Copenhagen Burnout Inventory guide
Understand the three CBI scales, scoring thresholds, and benchmark data before rolling out your assessment.
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Deep dive
Measurement comparisons
Burnout Assessment Tools – CBI vs MBI vs BAT
Compare the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory with other leading burnout assessments (MBI, BAT, OLBI) and learn why we rely on the open, validated CBI for our burnout test.
Start with an open, validated instrument
Burnout assessments have multiplied over the past two decades. Some are proprietary and require licensed practitioners; others are open and can be used for education and early screening. Below you will find a snapshot of the tools we are asked about most often.
Comparing leading burnout tools
| Tool | Measures | Access | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBI (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory) | Personal, work, client-related exhaustion | Open licence (NFA Denmark) | Ideal for organisations and self-guided screening where transparency and cost matter. |
| MBI (Maslach Burnout Inventory) | Emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, reduced accomplishment | Paid licence via Mind Garden | Widely used in research and clinical settings; requires trained administrators and licensing fees. |
| BAT (Burnout Assessment Tool) | Exhaustion, mental distance, cognitive and emotional impairment | Controlled licence (KU Leuven) | Newer instrument aligned with ICD-11 burnout definition; best with practitioner support. |
| OLBI (Oldenburg Burnout Inventory) | Exhaustion and disengagement | Open, but requires permission for translations | Good for longitudinal research when you need fewer items; less granular guidance for individuals. |
Why our test relies on the CBI
We prioritised three factors when choosing an assessment for an anonymous self-test: validity, openness, and actionable scoring. The CBI met all three. It has strong psychometrics, can be used without purchasing licences, and separates personal, work, and client burnout so you can target the right interventions.
The MBI and BAT are excellent when you work with occupational health professionals, but licensing requirements make them harder to offer freely. The OLBI is succinct, yet omits the client-specific lens that many healthcare and service teams request.
How to choose the right instrument
- Define your goal: awareness, triage, research, or clinical diagnosis.
- Consider your audience: do they interact with clients or patients? do they need multi-language support?
- Map governance: who will interpret results and provide follow-up conversations?
- Review licensing: confirm whether you can use and store the data under the tool’s terms.
If you need help implementing the CBI at team level, reach out—our editorial team can share templates for pulse surveys and longitudinal follow-up.
Take the CBI-based burnout test
Experience the full Copenhagen Burnout Inventory with instant scoring across personal, work, and client dimensions.
Explore related resources
Pair your assessment work with explainers and practical guidance to support individuals and teams.
Evidence-based guidance from our team
The About Burnout editorial team synthesises peer-reviewed research on stress and recovery into practical advice. We cite the studies we rely on and invite independent clinicians to review updates.
Last reviewed for accuracy
May 1, 2024
About Burnout Editorial Team
Writers & researchers focused on occupational wellbeing
Cross-disciplinary team that translates peer-reviewed burnout research into accessible guidance for individuals and organisations.
Includes experience in organisational psychology, employee wellbeing programmes, evidence synthesis, and workload design.
About Burnout Research & Insights
Data and literature review contributors
Responsible for maintaining the burnout assessment, reviewing validation studies, and curating emerging evidence on job demands and recovery.
Monitors Copenhagen Burnout Inventory research, stress and resilience studies, and job demands-resources frameworks.
External clinical review
We are actively recruiting licensed clinicians with stress and occupational health expertise to review new content. Reach out via editor@about-burnout.com if you are interested in contributing.
Independent clinicians we collaborate with
Key studies referenced
- Kristensen TS, Borritz M, Villadsen E, Christensen KB (2005). The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: A new tool for the assessment of burnout. — Work & Stress, 19(3), 192–207 View study
- Milfont TL, Denny S, Ameratunga S, Robinson E (2008). Burnout and wellbeing among New Zealand secondary school teachers. — Work, 30(4), 357–367
- Schaufeli WB, Bakker AB (2004). Job demands, job resources, and their relationship with burnout and engagement. — Journal of Organizational Behavior, 25(3), 293–315