How long cscs card

If, after five years, you are at the same level as the card you have then the renewal process is straightforward and you will just need a replacement card.

If your occupation or skill level has changed since applying for your last card you will be required to provide the appropriate evidence of your qualifications in order to qualify for a different CSCS card. There are different types of CSCS card available so before starting the application process you must decide which card suits your occupation and the qualifications that you hold. Please see our comprehensive guide on CSCS Card Types which explains each of the different cards and how to select the correct card to apply for.

There are different types of CSCS cards which cover the various occupations in the construction industry and the skill levels within those occupations. The entry-level card is known as the Labourer card which, while requiring minimal qualifications, still requires evidence that a worker meets a certain set of standards.

Applying for the CSCS card is straightforward and can be done via two routes: either as an individual or as an employer. We will now examine each of these routes. Before reaching this stage, however, there are a few pieces of information you need to gather which the CSCS will ask for before processing your application:. Once you have gathered all of the necessary information you can call CSCS and make the payment for the card. You will then be sent your card in the post.

Unfortunately, CSCS no longer accepts postal applications and they do not offer refunds. We will explain the type of accepted qualifications in more detail on the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test later in this article. This process has been simplified recently thanks to the online application form that employers can now complete.

If employers are applying for a CSCS card for two or more employees, they are now required to complete this online form. Once an employer has completed the online form, the named individual on that form will be contacted to collect the payment for the number of employees the application is for.

If you are an employer and wish to apply for a CSCS card for a single employee you will need to follow a similar process to the individual applications above. The relevant qualifications of your employee will need to be e-mailed to cscs citb. You can also do this via the booking line on You should receive your CSCS card in the post within 20 days of submitting your application. During this time, the CSCS may contact you if they require further information or clarification regarding your application.

If you have not received your card within 5 weeks of submitting your application you should contact CSCS directly to enquire about the delay. Below we will discuss the wide range of qualifications that are accepted by CSCS. The type of card you can apply for will depend on what qualifications you have. NVQs are an accepted qualification although they are by no means the only form of vocational qualification accepted by CSCS. Obtaining a CSCS card is, therefore, an accessible route into the construction industry even if you do not have the standard school qualifications.

If you have completed an approved apprenticeship e. With an apprenticeship qualification, you will be eligible to apply for the Skilled Card or Advanced Craft Card. An NVQ is a recognised qualification that is related to a particular industry or sector where an individual learns practical, work-related tasks in order to develop the necessary skills for a particular job in that field.

Instead of being exam based like many qualifications, an NVQ is assessed on practical assignments and on a portfolio of evidence that you put together throughout your course. An assessor will sign you off specific levels of the NVQ course if they believe you have met the necessary standards.

Black card applicants are required to have Level 5, 6 and 7 NVQs in a construction management qualification. An NVQ qualification, therefore, is a good route into the construction industry and will provide you with the evidence you need to access a CSCS card.

In this next section, we will explain each of these qualifications in more detail. An undergraduate or postgraduate degree is awarded by a university body and takes between three and five years to complete. Not all degrees are accepted by the CSCS so you need to check to see if yours is an accepted qualification before applying for the AQP card. There is a search tool on the CSCS website which allows you to do this.

If your degree qualification is not listed on the approved list of qualifications then it is worth giving CSCS a call to see if they can offer any advice on next steps. Both qualifications can also be undertaken part-time. These qualifications are assessed through assignments, projects and practical tasks that are undertaken throughout the course. As professional bodies have assessment procedures as part of their access criteria for membership which involves submitting evidence of qualifications etc.

Being a member of an approved professional body will allow you to access the Professionally Qualified Person PQP card if you can provide either a membership certificate, photograph of both sides of your membership card, or an up-to-date email or letter from the professional body confirming your membership.

If your professional body is not listed in the search tool then get in touch with CSCS to see what they advise regarding your application. It may be that you have been out of the construction industry for a while and the qualification you have is not listed. This does not necessarily mean that you will not qualify for the CSCS card, rather that your application process will require a conversation with the CSCS to see if your historical qualifications make you eligible for a CSCS card and which card you should apply for.

If this is your situation, give CSCS a call on to discuss this with them. If you do not have any qualifications, it may seem like obtaining a CSCS card in order to get a job in construction is impossible. Cards can be renewed up to 6 months prior to the expiry date, and up to 6 months after the expiry date has passed. Skip to content. Sign Up. As the UK construction industry moves towards the requirement for all workers on site to hold a CSCS card it is increasingly likely that, if you work in a construction-related profession and need to enter a construction site as part of your work, you will need to apply for a card at some point.

When you do come to apply for a CSCS card your first thought may be, how much will it all cost? Particularly with the requirement to renew your card after a certain time period and the possibility of requiring replacement cards you will want to know the costs behind the process. How much is a CSCS card?

CSCS card renewal You may already be a holder of a CSCS card but the time has come to renew the card the expiry date can be found on the front of the card. To help workers and employers deal with the disruption caused by Covid, ESS now provide additional means for workers to get the training they need to apply for their green card. If you would prefer to conduct this course with the teaching of one of our expert trainers, we also provide the traditional HSA course via remote video conferencing.

This CSCS-approved videotile learning course provides much of the essential health and safety knowledge required to work safely on construction sites. Much like eHSA, our e-learning courses can be completed entirely online, at a time and pace convenient for the learner. Now that you have your green CSCS card and are gaining valuable site experience, what can you do next? There are so many opportunities and paths to take within the construction industry.

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. You may wish to continue and progress onto a supervisory or management role, gaining better job security and higher salary opportunities.

We offer qualifications right from Level 1 up to Level 7 Construction Senior Management , so whatever your level or requirements we can help with career development. If you are still unsure if the green CSCS Labourer Card is for you or if you have any questions, contact us for advice and career guidance. Feel free to give us a call on or email one of our helpful training advisors at training essentialsiteskills.

What does a Labourer card do?