Frequently Asked Questions

CSCS stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme

To get your green CSCS card, you’ll need to complete the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment course in addition to the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment has a fee of £120+vat.

In addition to the Level 1 qualification, you will also be required to complete the touchscreen CITB Health, Safety and Environment test (£21) at your nearest test centre to apply for your CSCS Labourer Card. Your award in Health, Safety and Environment test can be booked directly via the CITB here.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The CSCS Labourer Card proves that an individual has passed the required training and assessment, which allows them to work as a labourer on construction sites within the UK.

Whilst a CSCS Labourer Card is not essential for all types of construction sites, many employers in the industry will require them to allow qualified and recognised construction workers on site.

Anyone applying must pass the omplete the touchscreen CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last two years. This ensures you have a basic knowledge of health and safety on-site, allowing applicants to operate safely in a construction-related environment or career.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The CSCS Green Card is not the only type of CSCS card you can apply for. CSCS issue a range of cards that reflect the required training, qualifications, pass requirements, and various occupations on site. Others cards include the Blue CSCS Card, CSCS Gold Card, and Black CSCS Card. You can find more information on costs and price, what certificate you need to apply for each card, how you can pay, and more on each page.

A CSCS card can be essential for anyone pursuing a career in construction or working on site. Card applicants must demonstrate that they hold the proper trainingand have knowledge of health and safety with the required pass certificate before being issued a card.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The CSCS Green Card allows workers to perform labourer tasks at entry-level positions and is valid for five years.

After five years have passed and your card has reached its expiry date, you must renew your card or apply for the next CSCS card relevant to your skills and qualifications during your employment on UK construction sites.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

Each CSCS card will expire with a limited shelf life, but most can easily be renewed over the phone if you are registered.

Cards can be renewed from 6 months before to 6 months after expiration. The date of expiry will be shown on the card itself. If your card expires after the six month cut off date, your alternative is to apply for a brand new Green CSCS Card. You must also have passed the HS&E test with a certificate within the last two years

If your card is stolen, lost or broken, you can contact CSCS directly to reorder. Please ensure that you have your National Insurance number or CSCS registration number at hand before you make contact via phone or online

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The CSCS Card is not a legal requirement but is highly recommended, as many contractors only employ those with the card. Some construction projects may also have certain conditions regarding CSCS Cards, meaning you will need the card to work at specific sites.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The Green CSCS Card is for you to work in the construction industry as a labourer or similar entry-level position. It is the most common type of CSCS Card.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

It takes up to 5 working days for your CSCS card to arrive. You will need to contact CSCS directly and apply for it. Ensure that you have your assessment certificate handy, as this will be required when you use it.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

Green CSCS cards are valid for five years and must be renewed after this time. Depending on the qualifications you used, you may need to retake some tests.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

Once five years have passed, and your CSCS Card has expired, you will need to apply for a new one.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

To be eligible for a Green CSCS Labourer Card, you need to be above 16 and have attended the Green CSCS Labourer Card Health and Safety Awareness Course.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) runs the CSCS.

The CITB is an organisation set up by the Government to work with construction companies to help build the UK’s reputation for having a world-class construction industry.

One of the ways they do this is by making employers in the construction industry pay a levy, which is then used to fund projects to improve skills and promote the training of workers in the construction industry.

The CSCS was set up as part of this – to help reduce accidents on construction sites and help them to run more smoothly.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

Set up in the 1990s, the CSCS keeps a database of construction workers who have attained an agreed level of occupational competence

Successful applicants are issued with a card – this gives them a means of identification and confirms that they have the required training and qualifications.

Different jobs on a building site require other skills and qualifications; there is a range of cards to cover different occupations within the construction industry. For example, Manager, Skilled Worker, and Labourer. The Labourer card is the entry-level card, as labouring is essentially a non-skilled role. However, you still need to demonstrate you have achieved a minimum standard.

This card is valid for five years and can be renewed. You can also upgrade your card if you progress.

You can find out more about the different cards from the CSCS.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

From 1 July 2014, you must have passed the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment or one of the alternatives referred by the CSCS. You must also pass the Operatives CITB Health Safety and Environment Test, which examines knowledge across various topics and costs £21.00 to sit. You can find more information about the test from the CSCS

Can you tell me more about how to prepare for the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test ?

The CITB’s online store provides the necessary revision material to help with your preparation for the test. You should also be able to get this in bookshops. You may also download the app to prepare for the CITB test:

The main handbook for Labourers is called Health, Safety and Environment test for operatives and specialists and is available from the CITB online bookshop.

