The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines is officially recognised and quality assured by Skills for Care, ensuring it aligns with the Quality Assured Care Learning Service (QACLS) framework and current regulatory standards for health and social care practice in England. This course gives you the knowledge and skills to work confidently and safely in health and social care settings.
Designed for both new and experienced care professionals, this course helps you strengthen your medication management skills and advance your career. You can study online at your own pace with full tutor support from health and social care experts. This 14-credit qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 140 hours, including 120 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and provides practical, confidence-building learning to deliver safer, higher-quality care.
You’ll learn how to handle, store, and administer medicines correctly while maintaining legal and safety standards, explore different medication types, practise accurate record-keeping, and understand the importance of safe administration in protecting patient well-being. The course also covers risk assessment, infection control, and procedures for reporting errors or adverse reactions, helping you reduce risks in care environments. Developing a clear understanding of policies and best practices, you’ll be better equipped to support safe, person-centred care.
Funding and Importance for Employers
This qualification is fully funded under the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, giving employers an affordable way to upskill their teams. Staff who complete the NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines gain the knowledge to manage, store, and administer medication safely, follow legal and regulatory requirements, and reduce the risk of errors. Employers benefit from a workforce that meets current care standards, ensures safe and effective medication practices, and promotes a culture of responsibility and high-quality care.
The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines is a 14-credit qualification designed to equip learners with essential knowledge and skills in the safe management of medicines. The course has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 140 hours, including 120 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), and requires learners to complete all 14 credits across four mandatory components.
Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN): 610/3195/1
| Unit Ref. | Title | Level | GLH | Credit Values |
| T/650/8197 | Understanding Medication | 2 | 24 | 3 |
| K/650/8193 | Understanding Medicine Supply, Storage and Disposal | 2 | 24 | 3 |
| L/650/8194 | Handling Medicines: Record Keeping & Auditing | 2 | 36 | 4 |
| R/650/8196 | Safe Administration of Medicines | 2 | 36 | 4 |
To enrol in the NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines (RQF), you should:
For further information, please click here to view the full guidance.
*Learners from non-majority English-speaking countries must provide proof of English language proficiency. For more details, visit Language Expectations.
The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines is suitable for individuals starting or progressing a career in health and social care. It is designed for those who want essential knowledge of safe medication practices, including prescription reading, storage, administration, and record-keeping.
Progression Routes
Achievement of this qualification confirms the learner has gained the knowledge and skills required to:
The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines carries the Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN): 610/3195/1, shown on the final certificate. Learners can verify this qualification on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications for verification and further details.
This qualification is accredited by NOCN Qualifications, an Ofqual-approved and regulated awarding body (RN5194). Ofqual ensures high standards and public confidence in vocational qualifications, while NOCN implements robust quality assurance processes to maintain the integrity and reliability of its certifications.
At Inspire Medical, all NOCN qualifications are internally set and internally assessed in line with NOCN standards. Assessment activities are carefully designed to ensure learners can clearly demonstrate achievement against all unit requirements.
Our Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) team pre-verifies all assessment tasks before use. This ensures assessments are appropriate, inclusive, and fair for learners with different needs, while fully meeting NOCN assessment principles. We also ensure that all knowledge-based learning is delivered at the correct qualification level. Inspire London College follows the NOCN Quality Assurance Manual to maintain high assessment standards, support learner achievement, and ensure consistent, reliable assessment decisions across all programmes.
Upon completion, NOCN issues an Ofqual-recognised certificate, and learners receive a digital copy included in the course fee. Learners may request a hard copy certificate for an additional £25, which covers standard postal charges. For faster delivery, especially for international shipments, an optional courier service (e.g., DHL) is available for an extra £40. Selecting the courier is not mandatory; it is offered for convenience, as standard postal delivery usually takes 3–4 weeks.
The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines is officially recognised and quality assured by Skills for Care, ensuring it aligns with the Quality Assured Care Learning Service (QACLS) framework and current regulatory standards for health and social care practice in England. This course gives you the knowledge and skills to work confidently and safely in health and social care settings.
Designed for both new and experienced care professionals, this course helps you strengthen your medication management skills and advance your career. You can study online at your own pace with full tutor support from health and social care experts. This 14-credit qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 140 hours, including 120 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and provides practical, confidence-building learning to deliver safer, higher-quality care.
You’ll learn how to handle, store, and administer medicines correctly while maintaining legal and safety standards, explore different medication types, practise accurate record-keeping, and understand the importance of safe administration in protecting patient well-being. The course also covers risk assessment, infection control, and procedures for reporting errors or adverse reactions, helping you reduce risks in care environments. Developing a clear understanding of policies and best practices, you’ll be better equipped to support safe, person-centred care.
Funding and Importance for Employers
This qualification is fully funded under the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, giving employers an affordable way to upskill their teams. Staff who complete the NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines gain the knowledge to manage, store, and administer medication safely, follow legal and regulatory requirements, and reduce the risk of errors. Employers benefit from a workforce that meets current care standards, ensures safe and effective medication practices, and promotes a culture of responsibility and high-quality care.
The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines is a 14-credit qualification designed to equip learners with essential knowledge and skills in the safe management of medicines. The course has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 140 hours, including 120 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), and requires learners to complete all 14 credits across four mandatory components.
Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN): 610/3195/1
| Unit Ref. | Title | Level | GLH | Credit Values |
| T/650/8197 | Understanding Medication | 2 | 24 | 3 |
| K/650/8193 | Understanding Medicine Supply, Storage and Disposal | 2 | 24 | 3 |
| L/650/8194 | Handling Medicines: Record Keeping & Auditing | 2 | 36 | 4 |
| R/650/8196 | Safe Administration of Medicines | 2 | 36 | 4 |
The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines is suitable for individuals starting or progressing a career in health and social care. It is designed for those who want essential knowledge of safe medication practices, including prescription reading, storage, administration, and record-keeping.
Progression Routes
Achievement of this qualification confirms the learner has gained the knowledge and skills required to:
The NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines carries the Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN): 610/3195/1, shown on the final certificate. Learners can verify this qualification on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications for verification and further details.
This qualification is accredited by NOCN Qualifications, an Ofqual-approved and regulated awarding body (RN5194). Ofqual ensures high standards and public confidence in vocational qualifications, while NOCN implements robust quality assurance processes to maintain the integrity and reliability of its certifications.
At Inspire Medical, all NOCN qualifications are internally set and internally assessed in line with NOCN standards. Assessment activities are carefully designed to ensure learners can clearly demonstrate achievement against all unit requirements.
Our Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) team pre-verifies all assessment tasks before use. This ensures assessments are appropriate, inclusive, and fair for learners with different needs, while fully meeting NOCN assessment principles. We also ensure that all knowledge-based learning is delivered at the correct qualification level. Inspire London College follows the NOCN Quality Assurance Manual to maintain high assessment standards, support learner achievement, and ensure consistent, reliable assessment decisions across all programmes.
Upon completion, NOCN issues an Ofqual-recognised certificate, and learners receive a digital copy included in the course fee. Learners may request a hard copy certificate for an additional £25, which covers standard postal charges. For faster delivery, especially for international shipments, an optional courier service (e.g., DHL) is available for an extra £40. Selecting the courier is not mandatory; it is offered for convenience, as standard postal delivery usually takes 3–4 weeks.
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