- The CSCS application fee is £36, and Apprentice cards are issued free.
- You must have passed the right level of the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last two years, or an approved alternative.
- A first Labourer card is valid for two years and can be extended to five by a renewal declaration; a Blue Skilled Worker card is valid for five years.
- CSCS states that skilled workers holding a Labourer card will be refused site access.
A card records a route, not just a trade
CSCS cards are issued against a qualification or a registered training route, and each type tells a site manager which one. The CSCS site lists Skilled Worker (Blue, for NVQ or SVQ Level 2) and Skilled Worker (Gold, Level 3), Professionally Qualified, Supervisory, Manager, Apprentice, Labourer, Academically Qualified, Trainee, Industry Placement and Provisional cards, plus temporary Experienced Worker and Experienced Technical, Supervisor and Manager cards. The list changes, so the official card pages are the reference.
What the pages we opened say about each route
| Card | What CSCS requires | Validity and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Labourer | The HS&E test plus a Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment, or an approved equivalent | First card two years; a renewal declaration confirming labouring work can extend it to five |
| Blue Skilled Worker | A construction NVQ/SVQ Level 2 (or SVQ at SCQF level 5) or a completed apprenticeship, plus the test | Five years; CSCS says cards arrive within five working days of approval |
| Apprentice | Registration on an apprenticeship | Free to issue |
| Experienced Worker | Registered for a qualification; a temporary route | Temporary; check the current terms on the CSCS page |
We did not open the Gold, Supervisory, Manager or Professionally Qualified pages today, so we give no validity for them. City and Guilds certificate holders with certificates issued from 1 April 2013 must submit the e-certificate carrying its authentication code.
How a genuine card is earned
- Hold the qualification, or proof that you are registered for it, as a scanned certificate.
- Pass the CITB test at the level your card needs. Keep the test ID number from the pass certificate.
- Apply through the My CSCS app or CSCS Online and pay the £36 fee by card. Employers and training providers apply through CSCS Online with their own account type.
- Wait for approval. Nothing here can be bought as a shortcut, because the card follows the qualification and the test.
Why a mismatch gives a fake away
The Labourer page is blunt: the card confirms the holder is not on a recognised training pathway. A bricklayer carrying one will be refused, and a labourer carrying a Blue card has a qualification they cannot show. Sites do not need to know every rule to see this. They ask what the card says, what the person does, and whether the two fit.
Checks that catch it
- Does the card type fit the job the person is doing on site?
- Is the qualification named on the card one you can ask the holder to evidence?
- Has the status been confirmed electronically, as set out in CSCS Smart Check, not by looking at the plastic?
- Is the card still in date? Labourer cards in particular run for a shorter first period.
The fee for a card is covered in CSCS card cost, the test itself in the health, safety and environment test guide, and the scams in fake CSCS cards.
Frequently asked questions
How many types of CSCS card are there?
CSCS lists a dozen or more, from Labourer and Apprentice to Skilled Worker, Supervisory and Manager, plus temporary cards for experienced workers. The list changes, so check the official card pages when you need the current set before applying.
How much does a CSCS card cost?
CSCS gives a standard application fee of £36, and Apprentice cards are issued free of charge. The test fee is separate and booked through the CITB route, so check the current price there rather than relying on a third party.
Is there a card for people with no qualification?
The Labourer card is the entry route for work with no recognised training pathway, and it needs the HS&E test plus a Level 1 health and safety award or approved equivalent. CSCS says skilled workers holding it will be refused site access.
How long does a CSCS card last?
It depends on the type. CSCS says a first Labourer card is valid for two years and can be extended to five, and a Blue Skilled Worker card is valid for five years. Other types vary, so read the page for yours.
Can an employer see which card type I hold?
Yes. The card shows its type, and a Smart Check lookup confirms the status. Employers use both to see whether the card matches the work, which is why holding the wrong type tends to be noticed quickly.