FAQs
- I don’t have an NVQ, does that mean I will have to get qualified?
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It depends on the type of card you have:
- CSO – CSCS no longer issues these cards. There is information here about what you need to do when this card expire.
- CRO – CSCS will stop issuing Construction Related Occupation (CRO) cards in April 2017. All CRO cards issued from 1st October 2015 will expire on 30th September 2017 and are not renewable. You will be expected to register for a nationally recognised construction related qualification before the card expires. Read more about the CRO card changes.
- IA – From 1st January 2020, all cards renewed under Industry Accreditation will expire on 31st December 2024 and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 30th June 2024. Read more about the IA withdrawal.
- Profiled Route – CSCS stopped accepting applications via the Profiled Route in April 2016 but cards already obtained this way are renewable. Read more about the Profiled Route changes.
- AQP, PQP – These cards will continue to be renewable.
- Site Visitor – All Construction Site Visitor cards issued from 3rd September 2018 will expire on 31st August 2020 and are non-renewable. CSCS will stop issuing the card from 28th February 2020. Read more about the Visitor card withdrawal.
- What do card scheme operators have to do to comply?
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They will need to meet the requirements set out by the CLC.
In early 2015 CSCS completed an internal audit of the scheme against the CLC’s requirements. The results of this audit may be useful to other scheme operators to help them to determine what actions they need to take to ensure their scheme is compliant with the CLC’s stipulations.
- When do card scheme operators have to meet the requirements?
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The CLC action states “A transition process to bring all existing cardholders up to the minimum standard by 2020 will be agreed and implemented”. So if plans are not in place by 2020 a card scheme will be prevented from displaying the logo.
- Will card scheme operators incur costs for becoming CSCS logoed?
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CSCS will not charge for auditing schemes against the CLC criteria or supplying the logo. There may be extra charges from card producers for adding the logo which card schemes would need to consider.
- I expect to obtain Professional Membership during the five year life span of my new Trainee card. However, the membership could take more than five years to achieve. Will I be able to renew the Trainee card?
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The rules state the card is non renewable. However, CSCS does not wish to prevent cardholders from achieving their professional membership. In this scenario it is likely CSCS will consider a renewal if the cardholder can submit evidence of their professional membership achievement timeline.
- What happens if I have registered for but not completed my qualification by the time the new Trainee Card expires?
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Applicants must complete their qualification before the Trainee card expires so that you can move onto the appropriate skilled card for your occupation. If you do not complete your qualification by the time the Trainee Card expires you will be unable to obtain any other CSCS card.
- Do I need to pass the CITB Health Safety & Environment Test to obtain the new Trainee Card?
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Yes, all applicants must complete the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test up to 2 years prior to applying for their Trainee Card. The operatives level test is the minimum requirement but CSCS will also accept a number of the specialist tests. Visit CITB’s webpage for further information on the test.
- Why has the Trainee Card changed?
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The primary objective of the CSCS card is to provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out.
Feedback from industry has told us the acceptance of qualifications not based on a National Occupational Standard caused confusion amongst card holders and their employers.
In particular, Trainee TSM card holders who mistakenly considered SSSTS, SMSTS and NEBOSH General as qualifications that lead to a skilled CSCS card become increasingly frustrated when they realised they could not progress to a skilled CSCS card. Trainee Card holders must obtain a qualification based on a National Occupational Standard before moving onto the appropriate skilled CSCS card.
The construction Industry requested that CSCS stop accepting qualifications not based on a National Occupational Standard and to only issue Trainee Cards when the qualification is based on a National Occupational Standard that leads to a skilled CSCS card.
- What is the Construction Site Visitor card?
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The Construction Site Visitor card is intended for those people who frequently visit a construction site but do not carry out a construction related occupation.
Card issued up to 31st August 2018 are valid for five years. All applicants must have passed the CITB Operatives Health, Safety and Environment Test.
- Why is the Construction Site Visitor card being withdrawn?
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In 2015 the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) announced (via the Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025) that skills certification card schemes carrying the CSCS logo must operate with nationally recognised qualifications (NVQs or approved equivalents) in place for all occupations.
The Construction Site Visitor card was intended for non-construction related occupations for which there are no nationally recognised construction related qualifications and as such does not meet the requirements of the CLC.