. It is also an excellent stand-alone professional development option for a wide range of occupational health and safety professionals. The remainder of the Modules offer intermediate level qualifications which can be stand-alone or lead towards higher level professional qualifications.
W201 Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene
W501 Measurement of Hazardous Substances (core)
W502 Assessment and Control of the Thermal Environment
W503 Assessment and Control of Noise (core)
W504 Assessment and Control of Asbestos
W505 Control of Hazardous Substances (core)
W506 Ergonomics
W507 Health Effects of Hazardous Substances (core)
How to study
Students can choose to take one or more of these courses, aiming for stand-alone qualifications in areas of specific interest and relevance. For those wanting to work towards the BOHS Certificate of Operational Competence in Occupational Hygiene, a group of six Modules can be studied, which must include the core Modules W501, W503, W505 and W507. Students can then work towards the Certificate by completing a Personal Learning Portfolio [PLP].
Personal Learning Portfolio [PLP]
A candidate's PLP will need to contain evidence which demonstrates that knowledge has been applied in practical situations. The PLP process and detailed guidance (including for 'transition students' who are already part qualified via the UK modular route) can be found in the downoads box on this page. Students can register for their PLP at any point from when they have achieved their first Module, and then submit their PLP within three years of completion of all six Modules. The PLP fees, payable to BOHS, are set out below. For further information, contact Thelma Thompson.
Initial Registration £25
PLP Submission & Review £130
Reduced PLP Submission & Review (for transition students only) £75
Resubmissions £35/element
Other routes to the BOHS Certificate
For students with different needs, there are alternative ways to achieve the BOHS Certificate via an approved university degree course or through the Certificate Core (written) examination. An overview of how all the qualifications fit together and can lead to membership of the BOHS Faculty of Occupational Hygiene can be found in our 'Routes To And Through The Faculty' flyer in the Downloads box.
Pre-requisites
There are no formal educational requirements for people wishing to study for any of the International Occupational Hygiene Module qualifications. However, the courses do require some knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, statistics, engineering and biology. Students without a scientific educational background or practical work experience in these areas may find the courses and examinations difficult. Recommendations for levels of prior knowledge are given at each of the different qualification levels of the international qualifications scheme.
Information for OHLearning Approved Training Providers 
If BOHS examinations are to be held at the end of any courses, these must be booked by the Training Provider directly with BOHS at least four weeks before the date of the course - full details can be found in the procedure document in the Downloads box.