- £23.50, 50 questions, 45 minutes; the Operatives pass mark is 90% (45 of 50).
- Three types: Operatives, Specialists, and Managers and Professionals.
- Bring original, unexpired ID in the booking name, and arrive 15 minutes early.
- Without the right ID you are not admitted and the fee is not refunded.
The test in numbers
| Item | Detail (CITB, checked 5 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Cost | £23.50 |
| Length | 50 questions in 45 minutes |
| Types | Operatives, Specialists, Managers and Professionals |
| Operatives pass mark | 90%: at least 45 of 50 |
| Operatives topics | Working environment, occupational health, safety, high-risk activities, specialist |
CITB points people to the CSCS card finder to work out which test goes with their card. The pass marks for the Specialists and Managers and Professionals tests were not on the pages opened for this guide, so look them up on CITB's own pages.
Booking
- Choose Operatives, Specialist or the Managers and Professionals test and book online with Pearson, by phone, or with a local Internet Test Centre.
- Have to hand: an email address, your full UK postal address, the test type and centre, your CITB registration number if you have one, and a debit or credit card or a voucher.
- Say if you need adjustments when you book.
- Keep the confirmation email or letter.
The Pearson booking line is 0344 994 4488 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 12 noon); the Welsh-language line is 0344 994 4490. Groups of four or more candidates use CITB's group booking system. Vouchers of £23.50 are redeemable only at Pearson Professional Centres. CITB also publishes standard booking terms, dated April 2026, covering cancellation and rebooking; read them before paying.
What to bring on the day
Arrive 15 minutes early. CITB accepts one primary document: a UK or international passport, a UK or European photocard driving licence, or an eVisa shown through a UKVI account. If you do not have one, you need one document from List A (photo and name, such as a CSCS card, a CitizenCard or a European national identity card) and one from List B (signature and name, such as a credit or debit card).
- Originals only; photocopies and digital copies are not accepted, except an eVisa.
- Valid and unexpired.
- In the same name as the booking.
- Under 16: bring CITB's parental consent form.
CITB says candidates without the required ID will not be admitted, and the test fee will not be reimbursed. An ID waiver form exists for exceptional circumstances, and the ID line is 0344 994 4488.
Preparing and adjustments
CITB's own revision material is the GT100 publication, in print and as a digital download. There is also a smartphone app with test simulations in 14 voiceover languages, and a demo test that is not scored. CITB offers reasonable adjustments at Pearson Professional Centres, including voiceover and British Sign Language video, requested through booking or at citb.adjustments@pearson.com.
Keep your Score Report safe once you have finished: it holds the information you need for the card application, as described in CSCS card cost.
Why nobody else can sell you a pass
The test is delivered by CITB through Pearson and approved test centres, and the result is tied to your own ID and your own registration. A person who offers to sit it in your place, or to arrange a score, is selling something you cannot lawfully obtain. Centres where tests were rigged or sat by others have led to cards being revoked: test centre fraud.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the CITB HS&E test?
£23.50, according to CITB. Vouchers of that value can be bought in advance, but they are redeemable only at Pearson Professional Centres.
What is the pass mark for the Operatives test?
90%, which means at least 45 of the 50 questions correct, according to CITB. The test lasts 45 minutes.
What ID do I need for the test?
One primary document: a UK or international passport, a UK or European photocard driving licence, or an eVisa. Otherwise one photo document plus one signature document. All must be original, valid and in your booking name.
Can I get help in the test?
CITB offers reasonable adjustments at Pearson Professional Centres, including voiceover and British Sign Language video. Ask when booking or email citb.adjustments@pearson.com.
How do I revise?
CITB lists the GT100 publication, a smartphone app with simulations in 14 voiceover languages and an unscored demo test.
What do I do with my Score Report?
Keep it safe. CITB says it contains information you need for your CSCS card application.