Do not apply for this card if you work in a skilled occupation. This card is for unskilled workers only, it show employers the holder is not on a recognised training pathway. You will be refused entry to site if you work in a skilled occupation and you hold a Labourer card.
The Labourer card is valid for five years and can not be renewed. Instead, individuals should apply for a new Labourer card when their existing card expires.
All applicants must pass the CITB health, safety and environment test for operatives and hold one of the following:
- The Level 1 (Scotland Level 4) Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
- The Scottish Level 5 REHIS Elementary Health and Safety Certificate
- The NOCN/CSkills Awards Construction Health and Safety (F/618/0738) unit
- A CSCS approved alternative qualification – see below.
How to apply
All applications are made via CSCS Online.
Once an application is approved, cards should arrive within five working days.
This Level 1 award was developed for Labourers needing to obtain a CSCS card.
CSCS do not deliver training. To take this level 1 award, please contact your local college of further education, training centre or Jobcentre Plus.
These organisations can advise about training and assessment availability, pricing and whether funding is available.
The following awarding organisations have approval from OFQUAL to offer this qualification
Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC)
The Learning Machine Ltd (TLM)
The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
The following awarding organisations no longer offer the qualification although qualifications already issued will be accepted:
Qualification standard
CSCS accepts a number of alternative courses for Labourer card applications.
Alternative qualifications which expire can only be used once, so you will need to retake these qualifications in the future when you renew your Labourer card.
CSCS do not deliver training. To take one of the required courses, please contact your local college of further education, training centre or Jobcentre Plus.
These organisations can advise about training and assessment availability, pricing and whether funding for your course is available.
Awarding Organisation | Course Name | Lifetime of Course | Delivery |
CITB | Health and Safety Awareness Course | Five Years | Classroom or Online |
COSAC | Safe2Site | Five years | Online |
Drilling and Sawing Association | DSA 1 Day Health and Safety Awareness Course | Five Years | Classroom |
IOSH | Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers | Three years | Classroom and virtual (face to face). IOSH e-learning courses are not accepted for a CSCS card. |
JTJ | JTJ Introduction to Construction Course | N/A | Closed – renewals only. |
NOCN | Health and Safety Awareness in Construction | Five years | Classroom |
NPORS | NPORS Site Safety Awareness Course | Five years | Classroom |
SPA – Safety Pass Alliance | SPA – Core Construction Course | Five years | Classroom |
Priestman Associates | Principles of Construction Site Health | N/A | Closed – renewals only. |
Rushmoor Borough Council | Rushmoor Borough Council Health and Safety in a Construction Environment L1 | N/A | Closed – renewals only. |