Red - Trainee

There are two types of red cards which are both for new entrants to occupations in the construction industry.

Trainee Cards (Craft and Operative)

You will qualify for this card if you are a trainee, and registered for an NVQ or SVQ (or Construction Award) but have not yet achieved level 2 or 3.

Trainee Card (Technical, Supervisory and Management)

You will qualify for this card if you can provide evidence of current registration with a further/higher education college for a nationally recognised construction related qualification. Or you can qualify if you can provide evidence of satisfactorily completing a nationally recognised construction related course in a further/higher education college.

Trainees have the choice between the standard CSCS health and safety course or the health and safety test. The cards are valid for three years. However the Trainee (Technical, Supervisory and Management) card can be renewed for a further three years on application.

Green Card

The green card is available to operatives who carry out basic site skills only (e.g. Labourers).

There are two ways to apply for a green card: via NVQ level 1; or by employer's recommendation (industry accreditation), which is only open for a limited period of time. The employer must use the industry accreditation competencies, when assessing the applicant.

All applicants must pass the construction health and safety test. For those who have completed the working at heights health and safety test, this can be endorsed on the card.

Blue Card

Experienced Worker

This card is available to everyone with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three), but missed the industry accreditation opportunity.

To qualify for a card you need to:

• Check to see if your trade is covered by CSCS.
• Pass the health and safety test

The card is valid for one year and is non-renewable.

The card is issued on a temporary basis, while a NVQ or SVQ is being achieved. It is expected to be replaced by a skilled five year card on achievement of NVQ or SVQ Level 2 or higher.

An Experienced Worker Card can not be replaced by a Construction Site Operative or a Basic Skills Green Card.

Skilled Worker

You may qualify for a blue skilled card if you have achieved an NVQ or SVQ level 2 or if you have completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship and completed a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate.

If you do not have these qualifications, you may apply for a skilled card if you are experienced in your job.

All applicants must pass the construction health and safety test.

Experienced Technician, Supervisor or Manager

This card is available to everyone with on the job experience (normally one year in the the last three).

If you do not have these qualifications, you may apply for a skilled card if you are experienced in your job and your occupation is available through industry accreditation. Industry accreditation is open for a limited time only.

To qualify for a card you need to:

• Check to see if your trade is covered by CSCS.
• Pass the health and safety test.
• Register for an NVQ or SVQ.
• Complete an NVQ or SVQ profiling session.

This card is valid for three years and is non-renewable.

The card is issued on a temporary basis, while a NVQ or SVQ is being achieved. It is expected to be replaced by a skilled five year card on achievement of NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or higher.

All applicants must pass either the appropriate level of construction health and safety test.

Gold Card

Skilled Worker

You may qualify for a gold skilled card if you have achieved an NVQ or SVQ level 3, or if you have completed an approved indentured apprenticeship (e.g.with NJCBI, BATJIC etc.) or an employer sponsored apprenticeship and completed a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.

If you do not have these qualifications, you may apply for a skilled card if you are experienced in your job see Experienced Worker Card for more information.

All applicants must pass the construction health and safety test.

Supervisor

You may qualifity for a gold supervisor card if you are involved in supervisor occupations.

Cards can be applied for through industry accreditation, for three years from release date, or by achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 3 in a supervisory occuaption.

Some of these occupations may be covered by the Professional Membership Mapped Route.

For those who apply after industry accreditation has closed, entry will be by NVQ or SVQ level 3 or by applying for an experienced manager card.

All applicants must pass the supervisor level construction health and safety test

Platinum Card - Manager

The platinum card is available for manager occupations.

You may apply for a card through industry accreditation, for three years from release date, or by achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 4 in one of the occupations above.

Some of the occupations may be covered by the Professional Membership Mapped Route.

For those who apply after industry accreditation has closed, entry will be by NVQ or SVQ level 4 or by applying for an experienced manager card.

All applicants must pass the manager level construction health and safety test.

Black Card

The black card is available for senior manager occupations.

Achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 5 in a relevant occupation is required to apply for this CSCS card.

For those who do not have an NVQ or SVQ level 5 application is by the experienced manager card.

All applicants must pass the Higher Managerial (known as MAP) health and safety test (please note that there are specific revision materials for this test)

As of 1st August 2009, all cards that previously required the Professionally Qualified Persons test (PQP and Senior Managers cards) will now need to take the Managerial and Professional test (MAP). All other cards requiring the Managers test (Platinum cards) will remain unchanged until further notice. Individuals who have taken the PQP test prior to 1stAugust 2009 will still be eligible to apply for a PQP, Senior Manager or lower level card during the 2 year life of the PQP Health and Safety Test.

Yellow Card

Professionally Qualified Person Card

The yellow PQP card is for non-site based professionals who have health and safety responsibilities such as Consultants, Client Architects, Surveyors and Engineers, but are not resident on site (CSCS defines residency as normally spending no more than 30 days on site in any six month period).

In order to apply for a card the applicant must:

• Be a competence assessed member of an approved institution.
• Pass the Higher Managerial (also known as the MAP) Health and Safety test (please note that there are specific revision materials for this test)
• Have up to date continuing professional development records for the last two years relevant to the area of work in which they are in.

Cards are valid for five years and are renewal on re-verification of the PQP criteria.

Regular Visitor

The yellow Regular Visitor Card is for people who frequently visit a construction site, but have no construction specific skill.

The card is issued on a personal basis via application form, the applicant will need to take and pass the CSCS Operative health and safety test.

The card has been designed to allow access to a Construction Site to be made easier, as the health and safety test status can reduce the amount of site induction that is required.

Important Notes:

Although the health and safety tested status can reduce the amount of site health and safety induction required, some site-specific health and safety induction may also be required.

The issue of this card does not relieve the site managers from their legal obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people entering their sites.