The CSCS card: who issues it, what it shows and what the scheme says about requirement

This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. The pages used are the official CSCS website (About, FAQs, Types of cards, Occupations carded by other schemes and CSCS Alliance) and the CSCS Group alliance members list. CSCS is a card scheme for construction sites in the UK. It is not a tree work ticket. The guide on UK award lookup covers the tree work awards.

Who runs it

The CSCS FAQ page says the scheme is managed by two bodies. CSCS Limited owns and manages the CSCS logo and makes sure member card schemes follow the Construction Leadership Council recommendations. CSCS Cards Limited operates the CSCS card scheme, which covers core construction occupations and is a member of the CSCS Alliance. The FAQ names the owners of CSCS as Build UK, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, the Federation of Master Builders, UNITE the Union and GMB Union. The About page calls CSCS "the leading skills certification scheme within the UK construction industry".

What the scheme does not do

The About page says CSCS does not deliver courses, training, qualifications or exams. The FAQ adds that each construction occupation has a Sector Skills Body and a Sector Representative Organisation that set the standards and qualifications needed for a card. Qualifications and training are arranged with a college or training provider.

What a card shows

The About page describes a CSCS card as proof that a person working on a construction site holds the training and qualifications that fit the job. The FAQ says a card shows the necessary qualifications and training for an occupation, which covers the skills and knowledge parts of competence. It says competence also includes experience and behaviours, and that employers and contractors assess those. The FAQ says CSCS Smart Check electronically verifies a card and shows the name and registration number of the individual, the card scheme, the card type, the qualifications and the expiry date. It adds that Smart Check also shows a revoked card.

Card types, cost and test

The Types of cards page says CSCS issues thirteen different cards, including the Apprentice, Experienced Worker, Blue Skilled Worker, Gold Skilled Worker, Supervisor, Manager, Labourer, Provisional and Trainee cards. It says the Blue Skilled Worker card is valid for five years. The FAQ says cards issued by CSCS Cards Limited cost GBP 36, except the Apprentice card, which is free. It says the CITB Health, safety and environment test costs GBP 22.50 and is booked through CITB. It says the HS&E test is a primary requirement for most CSCS cards.

What the scheme says about requirement

The CSCS About page says: "Holding a CSCS card is not a legislative requirement". It continues that the principal contractor or client decides whether workers must show a valid card to get onto a site, and that most principal contractors and major house builders ask for one. The FAQ says a card does not automatically grant access to a construction site, and that the principal contractor controls site access. The FAQ also says cards are only necessary for those performing recognised construction occupations. It lists non-construction workers, visitors and people on informal work experience as not needing one. The About page says those attending site for a non-construction occupation should not be expected to carry a card.

Cards from other schemes

The Occupations carded by other schemes page says CSCS only issues cards to core construction occupations, such as carpentry and plastering. It says more specialist sectors apply through the matching CSCS Alliance scheme. The FAQ says CSCS is one of 38 card schemes that carry the CSCS logo. The CSCS Group members page says the alliance has 36 card schemes. Each count is quoted as printed on its own page. The CSCS Alliance page quotes the Construction Leadership Council guidance that industry should specify and promote card schemes carrying the CSCS logo "with no equivalents accepted".

The members page lists the plant operator scheme (see the CPCS card), NPORS (see the NPORS card) and the powered access scheme run by IPAF among the alliance members.