CSCS Smart Check

The CSCS Smart Check app is the official app which allows verification of all Construction Skills Certification Scheme partner schemes.

For more information on the withdrawal of Go Smart, visit the Go Smart FAQ section.

By scanning a CSCS Partner Scheme card, you can verify it is genuine and details correct for over 2 million construction workers in the UK. The app has a live feed into databases of each scheme and is a collaborative project between more than 35 different organisations.

The app gives users a simple solution to check all CSCS Partner Scheme cards in one place. Rather than separate apps, web portals and call centres, CSCS Smart Check means all sites and projects can undertake checks to assess if people are qualified and competent for their role when entering a project.

No, CSCS Smart Check will only verify that the card is valid. It won’t provide any further information beyond Cardholder Photo ID, Cardholder Name, Cardholder Job Title, Cardholder Qualifications and Card Expiry Date.

Employers should contact the relevant card scheme about this type of functionality where it exists, such as ECS Check.

There are no plans to set a time limit, but all sites are expected and encouraged to migrate to CSCS Smart Check over time.

The project team are keen to point out that there will be no immediate impact on existing card checking operations and employers can continue to use their existing card checking systems if required.

CSCS Smart Check won’t store information about checked cards, besides the initial card verified screen, although photos of that screen can be taken outside of the app and stored separately if the user wishes.

Other systems already exist for the auditing of personnel on contracts and some schemes have links or offer such services separately. The CSCS Smart Check Delivery Group will also be considering further enhancement to the technology going forward.

You can find a list of all 38 CSCS Alliance members here via the CSCS website.

CSCS Smart Check is an app to verify CSCS Partner Cards presented as being valid and genuine across all the 38 CSCS Partner Schemes.

Other systems already exist for employers to keep records on their workforce training and qualifications.

This would depend on the scheme in question. Provided the lost or stolen card has been flagged and removed from the respective database, it will not be recognised as valid by CSCS Smart Check. Similarly, provided the replacement card has been registered and is active, it can be verified by CSCS Smart Check.

No. The HSE test is only one of the requirements to apply for a card – card applications are based on qualifications and other documentation, rather than solely a HSE test.

Please note that virtual cards, where available, can be used on site almost immediately once the application is approved and prior to a physical card arriving.

There are a number of possible reasons for a card not showing up on the app and fraud is one of them.

Other reasons include; the card has expired, the card is damaged or broken, details have not been inputted correctly during a manual check or there is no internet or data signal.

If you suspect a fake card, follow the instructions contained within the app’s help & support page or the guidance on the CSCS website. This will ensure the appropriate card scheme is notified.

If you suspect a fake card, follow the instructions contained within the app’s help & support page or the guidance on the CSCS website.

CSCS Smart Check confirms that the Partner Scheme issuing the card has verified the information, such as with the awarding organisations, to give confidence to those checking cards that the person is who they say they are, and suitably qualified for the job they are doing.

CSCS Smart Check will also help combat fraudulent obtained cards in two ways:

Fake cards: These will not be accepted by the app. A fake card will return a failed verification message.

Fraudulently obtained qualifications: When fraud is confirmed at a training centre delivering construction related qualifications it gets shut down. At this point, every CSCS logoed card issued as a result of obtaining a qualification through that test centre is cancelled. So the next time the card is verified by CSCS Smart Check a failed verification message will be displayed.

If you suspect a fake card, follow the instructions contained within the app’s help & support page or the guidance on the CSCS website.

No. CSCS Smart Check does not store info about a card holder’s accreditation. It simply checks that the card is valid and displays info printed on the card. If the scheme offers a virtual card accessed through a mobile phone, individuals should be encouraged to use that function if they have forgotten or lost their physical card.

CSCS Smart Check will only verify cards that are in date, not those that have expired. It won’t alert card holders as to when their card is about to expire. However, if a card does not verify then checking the expiry date on the card is highly recommended. Expired cards are likely to be one of the main reasons for a card not verifying on CSCS Smart Check.

Ideally workers would have their original cards on them, not copies. Depending on the scheme, laminated copies can be checked using CSCS Smart Check provided the QR code is clearly visible.

