What Is A CSCS Card And Who Is Required To Have One?
CSCS cards are a must-have when you’re working in the construction industry. But what is a CSCS card, and who needs to hold one? A CSCS card is your proof that you hold the relevant training and qualifications required to work on the construction site. This includes qualifications relevant to your role, as well as mandatory health and safety training.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the CSCS card, from the different types of cards available to when you need to apply for a card.
What Are CSCS Cards Used For?
When you’re working on a construction site, it is essential that you hold the relevant qualifications for your role, and that you have hold up-to-date training when it comes to health and safety. However, it would be impractical to expect every worker to carry around their certificates as evidence.
A CSCS card is used to prove that a worker holds the qualifications and training required to work on a construction site. This helps to promote health and safety on site, as well as helping to maintain quality standards in the industry.
Types Of CSCS Card
There are many different types of CSCS card that are available, with each colour card representing a different class of worker on the construction site. Which card you’ll require will depend on the job role that you are performing, the qualifications that you hold and how much experience you have in the industry. Let’s take a look at the different types of CSCS card that are available.
Green CSCS Card
The green CSCS card is an entry level card that is held by labourers working on construction sites. This can include plumbers, carpenters and bricklayers. This card demonstrates that the holder has a good understanding of how the site works, as well as the health and safety procedures involved with working on a construction site.
To get a green CSCS card, you will need to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. Your CSCS card will then be valid for five years.
Red CSCS Card
The red CSCS card is given to construction workers who are undergoing training. This could be in the form of an apprenticeship or other trainee scheme. For example, if you are working on a construction site whilst working towards an NVQ qualification, you may be given a red CSCS card to demonstrate your status.
However, you will still need to demonstrate your knowledge of the health and safety procedures of the construction site by taking the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test before the card can be awarded.
Blue CSCS Card
If you are a skilled worker on a construction site, you will hold a blue CSCS card. To be eligible for this card, you will need to have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, as well as holding a level 2 qualification, such as an NVQ or a completed apprenticeship.
Gold CSCS Card
The gold CSCS card is given to workers who are highly skilled in their job role. For example, they may hold an advanced NVQ or SVQ qualification. If you also have experience in supervising other workers and hold a level 3 or 4 supervisory qualification, you may be eligible for the supervisory gold CSCS card.
White CSCS Card
There are two different types of white CSCS card that you should be aware of: the Professionally Qualified Person and the Academically Qualified Person. An academically qualified person is a worker that holds a higher level qualification in their field, such as a degree, a NEBOSH diploma or a HNC. This could include electrical engineers and civil engineers.
A professionally qualified person is a worker that performs a job role where visits to a construction site may be required, but they are not based on a specific site. This could include a structural engineer, a surveyor or an architect.
Black CSCS Card
The black CSCS card is the highest level, and is only available to those who hold an advanced level qualification in the field of construction, as well as having managerial experience. The qualification must be in a technical subject, or in construction management, and must be a minimum of level 4.
In order to gain the black CSCS card, you will need to pass the CITB Managers and Professionals HS&E test. This is a higher level than is required for the other types of CSCS card, as you are expected to lead others on the site, so require a more in depth knowledge of the health and safety regulations and the procedures in place.
What Qualification Do I Need For A CSCS Card?
If you’re working on a construction site, you’ll need to hold a valid CSCS card. This may leave you wondering what qualifications you need to hold to gain a CSCS card.
The qualifications that you’ll need to be able to apply for your CSCS card will depend on the type of card that you are applying for and the job role in which you are working. Every CSCS card will require you to undertake the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. However, some cards may require additional qualifications or experience.
For example, the gold CSCS card requires you to hold an advanced level qualification, such as a level 3 or level 4 NVQ or SVQ. However, the green CSCS card does not require any additional qualifications on top of the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, so you can obtain this card without holding any other qualifications.
Can I Get A CSCS Card With No Qualifications?
If you are starting work on a construction site, you might be wondering whether you can obtain a CSCS card without any qualifications.
