Blue CSCS card
Blue Skilled Worker card
Skilled tradespeople qualified at Level 2. Below: the qualification and test you need, how long the card lasts, and what it costs.
- Colour
- Blue
- 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
- Skilled tradespeople qualified at Level 2.
- Qualification
- A construction-related NVQ/SVQ Level 2 (SVQ at SCQF level 5), or a completed apprenticeship — including employer-sponsored apprenticeships and City and Guilds Craft Certificates.
- Test
- CITB HS&E test at the level for your occupation, within the last two years.
- How long it lasts
- Five years.
- Renewable
- Yes, with a current HS&E 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
- Bricklayer
- Carpenter or joiner
- Plasterer
- Painter and decorator
- Groundworker
- Dryliner
Some trades carry a partner-scheme card instead, which shows the CSCS logo: electricians (ECS), plumbers (JIB PMES), scaffolders (CISRS) and plant operators (CPCS or NPORS).
How to apply, step by step
- Check the Blue Skilled Worker card is the right one for your job with the CSCS Card Finder.
- Get the qualification or evidence it needs: a construction-related NVQ/SVQ Level 2 (SVQ at SCQF level 5), or a completed apprenticeship — including employer-sponsored apprenticeships and City and Guilds Craft Certificates.
- Pass the test: cITB HS&E test at the level for your occupation, within the last two years.
- 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.
Next step up: Gold Skilled Worker (Advanced Craft) card
Common questions
- What do I need for a blue CSCS card?
- A construction NVQ/SVQ Level 2 or a completed apprenticeship, plus a pass in the CITB HS&E test at the right level for your trade within the last two years.
- Can I get a blue card without an NVQ?
- Not directly. If you are experienced but unqualified, register for the NVQ Level 2 and apply for the red Experienced Worker card while you complete it.
- How much does the Blue Skilled Worker 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 Blue Skilled Worker 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 Blue Skilled Worker card?
- CITB HS&E test at the level for your occupation, within the last two years. Book it through CITB; the pass must be no more than two years old when you apply.