How much does the CSCS health and safety test cost?

The CSCS Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test costs £22.50. This price is the same for all three test types: Operatives, Specialists and MAP (Managers and Professionals). The fee is paid when you book your test through the CITB website.

What is the pass mark for the CSCS health and safety test?

The pass mark depends on the test type. The Operatives and Specialists tests have a pass mark of 45 out of 50 (90%). The MAP (Managers and Professionals) test has a higher pass mark of 46 out of 50 (92%). All tests consist of 50 multiple-choice questions with a 45-minute time limit.

Where can I take the CSCS health and safety test?

The CSCS HS&E test is taken at Pearson VUE test centres located across the United Kingdom. There are hundreds of test centres in cities and towns throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can find your nearest centre when booking through the CITB website.

What should I bring to the CSCS health and safety test?

You must bring valid photo ID to the test centre — either a passport, photocard driving licence, or national identity card. The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your booking. No phones, notes, books or electronic devices are permitted in the test room. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time.

What happens if I fail the CSCS health and safety test?

If you fail the HS&E test, you can rebook and retake it. There is no mandatory waiting period, but you will need to pay the £22.50 fee again each time. It is strongly recommended that you use practice tests and revision materials before retaking the test to improve your chances of passing.

CSCS Health and Safety Test — Price, Pass Mark & How to Book 2026

What Is the CSCS Health and Safety Test?

The CSCS Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test is a mandatory requirement for obtaining any CSCS card. Run by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the test assesses your knowledge of health and safety in the construction industry. It is sometimes referred to as the “CITB test”, “HS&E test” or simply the “CSCS test”.

The test ensures that everyone working on UK construction sites has a minimum level of health and safety awareness, helping to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities in what remains one of the most dangerous industries in the country.

HS&E Test Types

There are three different HS&E tests, each designed for a different level of construction worker:

Test Type	For Whom	CSCS Cards	Questions	Time	Pass Mark	Price
Operatives	Labourers, tradespeople, general operatives	Green, Blue, Red	50	45 mins	45/50 (90%)	£22.50
Specialists	Workers in specialist trades (e.g. demolition, tunnelling, highway works)	Blue (specialist trades)	50	45 mins	45/50 (90%)	£22.50
MAP	Managers, supervisors, professionals	Gold, Black, White	50	45 mins	46/50 (92%)	£22.50

How to Book the CSCS Health and Safety Test

Visit the CITB website
Select the test type you need (Operatives, Specialists or MAP)
Choose a Pearson VUE test centre near you
Select a date and time — tests are available Monday to Saturday at most centres
Pay the £22.50 fee online (debit or credit card)
You will receive a booking confirmation by email with your test centre address and appointment details

Test centres are located across the UK in most cities and large towns. You can search for your nearest centre on the CITB website.

What to Expect on Test Day

Before the Test

Arrive at least 15 minutes early — late arrivals may not be admitted
Bring valid photo ID — passport, photocard driving licence or national identity card
The name on your ID must exactly match your booking name
You will be asked to store all personal belongings (phone, wallet, keys) in a locker
No phones, notes, books or electronic devices are allowed in the test room

During the Test

The test is taken on a computer with a touchscreen
You will answer 50 multiple-choice questions
Each question has 4 possible answers — you must select the correct one
Some questions include images or diagrams (e.g. hazard identification)
You have 45 minutes to complete all 50 questions
You can go back and change your answers before submitting
The test is available in English and can be read aloud through headphones if needed

After the Test

You receive your result immediately on screen
A printed result slip is provided showing your score
If you pass, your result is automatically registered on the CSCS system
Your pass is valid for 2 years — you must apply for your CSCS card within this period

Topics Covered in the HS&E Test

The test covers all major areas of construction health and safety:

Working at Height — scaffolding, ladders, edge protection, harnesses, WAH Regulations 2005
Manual Handling — lifting techniques, risk assessment, TILE method
Fire Safety — extinguisher types, fire triangle, hot works, evacuation
Personal Protective Equipment — types, selection, maintenance
Hazardous Substances (COSHH) — safety data sheets, labelling, storage
Electrical Safety — 110V supply, PAT testing, overhead cables
First Aid and Emergencies — procedures, RIDDOR, accident reporting
General Site Safety — signage, welfare, noise, vibration, asbestos
Environmental Awareness — waste management, pollution prevention

The MAP test also includes questions on CDM 2015 Regulations, management responsibilities, risk assessment methodology and legislative frameworks.

How to Prepare

Take our free practice tests — Operatives, Specialists or MAP
Use the 2026 Mock Test — 50 timed questions in exam format
Study the revision guide — recommended books, apps and study plans
Review sample questions with detailed explanations
Aim for 47+ in practice — if you consistently score above 47/50, you are ready for the real test

💡 Preparation Tip

The most commonly failed topics are working at height and hazardous substances (COSHH). Make sure you know the Work at Height Regulations 2005 hierarchy of controls and can identify COSHH hazard symbols. These topics regularly account for 10+ questions in the real test.

What If I Fail?

If you fail the HS&E test:

You can rebook immediately — there is no mandatory waiting period
You must pay £22.50 again for each attempt
Use the time between attempts to study your weak areas using our revision guide
Focus on the topics where you lost marks — the result slip shows your score but not individual question results

HS&E Test Validity

Your HS&E test pass is valid for 2 years. This means:

You must apply for your CSCS card within 2 years of passing
When renewing your card, you must have a test pass that is less than 2 years old
If your test pass expires, you must retake the test before you can apply or renew

Special Requirements

If you have specific needs, CITB provides accommodations:

Voiceover — the test can be read aloud through headphones in English
Extra time — available for candidates with documented learning difficulties or disabilities
Language — the test is in English only, but voiceover support is available

Contact CITB on 0344 994 4488 before booking to discuss any special requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

The HS&E test costs £22.50 for all three test types (Operatives, Specialists and MAP). The fee is paid when you book through the CITB website.

The Operatives and Specialists tests have a pass mark of 45/50 (90%). The MAP test has a pass mark of 46/50 (92%). All tests are 50 questions in 45 minutes.

At any Pearson VUE test centre across the UK. There are hundreds of centres in cities and towns throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find yours on the CITB website.

Valid photo ID (passport, photocard driving licence or national identity card). The name must match your booking exactly. No phones, notes or electronic devices are allowed.

You can rebook and retake the test immediately with no waiting period. You will need to pay £22.50 again. Use practice tests and revision materials to improve before your next attempt.

Disclaimer: This is a free practice resource. For official test booking, visit citb.co.uk.

CSCS Health and Safety Test — Complete Guide