CITB HS&E Test 2026: Format, Pass Mark, Cost and How to Book

The CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test is the test you pass, at the right level, before you apply for a CSCS card, unless you have an approved alternative. CITB says it is "an important way for construction workers to show they can work safely", and that it "forms a key part of the requirement to obtain a construction industry scheme card". CSCS, the card scheme, says that to apply for a CSCS card "you are required to pass the appropriate level of CITB Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test within the last two years or an approved alternative." This guide sets out what CITB itself says about the test: the three types, the format, the pass mark, the fee, how to book and change a booking, the help available on the day, and the revision material CITB points to.

ProSyllabus is an independent study site. It is not part of CITB (the Construction Industry Training Board), CSCS or Pearson VUE, and nothing here is the official test. Every rule on this page is quoted or summarised from the official pages listed at the foot of the page.

The three HS&E tests, and which one you sit

CITB lists three types of HS&E test: Operatives, Specialists, and Managers and Professionals (MAP). Every one lasts 45 minutes and contains 50 questions, and every one has a pass mark of 90%. Which one you sit depends on the CSCS card you are applying for. CITB and CSCS both point to the CSCS Card Finder to check, and CSCS says the Card Finder "will confirm the correct test to sit based on your occupation and qualifications."

CSCS describes the Operatives test as testing "for a basic level of health, safety and environmental awareness". It says the Managers and Professionals test covers "everything in the operative test, plus additional material relevant to managers and professionals", and the Specialists tests "everything in the operative test, plus additional material relating to a specialist area such as supervision or working at heights".

The Operatives test: five core knowledge areas

CITB names the five areas the Operatives test covers. It does not publish a topic list beneath each name on the pages read; it says its GT100 publication "contains all of the content that is covered within the test in the form of questions and answers".

The Specialist tests: twelve topics

CITB says the Specialist tests "include questions from the five core knowledge areas contained in the Operatives test as well as relevant questions in the chosen specialist areas." It lists twelve topics, each with a code. CSCS’s Supervisor card page names the CITB Specialist Supervisory HS&E test.

The Managers and Professionals test: sections A to E

CITB says the MAP test was updated in June 2023 and is structured so you can show knowledge across five sections: A, legal and management; B, occupational health, wellbeing and welfare; C, general safety; D, high risk activities; E, environment. It warns that the breadth of content is now wider than in any previous version and is not role specific, and strongly recommends allowing enough time to revise. CITB offers a MAP sample test of 13 questions, which it says "should not be used in isolation, but as part of your revision."

What the test is like

Every HS&E test lasts 45 minutes and contains 50 questions. For the Operatives and Specialist tests CITB offers an HS&E demo test, "a preview of how the test looks with a sample of different question styles." CITB says the demo test is not scored, that it lets you see the look of the test and practise each style of question, and that it "should not be used in isolation, but as part of your revision." Fifty questions in 45 minutes is 54 seconds a question on average (our arithmetic). In our view that leaves time to read each question carefully, but it is still worth practising against a clock.

The pass mark is the same for all three tests: 90%, which CITB spells out as answering "at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly". That leaves room for five wrong answers, and no more. CITB also says it "is continually reviewing the test", and that it may update the wording used in the tests or revision materials, so a question in the test may be worded differently from the one in the revision materials, though "the meaning will remain the same".

What the test costs, and how to book it

CITB says it costs £23.50 to take the HS&E test. Vouchers of that value can be bought ahead of time and used to pay, but CITB notes they can only be redeemed at Pearson Professional Centres. CSCS says HS&E tests should be booked directly with CITB, not through CSCS, and warns that third-party organisations offering card services "often include admin fees and other additional costs."

Rescheduling and cancelling

The rules depend on whether you change the booking online or by phone, and on how close the test is. The cut-off in every case is 72 hours before the test: within 72 hours you cannot change the booking, and a cancellation gets no refund.

CITB says refunds are made to the debit or credit card used at the time of booking, or by cheque within 15 working days from the date you cancelled the booked test online (its phone section repeats the same wording). To manage a booking online you log in to the Pearson VUE test booking system with the username and password you registered with; if you have no login, you can register for one. CITB’s booking terms and conditions carry the full details.

Support on the day: voiceovers, readers and extra time

CITB offers reasonable adjustments for candidates taking the HS&E test at a Pearson Professional Centre, and says the candidate does not necessarily have to have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010. What is on offer depends on the test.

For the Operatives and Specialist voiceovers, CITB says the questions and answers on screen remain in English; the voiceover lets you hear them in your chosen language. If you take the test with a translator, BSL interpreter, reader or reader-recorder, CITB says you get a separate room at the test centre and extra time, and that waiting times for an appointment may be longer while it assigns someone qualified. The Adjustments team is on 0344 994 4491 (CITB’s page prints it three times as 0344 994491 and once as 0344 994 4491) or citb.additionalsupport@pearson.com; CITB asks you to say which test you want to take, where, what adjustment you need, and any evidence you have, such as a statement of special educational needs or a psychological or specialist assessment.

Revising: what CITB recommends

CITB says: "To increase your chances of passing the test, we recommend that you take a relevant training course, and work through all the sample questions in the revision materials. Make sure that you are confident with the topics and questions before you book your test." For the Operatives test it names these materials, sold through its online shop, high street and online bookshops, or by phone:

For the Specialist tests CITB names the GT100 sections A to E plus the relevant chapter in section F, and the same app (listed for Android); for training it says to ask your specialist trade association or industry body. For the MAP test it names the MAP revision app (£7.29), a PC download (£12.75) and the GT200 revision book. CITB adds that you will be tested on the knowledge in the most up-to-date edition of its revision materials, and that you will not be tested on questions that are no longer deemed appropriate.

After you pass: getting your CSCS card

Passing the test does not issue a card. CSCS says: "Once you’ve passed your CITB HS&E test, you’ll then need to apply for the appropriate card via CSCS." It checks your HS&E test details and your qualification certificate or registration, and issues the card if everything is in order. Applications go through the My CSCS app or CSCS Online, which CSCS calls "the only official place to apply for CSCS cards", and its card pages say that once an application is approved, cards should arrive within five working days. The test pass must be within the last two years when you apply. For which card needs which test, see our guide to the CSCS test and the CITB HS&E test.