Types of CSCS Skills Cards
CSCS introduced new card designs in Janurary 2010. Existing cards continue to be valid until their expiry date. For images and information about the old style CSCS cards, click here
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Red - Trainee |
Red - Graduate |
Red - Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager |
Red - Experienced Worker |
Green Construction Site Operative |
Blue Craft |
Gold Advanced Craft/Supervisory |
Black Management |
White/
Yellow Professionally Qualified Person |
Yellow Visitor (no construction skills) |
White/
Grey Construction Related Occupation |
There are four types of red cards which are for new, recent entrants to occupations in the construction industry and experienced workers whose occupation has been closed for Industry Accreditation and are working towards a NVQ or SVQ.
RED CARD - TRAINEE (Craft and Operative)
You will qualify for this card if you are a trainee, and registered for an NVQ or SVQ (or Construction Award) but have not yet achieved level 2 or 3 and have met current CSCS Health and Safety requirements.
RED CARD - TRAINEE (Technical, Supervisory and Management)
You will qualify for this card if you can provide evidence of current registration with a further/higher education college or university for a nationally recognised construction related qualification.
Trainees have must pass the health and safety test and the card is valid for three years. However it can be renewed for a further three years on application.
RED CARD - GRADUATE (Technical, Supervisory and Management)
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You will qualify for this card if you have completed a nationally recognised construction related qualification with a further/higher education college or university. You will be required to complete the Managerial and Professional (known as MAP) Health and Safety Test.
The Graduate Card is valid for three years and can be renewed for three years on application.
RED CARD - EXPERIENCED TECHNICIAN, SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER (Technical, Supervisory and Management)
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This card is available to Supervisors and Managers with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three), but missed the industry accreditation opportunity and do not hold an NVQ or SVQ level 3,4 or 5 or a member of an approved Professional Body - Click here for full list
To qualify for a card you need to:
- Check to see if your job role is covered by CSCS.
- Pass the health and safety test
- Register for an NVQ or SVQ
- Complete an NVQ or SVQ profiling session
The card is valid for three years and is non-renewable.
The card is issued on a temporary basis, while a NVQ or SVQ is being achieved. It is expected to be replaced by a skilled five year card on achievement of NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or higher
RED CARD - EXPERIENCED WORKER
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This card is available to everyone with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three), but missed the industry accreditation opportunity.
To qualify for a card you need to:
- Check to see if your trade is covered by CSCS.
- Pass the health and safety test
The card is valid for one year and is non-renewable.
The card is issued on a temporary basis, while a NVQ or SVQ is being achieved. It is expected to be replaced by a skilled five year card on achievement of NVQ or SVQ Level 2 or higher.
An Experienced Worker Card can not be replaced by a Construction Site Operative or a Basic Skills Green Card.
To apply for a CSCS Red Card click here
GREEN CARD
The green card is available to operatives who carry out basic site skills only (e.g. Labourers).
There are two ways to apply for a green card: via NVQ level 1; or by employer's recommendation (industry accreditation), which is only open for a limited period of time. The employer must use the industry accreditation competencies, click here for a list, when assessing the applicant.
All applicants must pass the construction health and safety test. For those who have completed the working at heights health and safety test, this can be endorsed on the card.
To apply for a CSCS Green Card click here
BLUE CARD - SKILLED WORKER
TopYou may qualify for a blue skilled card if you have achieved an NVQ or SVQ level 2 or if you have completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate.
If you do not have these qualifications, you may apply for a skilled card if you are experienced in your job (see Experienced Worker Card for more information)
All applicants must pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test.
BLUE CARD – CRAFT UNIT LEVEL
This route is for occupations where a full NVQ or SVQ does not exist, but trade specific units do.
All applicants must pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test.
This card is valid for five years.
To apply for a CSCS Blue Card click here
GOLD CARD - SKILLED WORKER
TopYou may qualify for a gold skilled card if you have achieved an NVQ or SVQ level 3, or if you have completed an approved indentured apprenticeship (e.g.with NJCBI, BATJIC etc.) or an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.
If you do not have these qualifications, you may apply for a skilled card if you are experienced in your job see Experienced Worker Card for more information.
All applicants must pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test.
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GOLD CARD - SUPERVISOR
The gold card is available for supervisor and technician occupations.
Achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 3 in a relevant occupation is required to apply for this CSCS card.
For those who do not have an NVQ or SVQ level 3 application is by the experienced manager card. CSCS has recently introduced the Profiled Route which is for highly competent supervisors, click here for further information.
All applicants must pass the supervisor level ConstructionSkills health and safety test.
To apply for a CSCS Gold Card click here
BLACK CARD - MANAGER
TopThe black card is available for manager occupations.
Achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 4 or 5 in a relevant occupation is required to apply for this CSCS card.
For those who do not have an NVQ or SVQ level 4 or 5 application is by the experienced manager card. CSCS has recently introduced the Profiled Route which is for highly competent managers, click here for further information.
All applicants must pass the Managerial and Professional (known as MAP) ConstructionSkills health and safety test. Please note that there are specific revision materials for this test.
From 1st August 2009, all cards that previously required applicants to pass the Professionally Qualified Persons test (PQP and Managers cards) will now need to take the Managerial and Professional test (MAP). Individuals who have taken the PQP test prior to 1stAugust 2009 will still be eligible to apply for a PQP, Manager or lower level card within two years of passing the test.
To apply for a CSCS Black Card click here
WHITE/ YELLOW - PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED PERSON CARD
The white/yellow Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) card is for competency assessed members of CSCS approved Professional Bodies, such as ICE, CIOB, RICS (click here for list). The scope of the PQP card has recently been redefined after lengthy consultation with the Professional Bodies, and no longer has a time spent on site restriction placed on it.
In order to apply for a PQP card the applicant must:
- Be a competence assessed member of an approved institution (click here for list)
- Pass the Managerial and Professional (also known as the MAP) ConstructionSkills health and safety test (please note that there are specific revision materials for this test)
Complete the application form - click here
Cards are valid for five years and can be renewed on re-verification of the PQP criteria.
To apply for a CSCS PQP Card click here
WHITE/ GREY CARD - CONSTRUCTION RELATED OCCUPATION (CRO)
TopThis card covers construction related occupations not covered by the other categories of card and shows the holder's occupation.
A CRO card is valid for five years and to renew it applicants must retake and pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test
YELLOW CARD - REGULAR VISITOR
The yellow Regular Visitor Card is for people who frequently visit a construction site, but have no construction specific skill.
The card is issued on a personal basis via application form, the applicant will need to take and pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test CSCS Operative health and safety test.
The card has been designed to allow access to a Construction Site to be made easier, as passing the health and safety test status can reduce the amount of site induction that is required.
Important Notes:
Although the health and safety tested status can reduce the amount of site health and safety induction required, some site-specific health and safety induction may also be required.
The issue of this card does not relieve the site managers from their legal obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people entering their sites.
To apply for a CSCS Yellow Visitors Card click here
PLATINUM CARD - MANAGER
TopThe platinum card was withdrawn from the Scheme on January 1st 2010. From this date anyone who has passed S/NVQ levels 4 or 5 should apply for a black CSCS card.
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE CSCS CARDS
1,551,873