CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards are a form of certification used in the construction industry in the UK. They provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they are undertaking. The scheme aims to improve health and safety standards and reduce accidents and injuries on construction sites by ensuring that workers have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their work safely.
There are 13 different types of CSCS cards available, each representing different levels of experience, qualifications, and expertise. These cards typically require individuals to pass a Health, Safety and Environment Test relevant to their occupation and provide evidence of their qualifications and training. It is important to apply for the right card, as holding the wrong card may result in you being refused entry to site.
CSCS cards are often required by employers and contractors as proof that workers have the skills and training required to work on construction sites. They help to ensure that everyone on a construction site is competent and capable of carrying out their work safely.
Before applying for CSCS Cards make sure you fulfil the following criteria:
- Use Card Finder Tool to confirm which CSCS card to apply for and which CITB Health, safety and environment test is required.
- Make sure you have a proof of registration to complete a qualification, or proof of professional body membership.
- Pass the appropriate level of the CITB Health, safety and environment test (CITB HS&E) within the last two years.
- Have a credit or debit card to pay the £36 application fee.
All applications for applying for CSCS card are made online through their online portal. Click on the button below to apply online.
Following is the detail of 13 CSCS Cards:
Manager
The Manager card is available for managers and those in technical occupations.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Achievement of a relevant Construction Management/Technical related NVQ/SVQ level 4, 5, 6 or 7
- OR An SVQ at SCQF Level 10 or 11 in Construction. Management/Technical related qualification.
- All applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment test.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewable: Yes
For further details about this card, click here.
Professionally Qualified Person
The Professionally Qualified Person card is for members of the CSCS-approved professional bodies listed here:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must supply proof that they hold current membership of the professional body (at a level accepted by CSCS), by providing one of the following:
- A membership certificate (which shows membership for the current calendar year).
- A membership card (both sides, confirming membership for the current calendar year).
- An up-to-date letter or email from the professional body confirming membership for the current calendar year.
- A receipt of payment for membership for the current calendar year.
- A clearly dated screenshot showing your current membership, from your professional body’s website.
- Membership is required to be renewed annually and the above evidence must confirm membership for the current calendar year and the level of membership held.
- Failure to renew, or revocation of, a Professional Membership may result in a card being cancelled without notice.
- All applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test or the alternative CIC Health and Safety Test.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewable: No. This card cannot be renewed, on expiry application for a new Professionally Qualified Person card is to be submitted. Applications to renew existing cards will be rejected.
For further details about this card, click here.
Gold Skilled Worker
The CSCS Gold Skilled Worker card is available for skilled workers:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Achieved a Construction Related NVQ/SVQ level 3 or SVQ at SCQF level 6.
- OR Completed an approved apprenticeship (e.g.with NJCBI, BATJIC, Institute of Apprenticeships etc.)
- OR Completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship that included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.
- All applicants must have passed the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test within the last two years, at the relevant level for the occupation being applied for.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewable: Yes
For further details about this card, click here.
Blue Skilled Worker
The CSCS Gold Skilled Worker card is available for skilled workers:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Achieved a construction related NVQ/SVQ level 2 or SVQ at SCQF level 5.
- OR completed an apprenticeship, such as an Employer sponsored apprenticeship, a City and Guilds Craft Certificate (CGLI) or a CSCS-recognised Apprenticeship.
- All applicants must have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last two years, at the relevant level for the occupation being applied for.
- If you do not have these qualifications, but you are experienced in your job and have registered for a qualification applicable to your occupation, you may apply for an Experienced Worker Card.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewable: Yes
For further details about this card, click here.
Academically Qualified Person
The Academically Qualified Person card is available to people who have completed certain construction related degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates and certain NEBOSH diplomas and certificates.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants will need to supply a copy of their qualification and where possible evidence of the units achieved within the qualification.
- All applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test or the alternative CIC Health and Safety Test.
- Use the Card Finder tool to find out if your academic qualification is accepted for the AQP card. Enter your qualification into Card Finder and follow the steps on screen.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewable: Yes
For further details about this card, click here.
