CITB HS&E test format 2026: questions, time and pass mark
The CITB health, safety and environment test has 50 multiple-choice questions and you get 45 minutes. To pass the Operatives or Specialist test you need 45 correct (90%); the Managers and Professionals test needs 46. It costs £23.50 and you sit it at a Pearson VUE test centre.
The test is the same shape whichever version you take: 50 questions against a 45-minute clock. What changes is the content and, for managers, the pass mark.
The three versions of the test
CITB runs three versions, all 50 questions in 45 minutes. The one you need depends on the CSCS card you are applying for, and the CSCS card finder will tell you which.
| Test | Who usually sits it | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|
| Operatives | Labourers and most site workers (green card) | 45 of 50 (90%) |
| Specialist | Workers in a specialist trade, such as working at height or demolition | 45 of 50 (90%) |
| Managers and Professionals | Site managers, supervisors and professionals | 46 of 50 (92%) |
Why the pass mark catches people out
A 90% pass mark leaves very little room. On the Operatives test you can miss five questions; a sixth wrong answer means a fail and another £23.50 to sit it again. Detail matters: the exact meaning of a sign, the right order for a procedure, or which extinguisher suits which fire.
That is why practising under timed conditions matters. Forty-five minutes for 50 questions is under a minute each, which is enough if you know the material and tight if you are unsure.
What the questions cover
The questions come from five broad areas: your legal duties and site rules, health and welfare, general safety, high-risk activities such as working at height and excavations, and protecting the environment. The Specialist and Managers tests add questions specific to their role.
You will see several question styles. Most are multiple choice with one correct answer, but CITB also uses questions with images, hot-spot questions where you tap part of a picture, and drag-and-drop questions.
Case studies
Older guides describe a separate section of behavioural case studies. CITB’s own page on test changes says this section was removed in June 2019, with questions on safe behaviour built into the main test instead. CSCS Test Prep Kit still includes case-study practice as an optional extra, because thinking through a site scenario step by step is good preparation for the behaviour questions.
On the day
Arrive with time to spare. The test lasts 45 minutes, but you also need time for ID checks and a photo. You get your result at the test centre. If you need help with reading or language, ask about the arrangements CITB offers when you book.
Common questions
How many questions can I get wrong and still pass?
Five on the Operatives and Specialist tests, because you need 45 out of 50. On the Managers and Professionals test you can only get four wrong, because the pass mark is 46.
Is the CITB test the same as the CSCS test?
Yes. People often call it the CSCS test, but CITB owns and runs it. CSCS issues the card once you have passed and have the right qualification.
Does the test still have behavioural case studies?
CITB says it removed the separate case-study section in June 2019 and built safe-behaviour questions into the main 50 instead. Some revision sites still describe a case-study section, so go by CITB's own guidance when you book.
How do I book the test?
Book online through CITB or by phone on 0344 994 4488. Groups of four or more can use CITB's group booking system.
Sources
Practise on your phone before test day
CSCS Test Prep Kit has over 1,500 practice questions, timed mock tests, and help in six languages.