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Your first CSCS test, step by step
To get your first CSCS card you need to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test: 50 questions in 45 minutes, with 45 right to pass.
Facts checked 25 October 2026
1. Find out which card and test you need
Your card depends on your job and qualifications. Labourers apply for the green card; skilled trades with an NVQ apply for the blue card. The CSCS card finder tells you the card and which version of the test it needs. Compare all the card colours.
- Operatives: labourers and most trades. This is the one most first-timers sit.
- Specialist: supervisors and some trades, such as demolition, plumbing and highway works.
- Managers and Professionals: site managers and people with a construction degree.
2. Find your weak topics
Take a free timed mock test before you revise. Your score by section shows where to start. Then practicetopic by topic, reading why each wrong answer is wrong. See how to revise for a two-week plan.
3. Book the test
Book online through CITB or by phone on 0344 994 4488. It costs £23.50 for each attempt. You can move or cancel for free online with 72 hours' notice. How to book · What it costs
4. On the day
Arrive 15 minutes early with the right ID, or you may be turned away and lose the fee. The questions are on a screen in English, and Operatives candidates can listen in one of several languages. ID you need ·What happens on the day · Languages
5. Apply for your card
Once you pass, apply to CSCS. Your pass must be from the last 2 years, and the application fee is £36. Some cards also need a qualification, such as the Level 1 health and safety award for the green card.
Questions people ask
Is the CSCS test hard the first time?
The questions are about everyday site safety, but the pass mark is high: 45 out of 50 (90%). Most people who fail know the topics but lose marks to careless reading. A few timed mocks fix that.
How long should I revise for?
Most people need one to two weeks of short sessions. Take a mock first to find your weak topics, then practice those.
Can I take the test online at home?
No. The test is in person only, at a Pearson Professional Centre or on a mobile testing unit brought to a site.
What happens if I fail?
You can book again, but not within 48 hours, and each attempt costs £23.50.
Where these facts come from
Rules change. Check with CITB before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.