Supervisory
The CSCS Supervisor card is available for supervisor and technical occupations.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Construction Related Supervisory/Technical NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or 4
- All applicants must pass the Specialists CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewable: Yes
For further details about this card, click here.
Labourer
This card is for Labourers. Do not apply for this card if you work in a skilled occupation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The Level 1 (Scotland Level 4) Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
- OR The Scottish Level 5 REHIS Elementary Health and Safety Certificate.
- OR The NOCN/CSkills Awards Construction Health and Safety (F/618/0738) unit.
- OR A CSCS approved alternative qualification – click here to see the list.
- All applicants must pass the CITB health, safety and environment test for operatives.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewal: This card cannot be renewed. Instead, individuals should apply for a new Labourer card when their existing card expires.
For further details about this card, click here.
Experienced Technical , Supervisor or Manager
The Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager card is available specifically to Supervisors, Managers and Technical Workers with on-the-job experience (normally at least one year in the last three).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registered to complete an approved construction related Technical, Supervisory or Management (TSM) NVQ/SVQ Level 3, SVQ at SCQF level 6 or higher.
- Applicants must also have passed the appropriate level CITB Health, safety and environment (HSE) test within the last two years.
Validity: This card is valid for 3 years.
Renewal: This card cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to complete their qualification by the time the card expires and apply for a skilled CSCS card.
For further details about this card, click here.
Industry Placement
For those undergoing a construction-related qualification or training programme which requires the completion of a minimum 30 day work placement, such as T-Levels or Trainee Skills Development Programmes.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Be aged 16 or above.
- Be registered onto a qualification or training programme requiring a minimum of 30 days’ work placement.
- Provide proof of registration onto their T Level, Traineeship, or other programme by completing the Enrolment Evidence Form and upload it during the application process.
- Have successfully passed the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test within the last two years.
- For CSCS, SKILLcard and JIB-PMES, this will be the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Operative test. For ECS, it will be the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment.
Validity: This card is valid for 3 years.
Renewal: This card cannot be renewed. The Industry Placement card does not lead to a skilled CSCS card.
For further details about this card, click here.
Apprentice
The CSCS Apprentice card is issued free of charge and is for individuals on recognised apprenticeships. The CSCS Approved Apprenticeship Standards list, includes all the recognised CSCS occupation titles.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You have passed a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, or an approved alternative.
- Submit evidence that you are registered for an apprenticeship.
- Applicants should complete the Enrolment Evidence Form as this includes all the evidence required to apply for the Apprentice card.
Validity: 4 years and 6 months
Renewal: This card cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to complete their apprenticeship by the time the card expires and apply for a skilled CSCS card.
For further details about this card, click here.
Trainee
The Trainee card is available to those registered to complete a construction related qualification.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The qualification may be vocational, academic or professional, but it must be acceptable for a skilled CSCS card.
- Applicants must also have passed the Operative level CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years.
- Trainee card applicants must be able to provide proof of registration onto their qualification.
Validity: This card is valid for 5 years.
Renewal: This card cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to complete their qualification by the time the card expires.
For further details about this card, click here.
Experienced Worker (Temporary Card)
The Experienced Worker card is for workers with on-the-job experience (normally at least one year in the last three).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registered to a complete an approved construction related NVQ/SVQ level 2, SVQ at SCQF level 5 or higher.
- Applicants must also have passed the appropriate level CITB Health, safety and environment (HSE) test within the last two years. This must be taken at the relevant level for the occupation being applied for.
Validity: This card is valid for 1 Year.
Renewal: This card cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to complete their qualification by the time the card expires and apply for a skilled CSCS card.
For further details about this card, click here.
Provisional (Temporary Card)
The Provisional card is for individuals working through probationary periods while employers assess their suitability for employment.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You can only apply for a provisional card if you have not held a CSCS card before and this card can only be applied for once.
- Applicants must have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the past two years.
Validity: This card is valid for 6 months.
Renewable: No. Before it expires, Provisional card holders should achieve or be registered for a recognised construction related qualification and apply for the appropriate CSCS card for their job.
For further details about this card, click here.
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