The CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test is one of those construction industry milestones almost everyone has to go through — it’s a requirement for CSCS, CPCS and CISRS cards, and for the NPORS/CSCS card route too. The good news is that booking it yourself is straightforward once you know where to go. Here’s how to book directly, what to expect, and how to keep your details safe for next time.
Booking your test directly
You can book your HS&E test directly through Pearson VUE, CITB’s official testing partner — either online, by phone, or in person at your local Internet Test Centre (ITC). We’d always recommend booking directly through CITB or Pearson VUE rather than a third-party site, since some resellers charge extra fees for exactly the same test.
Before you book, make sure you know which test you need. If you’re not sure, CITB’s About the HS&E test page explains the different versions, or you can use the CSCS card finder to check which one applies to the card you’re going for. There are three main types:
- Operatives — for most site-based trades and plant operators
- Specialist — for specific specialist roles
- Managers and Professionals (MAP) — for supervisory, management and professional roles
What you’ll need when booking
Have the following ready before you start your booking:
- Your personal email address (your confirmation is sent here)
- Your full UK postal address
- Which type of test you need
- Which test centre you’d like to attend
- Your CITB registration number, if you’ve taken a test before or previously applied for a CSCS, CPCS or CISRS card
- A debit or credit card, or a voucher purchased from CITB’s online shop (vouchers are redeemable at Pearson Professional Centres only)
If you’re booking on behalf of someone else, you’ll need to provide their full details too — name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, contact number and email.
On the day
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before your test starts
- Bring your confirmation booking email or letter
- Bring photo ID that includes your signature
If you need additional support during the test — a translator, a British Sign Language interpreter, or support for reading difficulties — let CITB know when you book so it can be arranged in advance.
Keeping your CITB details safe
Once you’ve passed, you’ll be given a Score Report — keep this somewhere safe. It contains the information you’ll need when applying for your CSCS, CPCS, CISRS or NPORS/CSCS card, and you may be asked for it again down the line.
A few good habits worth building in:
- Note down your CITB registration number somewhere you can find it — you’ll need it for future test bookings and card applications, and it saves time re-registering from scratch.
- Keep a digital and physical copy of your Score Report, since it can take time to arrange a replacement if it’s lost.
- Only book through citb.co.uk or Pearson VUE directly, and never share your login details or registration number with anyone claiming to book the test “on your behalf” outside of these official channels.
- Double-check your personal details are correct when booking — mistakes here can cause delays when you come to apply for your card.
Got questions about which test or card route applies to your trade? Get in touch with the team at JBS Training — we help operators and tradespeople through this process every week, and we’re happy to point you in the right direction.
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