Non Card Holders: What is a CSCS Card?
CSCS Cards are the single most important qualification in the construction industry. Obtaining a card proves that you have the required skills to work in a construction working environment and that youhave passed the Health and Safety knowledge needed to work safely.
CSCS work on a colour coded system related to which level of experience, training, courses and qualifications passed. CSCS Cards are used to gain access to construction sites to prove you have the required skills and training. Over 85% of UK construction sites require workers to have a CSCS Card.
There are around 13 different types of you can apply for and it all depends on the occupation you will be applying for and the qualifications you have in the construction industry.
Non Card Holders: How do I get a one?
In order to get obtain a one you need have passed the qualifications for the specific card you need. The basic requirement is the CSCS Health, Safety & Environment Test. This shows employers you have the relevant health and safety skills to work on site. The test will be based relevant to your trade. Once you have passed the Health, Safety & Environment Test you can apply for a CSCS card.
Non Card Holders: CSCS Card Application
To apply for a CSCS card you need to fill in the application form from CSCS UK
Non Card Holders: How much does it cost?
The actual cost is £30 which can be paid by cheque, credit, debit card direct from CSCS UK. Some employers will cover the cost of the training for their staff, but for self employed you need to pay for the card your self. Please note you have to pass the Health, Safety and Environment Test first which costs £19.50.
There are many companies out there which package the CSCS card and the Health, Safety and Environment Test for an extra premium. For example some companies will charge £70 for the card and test, making a small profit by you using their services.
- CSCS Card cost: £30
- Health, Safety and Environment Test: £19.50
Non Card Holders: How long is the card valid for?
The expiry depends on what card you have, the time can range from 1 year to 5 years. Visting the section below to locate your card and it will tell you the expiry time in years.
Non Card Holders: How long will it take to receive it?
This all depends on the application progress you took, if you did by paper application your card would be issued within the calendar month. If your application was over the telephone your CSCS card will be issued the following day and you should receive it within 10 working days.
If it has not arrived call CITB help desk on 0344 994 4777.
Non Card Holders: Check Card Types – Which type of card do I need?
- Green – Labourer
- Red– Apprentice
- Red – Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager
- Red – Experienced Worker
- Red – Trainee (craft and operative)
- Red – Trainee (technical, supervisory and management)
- Blue – Skilled Worker
- Gold – Advanced Craft
- Gold – Supervisory
- Black – Manager
- White – Academically Qualified Person
- White – Construction Related Occupation (CRO)
- White – Professionally Qualified Person
- Yellow – Site Visitor
- Red – Provisional
Green – Labourer
CSCS Green Card – What you need to know
Image Credit *CSCS UK
Expiry Time: Valid for five years
Test Cost: £17.50
Card Cost: £30
REQUIREMENTS:
All applicants must also pass the Operatives CITB Health Safety & Environment test.
Training Centers
The following inforamtion for the Green Labourer CSCS card was taken from the offical CSCS website here
Red – Apprentice
Expiry Time: Valid for 4 years CAN NOT BE RENEWED
REQUIREMENTS:
The following inforamtion for the Red Apprentice CSCS card was taken from the offical CSCS website here
Red – Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager
Expiry Time: Valid for 3 years CAN NOT BE RENEWED
The following inforamtion for the Red Apprentice CSCS card was taken from the offical CSCS website here
Red – Experienced Worker
Red Experienced Worker Card – What you Need to know
Expiry Time: The card is valid for 1 year and CANNOT BE RENEWED
REQUIREMENTS:
The following inforamtion for the red experienced worker CSCS card was taken from the offical CSCS website here
Red – Trainee (craft and operative)
Red Trainee Card – What you need to know
Expiry Time: This card has been expired by CSCS in August 2016
Red – Trainee (technical, supervisory and management)
Red Trainee Technical Card – What you need to know
Expiry Time: This card has been expired by CSCS in August 2016
Blue – Skilled Worker
Blue Card Skilled Worker – what you need to know
Expiry Time: Valid for 5 years.
REQUIREMENTS:
The following inforamtion for the blue skilled worker CSCS card was taken from the offical CSCS website here
Gold – Advanced Craft
Gold Card Advanced Carft – what you need to know
Expiry Time: Valid for 5 years.
REQUIREMENTS:
The following inforamtion for the gold advanced craft CSCS card was taken from the offical CSCS website here
Gold – Supervisory
Gold Card Advanced Craft – what you need to know
Expiry Time: Valid for 5 years.
REQUIREMENTS:
For more inforamtion about the gold supervisory CSCS card visit the offical CSCS website here
Black – Manager
Black Card Manager – what you need to know
REQUIREMENTS:
For more inforamtion about the black manager CSCS card visit the offical CSCS website here
White – Academically Qualified Person
White Card Academic – What you need to know
Expiry Time: Valid for 5 years.
REQUIREMENTS:
For more inforamtion about the white Academically Qualified Person CSCS card visit the offical CSCS website here
White – Construction Related Occupation (CRO)
For more inforamtion about the white Construction Related Occupation (CRO) CSCS card visit the offical CSCS website here
White – Professionally Qualified Person
White Card Qualified Person – What you need to know
Expiry Time: Valid for 5 years.
For more inforamtion about the white professionally qualified person CSCS card visit the offical CSCS website here
Yellow – Site Visitor
Yellow Visitor Card – What you need to know
Expiry Time: Valid for 5 years.
REQUIREMENTS:
For more inforamtion about the yellow site visitor card visit the offical CSCS website here
Red – Provisional
For more inforamtion about the red provisional CSCS card visit the offical CSCS website here
Non Card Holders: CSCS Test Booking Centres – Find a centre near you
When you have selected the correct card for you head over to our CSCS test booking centres page which has a list of test centres across the UK including the top 2 centres with contact number, card prices and location.
Non Card Holders: Mock practice cscs test
Card Holders: What do I do if I lose my card or if its stolen?
If you have either lost your CSCS card or if its been stolen you need to buy a new one. There are 2 ways to do this if you have Debit or Credit Card please CITB on 0344 994 4777 to get a replacement card. If you do not have a credit or debit card you need to fill in a new application form from CITB. Please note a replacement CSCS cards cost £30.00.
Card Holders: How do I renew my card?
Inorder to renew your CSCS card you need to have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test which costs £19.50 and also a new card which costs £30.
Please note that cards can only be renewed 6 months prior to the expiry date and up to 6 months after the expiry date and that the expiry date of the new card will be as if the card was renewed on time.
Source from CSCS UK.
Employers: What should I do if I suspect somebody is using a fraudulent card?
If you suspect an operative is using a fraudulant card please follow the below steps from CITB.
1. Retain the card if possible
2. Make photocopies of front and back
3. Record cardholder’s name and address
4. Ask the cardholder where the card was obtained from
5. Call the local police and report the matter
6. Refuse access to site (subject to company rules)
7. Forward copies of all evidence to Operations Team; CSCS Ltd, The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT marked “SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD” with details of the crime number given by local police. You can also email Report.it@citb.co.uk . CSCS will fully support any prosecution with technical and factual evidence.
Employers: Bulk Employer Applications
For employers you can fill in a bulk CSCS card application form at the Citb website. Application Excel Download, or you can email CITB for any enquiries at employer.applications@citb.co.uk