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Book Your CITB HS&E Specialist Test

For supervisors and tradespeople in specialist fields who need a test matched to their line of work. Tell us your specialism and we’ll book the right one at a centre near you.

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About the CITB HS&E Specialist Tests

CITB runs twelve specialist tests, each built around a particular trade or type of work. They are meant for supervisors and people in specialist roles, and passing the right one is often part of applying for a skilled or supervisory CSCS card.

Whichever specialism you pick, the test has 50 questions and you get 45 minutes. The pass mark is 90%, so at least 45 answers must be correct. Questions are drawn from the five core knowledge areas and from your chosen specialist subject. Still deciding? See how the papers compare on our CITB test page.

Which CITB Specialist Tests Are There?

Pick the test that matches your work. Every one of them mixes questions on the five core knowledge areas with questions on that specialism.

Supervisory (SUP)

For supervisors who oversee work and workers on site.

Demolition (DEM)

For people working in demolition.

Plumbing (JIB) (PLUM)

For plumbers working under the JIB plumbing scheme.

Highway works (HIW)

For those carrying out highway works.

Specialist work at height (WAH)

For specialist work carried out at height.

Lifts and escalators (LAEE)

For people who work on lifts and escalators.

Tunnelling (TUNN)

For people working in tunnelling.

HVACR – heating and plumbing services (HAPS)

Heating and plumbing services work within HVACR.

HVACR – pipefitting and welding (PFW)

Pipefitting and welding work within HVACR.

HVACR – ductwork (DUCT)

Ductwork within HVACR.

HVACR – refrigeration and air conditioning (RAAC)

Refrigeration and air conditioning work within HVACR.

Services and facilities maintenance (SAF)

For services and facilities maintenance work.

How to Prepare for Your CITB Specialist Test

With a 90% pass mark there’s very little room for error, so split your revision between the core areas and your specialism.

Revise the core knowledge areas

Every specialist test includes questions from the five core areas, whatever your trade.

Go deep on your specialism

Put proper time into the subject you’ve chosen, as it makes up part of the paper.

Practise against the clock

Fifty questions in 45 minutes leaves you under a minute each, so time your practice runs.

How to Book Your CITB Specialist Test

Let us know which specialist test you need, along with your contact details, a valid ID and a photo. If you’re unsure which one is right, tell us about your job and we’ll help you choose. We then look for a test centre near you, agree a date and time, and email your confirmation. On test day, get there at least 15 minutes early with your ID, ready to put your belongings in a locker.

Tell us your specialism

Plus your contact details, ID and a photo.

Pick a centre and slot

We suggest a nearby centre and agree a time.

We make the booking

Your chosen specialist test is reserved.

Check your email

Confirmation arrives with the centre details.

Revise core and specialist

Use the study material to cover both parts.

Arrive early with ID

Be there 15 minutes before you’re due to start.

Sit the test

50 questions in 45 minutes at the centre.

Get your result

You’ll know how you did once you finish.

Which CSCS Card Will You Get?

The card you can apply for depends on your trade and the level you work at. These are the two routes specialists most commonly take.

Skilled Workers

CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card

For qualified tradespeople in skilled occupations, such as plumbers and other specialist trades.

Supervisors

CSCS Gold Supervisors Card

For people who supervise others within their trade or specialist area on site.

DIDN'T PASS FIRST TIME?

What Happens If You Fail?

If it doesn’t go your way, you can rebook your specialist test after 48 hours. Check whether you dropped marks on the core areas or on your specialism, and focus your revision there before you try again.

Other CITB Tests

Not sure a specialist test fits your role? We book the other CITB HS&E tests too.

Managers & Professionals Test

For managers, supervisors and construction professionals, covering five sections from legal duties to the environment.

Operatives Test

The usual starting point for labourers and site operatives heading for a green CSCS card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should sit a specialist test?

Specialist tests are for supervisors and people working in a specialist trade or type of work, who need a test matched to what they actually do on site. Passing the right one often forms part of an application for a skilled or supervisory CSCS card.

Which specialist test do I need?

Choose the one that matches your work. CITB offers twelve: 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), and Services and facilities maintenance (SAF).

Not sure which fits? Tell us about your job when you book and we'll help you pick.

Do I also get general safety questions?

Yes. Whichever specialism you choose, the test mixes questions on that subject with questions from the five core knowledge areas, so you need to revise both.

What's the format and pass mark?

Every specialist test has 50 questions and a 45-minute time limit. You need 90% to pass, which is at least 45 correct answers.

How much does the test cost?

The CITB HS&E Test booking fee is £47, which includes the CITB test fee (£23.50) along with our booking/processing service fee.

How do I book a specialist test with Coteca?

Tell us which specialist test you need, along with your contact details, ID and a photo. We'll look for a test centre near you, agree a date and time, book it under your details and email you the confirmation.

What ID do I need to bring?

Bring ID that meets CITB's ID policy, and check it against the policy before the day rather than on the morning. If your ID doesn't meet the policy, the centre won't let you sit the test and the fee is lost.

What time should I get to the test centre?

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your start time. It gives you time to check in, show your ID and put your things away without feeling rushed.

Can I take my phone or bag into the test room?

No. Phones, keys, watches, wallets and bags all go in a locker before you start. You can't bring anyone in with you either, so a friend or colleague will need to wait elsewhere.

Any misconduct during the test means you forfeit the fee, so leave everything in the locker and keep to the centre's rules.

Can I change or cancel my booking?

Yes, as long as you give at least 72 hours' notice. Get in touch with us as soon as you know your plans have changed and we'll help you sort it out.

What happens if I fail?

You can rebook after 48 hours. Before you do, work out whether you lost marks on the core knowledge areas or on your specialism, and put your revision time there.

Which CSCS card can I apply for after passing?

It depends on your trade and the level you work at. Specialists most often go for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card or, if they supervise others, the CSCS Gold Supervisors Card.

How should I revise?

Split your time between the five core knowledge areas and your specialist subject. Fifty questions in 45 minutes gives you less than a minute each, so practise against the clock and use the study material to cover both parts.