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 £23.50 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.

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. 

Support for the test

CITB offers a variety of reasonable adjustments for candidates taking the HS&E test at a Pearson Professional Centre. See what options are available on the support for the HS&E test page.

Prepare for the test

There is a range of revision materials to help you prepare for the Health safety and environment test please visit HS&E test revision materials

Further information

Further details can be found in the following sections:

You can:

Reschedule or cancel online

To cancel or reschedule a test, you need to login to the Pearson VUE test booking system. You will need the username and password you used when you first registered to use the system.

If you do not have a login, you can register for an account to manage your test booking.

Rescheduling the test

Test bookings can be rescheduled up to 72 hours before the test. It is free to do this via the online system. Please note that you cannot change your booking within 72 hours of your scheduled test date.

Cancelling the test

To cancel your test and get a full refund of your test fee, you need to do this online at least 72 hours before the test date.

Your test fee will not be refunded if you cancel your test less than 72 hours before the test date.

Refunds will be made:

  • to the debit or credit card used at the time of the booking

  • by cheque within 15 working days from the date you cancelled the booked test online.

You will not get a refund if you paid using vouchers. Instead, you can reschedule the test for another date, so long as you do this at least 72 hours before the test date.

Reschedule or cancel by phone

To reschedule or cancel your test, call 0344 994 4488. The line is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays. The line is closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Rescheduling the test

Test bookings can be rescheduled up to 72 hours before the test via our telephone booking line but you will be charged a £5.00 reschedule fee. Please note that you cannot change your booking within 72 hours of your scheduled test date.

Cancelling the test

  • If you cancel by phone at least 72 hours before the test date, you will get a refund, minus a £10 administration fee.

  • If you cancel by phone less than 72 hours before the test date, your test fee will not be refunded.

Refunds will be made:

  • to the debit or credit card used at the time of the booking

  • by cheque within 15 working days from the date you cancelled the booked test online.

You will not get a refund if you paid using vouchers. Instead, you can reschedule the test for another date so long as you do this at least 72 hours before the test date (see rescheduling the test by phone above).

Full details are available in the booking terms and conditions (PDF, 153KB).

For 3 candidates or less, tests need to be booked individually online or by calling 0344 994 4488.

Group bookings (4 or more candidates)

Group bookings for 4 or more candidates can be made online using our Navigator Group Booking System.

To get started, you need to request a group booking account by completing this form. If you already have an account, book online here.

For password resets or to request changes to your account, please email groupbookings@citb.co.uk (account set up and reset links are valid for 7 days)

The Navigator Group Booking System allows you to book tests for multiple candidates at a time by:

  • adding the names of all candidates you are booking for

  • selecting where you want them to take the test

  • picking a date and time for the test (subject to availability)

  • paying for all the tests using a credit or debit card

For candidates needing special assistance, you can book a voiceover and a British Sign Language (BSL) video through the system. For other types of special assistance, please email citb.additionalsupport@pearson.com or call 0344 994 4491 to request this.

Please make sure you have read and understood the booking terms and conditions (PDF, 151KB) before you make a booking.

  1. Before you book the service, read and fully understand the Mobile testing terms and conditions (PDF, 140KB).

  2. You then need to fill in the Candidate information form (Excel, 49KB), making sure you:

    • give the name of the candidate(s) taking the test - make sure the names are exactly as shown on the ID that they will have to bring with them to the test

    • give the email address of the candidate(s) taking the test.

  3. Once the Candidate Information form is completed it then needs to be uploaded to the booking request form. On this form:

    • fill in when and where you want the service, and also your preferred delivery method

    • provide your CITB credit account number, if you have one

    • indicate your preferred payment method - if you're not using a credit or debit card to pay for the service, we will arrange a call-back to take payment.

    • Please fill in both the Candidate information form and booking request form completely before submitting, otherwise your booking will be rejected and you will have to start all over again.

  4. After you've submitted the form and paid for the service, you will receive confirmation for your booking by secure email.

    • We ask for payment at least 10 days before the test date.

    • Payment must have cleared into our bank account at least 6 working days before the test date before we send a booking confirmation.

Candidate(s) who will be taking the test will receive a confirmation email/letter confirming their test slot. If you have asked your candidate(s) be reminded of their test slot, they will receive an email or text message 4 days before the date.

Changing the candidate list

If you need to change who will be taking the test, you must do this at least 6 working days before the test date. We cannot make any changes to the list after this period.

Enquiries and further support

Please email citb.mobiletesting@pearson.com if you need additional help with mobile testing bookings.