This is a multiple-choice question test. The questions cover two components:

• A Generic Knowledge Test ('generic') comprising questions on legislation, health and safety and environmental protection.

• An Activity-Specific Test (or 'option') which comprises questions on the specific competence or competencies which need to be maintained.

Please note: if you hold more than one primary competence qualification and want to use them as evidence of technical competence, then you will have to choose an 'activity-specific option' for each qualification. Candidates may undertake a maximum of three Activity Specific Tests within the 60-minute test period. It is strongly recommended that candidates take only the number of Activity Specific Tests they are confident they can complete within the 60-minute test period.

The test comprises 18 questions for the Generic Knowledge Test and a further 12 questions for each Activity Specific Test you choose.

Candidates have a maximum of 60 minutes to complete the Continuing Competence test.

To achieve an overall Pass grade, you must achieve:

A minimum of 70% overall (21/30).

AND

A minimum of 50% of the marks available from each of the three Generic Knowledge Test (GKT) sections.

AND

A minimum of 50% of the marks available from each Activity Specific Test (AST) taken.

Each activity is scored individually alongside the generic sections, and all three elements above must be met to achieve a Pass grade.

A separate Continuing Competence test for Northern Ireland was made available from 1 April 2024.

The test is part of the CIWM (WAMITAB) Operator Competence scheme, which is applicable in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for those individuals who:

• Achieved their Certificate of Technical Competence (CoTC) before 22 December 2008.

• Achieve one of CIWM (WAMITAB) 's operator competence qualifications (four-, six- and twelve-unit qualifications).

• Hold an Environmental Permitting Operator's Certificate (EPOC) and operate a low-risk waste facility.

• They are deemed competent operators according to the Environment Agency.

• Are 'Environment Agency Assessed'.

• They are deemed to be a waste license holder by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

If you are unsure, your local regulatory officer at the Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales (Wales) or Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) will be able to advise if the test applies to you.

Many previously exempt waste activities now require an environmental permit, and operators must demonstrate their competence to hold one. The relevant Agency or Department is making special provisions for operators who must move from being an exempt activity to a permitted activity. These provisions apply to individuals who held a management role in relation to an exempt activity which now requires a permit. Further guidance is available from the relevant Agency or Department.

Yes. There are no restrictions on the number of Continuing Competence Tests candidates can book and take. For example, candidates who require certification against four Activities may choose to book two Continuing Competence tests, each including two Specific Tests.

It is recommended that candidates not take Activity Specific Tests that do not relate to their environmental permit/licence.

Everybody taking the test is automatically entered for the three generic knowledge elements of the test: Environmental Protection, Health and Safety and Legislation. However, on the day of the test, you will need to be prepared to select the Activity Specific Test(s) that you need to achieve/maintain when you arrive at the test centre. 

You must know which Activity Specific Tests to take before travelling to the test centre. You can search for your qualification to find out which test is required by choosing the "activity-specific test" button.

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It is recommended that candidates not take Activity Specific Tests that do not relate to their environmental permit/licence.

Please note: You can select up to 3 Activity Specific Tests. You do not have to take three Activity Specific Tests; the options you select will be based on the competence area(s) you need to achieve for your waste site(s). If you are not sure which Activity Specific Test(s) to take, contact your environmental regulator or visit the Activity Specific Test area of the website for guidance.

Yes, you will need to use a computer and a mouse. You may undergo some IT training or practice before booking the test. If you still have concerns about using the IT equipment, call Pearson on 0333 003 0769.

A paper-based test is not currently available. However, there are provisions available for individuals who require a reasonable adjustment.

There is a range of support available for people revising for their continuing competence test (England and Wales only), including:

• Revision Guides.

• The Continuing Competence Syllabus and source documentation links.

We recommend you prepare thoroughly for the test as this is one of the key success factors.

Please note: The majority of the content in the revision guides applies to learners in Northern Ireland; however, the revision guides are based on the Continuing Competence syllabi for England and Wales. There are no immediate plans to create revision guides specifically for Northern Ireland.

