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CITB HSE test

CITB HSE test: how to book, what to expect and how to pass

Everything UK construction workers need before booking the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test — cost, format, revision tips and retake rules.

Quick answer

The CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) test is required before most CSCS card applications. It is a 45-minute multiple choice test sat at an approved test centre.

Timeline: Book in advance — most workers pass first time after 4–6 hours of focused revision.

Cost: £22.50 per attempt. Pass certificate is valid for 2 years from pass date.

Watch out: Book the correct test version for your card type — Operatives and Managers and Professionals are different tests. Booking the wrong one wastes your fee.

Step-by-step guide

  1. 1. Confirm the correct test version for your card

    Operatives (most workers), Specialists (specialist trades), Managers and Professionals (SMSTS+, designers, engineers), or Highway Works (NHSS scheme). Check the CSCS card finder before booking.

  2. 2. Book at citb.co.uk

    Choose a test centre, date and time. Pay £22.50 at the point of booking. Centres available across England, Scotland and Wales — book ahead in rural locations.

  3. 3. Check your booking confirmation

    The name on the booking must match your photo ID exactly. Mismatches can result in the test centre turning you away.

  4. 4. Revise the seven core topic areas

    General H&S, working at height, excavations and confined spaces, electrical safety, fire and emergency, manual handling and PPE, welfare and environmental protection. Use the official CITB revision app and free practice tests.

  5. 5. Attend with valid photo ID

    Most centres open a few minutes before the slot. Late arrivals may not be admitted. Take the test on the touch-screen terminal — 50 questions for Operatives (45 core + 5 behavioural case studies). Pass mark 45/50.

  6. 6. Print your pass certificate

    Results appear on screen immediately. Print at the test centre. Keep the certificate — you need the reference number for your CSCS application.

Requirements

Cost
£22.50 per attempt (subject to change — confirm at citb.co.uk)
Format
Touch-screen multiple choice at an approved CITB test centre
Duration
45 minutes (Operatives) / 57 minutes (Managers and Professionals)
Questions
50 for Operatives — 45 core H&S + 5 behavioural case studies
Pass mark
45/50 correct for Operatives
Validity
2 years from date of passing — must apply for / renew your card before it expires
Photo ID
Required at the test centre — name must match the booking exactly

What employers usually check

  • A current CITB test pass exists for the card level claimed
  • Test version matches the card colour (Operatives vs Managers)
  • Pass certificate has not expired
  • Name on certificate matches the card application and photo ID

Common mistakes

  • Booking the wrong test version for the card type being applied for
  • Name on the booking does not match photo ID — some centres will refuse entry
  • Losing the pass certificate before the card application is submitted
  • Allowing the 2-year certificate to expire before the card application is complete
  • Revising from outdated materials — always use the current CITB revision resources
  • Arriving late to the test centre — most will not admit late candidates
  • Guessing on the 5 behavioural case study questions — the most common source of lost marks

Use this in SubbHubb

Upload your cards and track expiryKeep your test and card evidence in one place.Find training for your tradeBrowse CITB-aligned and trade-specific training courses.

FAQ

Do I need the CITB test for every CSCS card type?

Most card types require it. The Yellow Construction Site Visitor card does not. Confirm requirements for your specific card at cscs.uk.com before booking.

Can I take the test online from home?

Check citb.co.uk for the latest available delivery options. Remote proctored testing has been piloted. Test centre delivery remains the primary route.

Is the test the same across England, Scotland, and Wales?

Yes. Content and pass marks are consistent at all approved centres across Great Britain.

I passed years ago — is my certificate still valid?

Only if it is within 2 years of the date of passing. If more than 2 years have passed, you must retake the test before applying for or renewing a card.

How long after passing the test can I submit my card application?

Up to 2 years. You do not need to apply immediately, but do not let the certificate expire before you do.

What happens if I fail?

You can retake at any time — there is no mandatory waiting period. Each attempt costs £22.50. Use the CITB revision materials to identify weak topic areas before booking again. Only a pass certificate is submitted with your card application.

Related content

CSCS card guide: all types, costs and how to applyA complete reference for UK construction workers. Every CSCS card colour explained, what each one costs, how to apply, and what employers check at the gate.CSCS card colours explained: what each one means and who needs itEvery CSCS card colour at a glance — green, blue, gold, red, black, white, yellow and platinum — with who holds each and how to get one.CSCS card expired: what to do next on siteA practical recovery plan for expired CSCS cards: renewal route, required checks, costs, and how to get back site-ready quickly.Find training for your tradeConstruction requirements checker

Next steps

Related jobs, cards and requirements

Use the requirements checkerCheck which cards or training may apply to your role and site activity.Browse construction jobsFind live construction work and compare job requirements before applying.Create a free Site PassportTrack cards, expiry dates and job readiness in one worker profile.

Reviewed by SubbHubb Construction Content Team — Construction workforce guidance on 15 May 2026

CITB test fees and formats can change. Always confirm at citb.co.uk before booking.

Sources / official guidance