Black CSCS card
Black Manager card
Managers and senior technical staff. Below: the qualification and test you need, how long the card lasts, and what it costs.
- Colour
- Black
- CSCS card
- Card fee
- £36
- £42 from 1 February 2027
- Test fee
- £23.50
- CITB HS&E test
- Practice
- Free
- 50-question mock test
- Who it's for
- Managers and senior technical staff.
- Qualification
- A construction management or technical NVQ/SVQ at Level 4, 5, 6 or 7 (SVQ at SCQF level 10 or 11).
- Test
- CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment test.
- How long it lasts
- Five years.
- Renewable
- Yes, with a current test pass.
- Cost
- £36 (£42 from 1 February 2027), plus the CITB test.
Apply through CSCS Online or the My CSCS app. Approved cards usually arrive within five working days. Check exactly which card your job needs with the CSCS Card Finder.
Who carries this card
- Site manager
- Project manager
- Contracts manager
- Construction director
How to apply, step by step
- Check the Black Manager card is the right one for your job with the CSCS Card Finder.
- Get the qualification or evidence it needs: a construction management or technical NVQ/SVQ at Level 4, 5, 6 or 7 (SVQ at SCQF level 10 or 11).
- Pass the test: cITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment test.
- Apply through CSCS Online or the My CSCS app, uploading your qualification evidence and a photo that meets CSCS rules.
- Pay the fee — £36 (£42 from 1 February 2027).
Why applications get held up
- The CITB test was taken at the wrong level for the card applied for.
- The test pass is more than two years old.
- The qualification is not one CSCS recognises for that card — check it with the Card Finder first.
- The name on the qualification does not match the name on the application.
- The photo does not meet CSCS requirements.
Common questions
- What NVQ level do I need for a black CSCS card?
- Level 4, 5, 6 or 7 in construction management or a technical subject. Older guides say Level 6 or 7 only, but CSCS accepts Level 4 and above.
- Is SMSTS enough for a black card?
- No. SMSTS is a safety course. The Manager card needs an NVQ/SVQ at Level 4 or above and the Managers and Professionals test.
- How much does the Black Manager card cost?
- The card costs £36 (£42 from 1 February 2027) when you apply direct through CSCS. On top of that you pay £23.50 for the CITB test, and the cost of any qualification the card needs.
- How long does the Black Manager card take to arrive?
- Approved cards usually arrive within five working days of a successful application. Apply before you need it — sites check cards at the gate.
- Which CITB test do I need for the Black Manager card?
- CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment test. Book it through CITB; the pass must be no more than two years old when you apply.