When you use the Pearson VUE booking system you will be asked for your WAMITAB ID. However, if you have never taken a Continuing Competence test with Pearson VUE then you will not have a WAMITAB ID. In this case you should select “No, I don’t know my WAMITAB ID” to continue the process. If you are still experiencing problems, you will need to call Pearson VUE on 0161 855 7316. WAMITAB is unable to provide help as we do not issue this ID.

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

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)

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.

Please note: Pearson VUE will not seat a candidate for an exam unless he/she provides 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.

The test is part of the joint 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.
• Are ‘Deemed’ competent operators according to the Environment Agency.
• Are ‘Environment Agency Assessed’.
• Are ‘Deemed’ as a waste license holder according to 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 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 they are competent to hold a permit. 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.

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

1. A Generic Knowledge Test (‘generic’) comprising questions on legislation, health and safety and environmental protection.
2. 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 have a choice of undertaking a maximum of three Activity Specific Tests within the 60- minute test period. It is strongly recommended that candidates only take the number of Activity Specific Tests that they are confident of completing within the 60-minute test period.

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

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

Everyone takes the Generic Knowledge sections. You will then need to select the Activity Specific Test(s) that you need to achieve/maintain, when you arrive at the test centre It is essential that you know which Activity Specific Tests to take before travelling to the test centre. You can search your qualification to find out which test is required by choosing “activity specific test” button.

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

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.

Yes, you will need to be able to use a computer and a mouse. You may decide to undergo some IT training or practice before booking the test. If you still have concerns about the use of the IT equipment, call Pearson VUE on 01618 557316.

A paper-based test is not currently available. However, there are provisions available for individuals that 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 (available for purchase).
• 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 within the revision guides are applicable to learners in Northern Ireland, however revision guides are based on the content of the Continuing Competence syllabi for England and Wales. There are no immediate plans to create revision guides specifically for Northern Ireland.

There is not a practice test currently available for Continuing Competence; however, example questions are provided in the revision guide.

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 want to apply for a reasonable adjustment, please complete the Continuing Competence Access Arrangements Form and email it to access@ciwm.co.uk with any evidence. If CIWM approves your application, you will receive a confirmation email within 5 working days. You will then need to contact Pearson VUE 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.

You can book your Continuing Competence test at any time on https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/wamitab.html. You will need a valid credit or debit card and will select the location, date, and time of your test.

It is essential that you provide your name exactly how 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 not an exact match, you will not be able to take your test and will not be reimbursed for any fees.

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

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

Contact Pearson VUE on 0161 855 7316 or email wamitabcustomerservices@pearson.com regarding cancellations, bookings, or any problems you experience during the registration process.

To cancel or reschedule your test, you must contact Pearson VUE 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 CIWM (WAMITAB) landing page which allows you to re-schedule your test.

Effective from 1st January 2024 the test fee is £184.00; 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 VUE 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 payments system requires a credit or debit card. For organisations wanting to purchase vouchers (minimum order 10 vouchers) contact: https://voucherstore.pearsonvue.com/order?clientCode=WAMITAB. These vouchers will have to 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 re-schedule 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 as a no-show and you will forfeit your exam fee and will need to pay the fee 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 which would be either a modern UK photocard driving license (full or provisional) or a passport of any country containing a photograph and signature. 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.

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

The test is based on multiple-choice with one question at a time shown on the screen. 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 to questions within your test and change your answers by using the mouse . If candidates are undertaking more than one Activity Specific Test, they will be able to prioritise the test, or questions to take first. Before ending your test, you will be taken to a review screen where you have the option to review all, incomplete or flagged questions.

During your test, you are able to flag questions which you are unsure of and wish to go back to before selecting your final answer. Before ending your test, you will be taken to a review screen where you have the option to review all, incomplete or flagged questions.

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

Yes, candidates will receive a notification after 30-minutes have elapsed and when there is 5 minutes remaining.

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

Once you have completed all the, you will be taken to a review screen where you have the option to 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 will need to select ‘End Test’. Again, another message will appear asking you to confirm that you wish to end your test.

You will be notified immediately of the outcome at the test centre. Once you select ‘End Test’, your test result for each activity will be shown on screen. In addition, you will also be provided with a printed test score report. If successful, your Continuing Competence certificate will be sent to you by post.

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.

If you require an up-to-date continuing competence test to act as the Technically Competent Manager (TCM) on a permitted waste site, then you will have to re-book the test as soon as possible to remain compliant with the requirements of your environmental regulator.

Please note: to meet regulatory requirements continuing competence certificates should be accompanied by a relevant primary qualification, EPOC or facility type if Deemed Competent/Environment Agency Assessed.

In this scenario, or similar scenarios, providing the candidate meets the minimum pass criteria as stated within the test calculation, they will be certificated against Transfer Hazardous Waste, but will not be certificated against Treatment Hazardous Waste.

At the end of the test, you will receive your score report which provides the scores for each component of the Generic Knowledge Test (i.e. legislation, health and safety and environmental protection) and the score for each Activity Specific Test taken.  If you are unsuccessful this should enable you to focus your learning for the subsequent test.  As the questions are chosen at random, we will be unable to provide information on the specific questions that you did not answer correctly.

If successful, your Continuing Competence certificate will be sent to you by post.

You go back to the booking section of the website using the right-hand navigation – book your test or call Pearson Vue direct on 01618 557316

To comment or complain about the online booking service, please send an email to wamitabcustomerservices@pearson.com. If you have any comments about the structure or questions, then please contact CIWM on info.admin@ciwm.co.uk

No, you will need to pay for and sit the correct test to gain the correct certificate.