About the Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test
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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 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 (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 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
In June 2023 the Managers and Professionals test was updated to reflect changes to legislation, working practices and new technology.
Managers and professionals in the construction industry are responsible for complying with, embedding and implementing effective HS&E practices. Ultimately, this reduces the number of fatalities and accidents. To ensure that managers and professionals have the right health, safety and environmental knowledge to support them in carrying out their role the test covers the following six core knowledge areas:
- Legal and management
- Occupational health, wellbeing and welfare
- General safety
- High risk activities
- Environment
- Specialist activities
Specialist activities will include questions on Demolition and Highway works.
However, based on industry feedback the following topics have been enhanced within the existing key areas.
- Mental health
- Leadership
- Occupational health governance
- Behavioural safety
- New technologies
- Improving legislative compliance.
The pass mark for the Managers and Professionals test is 90%. To pass, you need to answer at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly.
Since the launch of the new CITB HS&E test for Managers and Professionals, we taken onboard feedback received from candidates about the test and the accompanying revision materials. To ensure that we are supporting candidates in revising for and passing their test, we have now streamlined some of the revision materials.
The CITB MAP revision app has been updated to reflect the streamlined content, and can be used by candidates to revise for the test. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store (also available in Welsh), costs £6.99, and can be used to take mock tests in advance of a scheduled test. Candidates who have already purchased the app will not need to purchase it again, as it will receive an automatic update as part of the changes.
Candidates who would prefer to revise using a PC can purchase our streamlined PC download, which costs £12.25, and can also be used to take mock tests in advance of a scheduled test. It can be downloaded from the CITB shop. Candidates who have already purchased the PC download will not need to purchase it again, as it will receive an automatic update as part of the changes.
The original GT200 revision book continues to be available from the CITB shop. A revised version will follow in due course.
A sample test is available. It will give you an indication of the types of questions and different subject areas included in the MAP test. There are 14 questions for you to try. The sample test should not be used in isolation, but as part of your revision.
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.
HS&E Demo Test
Click on the following link to see a demo test. This is a preview of how the test looks with a sample of different question styles. It is not a scored test but will enable you to familiarise yourself with the look of the test and practise how to answer each style of question.
Special assistance for the test
CITB offers a variety of access arrangements for candidates taking the HS&E test at a Pearson Professional Centre.
The following access arrangements are available to book instantly as part of the standard booking process for the HS&E test:
| Instant book options | Type of HS&E test | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operatives | Specialist | Managers and Professionals | |
| Voiceover You can choose to take your test with the help of a voiceover audio recording in either English or Welsh. If you’re sitting the Operatives test, you can choose from a further 12 languages. You’ll be provided with headphones so you can hear the test questions and possible answers in your chosen language. The questions and answers displayed on the screen will remain in English. The Operatives revision app also offers these languages as a voiceover. |
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|
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| British Sign Language (BSL) video You can take the Operatives test with the help of a video recording of a BSL signer, which will play on the screen during the test. |
Yes | No | No |
| Welsh on screen translation You can choose to take your test in Welsh. The Managers and Professionals revision app also gives you the option to view the test content in Welsh. |
No | No | Yes |
The following access arrangements can be requested via the Special Assistance team by calling 0344 994 4491 or emailing citb.additionalsupport@pearson.com (please note evidence may be required to approve your request):
| On request options | Type of HS&E test | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operatives | Specialist | Managers and Professionals | |
| Translator If there’s no voiceover for your language, you can sit the Operatives test or Specialist test with the help of a translator. |
Yes | Yes | No |
| British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter You can take any of the tests with assistance from a BSL interpreter. |
No, British Sign Language (BSL) video is available If you specifically need a BSL interpreter, please contact Special Assistance team by calling 0344 994 4491 or emailing citb.additionalsupport@pearson.com |
Yes | Yes |
| Reader or Reader-Recorder You can take any of the tests with the help of a reader or a reader-recorder as long as you can provide evidence* to support your request. A reader is a person who will read the test questions and possible answers to you and a reader-recorder is a person who will read the test questions and possible answers to you and record the answers as you provide them. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| If you take your test with the assistance of a translator, BSL interpreter, a reader or a reader-recorder, you’ll be provided with a separate room at the test centre and extra time to complete your test. Please note – Waiting times may be longer than usual for a test appointment, due to availability of appropriately qualified individuals to provide these services. |
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When contacting the Special Assistance team to make a request, please provide the following information:
- which HS&E test you want to take (Operatives, Specialist or Managers and Professionals – you can use the CSCS card finder to check which HS&E test you need)
- where you would like to take your test (which test centre)
- what access arrangement you need
- any evidence you have to support your request (*evidence may include a letter from a doctor or a formal assessment document from an appropriately qualified specialist)
Once your request is received, a member of the Special Assistance team will contact you to discuss your requirements and complete your booking (subject to availability).
When you book your test, you can check the accessibility arrangements at your Pearson Professional Test Centre, for example, ramps or parking spaces for disabled drivers.
If you require any access or reasonable adjustment arrangements not listed above, please call 0344 994 4491 or email citb.additionalsupport@pearson.com.