What is a CSCS Card?

CSCS cards are proof that those working on construction sites in the UK have the training they need for the work they are undertaking. The main contractor on site or the client you work for will decide if you require a specific card before you are allowed entry, most house builders require all their workers to hold a valid CSCS card before undertaking employment.

What CSCS Card should I hold?

Your role will dictate the type of CSCS Card you require. There are a number of different card types and colours. The below will show a brief overview of the cards available to you. The CSCS cards cover various skill levels including the following:

The Green Card: Labourer Card

This card covers non-specific skills or basic site skills for those who undertake labouring duties. If you work in a skilled occupation this is not the correct card for you. However, this card is a suitable card for anyone working on sites/premises in a labouring capacity.

Applying for the CSCS Green Card can be done in as little as 3 steps:

1. Book on our CITB Health & Safety Awareness HSA Course 
2. Complete your Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) CSCS Operatives Touch Screen Test
3. After successful completion of the above steps you can then apply directly with CSCS for your Green Card!
   
   

The Red Cards: Apprentices, Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Management, Experienced Worker, Trainee or Industrial Placement Card

• The Apprentice Card can be obtained after you are registered onto an apprenticeship.
  
• The Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager Card is provided on the assumption that card holders will complete their qualification, NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or above, which will then qualify them for an alternative card (please read below). This card can be used in the interim to provide proof of their current level of experience.
• The Experienced Worker Card is also a temporary card that will expire after 1 year and assumes that the holder will complete their NVQ and SVQ Level 2 or above within the year, where they can then apply for an alternative CSCS card.
  
• Trainee Cards are temporary cards for those who are set to complete a construction qualification within 5 years. Upon completion of their training they can then apply for an alternative CSCS card.
  
• Industry Placement Cards this card is only available for those who are in the process of completing training that incorporates a placement that is 30 days or longer.
  

The Blue Card: Skilled Workers

A skilled worker card (also known as the blue card) is used to identify those who have specific skills and the holder must be able to prove that they have sufficient training for the job they perform.

The Gold Card: Higher Level Skilled Workers or Supervisory

This card is suitable for those with a higher level of training or they hold a supervisory role following a employer-sponsored apprenticeship.

The Black Card: Management

The senior management card (The Black Card) is assigned to those are managerial or part of senior management and have achieved training in level 4/5 in site management.

The White Card: Academically Qualified Person or Professional Qualified Person

The white cards are suited to those who have completed degrees related to construction or those who have competence assessed members of CSCS approved professional bodies. 

Please visit CSCS directly for a full breakdown of the pre-requisites of each card and use their 'Card Finder' tool to check which card is best for you!