The first thing to note is that you will be required to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test before you can apply for a CSCS card. This is the minimum requirement for applying for the card and demonstrates that you understand how a construction site works and the health and safety requirements of accessing a site.
Whether you’ll require any additional qualifications will depend on the CSCS card that you require. If you are a labourer, you are likely to require the green CSCS card. This does not require you to hold any qualifications, other than passing the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.
Can I Get On Site Without A CSCS Card?
If you need to access a construction site for work, you might be wondering whether you will be able to get onto the site without a CSCS card, or whether you’ll need to apply for a card beforehand.
Possession of a CSCS card is not a legal requirement for accessing a construction site. This means that there is no legal requirement to hold a CSCS card before you can enter a construction site. However, many companies including most of the main house builders have policies that state that contractors must present a valid CSCS card to access the site. This is because a CSCS card proves that you have the relevant qualifications and health and safety training to be able to work safely on site.
If you’re unsure as to whether you require a CSCS card to access a construction site, it’s best to check with the site manager beforehand. This is because it will depend on company policy whether you require a CSCS card to access the site.
How Long Does It Take For A CSCS Card To Be Approved?
To get a CSCS card, you’ll need to go through the CSCS application process. This means passing the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, and then applying for your CSCS card. But how long should you expect to wait for your card after submitting your application?
The CSCS website states that most people will receive their CSCS card around 10 days after submitting their application. If you have not received your card after 4 weeks, you should contact CSCS to enquire about the status of your application. After 90 days, your application will be closed and you will need to pay for a replacement card, so it’s essential that you contact CSCS before the end of the 90 day period if you have not received your card.
How Much Does A CSCS Card Cost?
If you need to apply for a CSCS card to access a construction site, you might be wondering how much you can expect to pay for your card.
Before you can apply for a CSCS card, you will need to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. The application fee for this test is £22. Once you have passed this test, you will be able to submit your application for a CSCS card. The cost of this application is a further £36. This means that the total cost of taking the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test and applying for your CSCS card is £48.
Fastest Way To Get A CSCS Card
Sometimes you need to obtain a CSCS card quickly, especially if you need access to a construction site in the immediate future. If this is the case, you might be wondering what is the fastest way to get a CSCS card.
The fastest way to obtain your CSCS card is to apply for your card over the phone, by calling 0344 994 4777. You will be able to submit your application over the phone, and in most cases your CSCS card will be dispatched the next working day.
However, you will need to have already passed your CITB Health, Safety and Environment test in order to submit your application for a CSCS card. Otherwise, you will need to book your CITB Health, Safety and Environment test and pass this before you can apply for a CSCS card.
Alternatively, you can apply for your CSCS card by post. However, this application process typically takes longer than a telephone application, as you will be relying on postage times.
What CSCS Card Do I Need To Get On Site?
The CSCS card that you’ll need will depend on the job role that you are carrying out, as well as the qualifications, training and experience that you possess. For example, the green CSCS card is given to labourers such as brick layers and carpenters. If you are undertaking an apprenticeship or another form of training, you may be given a red CSCS card.
If you’re unsure of which CSCS card you require, it’s best to contact your site manager. They will be able to advise you on the correct CSCS card to apply for, as well as any other requirements that are in place for accessing the construction site.
How Long Does A Labourer CSCS Card Last?
If you’re a labourer, you’ll usually be given a green CSCS card. To obtain this card, you’ll need to have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, as well as paying the £36 application fee to CSCS.
Your green CSCS card will be valid for five years. During this time, you will be able to use your CSCS card to access your construction site. At the end of this five year period, you will need to apply for a new green CSCS card, with another five year validity period.
In Summary
A CSCS card proves that a worker has the skills, experience and safety training required to work on a construction site. This helps to maintain health and safety on the site, as well as working standards. The process of applying for a CSCS card is quick and easy, with most cards arriving within just 10 days of submitting the application.
In this article, we’ve answered the question ‘what is a CSCS card?’, as well as answering some of the most commonly asked questions about CSCS cards. If you have further questions regarding the application process or the type of CSCS card that you require, you should contact your site manager directly, or call CSCS on 0344 994 4777.
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