For those wondering “how much is a CSCS card?” I’m here to break all that down for you.
No matter which CSCS card you’re applying for, there’s a flat-rate cost of £36. However, there’s more to it than just the card fee itself. You’ll also need to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test —aka the CSCS Test—before getting your hands on a CSCS Card. And guess what? This test isn’t free either – it comes with a separate cost of £22.50.
That said, the exact cost for a CSCS card varies depending on which exact type of card you’re after. For example, for the Green Card, you’ll need to pay your standard application fee (£36), plus your CITB HS&E test (£22.50), and then an extra course called Level 1 Health and Safety in Construction Environment (costing £99.00).
Ready to Get Your CSCS Green Card?
Ready to Get Your CSCS Green Card?
What is a CSCS card?
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card is your ticket to work in the UK construction industry. It gives employers confidence in your abilities.
It’s proof that you’ve got the skills and training needed to safely do your job, and improve health and safety standards on site.
There are different types of CSCS cards available, each color-coded to represent different roles and levels of expertise within the industry.
Types of CSCS Cards & the Costs
Now, onto the big question – how much does it cost to get a CSCS card? Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards come in different types, each with its respective cost. But here’s the basic:
Every type of CSCS card has an application fee of £36. On top of that, there’s the CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Test (widely known as the CSCS test). You’ll have to shell out another £22.50 for that. And remember: no passing grade on the CITB test means no CSCS card! So all in all, a new CSCS Card will set you back about £58.50.
Now let’s talk specifics. Below are the costs of some specific types of CSCS cards in 2024:
CSCS Green Card (Labourer)
A CSCS Green Card is aimed primarily at labourers in construction settings. It’s designed to confirm that the holder has achieved a certain level of health and safety awareness on site.
So, what is the cost of this cscs card?
The cost for obtaining this card remains the same at £36, with an extra £22.50 for the CITB HS&E test. But there’s more – you’ll also need to factor in the Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment course (a requirement for the card) that costs around £99.
A summary:
- Card Cost: fee £36
- CITB HS&E Test: £22.50
- Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment Course: £99.00
CSCS Blue Card (Skilled Worker)
This particular card indicates that you’ve got vocational skills within your chosen trade.
The cscs card price? You’re looking at about £36 plus another £22.50 for taking that essential CITB test. And of course, you’ll have to pay for the NVQ/SVQ level qualification required to get this card.
Gold CSCS Cards (Advanced Craft/Supervisory)
Holders are experienced supervisors and managers recognized as having advanced craft skills or holding supervisory roles.
You’d think these might be more pricey? And you’d be right!
The total cost for the gold card can vary depending on your qualification route – between NVQ/SVQ level 3 or 4 ranging from £1,495 to an eye-watering £2,450! And, there’s the CITB test fee of £22.59 as well.
Gold CSCS Card (Supervisor)
This other Gold Card designed for supervisors has a similar range in terms of cost.
It all depends on your qualification, but it does require an NVQ certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or a level 4 NVQ/SVQ, and the costs can also span from £1,495 to £2,450. And yes, there’s the CITB test too at £22.50!
Black CSCS Card (Manager/ Professional)
For managers and professionals operating in construction environments, there’s the Black Managerial and Professional card.
Be prepared to shell out similar standard fees mentioned above; however, more advanced qualifications are necessary to apply.
Red CSCS Card (Experienced Technical, Supervisory, and Management)
The Red Experienced Technical, Supervisory, and Management card is made for those with solid experience but lack a recognized qualification. The cost of this CSCS Card is approximately £36, with the HS&E test fee.
Red CSCS Card (Trainee)
Just starting out? The Trainee Red Card might be your best bet. It’s designed for trainees in construction-related roles. How much does a cscs card cost? You can get this card for around £36.
White CSCS Cards
We’ve got two types of White cards – one for professionally qualified people; and another specifically tailored for academically qualified individuals.
The cscs card price here depend on your existing qualifications and whether or not you need further training.
And there you have it! A rundown on how much a CSCS card is depending on which color suits your needs best!
Additional Fees & Expenses
Aside from the basic application fees and tests that I’ve already discussed, some additional expenses could be part of the process.
Here are some factors that can affect the overall costs of CSCS Cards:
Price of Training Courses or qualification requirements
Depending on your occupation and level of expertise, you might need specific qualifications before applying for certain CSCS cards. The prices for these courses can vary greatly depending on what they’re covering, but as an example: The Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in Construction Environment course is priced around £99.00.
Revision Materials
There’s the cost associated with revision materials for the CITB Health Safety & Environment Test (HS&E), which is a prerequisite for most CSCS cards. However, I want to note that this isn’t a mandatory expense; many folks choose to self-study using freely available resources online.
And there’s also retake costs. If for any reason you fail either the HS&E test or practical skills assessment on your first attempt, there will be extra charges involved for each retake attempt.