The CITB has launched a mobile app to help you revise the Health, Safety and Environment test. This is available from the CITB.

The official revision material book is only available in English. The app is available in 14 languages, including Polish, Bulgarian, and Portuguese.

You usually take the CITB Health Safety and Environment test as a computer touch screen test, and assistance in different languages is available. You will have to sit this test in an approved CITB centre. You can find out more about the test from the CITB. You can find out more about booking and prepare for the test from the CITB.

You should be aware that passing the CITB Health Safety and Environment test on its own will not be enough to get you a CSCS Labourer card – You will need Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment to apply for CSCS Card.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

Once you have the Level One Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment or the Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness Course AND the CITB Health Safety and Environment test, you can apply for the Labourer card. You can find more details about how to use the CSCS.

You can make the application by phone or online.

There is an instruction guide to help you complete the application on the CSCS website. If you complete the application online, you should choose a ‘Craft and Operative Card’ option. This is suitable for site visitors, essential site operatives and construction-related occupation (CRO) workers and is the application form that you will need to get a Labourer card.

Some helpful the CSCS publishes questions about applying for a CSCS card.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

There is a £36 fee for the card, so it is essential to keep it safe, as you will have to pay for a new one if you lose it. There is more information from the CSCS about what to do if you lose your card or are stolen.

Once you receive your card, you should make a separate note of the CSCS Registration number that you have been given (which will be on the card), just in case of any mishaps and so it is easy for CSCS to trace your record.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

You can find contact details for CSCS on their website.

You can find information about how to contact the CITB on their website.

The Labourer/CSCS Green Card is designed for a construction labourer who has been employed to carry out various manual labour jobs on construction sites. It allows workers to perform tasks at entry-level positions and is valid for five years. Suppose you are working in any labouring environment, employed in the physical construction and destruction of a building setting and infrastructure. In that case, you can apply for the green CSCS Card.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

The Labourer card ensures that the cardholder possesses the minimum required qualifications to work on the construction site and is competent with essential health and safety. While CSCS Cards are not legally required on all construction sites, the vast majority of employers do need them to allow workers on site.

To apply for your green CSCS Labourer Card, you must be 16+ years old and have specific qualifications.

• You must have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the past two years. It would help if you also had The Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment.

If you are 16-23, we offer a free CSCS Card and provide all the training free of cost. Apply Now.

APPLY NOW FOR CSCS CARD & FREE PPE NOW

To apply for a CSCS Green Card, you must have passed the Operative CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test. When booked directly with the CITB, the HS&E test costs £21, and you can find all the information on how to book here. The CSCS Card itself costs £36 in addition to the HS&E test and can be paid for over the phone.

To apply for most CSCS cards, applicants must:

• Email a copy of their qualification certificate or registration to cscs@citb.co.uk.
• Call 0344 994 4777 and pay £36 using a credit or debit card.
• Once approved, your CSCS card will be posted the next working day.

Most cards arrive within 20 days. If you have not received your card within five weeks, please get in touch with CSCS. After 90 days an application is considered closed, you will need to re-apply and pay an additional £36 for a new card. Please note: Individuals applying for a CSCS card on behalf of a friend or family member must ensure that the applicant is present when calling us so they can provide the necessary consent over the phone. If you are an employer wanting to apply for two or more cards on behalf of your workers, you can apply online using the Employer Application Form. (If you are applying for a single card for a worker, the employee does not need to be present at the time of application).

For more information on applying for a CSCS Labourer Card, watch this handy CSCS Video Guide.

Every CSCS Card has a limited lifespan and will expire, but the majority can be renewed over the phone. Cards can be restored from 6 months before to 6 months after the expiry date shown on the card. (Any card which has expired past the 6-month cut off must be applied for as a brand-new card as per the CSCS rules at the time of application). You must have passed the HS&E test within the last two years.

If you need to replace a lost, stolen or broken card, you can call CSCS directly. Please ensure that you have your CSCS registration number or your National Insurance.

Now that you have your green CSCS card and gain valuable site experience, what can you do next?

There are so many opportunities and paths to take within the construction industry. Many people choose to continue their education with a plant training course such as CPCS or NPORS, followed by an NVQ qualification to prove competence as a fully skilled plant operator. Alternatively, they may prefer to gain new skills and train as a craftsperson in a particular trade such as Civil Engineering, Roofing, Plastering, Roadbuilding, the list goes on. Whatever their chosen career path, gaining new skills and qualifications can increase career progression indefinitely once passed.

Once you have completed your training and NVQ qualifications, you can apply for a Blue CSCS Skilled Worker Card for craft operatives or Blue CPCS Competent Operator card for plant operators.