CSCS card fee to increase from 1st February 2027

The cost of a CSCS card will increase from £36 to £42 from 1^st February 2027, marking the first change to the card fee since 2018. 

Any application completed in full and paid on, or before, 31^st January 2027 will be charged at the current fee of £36, while the new price will come into effect from 1^st February 2027.

The change only applies to the CSCS Cards scheme, not any other member of the CSCS Alliance.

Since the fee was last set, the card scheme has absorbed significant rises in operating costs while continuing to invest in services that support workers, employers and the wider industry.

These include My CSCS, the digital skills passport for CSCS cardholders, as well as My Skills within the app, which gives cardholders a single place to record training and CPD, helping them demonstrate ongoing competence.

Equally, CSCS Smart Check has been developed to allows employers and site managers to verify cards via app, web or API, helping to reduce card fraud and giving greater confidence that workers on site hold the right card for their job.

The new fee will help cover the existing costs of the card scheme and support the running and development of services such as My CSCS and CSCS Smart Check.

Garry Mortimer, Executive Director of Operations, CSCS Cards, said: “This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, however the card fee has been held at £36 since 2018, during which time the scheme has absorbed significant rises in costs while continuing to invest in My CSCS, My Skills and Smart Check. Cardholders now have a digital skills passport in My CSCS and a single record of their training and CPD, while employers can check cards quickly and with confidence.

“Holding the fee any longer is not sustainable. The new fee will ensure the scheme can continue to serve industry and develop the services that help workers demonstrate their competence on site.”

Applicants are reminded to apply directly through the official CSCS website or My CSCS app.

Third-party sites are not affiliated or endorsed by CSCS and often charge additional fees on top of the card fee, which are likely to rise in line with the new cost.

FAQs

When does the change take effect?

The new fee of £42 applies to all applications completed and paid for from 1^st February 2027.

I have already started my application. Which fee will I pay?

If you complete and pay for your application on or before 31^st January 2027, you will pay £36. Applications paid for on or after 1^st February 2027 will be charged at £42.

Should you start your application before 1^st February 2027 but it does not meet the requirements for the card, you do not provide the appropriate evidence or the application is rejected and needs to be resubmitted after 1st February 2027, the application will be charged at £42.

Why is the fee increasing?

Operating costs have risen considerably since the fee was last changed in 2018. The new fee allows the scheme to keep running while also developing the services cardholders and employers use every day across UK construction.

What do I get for my card fee?

Your fee covers the processing of your application, your physical card, your digital card in the My CSCS app, access to My Skills to record your training and CPD. It also supports the Smart Check service, which allows employers to check and verify cards to help keeping industry and sites safe.

Does the change apply to renewals?

Yes. Renewal applications completed and paid for on or after 1^st February 2027 will be charged £42.

Does the change apply to replacement cards? 

Yes. Lost, stolen or damaged card replacement applications completed and paid for on or after 1^st February 2027 will be charged at £42.

Does this change apply to Apprentice cards? 

No, Apprentice cards continue to be issued free of charge.  

Does this change the cost of the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test? 

No. Both the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test and the CIC Health & Safety Certification Course & Test are separate from CSCS and have their own fees.

I apply for cards on behalf of my workers. Does this affect me?

Yes. The new fee applies to all applications completed and paid for on, or after 1^st February 2027, including those made by employers on behalf of their workers.

Why do some websites charge more than the official CSCS service?

Third-party sites are not endorsed or affiliated by CSCS and set their own charges on top of the card fee. To pay the card fee only, without extra added fees, apply directly through the official CSCS website or the My CSCS app.

Does this affect other card schemes within the CSCS Alliance?

No. The change applies to cards issued by CSCS Cards only.