It can be awarded either posthumously or on the occasion of the recipient's retirement from active public life.

[1] The title of "National Hero of Jamaica" or the post-nominal letters ONH can be used following a recipient's name.

This act also designated Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, and Marcus Garvey as the first three recipients of the honour.

[1] The insignia of the Order of National Hero is a fourteen-pointed gold and white star, centered on a black enameled medallion.

The medallion features the Jamaican coat of arms in gold relief, and it is encircled by the motto of the Order, which is "He built a city which hath foundations".