Burnout Test (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory)

What is the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory?

The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) is a validated 19-item burnout assessment developed by Kristensen and colleagues at the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark. Published in Work & Stress in 2005, it was designed as a free, open-access alternative to the commercially licensed Maslach Burnout Inventory. Unlike the MBI, the CBI focuses on exhaustion as the central component of burnout and measures it across three independent dimensions: personal, work-related, and client-related.

How is the scoring calculated?

Each of the 19 items uses a 5-point scale (either frequency-based or degree-based), converted to a numeric value from 0 to 100. The item "Do you have enough energy for family and friends during leisure time?" is reverse-scored, because having energy for personal life indicates lower work-related burnout. Each subscale score is the average of its items on a 0–100 scale:

• 0 – 24: No or negligible burnout
• 25 – 49: Low burnout
• 50 – 74: Moderate burnout
• 75 – 100: High burnout

What is the difference between stress and burnout?

Stress is a state of too much demand: you feel overwhelmed by what you have to deal with. Burnout is the result of prolonged depletion: a state of exhaustion where you feel emptied out rather than overloaded. Stress is often reversible with rest. Burnout develops over months or years and requires sustained recovery. Burnout also typically involves cynicism and emotional detachment that go beyond typical stress responses.

What are the main signs of burnout?

Common signs include persistent exhaustion that does not improve with rest, growing emotional detachment from work, reduced effectiveness or motivation, increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like frequent illness or headaches. Burnout develops gradually and is often mistaken for general fatigue or depression. The CBI specifically measures physical and emotional exhaustion as the core indicators.

What are the 5 stages of burnout?

Burnout typically progresses through five stages:

• Honeymoon: High enthusiasm and energy, often at the start of a new role
• Onset of stress: Stress emerges with occasional fatigue and difficulty
• Chronic stress: Persistent tiredness, cynicism, and reduced performance
• Burnout: Complete depletion and emotional numbness
• Habitual burnout: Burnout becomes a default state with significant health consequences

Early recognition at stage 2 or 3 makes recovery significantly easier.

How long does burnout take to recover from?

Mild burnout may improve within weeks with adequate rest and reduced workload. Moderate to severe burnout typically takes several months, and some people experience effects for a year or more. Recovery is rarely linear. Many people relapse when they return to the same environment or pace. Sustainable recovery usually requires addressing both the individual's coping strategies and the structural conditions that contributed to burnout.

Is this a clinical diagnosis?

No. The CBI is a self-report screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Burnout shares symptoms with depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue conditions, and distinguishing between them requires a clinical assessment. If you score in the moderate or high range, or you are struggling to function day to day, speaking with a doctor or mental health professional is strongly recommended.

Is my data stored?

No. All scoring runs locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your answers are never transmitted to any server, stored in a database, or shared with any third party. When you close the tab, the data is gone. OmLumi collects no personal information from this assessment.