CBI questions, answer options, and instructions
The CBI has 19 questions in three parts. Each is answered on a five-step scale, either from "always" to "never or almost never" or from "to a very high degree" to "to a very low degree". [1] One question in the work-related part is reversed. [1] If you do not work with clients, you skip the third part.
What are the three parts?
Part one asks six questions about personal burnout, part two seven about work-related burnout, and part three six about client-related burnout. [1] The exact wording belongs to the authors, and you will see it in the document or on the online version.
| Part | Questions | Answer options |
|---|---|---|
| Personal burnout | 6 | Always, often, sometimes, seldom, never or almost never. [1] |
| Work-related burnout | 7 | The first three: to a very high degree, to a high degree, somewhat, to a low degree, to a very low degree. The last four: always to never or almost never. [1] |
| Client-related burnout | 6 | The first four: very high to very low degree. The last two: always to never or almost never. [1] |
Is any question reversed?
Yes, one. The last question in the work-related part asks whether you have enough energy left for family and friends in your leisure time, so a high answer means less burnout. The document marks it for a reversed score. [1] An automated version does this for you.
What if I do not work with clients?
Then the client-related part does not apply to you. The document defines clients as patients, students, children, inmates, or other kinds of recipients, and says the word should be changed to suit the job, for example "patients" for nurses and "students" for teachers. [1] If your job has no clients in that sense, use the personal and work-related scores.
What time period should I think about?
The document does not set a time period. The questions ask how often you feel something or to what degree, so you answer for how things generally are. [1] If you plan to repeat it, answer in similar circumstances and note the date.
Why might the online version look different?
The document advises that the questions should not be printed in the order shown, and should be mixed with questions on other topics, to avoid stereotyped answers. [1] An online version may present them differently from the document. The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine version asks you to start the questionnaire, answer it, and click finish to see the results. [2]
Sources and further reading
These links open external research and health-information websites.
- Borritz and Kristensen (2004): Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Normative data from a representative Danish population on personal burnout, and results from the PUMA study. National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen (first edition, February 2004)
The inventory's own document, hosted by the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment: the three parts and their definitions, response categories, scoring, non-responder rules, Danish normative data, and PUMA results. Read on 2 November 2026. - Hong Kong Academy of Medicine: Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (online self-assessment)
An automated online version, made with the consent of the Danish centre. Three scales from 0 to 100, tiered result text, and a note that burnout is an occupational phenomenon in ICD-11. Read on 2 November 2026.
This page is educational. A questionnaire score cannot establish a diagnosis or explain the cause of your symptoms. If you are struggling, speak with a doctor or mental health professional, whatever your score. Read when to get help for work stress or find a helpline in your country.