How to get a CSCS card
Three ways to get your CSCS card
There are three ways to get your Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) labourer CSCS (construction skills certification scheme) card.
This is the card that allows you to carry out work on construction sites.
The three ways to get the card are set out in A, B and C below.
For all of them, you will need an employer to sign your application form after you have passed the required courses. If you pass the courses and need an employer to sign your form, contact the HR team at VGC Group and we will help you to find a job and get your CSCS card.
A NVQ Level 1 award in health and safety in a construction environment (QCF)
- You need evidence of 40 hours of guided learning plus testimonials (for example, a college course) which will cost around £240. Sometimes the CITB will accept proof of your previous experience – you will need to check this with them.
- Then you need to pass the health, safety and environmental operative test (£22). You must have passed this course no more than two years before you apply for your CSCS card. See the CITB website for more information. A good way to prepare is to download the CITB Operatives & Specialists HS&E test app – it’s £6.99.
- Then fill in the CSCS application form (pdf) (£30 fee) with a photograph. You need an employer to sign the form – if you need help, contact VGC.
Note: this is a qualification for life – you do not need to do the course again.
B CITB Site Safety Plus – health and safety awareness course
- Do a one-day Site Safety Plus course (run nationally by the CITB) – cost around £170 although sometimes grants are available.
- Then, as for A, you need to pass the health, safety and environmental operative test (£22). You must have passed this course no more than two years before you apply for your CSCS card.
- Then fill in the CSCS application form (pdf) (£30 fee) with a photograph. Your employer has to sign the form – if you need help, contact VGC.
Note: you will have to redo the CITB course every five years to keep your card valid: this will cost around £50.
During the coronavirus outbreak, the CSCS retest requirements have been changed.
C CIEH level 2 award ‘health and safety in the workplace’
- Do a one-day CIEH level 2 course costing around £90. You must be in work to do the course, because you have to be assessed in your job.
- Then fill in the CSCS application form (pdf) (£30 fee) with a photograph. Your employer will need to sign the form.
Note: this is a qualification for life – you do not need to do the course again.
More information
There is more information about the CSCS scheme on the CITB website.
There is a very helpful YouTube video on how to get your CSCS card.
Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)
This useful pdf from the CITB sets out how to get the plant operator red or blue card (1.5kb pdf).