Red CSCS cards are temporary cards issued by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) to workers who are in training or working towards full skilled status in the UK construction industry. They indicate the holder is not yet fully qualified, but is progressing towards gaining the required skills and experience for their occupation.
Red cards serve several key purposes:
They balance allowing workplace access for newcomers with maintaining standards. Statistics show more red cards being issued, reflecting increased new entrants to the sector.
Red cards are temporary, non-renewable CSCS cards for workers in training. They allow access to construction sites that require CSCS cardholders while striving for full skilled status. Red cards indicate the holder is registered on a recognised construction qualification or apprenticeship relevant to their intended career.
There are five types of red CSCS cards:
Each red card has specific eligibility criteria and expiry periods. Once expired, holders must apply for a new red card or their full skilled CSCS card.
This card is for people completely new to construction work who do not yet have any CSCS card. It is valid for 6 months and is non-renewable.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
Before the provisional card expires, the holder must have registered for or achieved an appropriate construction-related qualification for their job role. They can then apply for the correct skilled CSCS card.
The provisional card allows new workers time to get qualified while proving they have basic health and safety knowledge to access work sites.
This card is specifically for trainees registered on a construction-related academic, vocational or professional training course. The course must meet the requirements set by CSCS for the skilled card the trainee intends to qualify for upon completion.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
Trainee red CSCS cards are valid for up to 5 years. This allows time for the trainee to complete their chosen course and progress to the appropriate skilled CSCS card for the occupation.
The card cannot be renewed. If a trainee needs to continue using it beyond 5 years, they must apply for a new trainee red card.
This card is for experienced construction workers who can prove on-site experience and are registered for a construction-related NVQ or SVQ at level 2 or above.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
Experienced worker red cards are valid for 1 year. The expectation is that the worker will complete their NVQ/SVQ qualification within that year and progress to applying for the appropriate skilled CSCS card for their occupation.
These cards are non-renewable. Workers must apply for a new experienced worker red card if they need to continue using one beyond 1 year.
This card is designed for people on recognised construction industry apprenticeship schemes. It aims to help apprentices gain access to work sites during their training.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
Many apprentices are exempt from needing to pass the CITB HS&E test.
Apprentice red CSCS cards are valid for up to 4.5 years, allowing time to complete the full apprenticeship training. The card is currently free of charge.
These cards are non-renewable. Once the apprenticeship ends, the apprentice can apply for the correct skilled CSCS card.
This card is for experienced managers, supervisors and technical staff registered for a construction-related NVQ/SVQ at level 3 or above.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
It is valid for up to 3 years, in which time the holder is expected to complete their NVQ/SVQ and apply for the appropriate skilled supervisory or manager CSCS card.
These red cards cannot be renewed. Someone needing longer would have to apply for a new one.
To apply for any red CSCS card, the applicant must first pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, unless eligible for an exemption. This test costs £22.50 and assesses basic knowledge on health and safety, manual handling, work at height, hazardous substances and more.
The test lasts 45 minutes and has 50 multiple choice questions. Test centres are located around the UK.
Once passed, applicants can apply for their red CSCS card through the CSCS website or by calling them. Cards cost £36 and are sent within 10 working days.
Applicants must provide appropriate evidence like qualifications, apprenticeship certificates, course registration etc when applying.
Follow these steps when applying for a red CSCS card:
Red cards cost £36 while CITB test fees are £22.50. Some training providers bundle test and card costs.
Red CSCS cards play an important role in enforcing health and safety standards across UK construction sites.
They ensure workers have a minimum level of health and safety knowledge by requiring most applicants to pass a test. Cards only remain valid while holders are demonstrating progress on relevant training courses.
This helps prevent unsafe workers staying long term on sites. It also blocks untrained people accessing sites where they could endanger themselves and others.
In summary, red CSCS cards allow newcomers to construction to start work and training on site in a way that promotes health, safety and professional skills development across the industry. They indicate the holder is working towards full skilled status and ensure basic knowledge is in place through required testing.
Red CSCS cards are temporary measures designed to allow newcomers on site. But holders must progress onto the full skilled cards for their occupation before expiry.
For example:
If red card holders fail to meet these progressions before expiry, they may have to stop site work until achieving the full card. Those needing longer can apply for an additional red card.
But construction firms will expect evidence of tangible progress. Excessive renewals without progression could indicate issues with skills development.
Most main contractors mandate CSCS cards to work on site so the right card is crucial for continued employment. Red card holders should regularly discuss progress with managers to ensure they transition smoothly to the full skilled card for their role.
Red CSCS cards allow people new to the construction industry to begin working on site while learning the skills and experience needed to become fully qualified for their occupation.
Holders must meet all responsibilities around safety and training progression. The temporary cards expire after set periods, compelling holders to transition to the full CSCS skilled worker cards.
Used correctly, red cards enable newcomers to start building their construction careers in a structured, safe environment. They lay the foundations for a highly trained, professional UK construction workforce.