Lost Card Replacement
If you need to replace your CSCS Card for any reason, whether it’s lost or damaged, know that it’ll cost around £36 – the same as the original card application fee. You can apply by phone or online depending on what works best for you.
The validity period of your card
Let’s talk renewals – because yes, unfortunately, they too have their own set of costs involved! You’re allowed to renew your CSCS Card within six months before or after its expiry date.
During renewal, you’ll be asked again for evidence the of qualifications relevant for accessing the type of card being renewed plus retaking the CITB HS&E Test just so everyone knows you’re still up-to-date with health & safety regulations on site!
The renewal process itself requires a call to the CSCS Contact Centre (or an online application) and a payment of …you guessed it, £36!
Booking Fee
Now let’s say you decided to use a third-party company to book your test. Well, those companies usually charge a booking fee as well – yet another thing to add to the growing list of potential expenses! However, many find this service incredibly helpful due to its convenience and the bonus of receiving advice throughout each step of the process.
How long does a CSCS card last?
The validity period varies depending on which type of card you’ve got—it can be anywhere from 6 months up to a full 5 years—but most cards are valid for 5 years.
The only exception here is the “Provisional Card“, that one’s only good for half a year.
When you get your new card, take note of the expiry date printed on it. That’s how you’ll know when it’s time to renew or upgrade.
CSCS card renewal cost
Wanna know how much cscs renewal cost? Each CSCS card costs £36 for renewal.
Now keep in mind, this is just the fee for the actual card itself; there are other costs you’ll need to factor in as well.
For instance, before you can renew your card, you’re required to retake and pass the CITB Health, Safety, and Environment Test (also known as the CSCS test) within 2 years. This is to ensure that you’re updated with all health and safety regulations operating on-site. So what is a cscs test? The cost for this test stands at £22.50.
The renewal process for your CSCS card kicks off 6 months prior to the expiry date and continues for 6 more months after. During this phase, you need to:
- Provide evidence of your qualifications
- Take (and pass!) the CITB HS&E Test again
- If any changes have occurred in your occupation since your last application, you gotta let CSCS know.
Once everything’s gathered up, get on the phone with the CSCS Contact Centre or jump online to pay the £36 fee (so have that debit or credit card ready).
CSCS card replacement
Now let’s say you’ve lost your card or it got damaged somehow, your replacement will cost another £36 flat rate.
So how do you go about getting a new one? You have two options:
- Phone in by calling the CSCS Contact Centre on 0344 994 4777 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays (sadly they don’t do weekends). Keep in mind though that phone applications take longer than online ones.
- Apply directly through the CSCS website. If you haven’t got an account with them yet, it’s easy peasy to set one up right there.
I would also remind you that the new card will be identical to your previous one- same expiry date included!
Factors Affecting CSCS Card Costs
When you want to get a new card, it’s not just about asking “How much is a CSCS card?” or “What is the cost of a CSCS test?” There are some factors that can affect the cost of obtaining your CSCS card.
First things first, experience matters.
If you’ve been around the block and have an abundance of relevant qualifications under your belt, you might be eligible for one of those fancy advanced cards. But hold onto your hard hats because these can come with a heftier price tag compared to the basic ones.
Here are a few examples for you:
The Gold Card for Advanced Craft or Supervisory roles varies in cost depending upon your qualification route – NVQ/SVQ level 3 or 4 – ranging from £1,495 to £2,450. The Labourer card is way cheaper at just £99.00 for the Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment Course.
Moving on to training requirements.
Depending on what role you’re aiming for and your existing knowledge base, there may be additional courses that need ticking off before you qualify for certain cards. These extra courses add to how much it costs to get a CSCS card.
For instance: for the CSCS Skilled Blue Card, you must have passed the appropriate NVQ or SVQ level along with £22.50 for the CITB test and an application fee of £36.
Finally, I want to address the validity period.
Unlike that stubborn stain on your work pants, CSCS cards don’t last forever. Most are valid for five years (apart from the Provisional Card which only lasts six months), so you need to factor in renewal costs to your budget too.
These pesky costs sneak up every five years when your CSCS card expires and needs renewing.
For example, I renewed my Academically Qualified Person White CSCS card in 2021. The renewal process involved proving my qualifications and retaking health and safety tests, which I did.
I provided evidence of my NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and other updated qualifications.
Once I submitted my application for renewal, I had to wait for approval.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and I received my renewed CSCS card in the mail a few days later.
Final Thoughts
While obtaining a CSCS card does come with its associated costs both upfront and ongoing, remember that it’s an investment in your career.
The card can open up new opportunities, make you more desirable to potential employers, and ultimately, ensure the safety of everyone on site. So when you ask “how much is CSCS card?”, consider not just the monetary price but also its value in terms of your professional development and safety at work.
So there we have it – a complete breakdown of the costs involved with getting a CSCS Card.
I hope this has been helpful!
