CSCS Academically Qualified Person (AQP) Card: White Card for Construction Graduates in 2026

Who is the AQP card for?

The CSCS Academically Qualified Person card, the AQP card, in the White family, recognises people who have earned a construction-related academic qualification rather than coming up through a trade or a professional-body membership. It is the card for construction graduates, HND and HNC holders, those with a CIOB Certificate, and people holding certain NEBOSH qualifications, who work in construction-related roles and need site access.

It is a permanent card: valid for 5 years and renewable, unlike the temporary red cards. It sits alongside the Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) card in the White family, the difference is purely whether your route in is an academic qualification (AQP) or membership of an approved professional body (PQP).

Eligible qualifications

CSCS accepts the following construction-related academic qualifications for the AQP card:

• Construction-related degrees
• HNDs (Higher National Diplomas)
• HNCs (Higher National Certificates)
• CIOB Certificates (Chartered Institute of Building)
• Certain NEBOSH diplomas and certificates

Note the qualifier on the last point: not all NEBOSH qualifications are accepted, only certain diplomas and certificates. Because acceptance depends on the specific qualification, the safest step is to confirm yours with the CSCS Card Finder before applying.

Test requirements, MAP or CIC

For the AQP card you must hold a current health-and-safety test pass, and CSCS accepts either of two options equally:

• The CITB Managers and Professionals (MAP) Health, Safety and Environment test, 50 questions in 45 minutes, with a pass mark of 45 out of 50 (90%)(previously 46/50 / 92% before CITB's 2025 standardisation), or
• The CIC (Construction Industry Council) Health and Safety test.

Both are valid for the AQP application, choose whichever is easier for you to book and sit. Our free mock tests prepare you for the CITB route directly.

How to apply

Applications are made through CSCS Online (cscsonline.uk.com), with cards typically arriving within 5 working days. You will need to provide:

• A copy of your qualification.
• Where possible, evidence of the units achieved within the qualification.
• A valid CITB MAP or CIC health and safety test pass, and a photo meeting the CSCS requirements.

If you are unsure whether your qualification is accepted, the CSCS Card Finder confirms eligibility for your specific academic qualification before you apply.

Overseas qualifications

If you hold a non-UK construction-related qualification that is not recognised by CSCS, you should contact Ecctis for an Industry Skills Statement. This assesses how your overseas qualification compares to UK standards so it can be used to support a CSCS application.

Career progression

The AQP card is a complete card in its own right, but it sits close to the management routes. People moving into site-management responsibility often hold the Black Manager card as well, and because the Black card uses the same MAP test, an AQP holder is already well placed to add it. For the full picture of how the cards relate, see our types of CSCS cards directory and CSCS card types explained.

How our mock tests help you prepare

If you take the CITB MAP route, the format is 50 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, with a 45/50 (90%) pass mark and no negative marking. The MAP syllabus layers management-specific content (CDM 2015, leadership, supervising health and safety at scale) on top of the core topics. Our practice tool covers it with a bank of over 3,000 exam-style questions and a clear explanation on every wrong answer. Drill topic by topic in practice mode, then sit a full timed free mock test, no signup needed.

Sample MAP question