- CSCS card application fee: £36; Apprentice cards are free.
- The CITB HS&E test is a separate £23.50, so a first card with a test comes to £59.50.
- Once approved, you can use a digital CSCS card straight away.
- Renewal opens six months before expiry and closes a year after it.
The official costs
| Item | Cost (checked 5 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| CSCS card application | £36, paid by credit or debit card |
| Apprentice card | Issued free of charge |
| CITB HS&E test, booked separately | £23.50 |
| Test voucher | £23.50 value; redeemable only at Pearson Professional Centres |
The two fees go to two organisations: CSCS issues the card and CITB runs the test. The CSCS page opened for this guide does not give a separate renewal fee, so check the price in the app before you pay for a renewal.
Applying step by step
- Pass the right level of the CITB HS&E test, or hold an approved alternative. It must have been passed within the last two years, and you need the test ID number.
- Scan or photograph your qualification certificate, proof of registration or professional body membership.
- Download the free My CSCS app. It reads your documents and recommends the right card.
- Pay the £36 and, once approved, open your digital card in the app. Employers, training providers and other third parties apply through CSCS Online instead.
CSCS does not provide tests, qualifications or courses. Anyone who says they can supply a card without them is not working for CSCS.
How long a card lasts, and renewing it
CSCS says cards can only be renewed six months before the expiry date and up to a year after it. How long a card lasts depends on the type.
| Card | Validity and renewal (CSCS) |
|---|---|
| Blue and Gold Skilled Worker | Five years; renew in the app after passing the right HS&E test within the previous two years |
| Manager and Supervisory | Five years; renewal needs the relevant specialist HS&E test passed recently |
| Labourer | Two years at first, then three on renewal; needs a Labourer Declaration Form and the HS&E test |
| Apprentice, Trainee, Provisional | Cannot be renewed; a new application is needed |
Lost, stolen or damaged cards are replaced through My CSCS or CSCS Online. If your job changes or you gain a new qualification, you may need a different card rather than a renewal: CSCS card types. CSCS warns that without the correct card for your role you can be refused entry to site.
Compared with the prices scam sellers ask
Fake cards are sold from around £350. Even adding the test, the genuine route costs well under a fifth of that, and the genuine card can be checked by any site manager on CSCS Smart Check, which the CSCS site describes as available as an API, a mobile app and a website. A card that was never issued should fail that check.
- Apply only through the My CSCS app, CSCS Online or an employer who uses it.
- Pay by card on an official page, not by transfer to a person.
- Be suspicious of anyone who promises a card without your test ID number.
The scam in detail is in fake CSCS cards, and checking is covered by CSCS Smart Check.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a CSCS card cost?
£36 to apply, according to CSCS. Apprentice cards are issued free of charge. The CITB health, safety and environment test, £23.50, is paid separately.
Do I need to pass a test first?
Yes. You need the appropriate level of the CITB HS&E test, passed within the last two years, or an approved alternative, with the test ID number ready.
Where do I apply?
Through the free My CSCS app if you are an individual, or CSCS Online if you are an employer, training provider or other third party.
When can I renew my CSCS card?
CSCS says renewal is possible six months before the expiry date and up to a year after it. Apprentice, Trainee and Provisional cards cannot be renewed.
Can I use the card straight away?
CSCS says that once approved you can access your digital card straight away and use it to enter site.
What if my card is lost?
CSCS says lost, stolen or damaged cards can be replaced through My CSCS or CSCS Online.