Which CSCS Card Should I Apply For?

Are you looking to apply for a CSCS Card? 

Please take a look below at the different types of CSCS cards available, who they are for and how to get them.

Green CSCS Card – Labourer

The Green Labourer Card is the basic CSCS card you will need to get on a construction site. To obtain the card, you must pass the GQA Level 1 CSCS Course, Test and Card.

Your certificate for this course doesn’t need renewing, however, your GQA CSCS card is valid for 5 five years before it expires.

Alternatively, you can complete the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test and complete the CITB Health and Safety Awareness within two years to gain your Green CSCS Card.

The certificate for the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course is valid for five years, after that, you will need to complete the course again. The Green CSCS Card is also valid for five years.

Red CSCS Cards

These are temporary cards for those working on construction sites who need proof that they are working towards the relevant qualification for their job role. Take a look at the types of Red Cards below…

Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager 

To obtain this card, you should:

• Be enrolled onto a Construction Technical, Supervisory or Management NVQ at Level 3 or above*
• Have not achieved an NVQ at Level 3 or above in a relevant field previously
• Have on-the-job experience as a Supervisor or Manager
• Not be a member of a Professional Body

*enrolling onto one of the below NVQs with 3B Training will allow you to apply for the Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager card:

• NVQ L3 in Occupational Work Supervision
• NVQ L4 in Construction Site Supervision
• NVQ L6 in Occupational Health & Safety Practice
• NVQ L6 in Construction Site Management
• NVQ L6 in Construction Contracting Operations Management
• NVQ L7 in Construction Senior Management

After 3 years, the card expires and is then unrenewable. You will only hold the card temporarily whilst you complete your NVQ. Depending on the level of your occupation, you should take the relevant CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. Find out which test you should take here.

Experienced Worker 

To gain the Red CSCS Experienced Worker card, you need to be enrolled on a Construction NVQ Level 2 or above and have job experience. After one year, the card will expire and cannot be renewed. You must also complete the relevant CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test depending on your occupation level.

Enrolling on to one of the below NVQs with 3B Training will allow you to apply for the Experienced Worker Card:

• NVQ L2/L3 Painting & Decorating
• NVQ L2/L3 Plastering
• NVQ L2 Site Carpentry (Joinery)
• NVQ L2/L3 Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying)

Blue CSCS Card – Skilled Worker

To apply for the Blue CSCS Skilled Worker Card, you must have completed an NVQ Level 2 in your field and have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test.

The Blue CSCS Skilled Worker card expires after 5 years.

3B Training offer the following NVQs which allow you to apply for a Skilled Worker card on completion:

• NVQ L2 Painting & Decorating
• NVQ L2 Plastering
• NVQ L2 Site Carpentry (Joinery)
• NVQ L2 Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying)

Gold CSCS Cards

These are advanced-level cards that show you are highly skilled within your field and that you hold the relevant NVQ for your job role. Take a look at the types of Gold Cards below…

Advanced Craft

To obtain the Gold CSCS Advanced Craft card, you must have achieved a Level 3 NVQ or higher in your job role.  You must have also completed the relevant CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for your occupation level. Advanced Card applicants would, in most cases, take the Operative or the Specialist test.

3B Training offer the following NVQs which allow you to apply for an Advanced Craft card on completion:

• NVQ L3 Painting & Decorating
• NVQ L3 Plastering
• NVQ L3 Site Carpentry (Joinery)
• NVQ L3 Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying)

Supervisory 

The Gold CSCS Supervisors card is designed for those completing a Construction Related Supervisory level NVQ. You must also pass the Supervisors CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test.

3B Training offer the following NVQs which allow you to apply for a Supervisory card on completion:

• NVQ L3 Occupational Work Supervision
• NVQ L3 in Occupational Health & Safety
• NVQ L4 Construction Site Supervision

You need to renew your Supervisory card after 5 years.

Black CSCS Card – Manager

If you are in a management role in the construction industry, this is the relevant CSCS card. You will obtain the card upon completion of a Construction related Management NVQ. The card is also applicable if you currently hold a pre-existing Level 4 Construction Management NVQ. In addition, you must pass the  CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test to get this card.

3B Training offer the following NVQs which allow you to apply for a Manager card on completion:

• NVQ L6 Construction Site Management
• NVQ L6 in Construction Contracting Operations Management
• NVQ L6 in Occupational Health & Safety
• NVQ L7 in Construction Senior Management

You need to renew your Manager card after 5 years.

What is a EUSR Card?

The EUSR Card is the CPCS, CSCS equivalent for utility workers. Find out more about the card here.

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