Changes to CSCS card system

Green construction site operative (CSO) CSCS Card: CSCS have now stopped issuing the green (CSO) cards. If you hold an in date green CSCS (CSO) card don’t worry you can continue to use this until it expires.

This has been replaced by a labourer card: For this card you need to sit the operatives CITB touchscreen test and hold a valid Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness one day Course certificate .  Remember this is for labourers only and Principal contractors will not allow you to carry out a skilled trade if you hold this card.

Trainee card: This card is available if you are a trainee and are registered for an NVQ or SVQ (or if you are registered for or have achieved a Construction Award) but have not yet achieved an NVQ or SVQ, Prior to applying for the card.

Applicants are required to have achieved either the CITB Health, safety and environment test at the relevant level for their occupation or have attended a 1-day Health and Safety Awareness Course (a copy of the certificate will be required with the application) and have sat the operatives CITB touch screen test.

this card lasts 3 years and can only be able to renew once.

Blue Card (Skilled Worker):  : This card is available if you have either:

• Achieved a Construction Related NVQ or SVQ level 2 or
• Completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate.

Once this has been obtained you can stay at this level, you will be required to renew your card every 5 years only having to sit the CITB Operatives touch screen test.

Gold Card (Supervisor): if you are thinking of becoming a supervisor this is the card you’ll want.

This card is available if you have:

• Achieved a Construction Related NVQ or SVQ level 3 or
• You have completed an approved indentured apprenticeship (e.g.with NJCBI, BATJIC etc.) or
• Completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.
• You also need to have sat the CITB supervisors touch screen test

Black Card (Managers): This card is available for manager occupations subject to:

• achievement of a Construction related NVQ/SVQ levels 4, 5, (or Construction related QCF Level 6 or 7) in the relevant occupation
• have completed the CITB Managers and Professionals touch screen test

Myths of Exemptions

If you have achieved a construction related NVQ or SVQ within the last two years and are applying for a CSCS card for the occupation the NVQ or SVQ relates to, you may not have to pass a CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test. Please check with your training provider. This is only available to new applications and cannot be used for card renewals.
CSCS has a mutual recognition agreement with SOLAS (previously known as FAS (Eire) Safepass) which acts as an exemption to the Operative or Specialist CITB Health and Safety Test requirement providing that it has been completed within two years of the application being made.  However, please note that SOLAS is not acceptable as an exemption to the Supervisor or Manager and Professional (MAP) level CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.