CSCS Specialist Tests — All 12 Topics
The CITB HS&E Specialist test is the Operatives core knowledge plusquestions from your chosen specialist topic. Same format as every HS&E test: 50 questions, 45 minutes, 45/50 (90%) to pass. There are 12 official specialist topics in 2026 — book the one that matches your trade.
Booking the wrong test is the most common mistake
Supervisors in particular often book the Operatives test by mistake. If you are applying for the Gold Supervisory card you need the Supervisory (SUP) specialist test. Check with the official CSCS Card Finder before you pay the £23.50 fee.
The 12 official specialist topics
All 12 are listed below with their official CITB codes. 4 have a practice bank you can use today; the remaining 8 have a guide to what the topic covers while their banks are written. Every one of the 12 shares the same core knowledge, so the Operatives mock test is useful revision whichever you are booked for.
Supervisory
Site supervisors and those applying for the Gold Supervisory CSCS card.
Practice questions available
Demolition
Demolition operatives and those working on structural take-down.
Practice questions available
Plumbing (JIB)
Plumbers registered through the JIB (Joint Industry Board) route.
Topic guide — questions in production
Highway works
Operatives working on roads, streets and highway maintenance.
Practice questions available
Specialist work at height
Workers whose main activity is at height — steeplejacks, rope access, specialist access trades.
Practice questions available
Lifts and escalators
Lift and escalator installation and maintenance engineers.
Topic guide — questions in production
Tunnelling
Operatives working in tunnels, shafts and underground construction.
Topic guide — questions in production
HVACR — heating and plumbing services
Heating and plumbing services engineers in the HVACR sector.
Topic guide — questions in production
HVACR — pipefitting and welding
Pipefitters and welders working on building services.
Topic guide — questions in production
HVACR — ductwork
Ductwork installers and sheet-metal workers.
Topic guide — questions in production
HVACR — refrigeration and air conditioning
Refrigeration and air conditioning engineers.
Topic guide — questions in production
HVACE — services and facilities maintenance
Building services and facilities maintenance operatives.
Topic guide — questions in production
Topics and codes verified against citb.co.uk, July 2026.
Start with the core knowledge
Every Specialist test includes the same core health, safety and environment knowledge as the Operatives test. Take the free 50-question Operatives mock first, then drill your specialism above and the topic question banks. There is also a combined CSCS Specialist mock test if you would rather revise across all 12 specialisms at once, and the 13 CSCS card types page confirms which card your specialism leads to.