Alternatively, you can input the card details manually into the app to check it.

It will depend on the scheme but it is more than likely all new cards issued will be on the app soon after an application is approved. For some card schemes there may be short delays before records of new cards are uploaded to their database and available on the app.

CSCS Smart Check is an app that can be used to check cards on site. It is not an app for individuals to store details of their cards, like My CSCS, MyECS or Smart PAL.

The free app gives users a simple solution to check all CSCS Partner Scheme cards in one place. Rather than separate apps, web portals and call centres, CSCS Smart Check means all sites and projects can undertake checks to assess if people are qualified and competent for their role when entering a project.

No, the QR is already displayed on the card and read by CSCS Smart Check. The app is solely for the validating of cards and not for card holders to register with. Also, the QR code option is only for card schemes that currently have a QR code on their plastic or virtual card.

CSCS Smart Check is quick, easy and secure. It will provide a quick and simple solution to check cards in a matter of seconds, compared to time consuming manual checking and switching between multiple systems, as is the case currently.

The photo on the card will be displayed within CSCS Smart Check. Please ensure the photo displayed in CSCS Smart Check matches the person handing over the card to be checked.

No. Each card will have to be scanned individually if this is the requirement for site entry, as each scan checks only one scheme’s database at a time

This will depend on the scheme in question as some schemes only issue virtual cards rather than plastic ones.

Yes. There will be no immediate impact on existing card checking operations and employers can continue to use their existing card checking systems if required. While there will be a period of transition, and multiple systems running concurrently, everyone is expected and encouraged to migrate to the new app over time.

CSCS Smart Check will only be available as an app, not online.

This will be a future development phase. Please continue to visit cscs.uk/com/smartcheck for updates.

CSCS Smart Check will always require an internet or mobile data connection to work. If you do not have a connection then please follow company procedures for checking cards.

No, CSCS Smart Check will verify that the card is valid. It does not allow the option to forward digital copies of cards or download/store any aspects of the cards. You can however take a photo of the card outside of the app.

My CSCS and CSCS Smart Check are two separate apps.

CSCS Smart Check is for those who are responsible for checking cards on site.

My CSCS is for individual card holders to store their virtual CSCS cards, make card applications and contact CSCS. None of the features in My CSCS are available in CSCS Smart Check.

Should you encounter technical problems with CSCS Smart Check, please follow the instructions within the app’s support page. This can be found within the app itself or via the CSCS website.

CSCS provide advice on what to do if you suspect someone is using a fraudulent card which can be found here: https://www.cscs.uk.com/frequently-asked-questions/what-should-i-do-if-i-suspect-someone-is-using-a-fraudulent-card/

Finding an active cardholder account will display a photograph of the cardholder, their name and scheme number, the valid card(s) held, expiry date, main occupation and qualifications held.

Only valid, in-date cards will display within CSCS Smart Check. Please contact your scheme to renew your card.

If you are presented with a chipped or contactless card, click the “Contactless” button to read the card when it is tapped onto the smart phone or device. If you are presented with a virtual card or QR code on a card, click “QR Code” button to scan the code through the camera of the device. There is also the ability to check a card manually by entering the relevant details.

If no record of an individual is found, it may be because the card has expired, has been invalidated or may be fraudulent. Please check by manually entering the correct details. If still no record is returned, please follow normal project procedures for those unable to show a valid CSCS or Partner Scheme card.

CSCS Smart Check will always require an internet or mobile data connection to work. If you do not have a connection then please follow company procedures for checking cards.

No. The app is free to download

The app is called CSCS Smart Check and will be available to download from April 1^st. It shouldn’t be confused with My CSCS or any other card scheme apps. The app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Initially, CSCS Smart Check will be a standalone application, incompatible with existing site entry systems such as turnstiles and desktop card readers. However, there will be no immediate impact on existing card checking operations and employers can continue to use their existing card checking systems if required.

Once the app is launched, the project team will reach out to card schemes, employers and stakeholders to begin the process of enabling existing card checking systems to become compatible with the new app. While there will be a period of transition, and multiple systems running concurrently, all sites are expected and encouraged to migrate to the new app over time.