About the Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test
The CITB Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test is an important way for construction workers to show they can work safely. For employers, having workers who have passed the CITB HS&E test is assurance that their workforce can keep themselves and those around them safe.
The CITB HS&E test forms a key part of the requirement to obtain a construction industry scheme card.
There are three types of HS&E test. If you already know which type of test to take, you can book and pay for the test online (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) or over the phone.
Cost of the test
It costs £22.50 to take the HS&E Test.
Vouchers of this value can be purchased ahead of time and used to pay for the test (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) (please note vouchers can only be redeemed at Pearson Professional Centres).
Types of HS&E tests
There are three types of HS&E test:
You can use the CSCS card finder (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) to check which HS&E test you need.
About the Operatives HS&E test
The Operatives test ensures workers have a minimum level of health, safety and environmental awareness before going on site. This test covers the following five core knowledge areas:
- Working environment
- Occupational health
- Safety
- High risk activities
- Specialist
The pass mark for the Operatives test is 90%. To pass, you need to answer at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly.
The official CITB GT100 publication contains all of the content that is covered within the test in the form of questions and answers so that you can fully prepare for your test. It is also available as a digital download. There is a smartphone app which provides test simulations so you can practise answering knowledge questions against the clock and highlight the areas where further preparation is needed. The Operatives app is available in the 14 voiceover languages offered.
You can find further information on the preparing for the test page.
About the Specialist HS&E tests
These tests include questions from the five core knowledge areas contained in the Operatives test as well as relevant questions in the chosen specialist areas. The Specialists test can be taken in the following topics:
- supervisory (SUP)
- demolition (DEM)
- plumbing (JIB) (PLUM)
- highway works (HIW)
- specialist work at height (WAH)
- lifts and escalators (LAEE)
- tunnelling (TUNN)
- HVACR – heating and plumbing services (HAPS)
- HVACR – pipefitting and welding (PFW)
- HVACR – ductwork (DUCT)
- HVACR – refrigeration and air conditioning (RAAC)
- HVACE – services and facilities maintenance (SAF)
The pass mark for each of the Specialist tests is 90%. To pass, you need to answer at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly.
The official CITB GT100 publication contains all of the content that is covered within the test in the form of questions and answers so that you can fully prepare for your test. It is also available as a digital download. There is a smartphone app which provides test simulations so you can practise answering knowledge questions against the clock and highlight the areas where further preparation is needed. You can find further information on the preparing for the test page.
About the Managers and Professionals test
This test covers the following six core knowledge areas:
- Legal and management
- Health and welfare
- General safety
- High risk activities
- Environment
- Specialist activities
Specialist activities will include questions on Construction (Design and Management Regulations), Demolition and Highway works.
The pass mark for the Managers and Professionals test is 92%. To pass, you need to answer at least 46 out of 50 questions correctly.
The official CITB GT200 publication contains all of the content that is covered within the test in the form of questions and answers so that you can fully prepare for your test. It is also available as a digital download. There is a smartphone app which provides test simulations so you can practise answering knowledge questions against the clock and highlight the areas where further preparation is needed. You can find further information on the preparing for the test page.
Structure of the tests
Each of the Heath, safety and environment tests last for 45 minutes and contain 50 questions.
CITB is continually reviewing the test to ensure that it continues to help construction workers and employers get the right knowledge, skills and training to be able to work safely in the industry.
