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CSCS, the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, is the leading site card scheme in UK construction: a CSCS card shows that the holder has the training and qualifications for the job they do on a construction site. CSCS issues 13 different cards, and the colour and name on yours tell a site manager what kind of work you are qualified for.
Why sites ask for a CSCS card
Holding a CSCS card is not a legal requirement. It is up to the principal contractor or client whether workers need one, but CSCS says most principal contractors and major house builders do ask for a valid card before anyone goes on site. It gives them a quick check that each person has passed a health and safety test and holds the right qualification, or is registered and working towards it. You can learn how to check a CSCS card in our separate guide.
The 13 cards
There are six colours, and some colours cover more than one card. Each card below links to our page on what it needs and how long it lasts.
| Colour | Cards and who they are for |
|---|---|
| Green | Labourer. General site labouring only, not skilled trades. |
| Blue | Skilled Worker. Qualified tradespeople with a construction related Level 2 NVQ or a recognised apprenticeship. |
| Gold (two cards) | Gold Skilled Worker (formerly called Advanced Craft), for Level 3 trades, and Supervisor, for people running a team with a Level 3 or 4 supervisory NVQ. |
| Black | Manager. Site, contracts and project managers with a construction management NVQ at Level 4 to 7. |
| White (two cards) | Academically Qualified Person and Professionally Qualified Person. |
| Red (six cards) | Industry Placement, Provisional, Trainee, Apprentice, Experienced Worker and Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager. Time limited cards for people new to the industry or working towards a qualification. |
If you are not sure which card you need, the card checker on our CSCS page asks two questions and tells you the card, the qualification and the test that goes with it.
How to get a CSCS card in three steps
- Pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. CSCS does not run the test; CITB does. The operatives test is 50 multiple choice questions in 45 minutes, and the pass mark is 90 per cent, so 45 out of 50. Most card applications need a pass from within the last two years. You can book your HS&E test with us, and our guide explains how to pass the test first time.
- Hold the qualification for your card. For example, the one day Health and Safety Awareness course (an accepted alternative to the Level 1 Award) for the green card, a Level 2 NVQ for blue, or a construction management NVQ such as Level 6 for the Black Manager card.
- Apply to CSCS through the My CSCS app or CSCS Online while your test pass is still in date.
Which NVQ leads to which card?
Most trades follow the same pattern. A Level 2 NVQ leads to the Blue Skilled Worker card and a Level 3 NVQ to the Gold Skilled Worker card. Our trade NVQs are assessed on your own jobs, so there is no college to attend. If you are weighing up the two levels, see NVQ Level 2 vs Level 3.
| Qualification | Card it leads to |
|---|---|
| Level 2 NVQ | Blue Skilled Worker card |
| Level 3 NVQ | Gold Skilled Worker card |
| Level 3 or 4 supervisory NVQ | Gold Supervisor card |
| Level 6 NVQ in construction management | Black Manager card, for site and contracts managers (see our Level 6 NVQ guide) |
How long does a card last?
It depends on the card. A green Labourer card lasts two years the first time, and people still working as labourers can renew it for five years with evidence of their labouring role (our guide to the Labourer card changes explains why). The Blue, Gold, Black and White cards last five years. Red cards are shorter and most cannot be renewed: the Provisional card lasts six months and the Experienced Worker card one year. Our guide on how to renew your card covers the renewal steps.
Where to start
If you are new to construction and will be labouring, the green Labourer card is the usual first step: one day of Health and Safety Awareness and the operatives HS&E test, which on set dates you can sit on the same day at our Stoke-on-Trent centre once the course has finished. If you already work in a trade, skip the Labourer card and go for the card that matches your job.
Frequently asked questions
What does CSCS stand for?
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme. It is the leading skills certification scheme in UK construction.
How many CSCS cards are there?
Thirteen, across six colours: one green, one blue, two gold, one black, two white and six red.
What do I need for a green CSCS card?
A pass in the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for operatives from within the last two years, plus the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment or an accepted alternative such as the one day CITB Health and Safety Awareness course.
Is the CSCS test the same as the HS&E test?
Yes. The “CSCS test” is the common name for the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. CITB runs it, not CSCS, and you need a pass before you can apply for a card.
Read the source
Sources: the CSCS website (types of CSCS cards, the individual card pages, About CSCS and the CSCS test page) and the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test page for operatives, plus Acadame’s own CSCS cards, HS&E test and Health and Safety Awareness course pages. Facts checked on 9 November 2026.
Tell us what the job is
Say what the work involves and who is doing it, and we will say honestly which course or card it needs, including when the answer is that you do not need one.
Real people, quick answers. 0330 124 2165.
