CSCS Card Categories

Once you pass the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test (commonly known as the Touch Screen Test), you can apply for one of the following CSCS Cards.

Not sure which test is right for you?
Visit our “What Test Do I Need for My CSCS Card?” page to determine the correct exam based on your job role and card requirements.

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Gold CSCS Card – Supervisor Level

To apply for this card, you’ll need to pass the CITB Supervisor Health, Safety & Environment Test.

  • Eligibility: Must be in a supervisory role and have an SVQ/NVQ Level 3 or 4 in a relevant supervisory field.
  • CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test: Must pass the Supervisors Health, Safety & Environment Test.
  • Card Validity: 5 years.
  • Purpose: Designed for supervisors who are responsible for overseeing the work of others on construction sites.
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Gold CSCS Card – Advanced Craft

To apply for the Advanced Craft Gold CSCS Card, most trades and skilled occupations will need to pass the Operatives Health, Safety & Environment Test. If you’re applying as a Supervisor, you’ll need to complete the Supervisor-level test instead.

  • Eligibility: To qualify for the Gold Advanced Craft card, you must have:
    • NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in a construction-related field, or
    • Completed an approved indentured apprenticeship (e.g., with NJCBI or BATJIC), or
    • Completed an employer-sponsored apprenticeship and achieved a City and Guilds Advanced Craft Certificate.
  • Health and Safety Test: Must pass the relevant CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Test.
  • Card Validity: The card is valid for 5 years.
  • Purpose: This card is for skilled workers who have achieved a high level of competency in their trade and need to demonstrate this on construction sites.
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White CSCS Card – Professionally Qualified Person

To be eligible for this card, you must successfully pass the Managers and Professionals (MAP) Health, Safety & Environment Test.

  • This card is aimed at professionals who have general health and safety responsibilities within the construction industry, such as surveyors, consultants, engineers, architects, and client representatives. It’s for individuals whose roles involve significant professional knowledge and expertise but do not require direct, hands-on construction skills.
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White CSCS Card – Academically Qualified Person

To apply for this card, passing the Managers & Professionals (MAP) Test is required.

  • The Academically Qualified Person (AQP) Card is for individuals who have completed specific construction-related academic qualifications, such as certain degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates, and NEBOSH diplomas.

    To be eligible for this card, applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety, and Environment Test. This ensures that those in managerial or professional roles in construction have the necessary knowledge and understanding of health, safety, and environmental practices.

    This card is a recognized credential that signifies the holder’s competence and commitment to maintaining high standards in the construction industry.

Green Labourer CSCS Card

To apply for this card, you’ll need to pass the Operatives Health, Safety & Environment Test. This card is commonly referred to as the CSCS Labourer or General Operative Card.

When applying for a CSCS card for construction operatives (e.g., laborers, skilled workers), applicants typically need to pass both the CSCS Operatives Test and complete an additional qualification, namely the QCF Level 1/SCQF Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment. This is a one-day course designed to ensure that workers have a basic understanding of health and safety on construction sites.

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Blue CSCS Card – Skilled Worker

For the majority of trades and occupations, passing the Operatives Health, Safety & Environment Test is a key requirement to apply for this CSCS Card.

The Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card is valid for 5 years. After this period, you will need to renew the card by providing proof of continued competence and passing a Health, Safety, and Environment Test (if necessary).

  • Requirements: Completion of an apprenticeship, NVQ/SVQ Level 2 qualification, or City and Guilds Craft Certificate.
  • Health and Safety: Must pass the relevant CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Test.
  • Card Validity: The Blue Skilled Worker CSCS card is valid for 5 years.

This card is essential for workers who have specific skills in construction and need to demonstrate competence and adherence to safety standards on construction sites.

Black Manager CSCS Card

To apply for this CSCS Card, you’ll need to successfully complete the Managers & Professionals (MAP) Health, Safety & Environment Test.

The Black CSCS Card is for senior professionals and those in management roles within the construction industry. It’s designed for individuals who hold senior management or managerial positions with responsibilities for overseeing construction projects, managing teams, and ensuring that the project is carried out efficiently and safely.

