Types of CSCS Cards 2026: Complete Guide to All 13 Cards

The 13 CSCS card types

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) issues 13 different cards for people working in construction, grouped into five categories by role and qualification. Each card proves a level of health-and-safety awareness and competence that lets you onto UK sites; most principal contractors require one before granting access. The card you need depends on what you do and the qualification you hold, the directory below lays out all 13 so you can find yours and start practising the right free mock test.

Entering the industry

These are the starting points for anyone new to construction. They get you on site legally while you train towards a permanent, skilled card.

Validity: 3 years · non-renewable

Test: Operatives HS&E

Qualification: Registered for a competence-assessed qualification

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 4 years 6 months · non-renewable

Test: Operatives HS&E

Qualification: On a recognised apprenticeship

Cost: Free

Practise this mock test

Labouring roles

For general operatives whose work does not yet require a recognised trade qualification, the most common entry card on UK sites.

Validity: 2 yrs first-time → 5 yrs on renewal

Test: Operatives HS&E

Qualification: Level 1 award in H&S in a Construction Environment

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Skilled Workers

For qualified tradespeople. The colour and route depend on your NVQ/SVQ level, with a temporary option for those still working towards a qualification.

Validity: 5 years

Test: Operatives HS&E (Specialist for some trades)

Qualification: NVQ/SVQ Level 2

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 5 years

Test: Operatives or Specialist HS&E

Qualification: NVQ/SVQ Level 3 (advanced craft)

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 1 year · non-renewable

Test: Operatives or Specialist HS&E

Qualification: 1+ year on-site experience, working towards an NVQ

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Supervisors and Managers

For staff who direct work rather than carry it out. Higher-level qualifications and the Supervisors or MAP test apply.

Validity: 5 years

Test: Supervisors HS&E

Qualification: NVQ/SVQ Level 3 (supervisory/technical)

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 5 years

Test: MAP HS&E

Qualification: NVQ/SVQ Level 4-7 in construction management

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 3 years · non-renewable

Test: Supervisors or MAP HS&E

Qualification: Experience-based, working towards an NVQ

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Academically and Professionally Qualified

For degree-qualified and chartered professionals, plus temporary cards for placements and probationary periods.

Validity: 5 years

Test: MAP or CIC HS&E

Qualification: Construction-related degree, HND, HNC, CIOB Certificate or certain NEBOSH qualifications

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 5 years · non-renewable

Test: MAP or CIC HS&E

Qualification: Member of a CSCS-approved professional body

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 3 years · non-renewable

Test: Operatives HS&E

Qualification: On a 30+ day construction work placement

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Validity: 6 months · non-renewable

Test: Operatives HS&E

Qualification: Probationary, first-time applicants only, applied for once

Cost: £36

Practise this mock test

Compare all 13 CSCS cards side by side

Every card's validity, renewability, required test, qualification and cost in one place. On a phone, scroll the table sideways, the card name stays fixed.

Card	Colour	Validity	Test	Qualification	Cost	More
Trainee	red	3 years	Operatives HS&E	Registered for a competence-assessed qualification	£36	Mock test →
Apprentice	red	4 years 6 months	Operatives HS&E	On a recognised apprenticeship	Free	Mock test →
Labourer	green	2 yrs first-time → 5 yrs on renewal	Operatives HS&E	Level 1 award in H&S in a Construction Environment	£36	Mock test →
Skilled Worker	blue	5 years	Operatives HS&E (Specialist for some trades)	NVQ/SVQ Level 2	£36	Mock test →
Advanced Craft / Skilled Worker	gold	5 years	Operatives or Specialist HS&E	NVQ/SVQ Level 3 (advanced craft)	£36	Mock test →
Experienced Worker	red	1 year	Operatives or Specialist HS&E	1+ year on-site experience, working towards an NVQ	£36	Mock test →
Supervisory	gold	5 years	Supervisors HS&E	NVQ/SVQ Level 3 (supervisory/technical)	£36	Mock test →
Manager	black	5 years	MAP HS&E	NVQ/SVQ Level 4-7 in construction management	£36	Mock test →
Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager	red	3 years	Supervisors or MAP HS&E	Experience-based, working towards an NVQ	£36	Mock test →
Academically Qualified Person	white	5 years	MAP or CIC HS&E	Construction-related degree, HND, HNC, CIOB Certificate or certain NEBOSH qualifications	£36	Mock test →
Professionally Qualified Person	white	5 years	MAP or CIC HS&E	Member of a CSCS-approved professional body	£36	Mock test →
Industry Placement	red	3 years	Operatives HS&E	On a 30+ day construction work placement	£36	Mock test →
Provisional	red	6 months	Operatives HS&E	Probationary, first-time applicants only, applied for once	£36	Mock test →

Scroll horizontally to see all columns. Facts as published by CSCS (cscs.uk.com), May 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

This directory covers the 13 CSCS cards for people working in construction, spanning six colours: green, red, blue, gold, black and white. A separate Yellow Visitor card also exists for people visiting a site who are not carrying out construction work.

It depends on your role and your highest qualification. Labourers with a Level 1 award need the Green Card; tradespeople with an NVQ Level 2 need the Blue Card; supervisors with an NVQ Level 3 need the Gold Card; managers with an NVQ Level 4-7 need the Black Card; degree-qualified and chartered professionals need a White Card. Use the Card Finder at the top of this page for a quick recommendation.

It varies by card. The first-time Green Labourer Card lasts 2 years (then 5 years on renewal since 1 February 2025); Blue, Gold, Black and White cards last 5 years; the Trainee, Experienced Technical/Supervisor/Manager and Industry Placement Cards last 3 years; the Experienced Worker Card lasts 1 year; and the Provisional Card lasts 6 months.

The red cards, Trainee, Apprentice, Experienced Worker, Experienced Technical/Supervisor/Manager, Industry Placement and Provisional, are temporary and cannot be renewed. They are stepping-stone cards: you are expected to complete your qualification and move to a permanent skilled card before they expire.

Most do. The CITB Health, Safety and Environment test is required for the great majority of routes, the Operatives test for labourer/skilled/trainee routes, the Supervisors test for the Gold Supervisory Card, and the Managers and Professionals (MAP) test for the Black and White cards. Confirm the exact requirement for your route at cscs.uk.com.

The CSCS card fee is £36, the same across the colours, with the Apprentice card issued free of charge. Where a CITB test is required, the booking fee is around £23.50 on top. Our mock tests are free.

Complete the qualification for the next tier, pass the relevant CITB test, and apply for the new card. The typical career path runs Trainee → Labourer → Skilled Worker → Supervisor → Manager, with each step backed by a higher-level NVQ/SVQ.

Every CSCS Card Type Explained: All 13 Cards in 2026

Find your CSCS card

The 13 CSCS card types

Entering the industry

Labouring roles

Skilled Workers

Supervisors and Managers

Academically and Professionally Qualified

Compare all 13 CSCS cards side by side

The CSCS career path

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of CSCS card are there?

Which CSCS card do I need?

How long is each CSCS card valid?

Which CSCS cards cannot be renewed?

Do all CSCS cards require the CITB test?

How much does a CSCS card cost?

How do I move up from one CSCS card to the next?