Health, Safety and Environment Tests
It is a mandatory requirement of the CSCS scheme that card applicants must have completed a current Health, Safety and Environment test or an acceptable alternative qualification before applying for a card.
For operative level applicants (i.e. those applying for green cards, red cards or blue/gold skilled operative cards) the following specific testing options exist:
JIB-PMES Online Health, Safety & Environment test for PMES Operatives – 5 year validity.
- Suitable for core PMES operative card types and PMES related occupations (not Supervisor or Manager cards)
- Secure online test – can be undertaken in any suitable location at home or work
- 50 multiple-choice questions.
CITB Health, Safety & Environment test (Plumbing Specialist) – 5 year validity.
- Suitable for core PMES operative card types and PMES related occupations
- Test undertaken at one of the approved Pearson Vue test centres
- 50 multiple-choice questions

For more information on the JIB-PMES HS&E test click below:
The following table shows the recommended HS&E test options for ALL JIB-PMES CSCS registration card types:
Card Type | Which HS&E test? | What revision material? |
Plumber, Heating Fitter, Mechanical Pipefitter, Apprentice, Trainee, Gas Operatives and Gas Engineers, PMES Related Occupation
|
JIB-PMES online HS&E test for PMES Operatives: £30.00 |
Downloadable Revision guide containing all possible questions included with test booking |
CITB Specialist Plumbing (JIB) Test: £22.50 |
For current revision material telephone 03449944488 or visit https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/hse-test-and-cards/preparing-for-the-test/ (Hard copy revision book £12.00; Downloadable revision guide £12.25)
|
|
Mate/Labourer*, Work Placement and Site Visitor |
JIB-PMES online HS&E test for PMES Operatives: £30.00 |
Downloadable Revision guide containing all possible questions included with test booking |
CITB Operatives Test: £22.50 |
For current revision material telephone 03449944488 or visit https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/hse-test-and-cards/preparing-for-the-test/ (Hard copy revision book £12.00; Downloadable revision guide £12.25)
|
|
PMES Manager | CITB Managers & Professionals Test |
For current revision material telephone 03449944488 or visit https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/hse-test-and-cards/preparing-for-the-test/ (Hard copy revision book £12.00; Downloadable revision guide £12.25)
|
PMES Supervisor
|
CITB Supervisors Test |
For current revision material telephone 03449944488 or visit https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/hse-test-and-cards/preparing-for-the-test/ (Hard copy revision book £12.00; Downloadable revision guide £12.25)
|
*Those applying for Labourer cards must also have completed either a L1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment qualification (or equivalent) or a CITB Site Safety Plus 1 day Health and Safety Awareness course (or equivalent).



NVQ/SVQ Exemption
If an applicant has achieved an appropriate, full NVQ/SVQ qualification at level 2 or 3 within two years of applying for a card, they can apply without taking a separate health & safety test. If the date on the N/SVQ certificate is more than two years ago, applicants must complete an appropriate HS&E test.
Additional Exemptions
The following courses/qualifications have been approved as exemptions which can be accepted as alternatives to the CITB test, depending on the type of card that is being applied for:
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) Passport to Safety (Any ‘operative’ card)
- Client Contractors National Safety Groups (CCNSG) Leading a Team Safely (PMES Supervisor card)
- IOSH Working Safely – valid for 3 years from the pass date (Any ‘operative’ card)
- IOSH Managing Safely – valid for 3 years from the pass date (PMES Manager or Supervisor card)
- National Examination Board in Occupational Health & Safety (NEBOSH) NOTE: Please be reminded that this exemption lasts for a maximum of 5 years from the date the certificate was obtained unless evidence of appropriate refresher training/assessment can be provided at the time of application (PMES Manager card)
- SOLAS/FAS Safepass (Any ‘operative’ card)
Important Note: Two Year Rule
The test results alone are valid for two years if you do not apply for your JIB-PMES CSCS registration card. However, if you do apply for your card within the 2-year period your card will be valid for 5 years from the test date.