There is no practice test currently available for Continuing Competence; however, example questions are provided in the revision guides.

As a Regulated Awarding Organisation, CIWM is required by the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments where a learner, who is disabled within the definition of the Equality Act 2010, would be at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to someone who is not disabled. CIWM will consider applications for reasonable adjustments (e.g. a reader or extra time) on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to apply for a reasonable adjustment, please complete the Continuing Competence Access Arrangements Form and email it to access@ciwm.co.uk along with any evidence. If CIWM approves your application, you will receive a confirmation email within five working days. You will then need to contact Pearson 24 hours after approval to schedule a test with an 'accommodation' at the test centre. Please do not book your test before you have received confirmation from CIWM (WAMITAB) that access arrangements are in place.

When you use the Pearson booking system, you will be asked for your CIWM (WAMITAB) ID. However, if you have never taken a Continuing Competence test with Pearson, then you will not have a CIWM (WAMITAB) ID. In this case, you should select "No, I don't know my CIWM (WAMITAB) ID" to continue the process. If you are still experiencing problems, you will need to call Pearson on 0161 855 7316. CIWM (WAMITAB) cannot assist, as we do not issue this ID.

In addition to the usual name, address and contact details, you will now also be asked:

• To list your form of Primary Competence (e.g. CIWM (WAMITAB) 4/6/12 Unit certificate, COTC, EPOC certificate, deemed competent or agency assessed).

• To enter your environmental permit number(s) (if applicable/available)

You can book your Continuing Competence test at any time here. You will need a valid credit or debit card and will select the test location, date, and time.

You must provide your name exactly as it appears on the identification (ID) that you will present at the test centre. This includes ensuring CAPITAL letters are used where appropriate. If there is no exact match, you will not be able to take your test and will not be reimbursed for any fees.

In addition, please ensure that you provide your personal email address and personal mobile telephone number.

Important: Please ensure you book the correct version of the test. There are separate continuing competence tests for England and Wales and for Northern Ireland. Please be aware that you will not be eligible for a refund if you sit the wrong test.

Contact Pearson on 0333 003 0769 or email ciwmqualscustomerservices@pearson.com regarding cancellations, bookings, or any problems you experience during the registration process.

If you have lost your login details since your last Continuing Competence test, click the "Forgot my username" or "Forgot my password" links in the Pearson booking system. If you are still experiencing problems, you will need to call Pearson on 0161 855 7316 for further assistance.

To cancel or reschedule your test, you must contact Pearson directly. Cancelling or rescheduling an exam must be done at least 24 hours prior to the exam appointment time. Late cancellation requests will result in forfeiture of your exam fee, and you will need to pay the fee again to take the exam. There is a button on the right-hand side of the CIWM (WAMITAB) landing page which allows you to reschedule your test.

Effective from 1st January 2026, the test fee will be £195.00; this fee covers the Generic Knowledge Test and the Activity Specific Test, irrespective of the number of Activity Specific Tests chosen (a maximum of three Activity Specific Tests can be taken at one time).

Pearson will send a confirmation letter via email to the email address supplied by the candidate in the registration/booking process. This will confirm the details of your test booking.

No, all payments are made using debit or credit cards at the time of booking, and the confirmation letter via email is evidence that the test has been paid for.

Payments are made using a web-based registration, scheduling and payments system. The payment system requires a credit or debit card. Organisations looking to purchase vouchers (a minimum order of 10 vouchers applies) can do so here. These vouchers must be paid for by credit or debit card.

If you do not arrive for the test ('no-show') or arrive 15 minutes late for your test and are refused admission, you will forfeit your exam fee and will need to pay the fee again to take the exam.

If you are unable to attend your test due to illness, and do not cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your appointment, you will forfeit your exam fee and will need to pay the fee again to take the exam.

If, for some reason, the test centre is closed due to adverse weather conditions or 'force majeure', candidates will be offered a re-test at no cost to themselves. However, if the centre is open and candidates are unable to attend, this will be considered a no-show, and you will forfeit your exam fee and will need to pay it again to take the exam.

