GQA Q-card design updated

Published: April 7, 2025

From June, the design of GQA’s Q-card will change to more closely resemble a CSCS card, with industry encouraged to accept all CSCS-logoed cards at site gates provided they are valid and in-date.

The CSCS logo and card design is a trusted hallmark for industry, ensuring individuals have the appropriate training and qualifications for the role they do on site. From June, GQA Q-cards will align much more closely with the look and feel of a CSCS card and those with the new design will be checkable using the Contactless option on the CSCS Smart Check app.

The improved design consistency is aimed at limiting instances where valid cards from schemes within the CSCS Alliance, such as GQA’s Q-card, are rejected.

Sites are also advised that GQA Q-cards with both designs will be in circulation for a number of years until the older cards are renewed. Whether they show the previous or updated design, all should be accepted as usual, provided they are confirmed as valid and in-date by CSCS Smart Check.

All cards carrying the CSCS logo meet the standards set out in the Construction Leadership Council recommendations, which also support the use of CSCS Smart Check when verifying individuals’ training and qualification records.

Alan O’Neile, CSCS Director of Communications, said: “The CSCS logo serves as an industry standard for the verification of training and qualifications and any card carrying it should be accepted at site gates provided it has been verified by CSCS Smart Check and is the right card for the holder’s role.

“Regardless of a card’s design or appearance, it is imperative that cards are checked digitally using CSCS Smart Check, which offers a quick, easy and flexible way for sites of any size to ensure their workforce has the appropriate training and qualifications.”

Visual checks are not enough to ensure a card’s legitimacy or help protect the industry from fraudulent or fake cards, with CSCS Smart Check having been developed by the CSCS Alliance to check all 2.2 million cards from across the 38 schemes.

The CSCS Smart Check API can be built into existing site access systems, while it can also be used via CSCSSmartCheck.co.uk or downloaded as an app through Google Play or the App Store.