CSCS card types and colours
The card you need depends on your qualification: green for labourers, blue for skilled workers at NVQ Level 2, gold for Level 3 and supervisors, black for managers at Level 4 to 7, white for degree holders and professional members, and red for people still working towards a qualification. Every card also needs a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test pass, and costs £36.
- Card types
- 12
- red, green, blue, gold, black, white
- Card fee
- £36
- £42 from 1 February 2027
- Test fee
- £23.50
- CITB Health, Safety and Environment
- Practice
- Free
- 50-question mock test
| Card | For | Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Labourer card | Unskilled labourers only. Skilled workers holding one will be refused site access. | The first Labourer card is valid for two years |
| Apprentice card | People on a recognised construction apprenticeship. | Four years and six months |
| Trainee card | People registered for a construction qualification, or who have completed an approved non-competence qualification. | Five years (registered for an NVQ/SVQ) or two years (completed a non-competence qualification) |
| Experienced Worker card | Workers with on-the-job experience — normally at least a year in the last three — who do not yet hold the qualification for a skilled card. | One year |
| Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager card | Supervisors, managers and technical staff with on-the-job experience, normally at least a year in the last three. | Three years |
| Provisional card | People on probation, short work experience (under three weeks), or new to construction and exploring a career. | Six months |
| Blue Skilled Worker card | Skilled tradespeople qualified at Level 2. | Five years |
| Gold Skilled Worker (Advanced Craft) card | Advanced craft workers qualified at Level 3. | Five years |
| Gold Supervisor card | Supervisory and technical occupations. | Five years |
| Black Manager card | Managers and senior technical staff. | Five years |
| Academically Qualified Person (AQP) card | People with certain construction-related degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates or NEBOSH diplomas and certificates. | Five years |
| Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) card | Members of CSCS-approved professional bodies, such as RICS, CIOB or ICE, at an accepted membership level. | Five years |
How to choose the right card
Start with your qualification, not your job title. CSCS issues the card your qualification supports: a labourer with an NVQ Level 2 in bricklaying can hold a blue card, while a skilled tradesperson with no NVQ can only hold a temporary red card until they qualify. Then match the CITB test to the card — Operatives for most cards, Specialist Supervisory for the Gold Supervisor card, and Managers and Professionals for the black and white cards.
Electricians, plumbers, scaffolders and plant operators usually carry a partner-scheme card (ECS, JIB PMES, CISRS, CPCS or NPORS) that shows the CSCS logo instead of a CSCS card.
Getting, renewing and checking a card
Common questions
- What are the CSCS card colours?
- Green for labourers, red for trainees, apprentices and other temporary cards, blue for skilled workers at NVQ Level 2, gold for advanced craft and supervisors at Level 3 or 4, black for managers at Level 4 to 7, and white for people with an eligible degree or professional membership.
- Which CSCS card do I need?
- The one that matches your job and your qualification. A labourer needs the green card; a qualified tradesperson the blue card; a supervisor the gold card; a manager the black card. If you are still working towards a qualification, one of the red cards covers you in the meantime. CSCS's Card Finder confirms it for your occupation.
- How much is a CSCS card?
- £36 (£42 from 1 February 2027), plus £23.50 for the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. The first Apprentice card is free.
- Can I get a CSCS card without an NVQ?
- Yes, but only the green Labourer card (which needs a one-day Level 1 health and safety course) or a temporary red card. Skilled, supervisor and manager cards all need the NVQ or an equivalent qualification.