BOHS would always recommend professionals to see their national professional body and awarding scheme as the best place to seek qualifications from. We are committed to the International Labour Organisation’s Conventions on Occupational Health (161 and 155) which promote strong, independent national professional bodies. The context of occupational hygiene practice varies from country to country and national bodies are best to set standards. Income from qualifications also provides the basis of financial security for national professional bodies and a means of control of their own standards.
A number of for-profit and not-for-profit bodies offer international training and certifications. While the IOHA NAR scheme recognises only end point professional level qualifications, we would recommend that only bodies who are listed on the National Accreditation Recognition (NAR) Committee – IOHA are independently verified as having processes and infrastructure which can assure high quality occupational hygiene training and awards at the professional level of practice.
We would only recommend that a candidate uses a UK qualification when:
- When the candidate intends to work in the UK, or for an organisation that is tied to UK/European standards, or in a country where UK qualifications are recognised as being preferred; or
- When the subject matter cannot be examined locally, or to the level of expertise that is required by the candidate; and/or
- When there is a need for an assessment of professional skills by a qualified professional that is independently examined to an internationally accepted standard of practice.
At present, only BOHS delivers qualifications internationally that meets criterion 1.
OHTA is a charity that is set up to distribute and update free occupational hygiene training materials. OHTA is not a recognised awarding body in the UK (or internationally) and previously made arrangements with BOHS for us to certify that candidates have met BOHS’s qualifications standards for W201, W500 and ICertOH. We do not award OHTA qualifications anymore, but continue to award the end-point intermediate level qualification, ICertOH. W500 awards and W201 awards continue as before, renamed as M500 and M200 awards respectively. W500 awards continue to be valid for ICertOH completion and national recognition purposes. Any combination of W500 and M500 awards is valid for ICertOH completion.
We understand that OHTA continues to provide course manuals and training materials, The completion of each OHTA course is examined using multiple choice questions [MCQs] tests.
BOHS M500 examinations test skills, knowledge and competency in exactly the same way as those for W500. Study materials are available freely to download and courses can be booked online via Course Search (bohs.org). BOHS has corrected a number of minor technical errors prior to republication, and is currently in the process of undertaking revisions of the substantive content to bring them up to date with current international standards.
OHTA500 courses may be valuable for revision preparation for recognised professional qualifications, including for the M500 exam series, or to meet coursework requirements for other awarding bodies, but are not recognised in the UK as qualifications, so will not prepare you to meet ICertOH standards, for which BOHS acts as the independent examining body.
BOHS is the only recognised awarding body for Occupational Hygiene qualifications based in the UK. It is the regulatory body for overseas qualifications under the Regulated Professions Act 2022, and runs the UK’s statutory register for Occupational Hygiene Professions Register of Occupational Hygiene Professionals - British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). In order to meet the qualifications requirements to work in the UK and for many UK companies, you will need a BOHS awarded qualification. BOHS collaborates with our ATPs to offer examinations internationally. There are hundreds of courses and exam opportunities each year, both face to face and online (where the mandatory practical skills elements may be provided using video techniques). You can find a list here Course Search (bohs.org)
There is high demand for occupational hygienists in the UK and at the moment, there is no other recognised awarding body which meets UK standards, as set out in the BOHS Statement of Occupational Hygiene Competencies - British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). We are in discussions with other bodies about them working with us. Please note that as of 1st January 2024, courses provided by training intermediaries will only be accepted as meeting UK professional standards, if examined by BOHS (i.e. you register and pass an M500 exam).
Previous awards of BOHS, such as our W500 awards, will continue to be recognised. To ensure that you are properly prepared for M500 examinations, please refer to the open access materials which are free to access and have been updated Qualifications - British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). These materials should be used, rather than other material distributed on the internet, which have not been quality assured by BOHS, and which may require you to give your personal data or ask you for payment.
The European Platform on Occupational Hygiene is shortly to announce a competency framework for Europe, and our qualifications will remain aligned to this. Our competency framework is also aligned to the European framework for higher education and matches the European Credit Transfer system. As BOHS awards under its Royal Charter (the same as Oxford and Cambridge Universities), it enjoys national and international recognition as the UK’s exclusive awarding body for occupational hygiene qualifications.
Until 1st December 2025 BOHS approved materials in support of M series courses can be downloaded for free from the course page Qualifications - British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).
While BOHS provides a European-style qualifications route, a major professional qualifications route is through certification as an Industrial Hygienist. CIHs will be recognised for practice in the UK and added to the UK’s statutory register for Occupational Hygiene Professions, subject to finalisation of a bilateral agreement. Those studying for BGC examinations, such as through AIHA’s courses or those undertaking OHTA500 courses, can seek professional recognition once they have completed their CIH examinations.
In the alternative, candidates may sit M500 examinations, which are a continuation of the W500 series to progress to CertOH or ICertOH for professional recognition.