This guide covers everything: what the test actually involves, the exact topics it tests, how to book it, and how to prepare properly. By the time you finish reading, you should know exactly what you are walking into.
What is the CSCS test?
The CSCS test is formally called the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test. It is run by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) on behalf of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Passing it is a mandatory step before you can apply for most CSCS card types.
- Number of questions 50 multiple-choice questions
- Time allowed 45 minutes
- Pass mark 45 out of 50 (90%)
- Cost £22.50
- Format Computer-based, at a CITB test centre
- Availability 200+ test centres across the UK, with some online (remote proctored) options
The pass mark is high — 90% — which surprises a lot of people. You can only afford to get 5 questions wrong. That is why random guessing or last-minute cramming rarely works. You need to actually know the material.
More information about booking and centres is at citb.co.uk.
Which CSCS card type do you need?
Before you book the test, it is worth confirming which card type applies to you — though the good news is that all of them require the same HS&E test.
- Green Card (Labourer): For general site labourers with a Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
- Trainee / Apprentice card: For those on an approved apprenticeship or training programme
- Blue Card (Skilled Worker): For tradespeople with a recognised NVQ/SVQ at Level 2 (e.g. bricklayers, plasterers, scaffolders)
- Gold Card (Supervisory): For site supervisors with an NVQ/SVQ at Level 3
- Black Card (Manager / Professional): For site managers, project managers and similar roles, typically requiring a Level 4+ qualification
For more on card types and which one applies to your trade, visit cscs.uk.com.
What topics does the CSCS test cover?
The test covers eight topic areas drawn from the CITB HS&E Test Handbook. Here is a proper breakdown of each one — not a vague list, but the specific content that actually comes up.
1. Health, welfare and work
This covers your legal rights and duties on site. The key legislation is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA), which places a duty of care on both employers and employees. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) builds on this, requiring employers to carry out risk assessments.
Know the difference between an employer's duties and an employee's duties. Employees must take reasonable care of themselves and others, cooperate with their employer, and not interfere with anything provided for health and safety purposes.
Welfare facilities — toilets, washing facilities, rest areas, drinking water — also come up here. Employers are legally required to provide them.
2. Accident prevention and reporting
This section tests RIDDOR 2013 (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). The exact timescales are tested frequently and are a common reason people lose marks:
- Specified injuries (e.g. fractures, amputations, loss of sight): Must be reported to the HSE immediately (by the fastest practicable means)
- Over-7-day injuries (where a worker is incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days, not counting the day of the accident): Must be reported within 15 days
- Dangerous occurrences (near misses with the potential to cause injury): Must be reported immediately
- Deaths: Must be reported immediately
These timescales come up directly in test questions. Memorise them. More on RIDDOR at hse.gov.uk/riddor.
3. Emergency procedures
The fire triangle (fuel, heat, oxygen — remove one to extinguish the fire) is tested here, as are site evacuation procedures and the role of fire marshals. Know the difference between the types of fire extinguisher and what each is used for: red (water — not for electrical fires), blue (dry powder), black (CO2 — safe for electrical), cream (foam).
You should also know the basic steps in a site emergency: raise the alarm, evacuate, muster at the assembly point, do not re-enter until told it is safe.
4. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
This is one of the more heavily tested areas. The key concept is the hierarchy of control:
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- PPE
PPE is the last resort — not the first response. This principle is tested regularly, and confusing the order is a common mistake.
You also need to know types of PPE and when they are used: hard hats, safety boots (steel toecap), hi-vis vests, gloves, safety glasses, ear defenders, dust masks (P1/P2/P3 ratings), and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022) require employers to provide PPE free of charge when risks cannot be controlled by other means.
5. Manual handling
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to avoid manual handling where reasonably practicable, assess risks where it cannot be avoided, and reduce the risk of injury.
The TILE assessment framework is tested:
- T — Task (what are you doing?)
- I — Individual (is the person capable?)
- L — Load (what are you lifting?)
- E — Environment (what are the conditions?)
Know that the HSE guideline figure for lifting is 25 kg for men in ideal conditions — but this is a guideline, not a legal limit. Context matters.
6. Working at height
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to any work where a person could fall and injure themselves — this includes working below ground level (e.g. in an excavation). The regulations follow a three-step hierarchy:
- Avoid working at height if possible
- Use existing means of preventing falls (e.g. guardrails)
- Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall (e.g. safety nets, harnesses)
Equipment types covered: scaffolding, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), ladders, step ladders, podium steps, and harnesses. Know when each is appropriate and what inspections are required. Full guidance at hse.gov.uk/work-at-height.