We ask that you arrive at the test centre 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This will give you adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures.

Be prepared to show a valid form of personal identification that contains both a photo and a signature, such as a modern UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional) or a passport from any country. If you have none of these, you may present a Citizen's ID Card. You must bring the original/physical ID to the centre. Photos or copies of ID will not be accepted at the test centre.

It is essential that the identification (ID) you present at the test centre, on the day of your test, shows your name exactly as you entered it at the time of booking your test. This includes ensuring CAPITAL letters are used where appropriate.

Please note: Pearson will not seat a candidate for an exam unless he/she provide a valid ID which contains a photo and a signature, e.g. a valid, signed UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional) or a valid, signed passport of any country containing the candidate's photograph and signature.

Continuing Competence learners are now required to have their photo taken on the day of their test. When you book your test, you will be asked to confirm that you understand that you will be required to have your photo taken on the day of your test.

On the test day, if you refuse to have your photo taken, the test centre will not allow you to sit your test. For further information about how we use your data, please see our Privacy Notice. If you have any questions, please contact info.admin@ciwm.co.uk

Continuing Competence learners are now required to have their photo taken on the day of their test. Pearson will store these photos and use them to check identity when a Continuing Competence learner returns for their repeat test every two years, as additional evidence to validate a learner's identification.

When a learner books their test, they will be asked to confirm that they understand that they will be required to have their photo taken on the day of their test. On test day, if learners refuse to have their picture taken, the test centre will not allow them to sit the test.

A copy of the photo will be transferred to CIWM by Pearson and uploaded to ProFile for use as photo identification on the front of the virtual ProFile card. CIWM will not store or use the photo for any other purposes.

Photos will remain securely stored by Pearson until the next time a learner takes a test. A new picture will be taken every time a learner sits their test, ensuring up-to-date identification is stored. Photos taken during previous tests will be deleted and replaced with the new image.

For further information about how we use your data, please see our Privacy Notice. If you have any questions, please contact info.admin@ciwm.co.uk

The test is based on multiple-choice questions, with each question shown on the screen at a time. Underneath the question, the various answers are set out. To select an answer, you use the mouse to touch the button beside the answer you want on the screen.

Yes, you will be able to go back and forth between questions in your test and change your answers using the mouse. If candidates are undertaking more than one Activity Specific Test, they can prioritise which test or questions to take first. Before ending your test, you will be taken to a review screen where you can review all incomplete or flagged questions.

During your test, you can flag questions you are unsure of and return to them before selecting your final answer. Before ending your test, you will be taken to a review screen where you can review all incomplete or flagged questions.

If there is a short interruption to the test, candidates are usually able to continue. The answers given up to that point will not usually be lost. If there is a significant disruption, then you will be offered a new test free of charge.

Yes, candidates will receive a notification after 30 minutes have elapsed and 5 minutes remain.

Yes, candidates have the flexibility to use the whole 60-minute test period as they see fit. However, the test will end after 60 minutes.

Once you have completed all the questions, you will be taken to a review screen where you can review all, incomplete, or flagged questions. Once you are happy with your review and are ready to end your test, you will select the 'End Review' button. At this point, a message will appear asking you to confirm that you are ready to end your review. Once you select 'Yes', you will no longer be able to go back and will be taken to a screen where you must select 'End Test'. Again, another message will appear asking you to confirm that you wish to end your test.

Pearson test centres use a range of security measures designed to protect the integrity of exams and ensure all candidates are assessed fairly. These measures help prevent fraud, including the use of proxy testers (individuals attempting to take an exam on someone else’s behalf).

Beginning 20 April, Pearson test centres will introduce security scanning, also known as security wanding, as part of the candidate check‑in process. This involves using a handheld scanner to detect any unauthorised items that may be concealed on a candidate’s person. All candidates will undergo this scan during check‑in before entering the testing room.

Security scanning is mandatory for all candidates unless they have a valid reason for exemption. Candidates with medical or religious reasons may request a waiver, which must be approved in advance by CIWM. Candidates should contact CIWM as early as possible if they believe they need such an exemption