  • All applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals (MAP) Health, Safety, and Environment Test. This test is tailored to those in managerial or senior roles, assessing their knowledge of health, safety, and environmental concerns on construction sites.
  • The MAP test is more comprehensive than the standard Operatives or Supervisors test, focusing on leadership, risk management, and legal responsibilities for those in charge of teams or projects.

Red CSCS Card – Provisional

You’ll need to successfully complete the Operatives Test to move forward with your application for this CSCS Card.

  • Eligibility: Only available for individuals who have never held a CSCS card.
  • Duration: The Provisional CSCS Card lasts for 6 months.
  • Renewal: The card cannot be renewed. Applicants must upgrade to a full CSCS card before it expires.
  • Qualification Requirement: Before the expiration of the Provisional card, the holder must either achieve or be registered for a recognized construction-related qualification.

The Provisional CSCS Card is essentially a stepping stone for workers who are new to the industry and still working toward meeting the full qualifications needed to hold a permanent CSCS card.

Let me know if you need any more help or clarification on this!

Red CSCS Card – Apprentice

This card is designed for individuals who are currently enrolled in, or are about to begin, a recognised apprenticeship programme.

The Apprentice CSCS Card is for individuals who are currently undertaking or about to start a recognized apprenticeship framework in the construction industry. This card allows apprentices to work on construction sites while they gain the necessary skills and qualifications required for their chosen trade.

To apply for the Apprentice CSCS Card, you need to meet the following criteria:

    1. Pass the Operatives Health, Safety, and Environment Test:
      • As with other CSCS cards, you must first pass the Operatives Health, Safety, and Environment Test. This test assesses your basic understanding of health and safety rules on construction sites, which is essential for anyone working in the industry.
    2. Start or Be About to Start a Recognized Apprenticeship:
      • The card is specifically for individuals who are either already enrolled in or about to start a recognized apprenticeship framework. The apprenticeship should be in a construction-related trade, and it must be an official program that meets industry standards.
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Red CSCS Card – Experienced Worker

All applicants must have passed the appropriate CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test for their specific role within the last two years and be enrolled in the relevant Construction-related NVQ or SVQ.

The Experienced Worker CSCS Card is a temporary card for workers who have significant practical experience in the construction industry but have not yet completed the necessary qualifications for a full CSCS card. This card allows experienced workers to continue working on construction sites while they complete a relevant qualification.

Practical work experience in the construction industry in the relevant role or trade.

      • Passed the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test in the last two years.
      • Registered for a relevant construction-related NVQ or SVQ qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 2 or higher) and able to provide proof of registration.
    • Card Validity: The Experienced Worker CSCS Card is valid for 1 year and cannot be renewed.

    • Purpose: This card provides temporary access to work on construction sites while the applicant completes their Construction-related QCF qualification.

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Red CSCS Card – Experienced Card (Technical, Supervisory and Management)

Managers should complete the Managers and Professionals (MAP) test, while supervisors are required to take the Supervisors Test.

The Red Experienced Card is available for those in technical, supervisory, or management roles with one to three years of experience, but who have not yet achieved a construction-related NVQ or SVQ at Level 3, 4, or 5, or are not a member of an approved Professional Body.
This temporary card is valid for three years. To apply, applicants must be registered for a Construction-related NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or higher and provide proof of their registration.

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RRed CSCS Card – Trainee

The Red Trainee CSCS Card is for individuals who are currently working towards a construction-related NVQ or SVQ qualification. This card is designed for those in training or apprenticeship roles and is valid for a maximum of three years. To apply, applicants must be enrolled in a relevant construction-related NVQ or SVQ program and be able to provide proof of their registration.

The Red CSCS Trainee Card is designed for those currently in training or apprenticeships within the construction sector. Valid for up to three years, this card is available to individuals who are registered for a construction-related NVQ or SVQ. Applicants must provide proof of their registration in the relevant qualification to apply.

Yellow CSCS Card – Construction Site Visitor (WITHDRAWN)

The Yellow CSCS Card – Construction Site Visitor has been discontinued and is no longer available to new applicants.

This card was previously issued to individuals visiting construction sites for purposes other than direct construction work, such as inspectors, project managers, and other professionals who required temporary access to the site.