7. Hazardous substances
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require employers to prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances.
The eight types of harm covered by COSHH: dust, fumes, vapours, gases, mists, biological agents, nanotechnology particles, and substances with occupational exposure limits (OELs).
Silica dust and asbestos are specifically highlighted in the test. Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999 but is still present in many pre-2000 buildings. Any suspected asbestos must be reported and dealt with by a licensed contractor.
8. Electrical safety
Key topics: safe isolation procedures before working on electrical equipment, the danger of overhead power lines (minimum safe distance is typically 6 metres for lines up to 33kV), buried cables, and PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing).
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical systems are maintained in a safe condition. On construction sites, 110V (reduced low voltage) equipment is preferred over 230V because it reduces the risk of fatal injury.
Test yourself on all 8 topic areas
PassNova has 1,000+ CSCS practice questions mapped to every topic, with timed mock exams that replicate the real test format.
How to book the CSCS test
- Go to citb.co.uk and navigate to the HS&E test booking page
- Create an account or log in
- Use the test centre locator to find your nearest centre — there are 200+ across England, Scotland and Wales
- Select your date and time slot
- Pay the £22.50 fee (card payment online)
- You will need a valid photo ID on the day (passport or driving licence) and your National Insurance number
If you need to cancel or reschedule, CITB requires at least three working days' notice to avoid losing your fee. Online (remote proctored) testing is available for some candidates — check the CITB site for current availability.
How to prepare — what actually works
1. Official CITB mock test
CITB offers 50 free practice questions on their website. This is a solid starting point — do it first to get a feel for the question style. However, it only covers a fraction of the full question bank. Do not rely on it alone.
2. PassNova CSCS test prep
PassNova has 1,000+ practice questions mapped to all eight topic areas, with timed mock exams that replicate the real test format. Practice at passnova.co.uk/course/cscs-health-safety.
3. CITB HS&E Test Handbook
The official handbook is the gold standard revision resource — everything that can be tested is in it. You can buy a physical copy at WHSmith or download it from the CITB website. Read it once all the way through, then focus on the areas that feel unfamiliar.
4. Focus areas — if you are short on time, prioritise these:
- RIDDOR exact timescales (most commonly failed topic)
- The hierarchy of control — PPE comes last, not first
- Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the three-step hierarchy
- COSHH: the eight types of harm
- Fire extinguisher types and their uses
1,000+ questions. Timed mocks. All 8 topics covered.
Most people who prepare properly pass first time. PassNova gives you the questions and format you need — try it free before you book.
Common reasons candidates fail
Getting RIDDOR timescales wrong. This is the single biggest differentiator between candidates who just pass and those who fail. The timescales are specific and counterintuitive. "Over-7-day" injuries are reported within 15 days — not 7 days. Specified injuries are immediate. Know these cold.
Confusing the PPE hierarchy. A very common mistake is thinking PPE should be the first response to a hazard. It is not. It is the last resort after elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls have been considered. Questions are specifically designed to catch this misunderstanding.
Running out of time. 45 minutes for 50 questions works out at 54 seconds per question. That sounds comfortable — until you factor in reading time, re-reading confusing questions, and the mental fatigue that builds up. Do timed practice so 54 seconds per question feels natural.
Not knowing the legislation names and years. The test does not just test what you should do — it tests which regulation requires it. HSWA 1974, MHSWR 1999, RIDDOR 2013, WAH Regs 2005, COSHH 2002, Manual Handling Regs 1992. Know which is which.
On the day — what to expect
Arrive at the test centre at least 10–15 minutes early. Bring your photo ID (passport or driving licence) and know your National Insurance number. You will be asked to sign in, and your ID will be checked before you are allowed to sit the test.
The test is computer-based. Questions are displayed one at a time and you select from multiple-choice options (usually four). You can flag questions and return to them before submitting.
Your result is displayed immediately on screen when you finish. A pass certificate is issued on the day. You then use this to apply for your CSCS card through cscs.uk.com.
If you fail, you can rebook and retake the test — there is no waiting period, though you pay the £22.50 fee again.
If you are building a wider site-safety ticket, pair the CSCS Health & Safety Test practice with our NEBOSH practice questions for the national health & safety qualification, or the ECS Health & Safety practice if you are working toward an electrotechnical ECS card rather than the construction CSCS route.