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Workplace Health & WellbeingPractitionerCEMH

Certified Ergonomics & Manual Handling Practitioner

Validates competence in assessing manual handling, repetitive tasks and workstation ergonomics, and designing practical controls that reduce musculoskeletal disorder risk across workplaces.

Exam
1 h 30 min
Questions
50
Pass mark
68%
Valid for
3 years

About this certification

Holders can analyse manual handling operations by considering task, individual, load and environment, and apply recognised assessment tools for lifting, pushing, pulling and repetitive upper-limb tasks. They assess display screen workstations, design ergonomic improvements and mechanical aids, and coach safe handling techniques.

Who it is for: Health and safety advisers, supervisors, occupational health staff and operations managers.

Syllabus

What you'll be assessed on — 6 modules. The percentage is each module's share of the exam.
  1. 01Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomics15% of the exam
    • Explain how musculoskeletal disorders develop
    • Describe the principles of fitting the task to the person
  2. 02Manual Handling Risk Assessment25% of the exam
    • Apply the task, individual, load and environment framework to assess handling operations
    • Apply recognised scoring tools for lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling
  3. 03Repetitive Tasks and Upper Limb Disorders15% of the exam
    • Analyse repetition, force, posture and duration risk factors
    • Design job rotation and task redesign controls
  4. 04Workstation and Display Screen Ergonomics15% of the exam
    • Apply a display screen workstation assessment for office and home working
    • Recommend adjustments to seating, screen and input devices
  5. 05Controls and Mechanical Aids20% of the exam
    • Apply the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce manual handling
    • Evaluate mechanical handling aids and their introduction
  6. 06Training and Monitoring10% of the exam
    • Design practical manual handling training
    • Analyse symptom reports and absence data to monitor effectiveness

Competencies assessed

  • Ergonomic Assessment — Assesses handling and repetitive tasks systematically.
  • Workstation Assessment — Assesses and improves display screen workstations.
  • Control Design — Designs practical controls to reduce MSD risk.
  • Coaching — Coaches safe handling techniques.

Exam blueprint

Closed-book, timed examination with single-choice, multiple-response and scenario-based questions.
Questions per module50 questions · 1 h 30 min · pass 68%
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomics8
  • Manual Handling Risk Assessment13
  • Repetitive Tasks and Upper Limb Disorders7
  • Workstation and Display Screen Ergonomics7
  • Controls and Mechanical Aids10
  • Training and Monitoring5
Question types
Scenario-based 20% · Single choice 60% · Multiple response 20%
Delivery
Online (remote proctored), Test centre, On-site (corporate)
Retakes
Up to three attempts within any 12-month period. A 14-day waiting period applies after a first unsuccessful attempt and 30 days after a second. Each retake requires a new booking and fee. Retakes draw a different randomised form from the question bank.

Provisional cut score — psychometric validation is required before live delivery. Blueprint v1.0.

Your path to certification

  1. 1

    Register

    Create a free account and start the programme.

  2. 2

    Practice

    Online practice test, 8 questions.

  3. 3

    Training

    Optional

    Online course or classroom — or skip it.

  4. 4

    Certification

    Independent exam and certification decision.

  • Practice test8 questions · 20 min · 70% to pass · free with the programme
  • Ergonomics & Manual Handling Practitioner — online course21 h self-paced€499

Training is optional and does not by itself confer certification. Find a training partner

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required

  • Minimum 1 year's experience in health and safety, occupational health or operations
  • Agreement to abide by the AQSCERT Code of Professional Conduct

Recommended

  • OHS-F or equivalent knowledge

More information

Certification process
  1. 1. Application — Create an account and apply for this certification.
  2. 2. Eligibility review — AQSCERT checks the formal eligibility requirements.
  3. 3. Assessment — Sit the 1 h 30 min examination online or at a test centre.
  4. 4. Independent decision — A decision maker not involved in your training or assessment reviews all evidence.
  5. 5. Issuance — A digitally signed certificate with QR verification, valid for 3 years.
  6. 6. Recertification — Before expiry, evidence 45 hours of CPD or re-sit the examination.
  7. Certificates may be suspended, withdrawn or revoked in line with the Certification Scheme. Status is always shown on the public verification page.
Scheme & accreditation
Certification scheme
Workplace Health & Wellbeing Certification Scheme
Scheme code
AQS-SCH-23
Scheme version
v1.0 (effective 1 Jan 2026)

Accreditation: AQSCERT is accredited by DA, an IAF MLA signatory, to ISO/IEC 17024. Our programmes are developed by leading experts from industry.

Ready to start CEMH?

Practise online, add optional training, then sit the independent exam.

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Certified Ergonomics & Manual Handling Practitioner (CEMH) · AQSCERT