Contents
- 1 What is a CSCS Card?
- 2 How to get a CSCS Card?
- 3 CSCS Card Cost?
- 4 How long is the card valid for?
- 5 How long will it take to receive it?
- 6 Card Renewals
- 7 CITB Card Checker Online
- 8 Test Booking Centres – Find a centre near you
- 9 CSCS Mock Test
- 10 What do I do if I lose my card or if its stolen?
- 11 CSCS Card Types
What is a CSCS Card?
CSCS Cards was created to reduce accidents in UK’s construction workplace. The schemes aim was to have create a single system of skill and saftey certification, so employers in the industry can reliably know their employers are Health and Safety trained.
Why do you need a CSCS card?
- To work on construction sites
- Show employers you have a good understanding of Health and Safetey in the working environment
How to get a CSCS Card?
CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test requirements for a CSCS card.
To apply for most CSCS cards, you need to show that you’ve passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test in the last two years. The test is designed to make sure everyone has a minimum level of health, safety and environmental awareness before going on site. The test has different levels which fit the various jobs and roles on site.
For example, labourers and bricklayers need to pass the Operative Level Test, while quantity surveyors or architects need the Managerial and Professional Level Test.
How do you make sure you get the test you need? There are three simple steps:
Step one, to find exactly what card and what level test you need, go to CSCS card finder and look up your job title or role.
Step two, you then need to book your test at CITB test with a choice of times and locations which costs £21 pounds. Remember to note what ID you need to take with you when you go.
Step three, don’t forget to prepare for the test. There’s lots of support and revision guides available at CITB.co.uk/revision.
You need to one, find exactly what card and what level of test you need at CSCS.uk.com/cardfinder. Two, book your test at a cost of £21 from CITB website. Three, prepare for your test.
The test is multiple choice and lasts 45 minutes. Find your nearest CSCS test centres.
CSCS Card Cost?
CSCS Card How Much? – The standard fee for a CSCS card is £36 and the Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test costs £21
*PLEASE NOTE – Some companies card a administration fee to manage your test and course.
How long is the card valid for?
Expiry lengths depend on what card you have, ranging from 1 year to 5 years.
How long will it take to receive it?
Once you have paid for your card it will be posted out to you the next day – The average turn around after application is 20 days.
If it has not arrived call CITB help desk on 0344 994 4777.
Card Renewals
For card renewals please visit our CSCS card renewal page with all the details.
CITB Card Checker Online
CITB has an CSCS card checker, click that link and check if your card is valid and what qualifications you have.
Test Booking Centres – Find a centre near you
When you have selected the correct card for you head over to our CSCS test centres page which has a list of test centres across the UK including the top 2 centres with contact number, card prices and location.
CSCS Mock Test
Try our 50 question cscs mock test to test your knowledge before you take your test.
What do I do if I lose my card or if its stolen?
If lost or stolen please contact CITB on 0344 994 4777 to get a replacement card. You will have to pay £30 for a new card.
CSCS Card Types
The scheme has 15 card types to cover different occupations within the construction industry. Below is a list with short description and a link to more information.
Green Card – Labourer
The CSCS Green Card for labourers was launched in 2014 allowing operatives to work on construction sites in lower level job positions. Read More
Red – Apprentice
The Red Apprentice card is for operatives who are on their first steps towards a career in the construction industry. They must have registered on an apprenticeship scheme.. Read more.
Red – Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager
If you are looking to gaining a construction qualification and have one year plus experience on site as a supervisor, manager or a technician this tempory card is for you.
Red – Experienced Worker
This temporary card will shows prospective employers you can perform skilled tasks. You must have one year’s experience on site, and hold no industry-recognised qualifications. This card leads to blue or gold skilled worker card.
Red – Trainee (craft and operative)
CSCS no longer issues this card as of the 1st August 2016. CSCS now only issues one Trainee card – which requires you to be registered for a CSCS recognised construction qualification.
Red – Trainee (technical, supervisory and management)
The purpose of this card is to help card holders secure roles within construction by showing that they have an understanding of health and safety and also have the skills needed to manage trades and carry out duties in the correctly.
Blue – Skilled Worker
Obtaining this card shows prospective employers that you have the health and safety knowledge and is fully trained for onsite duties. It shows you have met the legal requirements to practice your trade.
Gold – Advanced Craft
This is an advanced card is for highly skilled workers in the construction industry. The holder either has completed an apprenticeship or holds an advanced NVQ/SVQ certification.
Gold – Supervisory
This card is for construction supervisors at advanced level. They need to have obtained an advanced NVQ/SVQ certification to obtain the card.
Black – Manager
The black card is the highest level CSCS offers and is for top management professionals. holders have achieved a SVQ or NVQ level 5 in management.
White – Academically Qualified Person
AQP – Has a graduation degree from CIOB certificate, NEBOSH Diploma, HNCS’s or HNDS.
White – Construction Related Occupation (CRO)
CRO Card is for holders who need access to construction sites but do not have a relevant CSCs card. It can be very difficult to get access on site so this card enables holders to be on site.
White – Professionally Qualified Person
PQP – Professional Qualified Person shows the holder is a member of an approved professional body such as ICE or CIOB.
Yellow – Site Visitor
The Yellow card is for site visitors who have no construction skills, but they need to visit construction sites as part of their job role.
Red – Provisional
This card is for those who are new to the construction industry working in roles such as labouring. This card demonstrates you have a good awareness of health & saftey in the work place.
