PECB ISO 45001 Foundation exam-day guide
PECB ISO 45001 Foundation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID (passport or national ID) whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your booking confirmation and candidate/registration number accessible, printed or on your phone, so you can check in without delay.
Know your exam format and logistics
Confirm with the provider the delivery mode (online proctored or test centre), duration, number of questions, question style, and pass mark before exam day. Do not assume these details.
Allowed reference materials
Most certification foundations exams are closed-book, but confirm with the provider whether any standard extract or notes are permitted. If not permitted, do not bring them into the exam environment.
Stable internet and device check (online exams)
If proctored online, test your camera, microphone, browser, and connection in advance and confirm system requirements with the provider.
Quiet, cleared workspace (online exams)
Remove notes, phones, and clutter from the desk and room as instructed by the proctor. Keep only permitted items within reach.
Revise the ISO 45001 clause structure
Be able to place key requirements by clause (context, leadership and worker participation, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement) so you can map questions quickly.
Review core OH&S management concepts
Refresh: hazard identification and risk/opportunity assessment, legal and other requirements, PDCA, hierarchy of controls, consultation and participation of workers, documented information, incident and nonconformity handling, and management review.
Plan timing and travel
Arrive or log in with buffer time. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival/check-in time and what happens if you are late.
Rest and hydration plan
Protect sleep in the final nights and plan water and a light meal. Confirm break rules with the provider in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm exam logistics with the provider (format, duration, pass mark, ID requirements, permitted materials, online system requirements). Do a full practice pass on clause mapping and on the vocabulary of ISO 45001 (e.g., 'worker', 'hazard', 'risk', 'opportunity', 'documented information'). List any topics you are still unsure about.
Target weak areas only. Re-read the clause structure and the PDCA flow. Practise distinguishing similar terms (hazard vs. risk, correction vs. corrective action, consultation vs. participation, monitoring vs. measurement).
Light review only: skim your own summary notes and the clause map. Prepare ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Confirm start time and location or login link. Avoid cramming new material. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat a light meal, re-check the start time and link/location, and arrive or log in early with buffer. Do a short warm-up (clause map only), not a heavy study session. Keep the workspace cleared if online.
Read each question fully and note the key term (e.g., 'shall', 'should', 'primary purpose'). Answer confident items first and flag uncertain ones to revisit. Eliminate clearly wrong options. Watch the clock and reserve time to review flagged questions. If a question is unclear, choose the best-supported answer rather than leaving it blank, unless the provider states there is no penalty for guessing (confirm with the provider).
Rules to check
Bring original government-issued photo ID matching your registration name; confirm accepted ID types and any second-form requirement with the provider.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials. Unless explicitly allowed, treat the exam as closed-book and keep notes, phones, and smart devices out of the exam environment.
For online proctored exams, comply with the proctor's instructions on room scans, workspace clearance, and behaviour; confirm technical requirements and the procedure if your connection drops.
Confirm break policy with the provider before the exam. Do not leave the exam environment during a no-break exam without proctor permission.
Do not communicate with others, use unauthorised aids, or attempt to capture or share exam content; such conduct is typically treated as misconduct. Confirm the specific policy with the provider.
Check the scoring and pass criteria with the provider in advance (number of questions, pass mark, whether unanswered questions are penalised) so you can plan your time and guessing strategy.
If you need accommodations (extra time, separate room, assistive technology), request them from the provider well before exam day; confirm deadlines and approval.
Report any technical or procedural problem to the proctor or provider immediately and follow their instructions for documenting the issue.