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PCA CSDB Exam Overview:
| Certification Vendor: | Property Care Association (PCA) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name: | Certificated Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings (CSDB) Examination |
| Exam Number: | CSDB |
| Available Languages: | English |
| Exam Duration: | Written: 120; Oral: 30–45 |
| Real Exam Qty: | Written: 60–80; Oral: scenario-based |
| Exam Format: | Legal & Health & Safety module, Written multiple-choice & short answer, Oral / practical interview |
| Related Certifications: | Certificated Surveyor of Timber and Dampness in Buildings (CSTDB) Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW) |
| Exam Price: | £350–£450 (approx., varies by provider) |
| Certificate Validity Period: | 5 years |
| Passing Score: | 50% per unit / overall pass |
| Recommended Training: | PCA CSDB Training Course |
| Exam Registration: | ABBE Qualification Specification PCA Exams & Qualifications |
| Sample Questions: |  |
| Exam Way: | Onsite invigilated written exam + face-to-face oral assessment |
| Pre Condition: | Building/trade background or relevant experience recommended; must pass Legal & Health & Safety module separately |
| Official Syllabus URL: | https://www.property-care.org/training-qualifications/exams/ |
PCA CSDB Exam Syllabus Topics:
| Section | Weight | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Topic 1: Identification and Control of Dampness | 75% | - Remedial treatments and prevention
|
| Topic 2: Legal, Health & Safety Aspects | 25% | - Professional obligations and reporting
|
CSDB Exam FAQ: What Candidates Ask About PCA Certificated Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings
The CSDB exam, officially known as PCA Certificated Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings, is the PCA test that leads to the Certificated Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings certification at the Level 3 level. Passing it validates the skills employers expect from a certified professional. It is also associated with related credentials such as Certificated Surveyor of Timber and Dampness in Buildings (CSTDB), Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW).
The CSDB exam contains Written: 60–80; Oral: scenario-based questions, and you have Written: 120; Oral: 30–45 to complete them. Work out your per-question pace before test day, and flag slow items instead of stalling on them — time pressure, not knowledge, sinks many first attempts. Timed mock exams in the Actual4Exams test engines are the most reliable way to build that rhythm.
The passing score for the CSDB exam is 50% per unit / overall pass, and the official registration fee is £350–£450 (approx., varies by provider). If you miss the mark, a retake means paying the full fee again, so book your seat only when you are ready. A practical benchmark: score consistently above the passing line on timed practice tests before scheduling the real exam.
Building/trade background or relevant experience recommended; must pass Legal & Health & Safety module separately
Entry requirements can change, so confirm the latest conditions on the official exam page: https://www.property-care.org/training-qualifications/exams/.
You can book the CSDB exam through the official registration channels below:
Exam delivery: Onsite invigilated written exam + face-to-face oral assessment. Seats at popular test centers fill quickly, so schedule early once your preparation is on track.
PCA recommends the following training options for PCA Certificated Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings candidates:
Pair any course with the 153 practice questions from Actual4Exams to measure how ready you really are before paying the exam fee.
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The official PCA Certificated Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings outline is organized into 2 domains. The first three are:
- Identification and Control of Dampness — 75% of the exam
- Legal, Health & Safety Aspects — 25% of the exam
See the complete exam topics section above for the full outline and the weighting of every domain.
PCA Certificated Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings Sample Questions:
A property has rising damp. The surveyor identifies that previous treatment involved only internal moisture- blocking paint without chemical DPC installation. The reason this was ineffective is:
- A. Paint was correct approach
- B. Rising damp cannot be treated
- C. Paint prevented evaporation, potentially increasing internal damp
- D. Paint does not address the moisture source (ground moisture); treating the source with DPC is required
A surveyor reports on penetrating damp in a cavity wall property. The report should include:
- A. Only aesthetic observations
- B. Location of damp internally, corresponding external defects photographed, assessment of cavity integrity, insulation condition, and recommended repair prioritization
- C. Only recommendations without investigation details
- D. Only moisture meter readings
To confirm the presence of a DPC and assess its integrity, the surveyor should:
- A. Never investigate the DPC
- B. Physically locate it through inspection, breaching if necessary with permission, and test its continuity
- C. Assume it exists without checking
- D. Only use visual methods
A Victorian terraced property with cavity walls shows penetrating damp concentrated around failed pointing on north-west elevation. The cavity appears to have insulation. The surveyor's recommendation should be:
- A. Apply internal membrane only
- B. Accept the damp
- C. Repoint failed joints to weather-tight standard; verify insulation is not bridging cavity
- D. Remove all insulation
The relationship between temperature and condensation risk is:
- A. Only high temperatures cause condensation
- B. Irrelevant
- C. Temperature does not affect condensation
- D. Cold surfaces (below dew point) increase condensation risk regardless of humidity
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